The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-16
From the Courier dies Elals Unls.
FRANCE IN AMERICA

From the Courier DIES Eiats Unis
FRANCE IN AMERICA.
Two items of news which we have noted since their
arrival and which have suddenly brought France on the
two opposite points OF America, have awakened
lively emotion in certain political spheres II has been
asked al hrst with surprise mixed with some appre
hension, by what singular chance power which had
much TO do at home should suddenly decide to set foot
officially on the island of Hayh by causing squadron
10 occupy the port OF SANTANA Them the surprise and
approximations have been redoubled when il has been
learned that NJ de Rausset- Boulbon--tha bold captain
OF the adventures OF Sonora-not content with having
beaten the Mexican troops OF General Banco, had pro-
claimed the independence OF this department. with the
Interior object, il is said OF making OF it French prov
ince. The strange coincidence OF these pieces OF
has contributed to increase the Importance OF them
in many eyes thus il for the basis for infinite
hypothesis, and than political is disposed
TO see the symptoms OF vast combination made 10 pre-
vent the realization OF those ideas OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and
annexation which they attribute TO the United States
We are not enough advanced into the secrets OF the
ual government of France to say how nearly This sap
position approaches to the reality, but, in opinion,
American sensiveness has this time excited the lmag
nation far too much, and chance may have been in this
occurrence the principal criminal.
Mark this first: Ut the two facts which disturb them,
the only one Tor which the French government be
responsible thus tarthe occupation OF Samanais the
natural consequence, we will say, almost forced by the
situation in which France finds herself with regard 10 the
Dominican republic Since the epoch OF her independence
very active nrgues have been carried this 81 de,
during the eight nine last years by England and the
United States in order to Make at least, their protection
accepted. France, which, fortunately, has been well
represented by her consus in the island Of Hay has
not been able TO remain indifferent TO it. Had she
wished to do so, the thing would have been per-
ecy impossible for her, for it has been towards her
that the eyes OF the Dsmincans have not ceased to
turn their hopes; it has been to her that they have ad
dressed the most explicit offers; it has been under her
protection alone that they have always sought to shelter
themselves Since 1S43, they assured 10 France, by
treaty, the peninsula of Samana which she has only de-
solicitation their part And in this long interval Great
Britain and the United States have spared neither pro-
ceedngs, obsessons, seductons PROMISES
obtain from the Dominican republic what she herself Of
ered with her free will 10 our country But these two
powers inspired in the inhabitants of ST. Domingo dis
trust and repuson which have frustrated the efforts Of
the most skilul diplomatists The two men who may
be considered the founders OF the republicSantana
and Baezee for France preference so decided they
believe so truly that they find only in her that gen
erous and disinteres'ed protection OF which they have
need, that they have declared at different times that
long there remained to them that side glimmerng
of hope they would absolutely refuse the most advan
tageous propositions from England the United States.
The preerence--let add also, the conhdence-wheh
they feel is great, that they not conened with Of
erng to France the proecorae they have not feared TO
propose TO her annexaon-hat is TO say, the absolute
proprietorship OF ST. Domingo
The Domincans have then put themselves entirely at
the mercy OF France and If she has prolted
Ivy these dispositions favorable il is because she has
always had marked respect for national rights and an
instructive repugnance for proceedings which may bring
on diplomatic complications, This belongs, besides, TO
the INDIGESTION to the weakness which the different
governments oil country nave always carried
their political exterior Louis ppe 1874, and the
constituent assembly in lsis have feared the difficulties
with which the question surrounded, and have bet
ter loved 10 refrain when might have been 80 easy
for them TO take an advantageous position.
The government of Louis Bonaparte-we have too
much trahkness not 10 acknowledge it-has had more
resolution. Since the commencement OF 1852 il has
charged the French Consul General in France, NJ
Raybauj, TO take up again. in all its relations the treaty
which stopped towards tie end OF i5I7, and il is
evidently in consequence OF these new negotiations that
n prF nj m last aEpuu
occupation naturally brings The proecorshlp Of France
the Dominican republic, and it very probable that
this protecorshp will be ner;sgsea to the interested
powers
In all this affair, il is necessary first lay aside the
question Of avidiy on the part OF France, When we
think how easily she might for several years not only
have protected officially, but annexed If she had desired
it, the Dominican republic, asonished nj the mod
Grafton she has shown Let this little republic but have
exhibited for Great Britain or the United States the TWEEN
teth part OF the sympathy which she felt for
try, and she would be either English American
property, France, repeat il, has only Just
cepted what has been offered TO her since s43 under all
forms and all occasions She yields only To a nation
al wish in conserving 10 protect republic whose exist
ence she nsures against the ambitious projects oil the En-
peror OF Hayu
France cannot then be exposed 10 tina charge Of ego
tsm of illegal conquest She protects a people that
wishes to be protected by her and that which gives
her part in this affair honorable character is that
she becomes the proecess OF civilization, OF progress
and of the doctrine Of liberty against the usutpaon OF
despotism and OF barbarism, represented by the black
majesty which regns in Hayt Whatever be the hand
which directs this moment the destnes OF our coun-
try however deplorable may be 10 the eyes OF repub
the regime which hangs her II must al least be
acknowledged that in the Dominican question France
mains faithful 10 her mission and VI the United States
will examine the affair with mparalily, they will be
obliged 10 acknowledge that she has remained within the
strlcest limits OF equity
This point we'll established, it is probable that the
thought OF Cuba may have had weight in the
luton OF the French government We would also believe
easily enough that il has in the taking possession OF
the port OF Lamana a OF keeping promise which
It had made jointly with England to Spain but these
points included in this question. II must be
troubled for the uturef we must fear collisions which
should be the first bitterly TO deplore-t would not be
necessary 10 Tecminate the past, TO question the
right OF France to act she has done in her relations
with the Dominican republic,
The second episode which has Just been added, that
which have endeavored 10 analyze imparally, pre-
sented itself under entirely different conditions; that all
appears accidental in that all is the work OF enter
prisng chief who has feaessy undertaken part where
audaclty alone save him M de Rausset- Beulbon,
who went into Sonora TO work The mines, Of which he
took probably 10 secure grant, found himself
obliged, in consequence Of the bad quarrels into which
they drew him, 10 transform his miners into soldiers Now
as he recruited them among the French OF California
goody number Of whom had had experience with the
ke behold his miners excellent soldiers and thanks
to them he fights in military manner the Mexicans who
dare attack him. He has besides drawn numerous par.
among the Sonorans, and amboecoming TO him with
success he attempts revolution after the Mexican fash
ion he pocaims The independence al the State OF So.
nora and as he must attach himself to some power he
naturally thinks OF France.
But the appeal addressed by NJ dc Rausse 10 our coun
try il there has been one does imply tho least In the
world, the connivance Of the French government and
we cannot demand from il account OF the conduct of
our oountrymen in Sonora until il shows itself ready
TO accept the responsibility OF it-und an ostensibe