Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-26
Mr.. Rioes 10 Mr.. WeJster..
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
PARIS MARCH 81, 1852.
SIN: received few days ago your despatch (No. 40)
OF the 9Th instant informing that Monsieur Sartges
had that day called ut the Department Of State and said
that there expressions in ofmy dispatches
relative to the last revolution in France which might be
construed interference in question purely domes-
tic in its nature; that he added he presumed it not
my intention to use language capable of such inter-
pretaon and that he did not specify the phrases
which he referred You proceed to say:
assured him you too well acquainted with your
duties and with the rights of the French authorities
to call in question even by implication the manner in
which those rights had been obtained and that would ad
dress this letter you and authorize you read it 10 NJ de
Turgot and to him that in any thing which have
been said DONE either by yourself e, at the juncture
referred to- nothing in contemplation disrespecu to the
President of the French republic inconsistent with the
arm mont ma people sss k-,s8 7 M, !.
without knowing what portion of my despatch may
have been communicated to Congress- for yet with
out any information the subject except what is
tanned in the imperfect reports of the newspapers think
may say with confidence after reviewing all that were
written by at the epoch referred to- that there
thing in any of them fairly justly susceptible of the
depreciation mentioned by Mr. Sarges On the contra
ry the principle which governed my whole conduct on
the occasion Of the late important here was that
OF an infexbe abstinence from any interference the
side the other in the grave conflict which had
arisen between the constituted authorities of the State
which considered question essentially domestic in its
character and such to be egmately determined only
by the French nation to whom the President himself had
appealed and that until the decision of that the only
rghtfuI tribunal pronounced the proper course
for the representatives of foreign Powers pursue
caly representing the Government and the people
did, was to remain passive and respectful spectators in
presence of the sovereignty of the nation deberatng
upon its destines and rights.
That there expressions in my dispatches ind-
eating not by implication, natural sympathy for
the of liberty and those great constitutional guaran
for its enjoyment which all Americans taught to
reverence, will not undertake to affirm; l should be
sorry indeed if that could be said But then it be
in m nd mt WI tn m Cow
that it my duty to communicate events to it,
them without extenuaton exaggeraon; and that the
first and indispensable quality in all such communications
is TRUTH and as far practicable the whole truth None
of the dispatches in question expected by
to be published for their sole object keep the Gov
ernment informed of current events here at of
peculiar interest If they have since obtained publicity
it by of mine but by the decision those who
interested with the sole authority to judge of the
fitness of their publication and who presumed to
weighed at the time all the considerations of expedency
and proprety belonging to question often of great deli
cacy. Having been made public, however and in the
guar and constitutional intercourse between the coord
nate departments of the Government, it becomes ques
ton of grave Importance whether foreign Power has
right to take exception to views and opinions which
Minister Of the United States in free and confidential
respondence with his own Government may express
be supposed by implication entertain respecting
currences passing under his observation abroad
On this pointI find tusy celebrated letter
Mr. Husemann, anssessnG slvtunlSr complaint Of the
Austrian Government You used he following language
him to the Senate transmitting correspondence between the
Executive and confidential agent Of its
This would to be itself domestic transaction
Of intercourse the President Senate
the which is usual and indispensable in communi
cations between the different branches Of the Government II
addressed either to Austria Hungary it
any public manifesto which any foreign State called
TO reply. 1t account Of its transactions communi
Gated by the Executive Government the Senate the
quest of that bodymade public indeed but made public
because such the and usual Of proceed
ing it may regarded as somewhat strange therefore,
by
tons given Mr.. Husemann it itself interfering with
the domestic Of foreign State the very thing which
is the ground fits complaint against the United States
In subsequent part Of the letter Of Mr. Hulsemann
the same principle is again affirmed and with yet greater
emphasis
"Wih respect to the communication of Mr. Mann's in
uctons TO the Senate and the language in which they
couched II has already been said, and Mr. Husemann
feel the justice Of the remark domestic affairs
in reference TO which the Government Of the United States
cannot admit the slightest responsibility to the Government
Of his Imperial Majesty No deserving the appeaton
Of independent permit the language in which may in
suct its officers in the discharge Of their duties to itself
to be called in question under any petext by foreign Power
The same latitude and immunity claimed for communi-
cations Of the Government to its officers must upon
every consideration of justice, and with perhaps
stronger reason be extended to addressed
the Government by its agents abroad whose expressly
enoined duty il is to give full and correct information Of
all important political events and changes occurring in
the countries where they reside Though the language
Of my dispatches relating to the late events here
studied Of them having been written, have al
ready said with view to publication yet have not
been able to find them any expressions
mere denunciaon and intemperance any dsrespectfu
offensive phrase towards the President any func
tonary Of the Government any thing in short which
il was not proper for say in faithful narrative Of
occurrences addressed to my Government and which
was not justified, believed by the truth Of facts
This being the case you will readily comprehend that
matter Of sefrespect, well from just regard to
the honor and dignity Of my country, feel nvncble
repugnance offering explanation and apology where
deeply sensible just cause of exception COM
plant exists. The terms Of disavowa embodied in your
despatch extend remark, not only to any thing which
may have been said or implied but to any thing which
may have been done by me and might SEEM therefore
be apology for the pursued in temporarily
abstainng from the Presidents receptions well for
the tenor my dispatches But that part Of conduct
Ihave supposed TO be already officially approved and not
| now liable to be called in question.
After full and deliberate consideration Of the subject
in all its bearings have concluded read your des
patch to NJ. de Turgo to say any thing to him IN
relation to circumstances passed and irrevocable
which have long ceased to occupy the attention OF this
Government The course pursued by the Government OF
the United States with regard the memorable events OF
December has attracted the attention Of the world IL
has become part Of the history of the times Your OFF,
ca letter in relation to these events and which was sup
posed approve Of my conduct has been published and
read every where in Europe Any explanation apology
now offered with regard to those transactions woud be-
in the eyes Of the world retreat from marked and
honorable position taken by the Government Of the
United States which have every to believe has
been appreciated and respected well elsewhere
No mark Of respect to the President of the Republic
has ever been omitted by me which consistent with
the great principle equally acknowledged in France ana
America Of the interest and permanent sovereignty OF
the nation Nor have occasions been wanting during my
present residence here to evnce the high sense enter
- Il n ~t&erant and