Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-15

come to Paris with view of remaining here,
that privilege was not accorded him. 1t was,
therefore, necessary to consult him as to his
intentions, and it was himself who would not
allow time to do so.
Our laws are strict with respect to foreigners.
The Minister of the Interior causes their rigor-
rous provisions to be executed when it is shown
him that there is any necessity for such action !;
and even then he makes use of discretionary
power, which the government of the Emperor
has never allowed to be discussed. The quality
of foreigner on the part of Mr.. Soule, placed
him within the scope Of the measure Of which
he was the object. All that remained was to
reconcile this measure with the public charac.
ter with which he was invested. You will ac-
knowledge, sir, that this is what we have done,
and that the government of the United States,
with which government his Majesty the EN-
peror has at heart to cultivate the relations Of
friendship and esteem, has in no wise been
assailed In the person Of one of its representa-
tives. dp, fksgAgf &s
The minister Of the United States in Spain
is free, 1 repeat it, to pass through France.
Mr.. Soule, who has no mission to fulfil near
the Emperor, and who, conformably with the
doctrine sanctioned by the law Of nations;
would need, on account of his origin, a special
agreement to enable him to represent in his
native land the country Of his adoption-Mr.
Soule, as q simple private individual, comes
within the pale Of the common law which has
been applied to him, and he cannot lay claim
to any privileges. t
Accept, sir, the assurance of high conside-
| ration with which have the honor to remain
your very humble and obedient servant,
DROUYN DE L'HUYS.
| Mr.. Mason, United States Minister.
L ~
~ Mr.. Mason to Secretary Marcy.
| No. Al. LEGATION UNITED STATES,
ts. BY PARIS, Nopember ii, 1854.
Sir In my dispatch No. 81, / informed you
of occurrences at Calais by which Mr.. Soule
was interrupted in the prosecution Of his jour
ney to Spain; and with that dispatch / sent
you copy of my letter to NJ. Drouyn de
fHuys, Minister of Foreign Affairs, of 9th OF
| October last. On the lst of November re-
ceived from his excellency note in reply to
mine of that date. / send the original, re-
tanning copy for the files Of the legation.
Until the receipt of this note had understood
| the prohibition of Mr.. Soule's entering France
to be unqualified and such, too, was the un-
derstanding of that gentleman; for by reason
of its execution he had to return to England.
On the 9th instant, / addressed to the Min.
lister of Foreign Affairs communication, oil
which send you herewith a copy. have
received no reply, and presume that it will
conclude correspondence which felt it to be
my duty to open without waiting for special
instructions from the President. The result,
am happy to say,is that no impediment exists
to the passage of the American minister &C
credited to the Spanish government through
France 10 his place of official duty. This i.
recognised, beyond doubt, as principle of the
law of nations interesting to every country
because its denial would seriously embarrass
the maintenance of diplomatic missions, whose
influence in promoting peace and preserving
good relations in the family of nations is uni
vsrsally acknowledged.
communicated to Mr.. Soule, at London
my correspondence with the Emperor's gov
eminent; and on the morning of the 9th in
slant he arrived in Paris, and left on the lid
for Bordeaux, where he expects to find thr
United States steam-frigate San Jacinto, ii
which he will take passage for Spain.
l have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obedient servant, j. Y. MASON.
| Hon. WIN. L. MARCY, Secretary of State.