The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-14
The Soule Duel at Madrid.
Correspondence Of the Courier des Etats Unis.]
n IN %

Correspondence Courier des Etats Unis.l
Paris, Dec. %, 1853.
As we shall have but departing this week
for the United Staes shall devote my present letter to
foreign affairs, and commence by saying word or two
in relation Spain, where the minister OF the United
States and his son--two noble hearts well worthy OF
each otherhave just honoraby vindicaied their feel
ings-the son against the Duke Of Alba the father
against the French ambassador have already acquant-
ed you with the first OF this drama, which occurred
in the parora of tbs Maranis da TurgoL But al that
time had cognizance Of certain vague rumors only.
am now in the possession OF complete particulars not
merely relation the origin but also the consequences,
of this affair, which is destined to awaken much feel
ing in both the Old and the New World. am indebted
for the information to which refer to Spanish gentle
who arrived here yesterday from Madrid and who
no, only witnessed most OF the incidents recorded, but
even saw all the communications presented in
His testimony is worthy of the most implicit belief.
It appears that previously to Mr.. Soues official re-
cep,ion by the Queen Of Span whispered at Ma
drid that the ambassador OF France and Madame de
Monijo had shown but little sympathy for the minis
ter OF the United States, and that the latter had quilted
the bedside Of her daugher, the Duchess OF Alba. then
confined for the express purpose OF approaching Queen
Isabella, and Of exciting the dstaste Of that sovereign
against The emissary OF Franklin Pierce. For my part
regard this statement unlikely and am confirmed in
this opinion by the fact that the reception of Mr. and
Mrs Soule by the Queen was extremely gracious, and
creditabe only the sovereign but to her guests
However that may be- on the morning OF November u.s.
Saint Eugenas Day, the baptism OF the new born infant
OF the Duke of Alba took place. The babe was sup
ported the font by the ambassador and ambassadress
OF France in the and the representatives OF their
Emperor and Espress grand ball was gwen that
same evening by the Marquis de Tnrgot All the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps invited, and among
them the American legation. Mr. Souls went 10 il. with
his wife and Both the gentlemen were dressed
with iueproachabie propriety.
Madame Souie had robe of blue velvet, made 10
Paris by Palmyre the favorile mantua maker OF the
Queen Isabella. The garment was trimmed with lilies
in gold lace, and dsotes as modesiy allows to the
mother OF family. Madrid journal, entitled Las No
rsdD which is by means friendly towards the United
States minister. conesses that by her good taste and the
richness q oe .oe,, aiaaame soue was ns Pos'ny
made obvious sensation Wishing 10 destroy The ia
voIable impression thus created, the Duchess de Mono
criticised Madame Soules style OF dress rather severely,
and in concert with The French ambassador himself
1t then that, melted by these fpieful remarks, and
making himself the echo OF the worst OF them, the
Duke OF Alba said friends, Look al Margaret
OF Burgundy just as Mrs. Souls was passing. is i'm
possible from The virtues oil Madame Soue. that the
comparison could have had any reference to moral char
acier but il simply likenng her physically 10 the
vile OF Louis X, personifed in the piece La Tour de
Nesle," by Mile Georges, corpulent as beautiful.
This remark did the less excite the just indignation
OF the younger Sous, who at that moment sing
the room with Mrs. Perry, the vile OF the American
secretary OF legation Melville Soule paused as he heard
this Outrageous insult 10 his mother, and replied with the
expression poisson (TascaD or canatHe (blackguard
Mrs Perry led hun away to the saloon where his
father was She there related TO the elder Soue what
had occurred Nj. Soulc did not leave with his son. as
has been stated He understood that duel going
TO be the consequence OF the scandal, and, with noble
rental DEVOTION conceived the intention OF mourning the
whole risk himself tie Immediately pa, himself in pos
session the whole circumstance and went 10 where
the Duke of Alba was standing, near the refreshment
buffet. caught him by the elbow. and gazed hxedy in
HE face The latter probably did not understand the
xrf. nd tvalk al MI WI knUa NV
the OF adjacent room. from which be did not
issue during the remainder OF the evening.
Nj. Soule and his walked around for lhree-quar-
OF hour longer, and did not retire until The crowd
began dispense. Next morning Mr. Perry and Colonel
Mians were charged TO bear the Duke of Alba letter,
in which young Souls demanded satisfaction tor The insult
put upon his mother, saying "Neliher The name which
you bear, the position which you owe to the posses
s,on OF thai name authorize you to be nsolent" Col
Milans, who was intimately acquainted with the Duke,
considered it his duty TO state verbally the object OF his
mission, and 10 induce him TO make reparaon for The
wrong before delivering the challenge The Duke ap
pearcd TO be guided by most concatoy dispositions, and
wrote 10 young Soue tina, although his letter rather
strong yet he conceived the sentiment painful (doiou
reu1) that had dictated IT,
IT may have said," added he, referring to the alle
gaiion with which he charged, anything similar to
H. (of which have no remembrapce,) would never
have uttered il, account OF the lady, your mother.
with whom have not The honor to be acquainted, and
whom could not tell by sight" rhe seconds
having declared themselves satisfied with this ion
retraction Of lbe Dake OF Alba and the Soulss
amicatly terminated Bat public opinion having dscov-
cred tina, the young American had bad The best OF the
play Spsnards, maintaining the national sensitive
the ps,nf d0nns, upbraided the descendant oil
the Dukes OF Alba and Berwick with having yielded
ground to baby, (n,no) inexperienced hand
would have said, 10 greeDhorn II was said, ioo-but
this requires confrmation--that the French embassy
was dissatisfied with the result, II affected Spanish
nobe brother in-law OF Emperor Napoleon III, Under
similar circumstances. the embassy is reported TO have
expressed itse. there could be alternative between
frank and peect reconciliation and appeal 10 arms
Clevery sounded the subject Of amcabe and Thor
opsh reconcemen young Soue repealed all overtnges
1nen the Duke addressed TO Col. Mlans letter. in
which he asserted tbs, The explanation given by him TO
Melville Soale having been msundere.ood by some per-
sons, he considered II incumbent on him 10 stale hat
those explanations had been prompted by the friendly OBJ
servatons Of Col Mans and Mr. Perry, and not BY the
challenge OF young Mr. Soule. The latter at once
formed judgment TO the object Of this retrospective
inerpre al,cn, and referred il TO Mans, who sent
ply 10 the Duke In which be endeavored 10 direct the
nobl.msn's prepys with all The address Of Span
ish dipomstis placed such delicate position be-
'-ssn the anvil and ihs hammer After asseveraing his
=, 49,, "a the Duke OF Alba, whom no still ccno-
nd 10 regard with esteem, Tho Colonel added But
cannot 10 attain to that object. alter tae W "e P
ceedngs that have already taken place. Your letter
NJ Scale was in consequence OF that which he addressed
10 you ana can alone AFFORD explanation Of your i'm
pressons and views when You wrote H. II proves that
H. na-.yx Ak~A 1 ho.