New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-14
THE SOULE AFFAIR.
soc,,RATB NARRATIVE OF
THE FACTS.
vuE REAL CAUSES OF THE
MEASURE.
Co.. ~, s,.e,.l oOu..pondeD, a, Para.

Asst stesmtr Of the important step just 'aaen ny
the Government of Louis Napoleon IN reiusihgto
,now the American Minister at Madrid to pass
through France on his way TO his post. Inc an
nouncemeut Of this event in the Presse oil Friday
la,. from the London journals, produced graad
ssn.st;on in political cyces-the order which i'm
roed,ately issued from the Government prohibit
ing the other journals from giving any notice of
the fact only served 10 increase the sensation. IL
WAS sp event unlocked for and not understood By
me pubic, and the greatest curiosity was mani
tested 70 know the necessity Of so extraordinary
q proceeding Since it was felt that the passage
of Mr.. Seule through France could not prove
jnimieal 10 French political interests-all his
movements being perfectly within the knowledge
and under the control of the pOlice-it wasfeared
that the act was int nded az premeditated in
suit to the Government of the United States.
At this moment Mr.. Mason expects 70 De com
PEELED TO pull down his flag, aud demand his pass
ports during the course OF the pre- en-. week;
20 hat the affair becomes a grave one, aud calls
for as clear an exposition of the causes Of the oc-
eurrence as it ia possible to give.
When Mr.. Soule left bis house in the south Of
France, five weeks ego, 10 company with Mr..
Sickles, TO CONS to Paris, Mr. 5. observed that
they were Joined by an individual in the public
conveyance Of a suspicious character. Mr..
Soule fixt bic eye on the man and remarked to Mr.
Sickles-" That man is an agent of the Govern
"nent, sent to watch me-" Mr.. Sickles thought
il could not be true and paid but little attention
10 the matter Mr.. S0ule, on the contrary Kept
bis eye steadily on the mau throughout the whole
voysee; and when near Paris, the individual in
question, feeling the disagreeableness OF bis po-
siton, frankly avOwed to Mr.. Soule that be was
ap agent of tn Police, detailed for that special
duty, spologized for the part which he was per-
sonally compelled TO act, and sad that ne was,
against bis will, filling the orders of his superb
ore Mr.. SOule, of course, excused the agont,
and although be felt outraged at the conduct oil
the Government, il was not more than he had an-
ticipated, and he made no formal protest.
During bis stay in Paris, which was about three
weeks, and lasted up to the time Of the Congress
Of Ostend, Mr.. SOule took all the precautions
possible 10 avoid giving O0ense TO the Govern
ment. He refused to see almost all his French
acquaintance; he mad not more than one inter-
view and that Of but short duration, with Emile
de GirardiD; he saw none Of the leaders of the
modern Republican party; he was confined most
Of his time either at his rooms at the Hotel du
Rim or at the house of Mr.. Mason OF Mr.. Dud-
ley Mann, and he asserts positively that he was
careful at all times not TO utter opinions on pub
hc subjects in the presence of any individual Of
doubtful character. lie insisted, much against
Mr. Mason's WISH in having the seat Of the Con
eress transferred 30 Osteod instead of at Paris.
Shortly after his arrival, in Paris the Foreign
Office spoogized to him formally for the insult
that had been offered him by sending a spy to
travel with hun and watch his movements; the
blame was thrown ON 10 chief Of bureau whose
zeal had carried him too far, " and Mr.. s. was
assured that 30 far from the French Government
feeling inimicL to him personally, they were
even glad TO see him visiting the capital Of
France, and hoped that bis visit might be pleas
ant one. This wac the ordinary russ under such
circumstances and the apology would never have
been made if Mr.. S0ule had not recognized this
secret agent and denounced him.
After the termination Of the conference at
Ossend, Mr.. Soule returned with Mr.. Buchanan
to London. After remaining a few days in Lon
to 90 directly to the south of France, there to
Join his family and proceed to Madrid. He left
London On the morning of the oath inst , and ar
rived at Calais ON the French coast in the after
noon of the same day. When he showed his pass
port to the French official, he was told be could
not land, and that he must return on the boat
which brought him. Mr.. S. asked for explaua-
tons, but the officer replied that he had none to
give-thst his orders were peremptory not to al.
low him to enter French territory, and that the
order must be Obeyed. Mr.. Soule was turning
away quietly, when he recollected that he had
disI atches in his pocket, and that his passport /
announced him as bearer of dispatches from the
American Minister in Loudeu to the American
MIN ster in Paris. lie announced this fact to the .
official, demanding il he knew the consequences
ofIefnsing to allow the bearer Of dispatches Of .
airlendiy Government to pass, The official re-
Piled that his orders did not extend to such an
emergency, and that he must still refuse his sd-
mittaHce. Mr.. Soule then proposed to give the
dispatches TO his courier, aud let him 90 on 10
Pans with them. This was also refused. and he
At once returned to London with his courier and
djspat shes
On the same afterboOn--the afternoon Of thu
24th-snd at abou: the same homen. of time. as
the French official was preventing his b,yonet at
the American Minister at Calsis, Mr.. Mason was
having an interview with NJ de L'huys, French
Minister of Foreign Affairs, in which the French
Minister requested Mr.. Mason to interpose 70
x,raueni the entran,e NJ Mr. Sonlc into Er.,ca