The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-21
From the Richmond Enquirer, Jan. 10.
The SOalo Duels.

SOdlO ucAs
The Wing seems disposed to indemnify itself for ls
casual compliment TO the Soues few days since by
publishing deiamaiory narratives OF their reneonre with
the French marquis and the Spanish duke One single
instance OF justice 10 poiiical opponent could not i'm
pair the character OF the Wing and there was neees-
sy for the speedy atonemen for its reluctant compliment
10 The democratic minister. Neither there any
cessy Tor lis declaration OF dsirusl OF Mr. Soule the
WING very well known TO entertain no good opinion
OF any ioeofoeo.
The narrative which the Wing gives from The Msssagsr
de BaoHns but expresses the prendces and hatred which
the French no less than the Spanish government enter.
tains towards the American minister, From beginning
10 end the story OF this Bayonne journal is tissue OF
contradictory and papabe fasehoods-ts purpose being
TO degrade the character OF The American minister in the
eyes OF Europe.
We transfer from the New York Tibune--a journal
peculiarly hostile TO Mr. Soulean account OF the whole
affair." the authenticity of which is atlesed by the editor
Indeed. the narrative bears intrinsic marks OF truth
The more the public contemplate the conduct OF Mr..
Soule the will they in il 10 admire and applaud,
We are told that he has made himself obnoxious to the
Spanish Court. and has incapacilated himself from the
service OF the country in his present position But would
he have been more efficient in diplomacy, or more
speced and admired man. il be had submitted like
poltroon 10 the sneers and insults OF cour,ly black
guards! Did he not rather by his prompt and gallant
conduct exalt himself and country the esteem even Of
those who sought 70 crush him II be true that the
efficiency OF diplomast depends only the degree
OF favor with which he is personally regarded by the
court to which he is accredited, and not his ability
on the power and prestige OF the country he represents,
ness But, as we entertain no such narrow conception
OF the function of diplomacy. regard il mat
ter OF il the progale courers of Madrid do
affect a dislike OF our minister.
Mr.. Souls might have sought refuge from the insults
of the Duke OF Alba behind his official dignity, but by
OF his nice sense of honor such could moi
be thought OF Tor moment 1t insult to woman,
and that woman his wife, which be had 10 avenge The
character and rank OF him who offered the aront aggra
waited the wrong That Mr. Soule did RICH, in resenlng
the outrage every man OF proper feeling will admit that
he bore himself with signal dignity and courage through
out the affair." is the testimony of those even who mani
fest the least friendship for him. He has maintained his
personal dignity without compromising his position he
has given the nsolen aristocracy of Europe touch
OF American chvaly, and for that the country will thank
him.
From the New York Tribune.
INTERESTING AND AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF
THE LATE DUELs AT MADRID.
PARIS, Monday, Dec 60 1858
most painful sensation has been created in Paris by
the varied accounts which have arrived within the last
few days on the subject OF the Soue duels Madrid
No event OF personal nature has been known to
80 general state of excitement in Paris for long time
One hears il in saloons, in restaurants, in public Offices
in omnbuses, and in all tongues Some of the umors
are absurd especially those published by the Inds-
pendence Beige, by the Paris journals, and BY one al
least, OF the London journals, that detailed history
drawn from which places all doubt of lis cor.
RICHNESS on, OF the question, will doubt be acceptable
TO YOU You may rely implicitly upon the statements
which shall give
When Mr.. Soule and family arrived at Madrid, steps
were Immediately taken 10 bring about bis reception by
the Queen, and the entrance upon his official duties In
the interim which occurred between his arrival and his
reception at court, the Countess de Montjo mother OF
the Duchess OF Alba and the Empress OF France left the
sick bed OF her daughter the Duchess OF Alba, who had
Just had accouchment at her villa in the country, and
TO Madrid TO intrigue against the reception of MIR
Soule IN his Official capacity The Countess de Monos
influence and preensions the OF Spain, since the
accession OF her daughter Eugene to the throne OF France
have been great and her mnglng in poliucs
rous that she has earned the reputation of being the
bona tide minister of France at Queen Isabeas court,
while the Marquis de Iurgo remains osensibe minister
only. Her efforts against MIR. Soue failed. MIR s.
learned. subsequently from authority on which he relied
that these nrgues were carried al the house of the
Marquis de Turgot, the French ambassador.
Soon after his reception at court. ball given al
NJ de Turgors in CONNIE moraton of the Empress Eu-
genies tsteday. Mr.. Soule and family invited and
were present Mr. Sone and son, Melville Sou'e, were
both dressed in the ball dress civilians both
in Europe and the United States. Mrs. Soule wore
dress OF blue velvet high in the neck, with her hair and
dress otherwise trimmed plainly bu, richly. Her dress IS
represented from more sources than having been
simple, elegant and having set of her fine person ,C
great advantage Her dress did not represent Marguerite
de Bourgogne
When the American ambassador and family were an
nounced great sensation manifested by the per
sons present at the ball The impression which their
trance made was favorable, and under all the crcum
stances fatlerng. During The OF the evening
while Melville Soule was pomenading with Mrs Perry
wife OF the secretary oil legation he saw the Duke OF
Alba, quite near hun. point TO his mother, Mrs Soule
and say on loud TO the persons who stood nearest hn
"Voyez Marguerite de Bourgognel" Young Soule. be-
hevng that it intended for his ear, conducted
Mrs. Perry 10 seat, walked up 10 the Duke OF Alba
and with meuacing AIR, said to him ''Vous etes
canaie r. Persons inieriered, and young Soule re
tired
Seeking his father, he told him what had occurred
MIR. Soules FIRST movement TO determine 10 protec
bis son, and take the affair into his own hands Hs
took his sons arm and promenaded Tor moment dis.
cussing the best course TO pursue IL was finally
cluded that owing 10 the official position which he held,
Melville should be allowed demand satisfaction for the
another room where the Duke OF Alba standing in
the mids, OF several PERSONS buffet, and talking oil
the affair which had Just occurred. Mr. Souls, sr.,
touched the elbow OF the Duke, and gave him a con
tempuous, significant look, aud passing retired with
his family from The ball.
The Duke OF Alba "a manuscript copy OF which have
seen) which demands, fret. in respectful terms thai the
Duke should explain and ferac the offensive words ut
tered against his mothers in default OF such retracton,
be demanded satisfaction MIR Perry, secretary OF lega-
ton, and Mr. Mans, Spanish gentleman, were the
bearers o. this letter The Duke at disavowed all
intention 10 wound the sensibhs OF young Souo, and
apologized Mr.. Perry demanded that he should write
bis apology. The Duke did 40. The next day some
persons OF distinction, feeling that the Duke had not act
ed with the necessary courage, sought 10 draw paper
from young Soue which would apparently deny the fact
that the Duke had been challenged Several other notes
passed bat the matter was understood by The Soues and
no ad Vantage was gained.
For twenty days the Soues heard more OF the al
fair and considered settled But, 10 The time the
Duke "sDubbed" by all The gallant OF his ae-
quaintanee they considered that gentleman should
have replied 10 young Soue in apoogizng. that II be
had insplied lady, one oil the disung guests en-
the occasion, he sorry Tor H. and dssvowed bis Ian.
suage, Instead of that, he bad asked young Soue's
rdon IA said nothing ahr4t tho iadv When IN