Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-14
Correspondence OF the Courier des Etats Unisl
The Soule Duel at Madrid-Ds.ails Of the
Whole Affair-Full History by ID. Gail
pAp1s naoox,ho. 90 10

PARIS, December %, 1858.
AS we shall have but one steamer de.
parting this week for the United States,
| shall devote my present letter to foreign
affairs, and commence by saying q word
or two in relation to Spain, where the
Minister Of the United States and his
son-two noble hearts we'll worthy of
each other-have just honorably vindi-
Gated their feelings-the son against the
Duke Of Alba; the father against the
French Ambassador. / have already ac-
quaintcd you with the first act of this
drama, which occurred in the parlors of
the Marquis De Turgot. But, at that
time, | had cognizance Of certain vague
rumors only.
am now in possession of complete
particulars, not merely in relation to the
origin, but also the consequences Of this
affair, which is destined to awaken so
much feeling in both the Old and the
New World. / am indebted for the in
formation to which l refer, to a Spanish
gentlemen who arrived here yesterday
from Madrid, and who not only witnessed
most Of the incidents recorded, but even
saw all the communications presented.
His testimony is worthy of the most i'm
plicit belief.
It appears that, previously, in Mr..
Soule's official reception by the Queen of
Spain, it was whispered at Madrid that
the ambassador of France and Madame de
Montigo had shown but little sympathy
for the Minister of the United States, and
that the latter had quilted the bedside Of
her daughter, the Duchess of Alba, then
confined, for the express purpose of ap-
preaching Queen Isabella, and exciting
the distaste of that Sovereign against the
ambassador of Franklin Pierce. For nv
part, l regard this statement as unlikely,
and am confirmed in this opinion by the
fact, that the reception of Mr.. and Mrs.
Soule by the Queen, was extremely gra-
cious, and creditable not only to the SOW
ereign, but to her guests. However that
may be, on the morning of November 5,
Saint Eugenia's day, the baptism of the
infant of the Duke of Alba took place.
The babe was supported at the foot by
the ambassador and ambassadress of
France, in the name and as the represent
ativc of the Emperor and Empress. A
grand ball was given that same evening,
by the Marquis de Turgot. All the mem
bers of the Diplomatic Corps were invi-
ted, and among them the American Lega.
ton. Mr.. Soule went to it with his wife,
and his son. Both the gentlemen were
dressed with irreproachable propriety.
Madame Soule had on a robe of blue
velvet, made in Paris by Palmyra, the
favorite mantau-makcr of the Queen Isa-
bella. The garment was trimmed with
lilies in gold lace, and as decollettee as
modesty allows to the mother of family.
A Madrid journal, entitled Las Novedas,
which is by no means friendly towards
the United States Minister, confesses that
by her good taste and the richness of her
toilet, Madame Soule was positively Ia
refine du bal. The entrance Of herself and
her husband made an obvious sensation.
Wishing to destroy the favorable impress
sion thus created, the Duchess de Montiio
criticised Madame Soule's style of dress
rather severely, and in concert with the
French Ambassador himself 1t was then
that incited by these spiteful remarks, and
making himself the echo of the worst OF
them, that the Duke of Alba said to some
friends, Look at Margaret of Burgundy, ,
just as Mrs. Soule was passing. 1t is i'm.
possible from the virtues of Madame Soule
that the comparison could have had any
reference to moral character, but it was
simply likening her physically to the wifi
of Louis X, personified in the piece o
"La Tour de Nelse," by Mile Georges
cas- corpulent as beautiful"
| This remark did not the less excite tn,
just Indignation of the younger Soule
who was at that moment crossing tn,
room, with Mrs. Perry, the wife Of tn
American Secretary Of Legation. New
lille Soule paused as he heard the outra
geous insult to his mother and replied
with the expression poisson (rascaD O
r0najlIe (blackpuard). Mrs Perry a