Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-12-21
NJ. DRouyN DE L'Huys TO MR. MASON.
Translation.

PANS, Nov. /, 1854.
SIR: l have received the letter you did me
the honor to write me, under the date of the
9th of the last month, in which you ask me
for some explanations as to the motives of the
determination taken with regard to Mr.. Soule.
/ must, in the first place, state the manner in
which things have occurred
The Minister of the Interior had to give
directions that Mr.. Soule should not be allow
ed to penetrate into France without the knowl-
edge of the Government of the Emperor. The
instructions of Mr.. Billant we're strictly fol-
lowed, and carried out with the utmost pro-
priety by the Commissary of the Police at
Calais Accordingly that functionary did not
invite Mr.. Soule to embark again for England
he left him perfectly free to remain at Calais
until he should receive orders from Paris.
which he was about to request. 1t was simply
a question of waiting patiently for one day at
the utmost but Mr.. Soule, after saying that
he did not expect any regard on the part of
the French Government, and besides he did
not care for it, preferred to go back to Eng
land Immediately. The Minister of the In
terror did, nevertheless, forward his defnitive
instructions to Calais by telegraph. and / can
do nothing better than to transcribe them
here
IF Mr.. Soule presents himselffor the pur
pose of entering France. you will give him to
understand that the Emperor's Government
does not authorise him to sojourn there, but
that it makes no opposition to his passing
through in order to go to Spain; and you will
offer him to Uise his passport for that destina-
ton"
You perceive, Sir, that the Government of
the Emperor has not sought, as you seem to
believe, to prevent an Envoy of the United
States from traversing French territory in or
der to repair to his post and acquit himself of
the commissions with which he was charged
by his government but between that simple
passage and the stay of foreigner whose an
tecedents Q regret to say it) have awakened
tue attention of the authorities whose duty it
is to preserve public order among us, there is
difference which the Minister of the Interior
was bound to appreciate
If Mr. Soule had been going directly to
Madrid, the route by France was open to him.
IF it was his intention to come to Paris, with
view of remaining here, that privilege was
not accorded him 1t was, therefore, neces-
sary to consult him to his intentions, and
it was himself who would not allow time to do
so. Our laws are strict with respect to for
eigners The Ministersof the Interior causes
their rigorous 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 discus
sed. 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 character with which he was in
vested
You will acknowledge, Sir, that this is what
we have done, and that the Government of
the United States, with which Government
His Majesty, the Emperor, has at heart to
cultivate the relations of friendship and esteem.
has in nowise been assailed in the person of
its representatives.
The Minister of the United States in Spain
is free, / repeat it. to lass through France.
Mr.. Soule, who has position to fulfil near
the Emperor. and who conformably with the
doctrine sanctioned by the law of nations,
would need on account of his origin, special
agreement to enable him to represent, in his
native land, the country of his adoption-ME.
Soule, as simple private individual, comes
within the pale Of the common law which has
been applied to him, and he cannot lay claim
to any privilege.
Accept. Sir, the assurance of high consid-
Grafton with which have the honor to remain
I your very humble and obedient servant,
DROUYN DE L'HUYS.
! Nh. MASON, United States Minister
MR.. MASON TO SECRETARY MARCY