The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-29
AMERICANS ABROAD.

some faris correspondent of the Ne,v YORK.
Dotfy Times recently put in circulation a re.
port 10 the effect that gentleman connected
win tne American Legation in Paris had left
ms post suddenly, and come home, leaving be-
hind him unpaid tradesmen's bills. To the
amount Of eight or ten thousand dollars This
was understood to refer to the Secretary of Le
gatlon, Mr.. Dom Piatt, who has resigned his
oihce, and come home. We did not credit the
repor' .hor reprint 1T, on account of the yague
ana suspicious way in which it was stated. but
we publish with pleasure the following capital
letter from MIR. Piatt in reference to it
10 the Editor ot'he ~ ]. Dailv Times.
! Ny attention has been called to an article in
your paper OF the 18th, commenting severely
upon " the conduct of gentleman connected
with one OF our Legations in Europe" am
assured, greatly to my establishment, that this
has reference to myself. If so, permit me to
say, that you and your Paris correspondent
have been grossly imposed upon.
INSTEAD OF leaving my post with eight or ten
thousand dollars indebtedness" oueeightb mart
OF that sum would pay all that owe in the
world And in place of quitting Paris like ~ an
absconding debtor for four months past nv
resignation has been publicly known, as well
as my proposed return to the United States. as
soon as my successor could be appointed.
AFTER close confinement to the bureau for near.
y two years, l asked for leave of absence. pro
posing to travel over Europe until nv success
or would appear prepared to enter upon the
discharge OF his duties. Judge Mason consent
ed to this arrangement, and had made eyery
preparation tor my journey, when the i'll health
OF my family decided me to use this leave OF
absence IN returning home. / did so, leaving
no engagement, that l am aware Of unfulflled.
On the contrary, l appointed Mr.. Charles j.
fieschinann my agent in Paris, with instruc-
tions TO forward all outstanding claims against
me, with assurances that they would receive
due attention.
1t Is very annoying to have ones private af.
talrs dragged before the public in this manner /:
put since " these sensitive American residents
IN faris" have seen fit to do so, / have no OBJ
Jecnon to make an exhibit of my accounts-so
that their delicate sensitiveness may be Quoted
with the assurance that the American honor is
yet safe, so far as am concerned.
Permit me to call their attention TO the fact.
that the salary Of Secretary of Legation is
quite inadequate to the support Of a family in
Paris. That for half year | occupied the 20
sltion OF Charge d Afaires-periorming during
that Tune, the same duties, on salary Of 50, 900,
LOT Wnich Minister receives pay at the rate
OF 9lo,Voo Tor the first year, and $4,000 the
succeeding years-and for precisely the same
Il. III,
appropriation from Congress of $1,000. It is
also fact, to which ask the attention of these
sensitive gentlemen, that | expended not only
my salary, but $4,000 Of my private means.
Paris contained, during that winter and sum
mer, an immense throng of Americans-and
whether this could be considered extravagant
or not those best acquainted with the expense
OF living in Paris can readily answer.
When the facts are better known to YOU and
your readers, this sudden hue and cry upon the
part OF these sensitive American residents in
Parls" will look like a wanton assault. Take
the statements, even as they propose the world
should believe them. | did not seek the posi-
ton OF Charge d'Affaires, and relinquished it
on the hrst opportunity-and if, in the effort to
sustain respectfully what / had not sought. /
incurred an Indebtedness my means would not
justify, the fault IS not mine. Yet further: had
left host Of creditors to wait until Congress-
should come, as is customary to their and nv
relief, would have been held blameless. But
such is not the case. | exercised al economy
CONSISTENT with my position, but in so doing
was Obliged to encroach upon my private re.
sources. l am not man of fortune, nor such
a fool as to find in the honor recompense for
the pecuniary loss. 1t is rather amusing. that
at the moment L was counting up the cost, and
attempting to discover how much our Govern
ment was in debt to me- this absurd charge
should be preferred. And ! am under obliea-
tion to the gentlemen for this statement of my
expense, which very cheerfully accept
had the fortune, during my official residence
IN Paris, TO offend the "sensitive gentlemen +"
aforesaid. l declined, so far as my power ex-
/ tended, giving them monopoly of the few
good things pertaining to the Legation. They
are sensitive over the national honor, yet fear
1t would not be safe, if, by its sacrifice, they
could decoY decayed Count or a live Lord into
their saloons. / regret that the truth must
come out, but these sensitive gentlemen :"
are dismal snobs, made in Natures severest fits
OF economy, without bowels or brain, who seek
/ BY their wealth to purchase abroad what their
merit would not secure them at home. The
mere fact that they would forsake their own
free land for permanent residence under q
despotism like that of the French Government,
makes this sudden awakening to C. sense Of our
national honor rather ludicrous. This class
did not suit my democracy; and, whilst l exer-
clsed towards it a patient forbearance, | de-
clined being made use of. Hence these silly at
tacks, now that l am not upon the ground to
defend myself. If / have suffered annoyance
from these nominal Americans, | have been
more than repaid by the kindness and support
OF the many genuine citizens it has been my
good privilege to meet, and show some little at
teption to, in Paris.
by giving this note place in your columns,
you will greatly oblige yours, sincerely,
DoNN PIATT,
Late Secretary Of Legation at Paris.
Cincinnati; Nor IL 1QS5