The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-06-27
Trouble with .Frsnce- Correspondence be-
tween Count waicwski and Mr.. Mason.

confined to the circular note of Count Mes
selrode on the rights Of neutrals. By re-
ference to our telegraphic correspondence
from Washington, it will be seen that the
difficulty between our government and France,
arising out of the arrest Of Monsieur Dillon at
San Francisco, is assuming rather trouble.
some character, having recently formed the
subject of lengthy correspondence between
Mr.. Mason, our Minister at Paris, and Count
Walewski, the French Minister Of Foreign At
fairs. This correspondence has just been trans
mitted by Mr.. Mason to the department at
Washington, and has led to some curious scenes
in the Cabinet. The French government, it
seems, still insists upon our rendering salts
faction for the arrest of Dillon, by our
firing salute of hundred guns in honor Of
his flag. The President, with JEFF Davis aud
some Of the other fre-eating members Of
his administration, having an eye to the ad-
vantages that may accrue to themselves per-
sonally from raising, just at the present mo-
ment, little popular excitement on the sub
ject, are for taking high ground, and refusing
to make the concession demanded. Marcy,
however, with his usual Incidence of character
and disposition to truckle t, foreign govern
ments, is ready to fire any number of guas or
waste any quantity Of powder in order to rid
himself of any further trouble in the matter.
As this question is likely to excite good
deal of discussion, it may be advisable briefly
to review the circumstances that have led to it.
twill be recollected that when that dasuing
adventurer, the Count Raousset de Boulbon,
meditated his expedition into Sonora for
the purpose, in fact, of planting French CD.
lony there, and thus establishing foothold for
French interests in South America, he openly
enlisted men in San Francisco for the military
organization which was to form its basis Ia
this it is charged that he received, if not
active aid, at least full countenance, from
Monsieur Dillon, the Freach Consul at that
port-Dillon himself, it is believed, acting
either under the instigation or direct orders of
the French Minister in Mexico. When prelimi-
nary steps were taken by the authorities at San
Francisco to put stop to these unlawful pro-
| ceedings, it was found necessary to sum non
the French Consul before the tribunal charged
with the Investigation of the matter. Monsieur
Dillon refused to attend, pleading that by tie
consular treaty existing between the two colu-
tries, he was exempted from being called as
witness before the American courts. Judge
Hoffman, before whom the question of exemp
ton was argued, decided that the constitution
allowed no such rights to any foreigner, what
ever might be his functions, and issued war
rant to compel the attendance Of the Consul
Mr.. Dillon was accordingly arrested and brought
before the Judge; but persisting ia his refusal
to give evidence the matter was referred to the
government at Washington for its decision.
In the meanwhile Mr.. Dillon struck his flag,
and wrote home to France a statement of the
facts. Mr.. Marcy, upon review of the circum-
stances, decided that Judge Hoffman bad ex-
ceeded his powers, and ordered the Consul to
be set free. This did not, however, satisfy the
French government, which demanded in addition
that salute should be fired in honor Of his flag
Marcy, who has turn for special pleading,
took shelter behind the constitutional grounds
which he had abandoned in his previous de-
cision. The reply of the French government
was that it had nothing to do with the American
constitution-that treaty existed between the
two countries, which protected the persons Of
right to demand redress for the violation Of the
conditions of that treaty. In this position the
question has remained up to the present time.
The French government still insists upon its
original demand, and the object Of the CORES
ponderce between Count Walewski and Mr..
Mason is to bring the matter to some immediate
decision. The divers views which are entertained
on the subject in our Cabinet will probably still
further postpone it's settlement. The personal
interests which are mixed up with the question,
although they may delay, will not, however,
prevent tame submission to the demands of
France. Marcy, as we have before stated has
already made up his mind on the question; he
will cave in. He now rests his opinion in favor
Of the concession, it seems on the precedent
established in the case of the Spanish Consul at
New Orleans, when his house was sacked by
mob after the slaughter at Atares Ia that in
stance, orders were given by Mr.. Webster that
the Consuls flag should be saiuted when re-
hoisted. There were many who were OF opinion
that such measure of reparation was uncalled
for by the circumstances There are more who
will think, in the present instance, that an
honor paid to foreign functionary who is
known to have been an accomplish in a gross
infraction Of our laws, is humiliation and
abasement to our national dignity.
In whatever aspect, however, this question
may be viewed, it presents in pitiable light
the influences by which our Cabinet is gov
erned in the decision of difficulties growing
out Of our relations with foreign Powers. la
bombarding Greytown or block .ding the
steamer United States they are full of pluck;
but when they have nation like France to
contend with, they give up at once, and make
all the concessions required of them The
interests and the honor of the country seem, in
fact. to form but secondary considerations in