The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-22

another column Cofiee was quiet Freight engagements
were moderate, but at steady rates.
Complication OF Our Foreign Relations
Threatening Attitude OF Europe Towards
the United States-Duty OF Congress.
In the early days of the present Auglo-French
alliance, Lord Clarendon, then British Minister
for Foreign Affairs, made, on the floor of the
House Of Lords, the following significant an
nouncement:-"I will further add that the union
between the two governments has not been con-
fined to the Eastern question. The happy accord
and good understanding between France and
England have been extended beyond the Eastern
policy to the policy affecting all parts of the
world; and am heartily reoiced to say that
there is no portion of the two hemispheres with
regard to which the policy of the two countries,
however heretofore antagonistic, is not now in
entire harmony
At the time this celebrated declaration was
made it caused great excitement and luminosity
in this country against England, and at once
curdled the sympathies with the Allied Powers
in their Eastern conflict which had already
sprung up in the American mind. From that
day all our American feeling was with Rus
STA in her quarrel with the Western Powers
Mr.. Buchanan was at that time our Minister in
London, and, perceiving the full meaning of the
threat he at once demanded of Lord Clarendon
an explicit explanation of his extraordinary
language. In the face of the difficulties and
doubts of the Eastern war, of her growing trou-
bles in China, and also those in India-which
then began to be perceived by the British gov
eminent, though at that time they were attri-
buted to Russian intrigues and not to the true
cause of its own misgovernment- British
Ministry did not dare to assume the full meaning
which the language bore, and his lordship made
o lame explanation, which few or none in this
country have ever deemed sincere. But whether
it were so or not, the policy indicated was
not acted upon openly. Lord Clarendon went
out of Office, the China war succeeded that in
the East, the formidable rebellion of India broke
out, and England had her hands too full to
permit her to exhibit policy avowedly hostile
to the interests of this country. 1t is true that,
during a short lull in her Eastern troubles, Pal
merston sent out portion Of the Mosquito feet
to vex our shipping and reopen the old sore of
the right of search at our very doors. But his
sudden descent from power brought in the new
cabinet of Lord Derby, which was then strug-
Cling to establish itself on the Ministerial
benches, and when the sore which Palmerston
had prepared broke out, it was not ready to ac-
cept the issue. So Lord Malmesbury backed
down on the principle, taking care, however, to
leave corrollory dispute on which he could re-
oy,an fha fiinft cd tho
and interests of the Anglo-French alliance.
The close Of the last year saw the end of the
China war, the nearly complete triumph of
British arms in India, and state of friendly re-
latiOns with Russia that seemed TO promise
continued peace in Europe. Englands hands
were clear, and no doubt Lord Derby thought
the time opportune to consent to practical action
on the allied policy which had been long before
adopted, and which Lord Clarendon had so in
considerably confessed. The policy of Europe
and Asia had been settled in manner dictated
by the Anglo-French alliance, and Americas
turn had now come. 1t has all along been
part of Louis Napoleon's policy to keep England
from coming to a friendly understanding with
the United States, for such condition of things
made the alliance with him more secure and
lasting. His journals have constantly ridiculed
the bonds between the two countries as nothing
but cotton ties" and have harped on the old
abolition of slavery string, even while their
master was re-opening the African slave trade
in its worst form for the French colonies
What exact course of action Lord Derby has
resolved upon pursuing in conjunction with Louis
Napoleon concerning American politics is not
yet fully evident. But there is abundant reason
to suppose that it is one hostile to the national
progress of our Union. It is well known that
Lord Napier was removed from Washington be.
cause, being on the spot and having his eyes
open as to the popular sympathies and practical
tendencies of the American people, he did not
accord with the determination which had been
adopted, and so he frankly told his government
In Central America there is at this moment
seeming good faith towards us; but who knows
what is Immediately behind 1t? The support
which Mons. Belly and bis anti.American schemes
have received in France where everything hangs
upon the nod Of the Emperor, and nothing is
prosecuted against his WILL and above all, the
open approval and support he has received from