New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-10
THE DIPLOMATIC CORREsPOND-
ENlE.

That part of Secretary Stewards diplomatic
correspondence which refers to France, de-
riyes a special importance from the turn which
our relations to that country have taken in
consequence Of the recent mediation circular.
We feel naturally great curiosity to get, if
possible, some light on the sentiments enter
tanned toward us by the Emperor and his Min
listers.
The attentive reader of this interesting cor
respondence cannot but be struck with the
courtesy which characterized the intercourse
between our Minister and the French Govern
ment. The Emperor, as well as NJ. Thonvenel,
on many occasions make profession OF
friendly disposition toward MS. But in strange
contrast to this profession is the readiness OF
both the Emperor and his Minister to believe in
the reports and rumors that are the most unfayor-
able to our cause. Still more inexplicable. If
compared with these asseyeratoDs of friend
ship, is the open hostility Of the entire semi
official press, which not only from the begin
ming of the war favored tho cause of the South
but also used with regard to our Government
aud our country the most offensive language.
1t is equally surprising that Government,
which has always proiessed to be in favor OF
aboIishing Slavery, and which has commenced
more than one war for the pretended purpose
of promoting civilization, does not fnd a
word of acknowledgment for steps which our
Government has taken in favor Of the eman-
cpation of the negroes.
One of the most important dispatches is the
one in which Mr.. Dayton describes his first
interview with NJ. Drouyn dc Lhuys, only a
few days prior to the issue of the mediation
circular Mr.. Dayton inquiries whether any
action was in contemplation by France, or by
I France In common with the other Powers of
Europe ia reference to the condition of
/ things in our country and to this question
the Minister replies: "No, everything re-
NAMED as i had done for some time past !"
Such a declaration, uttered only few days
before the mediation circular must Ger.
/ lany make its author suspected Of duplcity.
In reply to further inquiries the Minister,
however, intimates that someihing-which he
wished to be regarded "a less than mediation
was in course OF preparation.
+ But he assured Mr.. Dayton at the same
time that II the offer or suggestion of France
should be- refused By tho United States, moth
Ing further would be done. He in particular
denied that il was the intention Of the Gov.
ernruent OF France, IN that case, to acknowl-
edge tho independence OF the south. Things,
hc said, would remain IN that case a. before
aud they did not intend 20 intrude upon our
affairs il any way. or intervene IN any form;
their intent would be- comprised n the express
SION of wish TO bs useful, if it could be done
with the assent Of both parties. If any reli-
sncc can BE- placed on these words, we are
now as far az ever before from foreign inter-
yeaiion. Bat the promises aud the actions OF the
French Government are not always in har.
mony, aud we think il, therefore, not safe to
rest our antcipa,ions as to the future policy
Of France exclusively on the promises gwen by
NJ Drouyn de- Lhuys.