The New York herald., 1864-12-06


pendence OF the South, and bring tho matter -
an end at once.
The Chevsi1sr Webb IN sii Has Dipas-
mattc Giery.
We publish in another column this morning
. diplomatic letter from the Chevalier WeeA,
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotss-
tiary or the United States TO tho Brazilian
Minister of Foreign Affairs. or course tho
letter is about the seizure Of the pirate FloriAa
by the Wachusett Several days ago we pre-
dicted that the Chevalier would settle the nae-
tor in just this way, without troubling either
MIR. Seward or Mr.. Lincoln. We predicted thse
he would square his little accounts win
Palmcrston at the same time, and be has d0ae
so. We predicted that he would give Nape-
leon sound drubbing, and our prediction has
been verified. In fact, if the Chevalier's lettsr
had been written up from our editorial -
could not have come nearer the mark. Thfs
shows conclusively that we thoroughly under-
stand the mental and moral character and coaa-
position OF tho redoubtable Envoy Extraer-
dinary, and that our appreciation of bim has
always been correct.
The sentiments of the Chevalier Webb's lst-
ter are very good; but the style in which they
are expressed is somewhat unusual. Tn
Cbevalier sees his opportunity to make himseN
notorious, and bursts through the bonds o1
red tape in order to seize upon it before q
vanishes He cannot even wait to be OH
cally informed of the facts of the case, lest
Seward should get ahead of him and do all the
writing. Beginning with frank acknowledge
ment of his official ignorance, he reads Brazil
severe lecture for following the lead Of Eng
land in admitting the belligerent rights Of 10
rebels. This naturally introduces considers-
tion of England's position, and enables the
Chevalier to get even with Lord Palmerstoa,
who once insulted him upon the floor of Par
lament. The Chevalier Webb would not hsvs
missed this chance at Palmerston for 6fty-tve
thousand dollars and some odd cents. Whae
he says about England's sham neutrality Is nm
doubtedly true; and the manner in which
he whips Napoleon over Engiand's shoulder
also deserves our admiration. Not lea
true is his assertion that we would have
fogged England if the whole world had
not interfered to take her part and this state
ment proves that the Chevalier Webb has not
forgotten his old fighting propensities amid the
cares of his diplomatic mission. The hot sun
of Brazil cannot bleach the sanguinary tint
, from his mind His mahogany stocked pistols
are in as servicesble . condition as ever.
In the concluding portion Of his letter the
Chevalier and Envoy Extraordinary saves SEQ
retary Seward q vast deal OF thinking by tefl-
ing him exactly what he ought to say to Braxa.
He apologies for the unauthorized violatiea
of the neutrality Of the Brazilian port,
and offers any reparation within tho
power of this government. This he does ~ 70
luctantly as he fought his duel with Tom Mar
shall; but still he does II, and that settles the
whole difficulty. Secretary Seward has only
to pen despatch in accordance with tho In
structions OF the Chevalier's letter, and the
affair will be concludea. Inasea, wo arc not
certain that even this will be necessary; fer
the Chevalier will probably cone home imms-
diately to take Stewards place in the Cabfns1
He has many qualifications for the ONCE, q
this letter shows, and by the middle Of next
week We may be prepared 70 recon
mend his appointment. Decidedly he is .
more prompt diplomstst than Seward;
writes in . more fluent, graceful and
elegant style, and does not print thrss,
thousand pages of correspondence per annun.
President Lincoln, who can comprehend y gssd
joke as well as make one, wsuld be the last To-
object to give the Chevalier Webb entire
charge Of the State Department. The Chew.
lier has assumed the duties Of The Secretary
already, and perhaps 1t would be much bettsr
upon his assumption. Be that a. it may, this
unique diplomatic letter will cause an immense
sensation abroad; make Queen Victoria, the
Emperor Napoleon, Lord Palmerston and Earl
Russell shake In their shoes, and fully substss-
tate tho claim Of the Chevalier Webb 70 ths
title Of Envoy Extraordinary.
The Franeo-Itaiisn Convontis.-xts
View.
The convention lately concluded between
Napoleon and Victor Emanuel, may be said 70 bo
the beginning of the end" of that hierarchicar
despotism which, under the sovereignty Of the
Popes, has exercised for ages such an cnsaving
influence upon Italy. From the moment that
document received the signatures of the high
contracting parties, the temporal power Of the
Papacy received its death blow. There was
some reason to fear, as indeed was the case at
first, that the true purport OF the treaty would