The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-23

must be convinced that II is more honor
able to acquit fairly n debt contracted
during war; under pressure of necessity,
than to evade its payment by endeavor-
ing to brand the character of an honest
man.
The minister was summoned at once
to the state department and informed
that his letter was offensive, but that
he should have an opportunity to with
draw or modify 1t. Poussin offered to
argue the question of propriety. Clay
ton told him sharply that the president
did not deem the point a matter for
argument. Poussin thereupon with
drew the letter and erased it's offensive
expressions.
UNTAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE.
This experience, however, did not
teach his wisdom. The offence which
led to his dismissal occurred several
months later. Commander carpenter
of the United States war vessel Iris
had saved a French ship in gale off
the Mexican coast. There was some
question of salvage, and Commander
Carpenters course in that respect was
fully approved by the navy depart
ment, and afterward sustained in an
elaborate opinion by the attorney gen.
eral, the Hon. Reverdy Johnson. But
Poussin wrote q letter on Mary ~,
1S49, to the state department, declar-
ing that the French flag had been in
suited grossly by Commander Carpen-
der, and demanding the dismissal of
that officer Secretary Clayton had the
affair investigated and sent to Poussin
a full statement of the facts, together
with all the documents, showing that
no offence against the French flag had
been committed. He expressed the
hope that this statement would prove
satisfactory to the French government.
Instead of transmitting the documents
to Paris, Minister Poussin again gave
vent to his private opinion concerning
American methods and motives. In
letter of May 80, 1S49, to Secretary
Clayton, he said:
l called on the cabinet at Washington,
Mr. Secretary of State, in the name of
the French govern ment, to address
severe reproof to that officer of the Amer
lean navy, in order that the error which
he has committed, on point involving
the dignity of your national marine,
might not be repeated hereafter
From your answer, Mr.. Secretary of
State, I am unfortunately induced to be-
leve that your government subscribes
to the strange doctrines professed by
Commander Carpenter, of the war
steamer Iris, and | have only to protest
in the name of my government against
these doctrines
NO REPLY MADE.
To this extraordinary insult no di-
rect reply was made by our govern
ment. The entire correspondence was
forwarded to Richard Rush, then the
American minister at Paris, with in
structions to bring it to the attention
of NJ. de TocqueVlle, the French min
lister of foreign affairs, without, how
ever, asking of the French government
any reparation or apology for the
words of its representative in Wash
ington. A month later NJ. de Tocque-
Willie informed Mr. Rush that his gov
ernment saw no occasion for doing any
thing, and at the same time intimated
that there might be fault on both sides
at Washington,
This reply stirred to honest wrath
the soul of "Vieux Zach" as the French
newspapers called General Taylor. Mr..
Rush was instructed TO inform NJ. de
Tocqueville that his opinion of the con-
duct of the United States had not been
solicited. At the same time, by Pres
ident Taylor's orders, the secretary of
state prepared the passports of Mon
sicur Guillaume Tell avallee Poussin,
and forwarded the same to that diplo-
mat with a note which may well serve
as model for future occasions of the
same kind:
Department of State,
Washington, Sept II, 1919.
Sir: The president has devolred upon
me the duty of announcing to you that
the government of the United States Will
hold no further intercourse with you as
the minister of France, and that the ne
cessty which has impeled him to take
this step at the present time has been
made known to your government. In
communicating the presidents determi-
nation in regard to yourself personally, l
avail my self of the occasion to add that
due attention will be Cheerfully given to
any communication from the govern
ment to France, affecting the interests
of our respective republics. which may
reach this department through any other
channel.
The president has instructed me fur
ther to say that every proper facility for
quitting the United States will be prompt
ly given at any moment when you may lie
pleased to signify that it is your desire
to return to France.
| am, sir, very respectfully, your obed-
lent servant, John NJ. Clayton.
Mr.. William Tell Poussin. etc.
LATER INSTANCES.
The case of Mr. Catscazy dismissed