Year: 1863

EDS. CoM:-I see, daily, in American
Journals, new aPprehensiOns on the subject
of French intervention in favor of the
South. l am somewhat astouished that
the American public should not have a
moIe correct idea of the situation of par
ties and OF the public sentiment of France.


In France there ATE three great parties,
the Legitmilimists being one only in name.
The Orleanists have been expressed ON the
Union question, from the fact that their
chief came in person to take up arms for
the cause of the Union. The Republicans
have done the same, in sending me to this
country; and my prolonged stay in the
North is sufficient evidence that now, more
than ever, their sympathies are on the side
of tue Union that its cause is that of lib
erty. pre-emiuently made so by the pro-
clamation of the President Let me add,
that in sustaining the American Union, that
is, the most imposing form of Republican
government in existence, we fight for our
selves.


Then there is tho Bouapartist party,
which is now in power, and Yields all the
resources, financial and military in France.
Although the despotic form adopted by the
Government permits it to use and abuse its
powers for the attainment of ends opposed
to the nationsl sympathies, as in the sad
cases of Italy and Mexico, yetit is plain 10
every man who thoroughly understands the
institutions and character of the French
people, that, in presence of the decided
opposition of the Orleans and Republican
parties, and in view of the discomfort of
that floating mass of population which
makes up the compliment of every estab-
Iished government, to persist in the course
of adventures which costs France SO much
and which has no other object than to gain,
by an apparent activity, the attachment of
the soldtery to the cause of the dynasty.
and to hold out n bait for the ambition of
officers, would prove danger which Nupo-
leon IS too shrewd voluntarily to encounter.
A rupture Of the traditional feeling of
friendship and amity SO long existing be-
tween France and America could be the
sequel for general opposition in the
country, based upon the excessive expen-
ses which intervention would entail. and
upon the unpopularity of war indirectly
sustaining an institution which is con-
demed by every cultivated man in Europe.
There is not soldier in France who would
be willing TO lift his baud against the
Proclamation of the President, or would
assist the Shareholders of the South to re-
tain their slaves.


1t to these considerations is added the
national autipathy to England, accustomed
to look upon the American navy as a couu-
terpoise of the maritime forces of Great
Britain, and the danger which would una
voidably result to our commerce and that
ofthe world, by means Of privnteers, every
one must see that Intervention by France in
favor Of tho South is one of the thousand
rumors set at1oat TO engeuder mistrust iu
the cause of the Union. AS the result of
these rnmors tends to bring about a change
in the kindly feelings and relations SO long
standing between the two nations, and the
maintenance of which is the best safeguard
ior the liberty of the world, deem it nv
duty, as the descendant of one who foupbt
by the side of Lafayette and Washington,
as General in the service of the United
States, and as a Frenshman, to protest in
the name of all who hold liberty dear in
my country, against these malicious and
damaging reports. Should it happen by
any alteration of mind, impossible to fore
see, on the part of a man acknowledged to
be possessed of greatshrewdness and a pro-
found knowledge of his times, that Nspo


leon would decide upon intervention, he
would illustrate once more the truth ofthe
saying, "Quen VuA Jupiter perdere demen
tall" and he and his dynasty would speed
lily bow before the tempest of wrath
which sucha course would raise from every
quarter of France. G CLUsEREr,


Brigadier General, U. S. a.