to detect the feelings and wishes of others, the agents of the American government were just the last persons in France to whom I would have applied for aid or information.  The minister himself stood quoted by the Prime Minister of France in the tribune, as having assured him (M.  Perier) that we were the wrong of the disputed question, and that the writers of the French government had truth on their side.  This allegation remains before the world uncontradicted to the present hour.  It was made six months since, leaving ample time for a knowledge of the circumstance to reach America, but no instructions have been sent to Mr. Rives to clear the matter up; or, if sent, they have not been obeyed.  With these unquestionable facts before my eyes, you will figure to yourself my astonishment at finding in the papers, a circular addressed by the Department of State to the different governors of the Union, formally soliciting official reports that may enable us to prove to the world, that the position taken by our opponents is not true!  This course is unusual, and, as the Federal government has no control over, or connexion with, the expenditures of the States, it may even be said to be extra-constitutional.  It is formally requesting that which the Secretary of State had no official right to request.  There was no harm in the proceeding, but it would be undignified, puerile, and unusual, for so grave a functionary to take it, without a commensurate object.  Lest this construction should be put on his course, the Secretary has had the precaution to explain his own motives.  He tells the different governors, in substance, that the extravagant pretension is set up flat freedom is more costly than despotism, and that what he requests may be done, will be done in the defence of liberal institutions.  Here then we have the construction that has been put on this controversy by our own government, at home, through one of its highest and ablest agents.  Still the course of its agents abroad remains unchanged! Here the American functionaries are understood to maintain opinions, which a distinguished functionary at home has openly declared to be injurious to free institutions.

It may be, it must be, that the state of things here is unknown at Washington.  Of this fact I have no means of judging positively; but when I reflect on the character and intelligence of the cabinet, I can arrive at no other inference.  It has long been known to me that there exists, not only at Washington, but all through the republic, great errors on the subject of our foreign relations; on the influence and estimation of the country abroad; and on what we are to expect from others, no less than what they expect from us.  But these are subjects which, in general, give me little concern, while this matter of the finance controversy has become one of strong personal interest.