Admiral Dupetit Thouars has administered the severest rebuke that the
French war-mongers have yet received. Carrying out their own spirit to extremity, he has converted their sublime to the ridicu- lous. There are more documents on the subject of his last vagary at Tahiti—more correspondence ; and the Chamber of Deputies was crowded on Thursday to hear " interpellations" addressed by M. Came to Ministers. "The banner of France," saith the vindicator of Thspetit Thouars, "had been planted on Tahiti, and could not be struck wtthout dishonour!" moreover, Mr. Pritchard, " personage complexe," had borne as a present from Queen Victoria to Pomare's husl and—a red coat! This rhodamontade was to shake the power of Ministers. How did they' meet it? M. Gnizot, disclaiming servility to England—for that was necessary !—unqualifiedly declared that M. Dupetit Thouars "had deported himself neither with prudence nor wisdom throughout the affair." "No plea of necessity, utility, or justice, could be invoked to justify that act "—the military occupation. And Admiral de Mackau stated the real dispute between the Queen and M. Dupetit Thouars. The flag of the Protectorate, the united ensigns of Tahiti and France, was floating in the island— The Queen had besides a fancy-flag flying over her residence, on which figured, not a closed crown, but a crown of the most inoffensive nature, for it was formed of interwoven leaves of the cocoa-nut tree : and the only difference between M. Dupetit Thouars and the Queen was, that the former required that she should substitute for those cocoa-nut leaves eitherred or white stars. (Laughter.) Yet M. Dupetit Thouars still has supporters—for the debate -pro- ceeded when the post left Paris. Truly, there are some brave fellows who, if a French donkey were to kick a child and an Englishman inter- posed, would call on 31. Guizot to vindicate "the honour of France" by " supporting " the jackass!
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