The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-31 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE S.

SIR, —May I request you to insert the following cor-
respondence, arising out of the report of Mr. Layard's
speech on Monday last, into your widely-circulated
paper ?
As regards the remark, that " The Liberal party in
:trope were opposed to the present war," I beg leave
to state that the Liberal party in Europe fully approves
of a war on behalf of the integrity and independence
of Turkey, but that it is opposed to the Manner in which
it is carried on ; since the Liberal party is convinced
that it neither will save Turkey nor humble Russia, but
that its only result is the strengthening of Austria.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
L. KoSSUTH.
21, Alpha-road, Regent's Park, July 29, 1854.

"21, Alpha-road, Regent's Park, London,
July 26, 1854.
" —ln your speech on the vote of credit in the
House of Commons, July 24, as reported by the Times
of Tuesday, July 25, I felt profoundly afflicted to read
the following in reference to the Hungarians, so nobly
and generously protected in 1849 by his Imperial Ma-
jesty the Sultan :
" Had not the Turks befriended them ? Had they
not received them with kindness, entertained them with
hospitality, given them employment in their cities, and
raised them to the command of their armies ? And what
was their return ? Had it not been in too many in-
stances the grossest ingratitude ?'
" Sir, this is a heavy charge ; casting dishonour upon
the national character of the Hungarians, and likely to
-produce the most mischievous effect, incalculable in its
bearing ; as, coming from a man of your position and
authority, it certainly cannot fail to become instrumental
in the hands of our enemies for the furtherance of pur-
poses detrimental, not only to my country, but to Tur-
key likewise.
" Penetrated, as I myself have publicly and privately
always proved to be, by sentiments of the sincerest
gratitude for the Sultan, and the warmest devotion to
the honour, dignity, and welfare of the Turki-h empire,
I know all my companions in exile, without any excep-
tion, so much share in these, my sentiments, that I am
confident in doubting whether there may be found one
single individual, the conduct of whom could substan-
tiate that heavy charge of ingratitude which you thought
fit to generalise by applying to it the epithet, in too
many instances.'

"At all evenis, if contrary to all what I know, there
be some, or even one only man, guilty of any act deserving
of such a branding imputation, the honour of our na-
tional character, and the moral dignity as well as the
position of many a gallant Hungarian who are staking
their blood and life on the battle-field for Turkey unite
in imposing upon me the duty to claim that the charge
be precised, and not left by its undefined generality to
throw a shadow of disgrace upon so many honourable
men, who, having lost all what is dear to men and pa-
triots, have but the conscience of their morality and
honour to sustain them in misfortune and adversities.
" It is, therefore, that, with all due regard and consi-
deration, I feel bound to claim, as I herewith do, from
your equanimity such an explanation of the charge cast
upon our national honour in general, which, by stating
the facts upon which you felt anthorised to make that
charge, will particularise its bearing, and either afford an
opportunity of defence to the concerned, or, at least,
discharge those who, though conscious of not deserving
the odium of your imputation, are made to share in it,
from the undefined generality of your accusation.

" I have the honour to be, witii distinguished regards
and particular consideration, Sir, your obedient and
humble servant, "L. KOSSUTH.
"A. H. Layard, Esq., M.P."

"9, Little Byde-street, July 29, 1351.
" did not receive your leter of the 26th until
late last night, and I regret that I have consequently
not had an earlier opportunity of removing from your
mind the painful impression which the inaccurate report
in the Times of part of my speech of Monday last, in
the House of Commons, was naturally calculated to
create. I had, indeed, intended to address you on the
subject, but had been prevented by numerous occupa-
tions and absence from London. I had hoped also that
a comparison of reports of the same speech in other
newspapers would have shown you that I had been mis-
understood by the Times reporter. Mr. Cobden havinc
stated that the Liberal party in
.Europe were opposed
to the war, and having specially instanced you as de-
nouncing it as a war undertaken in the interests of the
Oppressors of Hungary, I observed, in reply, that the
Liberal party in Europe should be the last to be found
arrayed against the Sultan, as Turkey had, at all
times, offered a place of refuge to those who have been
compelled to leave their native country for political
causes, whether Hungarians, Poles, or Italians, and had
received them with the most generous hospitality and
sympathy—even risking a war in their behalf with her
two most powerful neighbours ; and I declared that if
the Liberal party were now to ally themselves with the
enemies of the Porte, it would be an instance of the
grossest ingratitude.
•` In order to remove the impression which the inac-
curate report of my speech has made, and the pain which
I may have thus unintentionally inflicted upon many '
honourable and estimable men, I shall take an oppor-
tunity this evening of explaining, in the House of Com-
nions, the misapprehension which has arisen. Should I
be prevented doing so by any rules of the house, you
are at full liberty to give publicity to this letter.
"Assuring you of the regret I feel of having caused
you some momentary pain, I beg to remain with senti-
ments of regard and esteem,
"Your very obedient servant,
"L. Kossuth." "A. H. LAYARD."