Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-10-14
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY OCToBER ID lsa5=

winch he endeavours To escape from the claim musf h.
considered as admitting il TO be true
The property thus seized and confscated during The
years l8O9-l812, has been variousy estimated at go
Yeral millions Of dollars On the restoration of iran
quiity IN Europe, The American government parceiy
ing That indemnity the order day. and that the
victorious and allied soveregns vigorously enor
eng their claims for compensation even for losses
which they had suffered under the right of conquest de-
termined TO send honorable mission to Naples
10 ask restoration of the property Of our merchants
ana indemnity for American ships still in the employ
OF the Neapoan government. Mr.. Pinlsney of Bal.
tmore selected as the special minister for this
| errand; beng at the time appointed our en-
voy at the court of ST. Petersburg. MIR. Pnlsuey ar
rived at Naples, in the Washington ship of the ine in
the month OF July, 1876 On the eth of JULY he in
formed the Marquis di Circeo by note of his arrival
ana characters and the Marquis appointed the 31st for
mr. finkney's first interview with himself. At this in
'erView with the Marquis, who though several wears
the Ncapoitan Minister at London, could 10 Mr. Pink
neys surprise, neither speak understand word of
English, the conversation in French in which Ian
guage, says MIR. Pinkney with some naicete, amidst
good deal OF aoeI managed discourse on his part which
rather related 10 than my mission he made several
observations, which had bearing upon my principal
errand He spoke of the low state of their treasury
of the rapacy of Mons. NIurat las he called him &c
rom the 3st of July till tue 18th of August, nothing
farther WAS done. On the last named day MIR Pink
ney again visited the Marquis di Circello. when avs
Mr. finkncy, adyerted to the principal object of nv
mission, and intmated that should very soon send him
note uponit my surprise, he protested not to ,r-
derStand to ,Chdt ai,ied as the princpal object of
my MISSION; but when mentioned the spoIiations by
Murat, he seemed suddenly to remember that had at
least talked to him of them befoe' At this interview
Nr. Pinkney announced the design Of presenting
written note the subject, and was informed by the
Marquis, that this course would be acceptable to the
NeapoiItan government At the expiration of seven
teen days. August 98th this note was presented con.
tanning an elaborate argument in favor of the claim.
After waiting month, without receiving any re-
tho N, If
pirate note TO the Marquis Oh Cercello pressing for an
answer 10 his memorial, the ground that he was
obliged 10 proceed 10 RUS and the season was advances
ing In consequence of this private note Mr.. Pink
ney had an interview with the Marquis two DAYS after
IN which the Marquis told him that an answer had ne
cessarly been delayed, IN order to collect the papers
relative to the conscatons and ascertain the amount
of the claims; and that this obviously not an affair
OF few weeks. Mr.. Pnkuey then told him, that he
should be obliged to leave Naples without the answer
as he was to start in week for Russia TO this init
nation says Mr. Pinuey in lis letter to the Secretary
OF State, The Marquis replied with his characteristic
good breeding, that they should be extremely sorry 10
lose me, and that they had hoped have me with them
sometime, but that If my duty elsewhere called me
away, he would undertake TO send the answer to nv
note, the moment it could be given, wherever would
Indicate This course Mr. PInkney objected to- pro-
posing instead, shat The answer should be sent TO whom
and To where the Government of the United States
should think ft' To this the Marquis reoined, .that
he shond have no objection to any course which pre-
|
more respectful for me that he should undertake to
send the answer as should prescribe especially as this
course essentially included the oher.' 1T would have
oeen impossible for me- adds Mr. Pnkney dispute
an opinion referred to civil motive if the mat
ter had been worth dputng In the course of the in
terview MIR, Pinkney requested the Marquis to throw
the substance OF what had just passed between them
INTO the form of note, which the Marquis engaged to
do The evening of The day, MIR. Piukney re-
ceved from the Marquis note anelated by two DAYS.
and in the form of reply to Mr. pnzneys private let
ter before mentioned, saying nothing Of their late inter
circumstances which appeared have perplex-
ed Mr.. Pnkney; who in the conduct of this negotiation
1t we may without dsrespec venture the nmation,
appears to in the light of lion caught in the tolls OF
subtle diplomacy. At the close of his note the Mar
quis renews the hint, chat he win make it his duty
forward his official reply wherever Mr.. Pnkney may
! indicator
To this note DIR. Pnkney replied the next day, Sep
ember 80, and in answer 10 this hint he observes that
upon this point, well upon all such Interior steps
as bis mission and the subject of it may be calculated
produce. he will think it his duty refer himself to his
government. On the Cd of October Mr.. Pinkney had
his audience of leave, and Immediately departed TOR ST.
Peersburgh. We now ask the attention of our read
ers, who without being Hotspur4, disposed to run
muck at every windmill of an inGigDity do yet feel
reasonable tenderness for the pubc honor TO the first
sentence of the first official letter of Mr. Pinllney after
his arrival at ST. Petersburg notwithstanding the ex
pcDess OF my answer, of the Both of September, tc
the proposal contained in the note of the MARQUIS d
quilted Naples, when he sent after his reply to my
note of the 9th of August. The obstacles, which
while was present. threatened to retard that reply fol
many week, and for months disappeared, with
marvellous rapdity after had Departed for the reply
passed me Le road TO So. Petersburg, and arriUeo
there before me.
This reply was, it seems instantly despatched from
Naples to the Duke of Sierra Caprioa, Neapoitau Mi
mister at St. Petersburg, whose duty be, tc
force it upon MIR. Pinkncy 'He manifesed,' says Mr.
Pinkney immediately upon my arrival here, very
anxious desire, that should receive it, He en-
treated me to do so, with such earnestness as it
easy to resist. refused, however, 70 have any thing
to DO with this packet &C. But Tue Duke at st. Pc
tersburgh willy as the Marquis at Naples and hi
prevailed upon Mr.. PDkney 10 receive t2 packet, fo
the purpose of transmitting it TO Washington. Tll
Mr. Pinkney agreed do because he had difficulty
in conserving TO forward to the Secretary of State
the United States anything, which by order Of you
court, you may think fit to address to him. This Off
cia reply TO MIR. PDkneys Memorial bears date Octo
Der 18th, only eleven days after Mr.. PinSuey left Ma
pies, surprising him have departed the very day afe
his audience OF leave copy Of it was instantly for
wardcd to the Count Castecicala Ncapolitan Minister
l.aT l IL