Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-10-10
GEN. HAMILToN's EXPLANATION.
To The Editor of The ". Y. Gazette.

TO The Editor ofthe ~. Y. Gazette.
SIR On my arrival in this city a
few days since from England, met
the publication of letter | addressed
from London to Mr.. Richie, the Editor
OF the Richmond Enquirer, bearing
date 18th August, giving u brief ac-
| count OF the late attack Of Mr.. O'Con.
nell on the American Minister and
America, at the antI.slavery meeting
at Birmingham, on the first Of that
/ month.
Although placed at Mr.. Ritchie's
option the privilege Of Publishing that
letter or not, as he might deem proper,
! wished il 10 be distinctly understood,
that he had my authority for doing so,
and regret that TIL. should have either
been questioned OF the authenticity of
the communication itself. My prirci.
pal object, however, in making this
declaration, is 10 have II likewise dis.
tinctly understood, that wrote the let.
ter to which | refer without the knowl.
| edge or conniyance OF Mr.. Stevenson
IN the smallest particular, as he would
be utterly incapable after accepting an
accommodation at the bands Of an ad-
yersary of covertly questioning the
truth on which it was founded.
As, however | bore no relation to
Mr.. O'Conncll of any kind, either per-
sonal or official, as | neither saw him
nor took TO him any message, verbal
or otherwise, conceive that had a
clear right to make what commcnta.
RES thought proper on u public cor
respondence which appeared in the
public Gazettes.
My letter was written in great haste
and under peculiar excitement, which
shall hereafter be explained. IL, there
lore, INDUCED in a tone Of abuse too
much IN the vein Of Mr.. O'Connell's
own language to his opponents, admit
1t was unworthy Of my country and
myself, aud cannot but express my re-
greet, if such language has given pain
even to the most fastidous Of my fel
low citizens, as | conceive that il is
the duty ofthe humblest man who goes
abroad to feel that the character of his
country is somewhat in his own custo-
dy, whilst absent from his home.
| desire it however to be equally ex-
pllcltly understood that specially ex-
cept Mr.. O'ConneIi from the benefit of
this explanation, as have no apology |
TO make to him after his atrocious as
sault on our country, on the occasion
to which | have referred. That he |
has no such claim, | shall make suffi. |
ciently manifest IN communication |
propose addressin. to Mr.. Richie at "A
moment Of greater leisure, IN redcmp-
ton Of the pledge which made in my
letter of the 18th August, when prom
sed that gentleman would obtain, at
birmingham, the proofs Of the FALSE
hood of which Mr.. O'Conneil had been
guilty, to exempt himself from a direct
responsibility 10 Mr.. Stevenson for his
most extraordinary and unjus,ifabe
on that gentleman. beg
leave distinctly to disavow all intention,
in my letter to MIR. Richie, to treat the |
people of Ireland with the smallest con.
tunlely or disrespect. cherish for
their genius and courage too high an
admiration, and for their suirerngs and
mstortuues TOO sincere "a sympathy,
for one lustant TO entertain Il feeling so
entirely opposed to all the associations
and attachments OF my early life.
/ remain, very respectfully,
Your obliged, obedlent servant,
j. HAMILTON.
?. S. Those papers which have pub.
llshed my letter of 10Th August, to Mr..
Richie, will DO me the favor TO insert
this card.
RAIN.-The Baltimore Patriot of