, 1842-02-19

lIloNhfAo
The steamship Brittanna arrived at Boston on
the 22nd ultimo. Among the passengers were
Mr.. DICKENS (Boz, and Lady and Lord ASH
BURTON. This nobleman is sent to our govern
ment as the special Minister of the Court of
London, to adjust all the subsisting difficulties
between the two countries. He is one of the
financial nobleman of England, and is very deep
ly interested in the stock jobbing interest, and is
connected with the house ofthe Earrings of Lon
don. The fact of his being selected, for this spe-
cial embassy, over others of far higher q~ualifca-
lions, has induced the suspicion that he has ute
ricr objects in view not disclosed as yet. The
reputation of Mississippi and the fear that other
states may follow in the same track, may have
induced the holders of the bonds of the States,
to depute Lord A.. TO use his influence with the
government at Washington 10 assume the pay
ment of the debts of the States. On this subject
we copy the following from the United States:
What is that object? Perhaps it is to pro-
cure some action of the Federal Government up-
on the State debts. At the close of 1889, the
house of Barring Brothers s. Co. suggested, III
one Of their circulars, the assumption of the State
debts by the Federal Government; and the sug-
gcstion met with an eager response in one of
the stock organs of New York. and in several
other partisan papers in different parts of our
country. But the proposition received an indig-
nant negative from the public voice, and lis
ECHOES on this side of the wafer were glad to
deny any participation in it. But as the stock
holders in England will not abandon the project
without n struggle, an eminent stock jobber is
sent among us TO try HIS powers and influence,
and the time chosen is when embarrassing ques-
tions between the two governments are increas-
ing. Perhaps the British government, some Of
whose officers are extensively Interested in A
merican property, are beginning TO consider the
''disputed territory as less important than this
British property in State stock, and are disposed
to compromise by surrendering one for the other.
Therefore this special minister may be instructed
to offer the disputed territory, indemnity for
slaves, abandonment of the right of search, and
satisfaction for the destruction of the Caroline"
as an equivalent for the assumption of the State
debts by the Federal Government.
In this view of the case, this special mission
assumes great importance, and ought to rouse
the vigilance Of the people in every State of the
Union. Are the people ready TO sec their Fede-
raj Government converted into a great stock Job
Der. Are the States out of debt willing TO be
taxed for the extravaganza Of the States in debt?
viii Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Delaware, North Carolina, which have no debts,
be taxed for the overwhelming burdens of Penn
sylvania, Maryland, Mississippi, Illinois and
louisiana? Will New York, Massachusetts
and Georgia, which can pay their debts, be taxed
for those overburdencd States which cannot pay
at present? These are important questions; and
if the States out of debt or lightly burdened do
not choose TO be taxed thus, we advise their
legislatures, most of which are now in session,
to speak a language too significant and explicit
TO be misunderstood by Congress. We also ad-
wise the representative Of such States in Con
gress to keep an eye upon the movements Of this
special minister and the executive. The Presi-
dent would probably repel any such suggestion
with great promptitude. But all great officers
of our government may not be made of such stern
stuff.
The London Times says, awe do not know
that any great expense will be incurred by this
mission; but, even if there should, the vast i'm
~portance of its object, which cannot possibly be
overrated, is more than sufficient, terminate how
it NAV, to warrant the expenditures of a much
larger sum than is likely to be required" What
does this mean? Why should this special mis-
sion require any unusual expense? And why
cannot the probable or possible expense be over
rnted? And HOW is this expense to be incur
red? Is the game of the United States Bank
with our Legislature to be repeated? Look out
President Tyler! Look out, representatives
from the several States. Look out, State legisla-
lures. Look out, Independent editors! Look out,
tax payers and freeman.
In regard to the French news, we make no
remarks, as the letter of our new and able Eu-
ronean correspondent shadows forth the existing
state of things with a master hand"