Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-08-05
FOREIGN NEWS--BY THE GALE
donna.
Insult to the American Minister.

says:
An event occurred at Oxford, last week,
which can hardly fail to rankle in the minds
of the citizens of the United States
Their able and popular representatives at
the Court of st. James, Mr.. Everett, was
subjected, by number of undergraduates
and other small fry, in the theatre of that
university. to gross insult, when the heads
of the college were about TO confer upon
him the Degree of Doctor of Laws
The following are the particulars OF this
unpleasant proceeding:
The Oxford Convocation, on Wednes-
day, conferred the degree of Doctor otI
Laws on Mr.. Everett, amid scene of the
utmost tumult; several members dissenting,
because it is understood the American am
bassador was at one time a Unitarian min
lister. A scrutiny into the votes
was demanded but the Vice Chancellor
says that he was not aware of the fact
until too late a stage. The dissentIents
threaten Interior proceedings, to set aside
the degree; while in punishment OF the
riot, fellow has been rusticated for five
years, two other persons for three years.
and fourth for one year. A number OF
the dissentients have presented an address
TO Mr.. Everett, earnestly disclaiming per-
sonal motive, and expressing the highest
respect for his character and station
The Examiner, abiding TO this disgrace
full affair, says:-There seems to be but one
opinion, one feeling, as to the insult offered
to the American minister at Oxford. At
no pot house meeting Of the lowest rabble
could worse manners, worse taste, and
worse feeling have been exhibited. And,
to crown the decency,. zeal for religion is
the plea put forth for the rude breach OF all
the rules of hospitality and courtesy TO a
stranger The defence, bad as il is, is I'M
tenable, for honorary degrees have been
conferred on persons not even protesting
Christianity; but the objection to Mr.. Ev-
erett was one which, in the eyes of bigotry
is worse than that of infdelity, that he was
a Dissenter.
But the scene will be best described by
an eye witness:
1t is usual at the annual commemoration
which always takes place at this time, to
propose some distinguished persons to Con.
vcntion for d. C. l.. degree. Late on
Tuesday evening it became known in the
University that Mr.. Everett, the American
: Minister formerly an Unitarian preacher
in the United States. would be proposed
, for this honour. The news created con
siderable sensation on the ground Of tina,
gentlemans religious opinions, especially
among members of that body, in which the
right of besiowing degrees rests. Univer.
sity law requires, that the proposed degree
should be announced to the members OF
Convocation assembled and their assent
asked for comforting ii; the form being
Placet-ne uabiS, DOmini doctores2 placet-nt
Uabis, mqgishi? If any Master dissents
The Vice. Chancellor asks him whether he
; wants scrutiny" i. e., q poll, Pets ne
, scruinium? If he says yes, then the votes
of the assembly, pro and con, are taken on
the point, and so the matter is settled.
Several members of Convocation on
hearing of Mr.. Everett's proposed degree
were disposed to intimate to the Vice
Chancellor their sentiments on the sub ject
with the view thnt the withdrawal Of the
name might release them from the duty
they should otherwise be under of opposing
his degree in Convocation. Mr.. Lewis, OF
Jesus, sgnifed to the Vice Chancellor his
intention of doing so. The Vice Chancel-
lor replied, that he hoped Mr.. Lewis would
consider his conscience discharged by that
private protest, and not carry his opposi-
ton into Convocaton. as it would disturb
the harmony of the meeting. Mr.. Lewis
replied that as a member eff Convocation he
should still be obliged to give public non
placet.
On the proceedings of Convocation
I commencing two hours afterwards in Tho
: theatre, the Vice Chancellor proposed fol-
, the d. &. l.. the names of Mr.. Everett anC
-, Mr.. Daniel Mr.. Lewis and considera
bic number present shouted Non placct.
t A storm of Undergraduate groans anc
a Kisses al the time, directed at an unpopula
;. proctor, prevented either the Vice Chan
= ce.ior, or the non piacets being audible
=. though several Of the latter were immcdi
y atciy under the Vice Chancellor, ant
IS showed by the most forcible signs the
!. could. their dissent. The undergraduate
e storm vent on-the nan piqccts were no
m attended to-Mr. Everett was introduce
- aud after the usual complimentary Lati
. speech from DR.. Bliss. marched up the steE
j. 70 the seats II the Doctors, amidst tn
!pplcst shouts Of nan ylaccis, rendered il
audible by the uproar in the gallery, an
= the piaIncst external signs and movement
d Of dlsapProbaion from that part Of Con
:. vocation which dssented. The latter in
49, nediatcly left the Theatre and met in Elk,
II. ter common room, where protest again'
the legality Of the degree, 50 conferre,
- was drawn up, Gas university custom +,
e. quIresJ in Latin.