The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-21
From The Boston Courier.
ALISON,S HISTORY QE EIIRQpE

We have noticed many artice in different papers
correcting the gross which are to be found il
Alison's History Of Europe, which is now in th,
course OF publication in numbers, by the Harpcrs Of
new YORK; and we have come to the conclusion tina
they are more errors Of design than of accident
The following letter from Mr.. Cooper, which we find
In the New York Evening Post, affords sufficient proof
to warrant the belief that in many instances they are
aci!till and Intentional:
Mr.. EDITOR: was both surprised and shocked al
finding the following sentence in Alison's History OF
Europe, apparently given in connection it'll my name
as authority, viz:
Captain cambridge sued the glory of his fri.
umph by unmanly and ungenerous treatment of the
seamea made prisoners, whom he handcuIed and rob
bed Of every hing thy possessed though he treated the
officers most generously %; conduct which afford
ed striking contrast, sc. SC -
.Note-O Brenton, II, AGO. 4G2 James vi. 1875,
l37. Cooper, H. 300, PA, sc. Sc.
NOW, sir, II l am authority for any part of the
foregoing statement it is the portion which audes
to the generous treatment Of the officers; but Mr.
Alison introduces my name in such way as to in
duce the reader who may not have access to nv
work, to believe am authority for the very improba
bic assertion, that HE," Com. Bonbyidce robbed The
English seanen Of their Effects! | suppose Mr. Alison
would say that he meant merely to refer TO my ac-
count IN order to suhstanate the portion of his ale
CATION which have pointed out ; but, it strikes me,
when praise and censure are thus blended in single
sentence, the world should be told distinctly. if il is
told any thing on the subject, who is authority for
the one and who is authority for the other
his is far from being the only instance in which
my name is introduced by Mr. Alison, in way to
make me appear as authority for things never wrote
and the truth of which | deny References. of this
ambiguous nature, constantly occur, and some of
them as ludic Gus as they erroneous though no
other makes as gross charge as this which aludes
to the conduct of Com. cambridge
very simple answer can be given to Mr.. Alison
IN connection with this particular accusation 1t is
well known the British officers including Lieutenan,
General Hyslop, made the freest acknow !edeement.
OF the liberal and kind treatment they received
Now, what are we 10 think of men who could be SC
selfish as 10 conine their views 10 themselves wher
cambridge had played the roJbcr with the poor sea
man An honorable man " ould have repealed Com
ocore Banbrdge's iavors, with indignation under
such circumstances; and it would have been the duty
of General Hysop TO have said TO him. Take my
plate sir you wish plumber but do not rob the poor
deenceess - instead of writing letters TO re-
quest that search might be made for certain missing
articles OF hs own, as il is notorious he did. Nor
ignorance be pleaded in behalf Of these gentle
men it is matter within the knowledge of the pub
lie, that many Of the English officers General Hyslcp
included, have given manifestations of this respect
and gratitude TO Bainbrdge, years after their capture
Sir Thomas Hysop had valuabes on board the
Java, probably to the amount of several thousand
pounds, including services Of plate &C. and who
prize escape him, would meanly rob seaman
That some Of the English were pundered by Ger
tain lawlcss fellows in transferring the effects of the
crew from ono ship TO another, is highly probable
such things are of usual occurrence but MIR. Alison
will permit me TO say, that, instead of quoting me as
authority for this accusation against Bainbridge he
would have shown more Knowledge Of mankind aud
greater liberaliiy, had he initiated my own example
and forbomc 10 aude to incidents OF this everyday
character, whether applied TO the scamen of this, OF
any other nation.
But, TO accuse cambridge in person Of the act i'm
puted to him, surely bad enough Of ITSELF without
dragging IN the name Of countryman in a way so
equiyocal, 10 make him seem authority for il
AS for Mr. Alison's statements in general, so far
they relate to the naval colct between ms own
country and this they such as to induce one ia
miliar with the facts, TO smile. ! dare say lac be.
leyes his own accounts TO DC true, and is pretty
evident that lie believes great deal Of that which he
has stated, the authority Of Mr.. Jares. will
refer him 10 articles in the Democratic Review
June and May numbers, 1922 written by myself,
containing some Of the objections | should urge
against the credibiliy Of that very logical and truth
telling historian J. FENNlMORE COOPER.