The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-05-17
FROM EUROPE.
Correspondence ofthe Free Trader.
LONDON, April 2, 1914.
Messrs. Hse i Osman.

ihoSboN, HuiIl =, ioif.
Messrs. Hse s Osman.
GENrLEagS-I herewith transmit you a copy
of the report Of Gov. Davis and Capt Swift. /, is
very elaborate and OH the whole, very satisfactory
On some points differ with the agents, but upon
the great and important principles involved, there
can be no difference among those who understand
the question.
Every effort has been made to secure the re-
CURED amount Of subscription. Whether the
whole amount required can he obtained remains
yet question. The parties who have subscribed
are not willing to increase their subscription and
those who have not subscribed think they DO well
to keep out. |. yet remains considerable sum
! to make up the required amount. All admit the
report to be satisfactory in the highest degree,
and yet, none seem willing to endanger their rep
u,a,ion by recommending what is known to be
unpopular.
In consequence of the failure Of all the indebt.
ed states to provide for the payment of their in.
teres, much disappointment has been manifested
here and all think the less they have TO do with
US the better. Though money is drug here.
still people will not willingly part with it unless
they see some manifestation of disposition to
pay. 1t is time for US to commence paying if we
ever intend to, ard the legislatures that have re-
Gently adjourned and failed to provide for their
interest, would find it difficult imagine, to c1one-
rate themselves by any strict rule Of justice. The
public mind mere is like the sy stem of diseased
patient, affected by the slightest cause. Every
unfavorable piece Of news from America, has a
tendency to excite it unfavorably. If there had
been any action to encourage the belief that there
was disposition to pay by the indebted states,
there would not have been the slightest difficulty
in bringing to a successful termination the present
negotiation. But i, has become popular here
again to decry the American states, and admir-
with so much cause, that the strong current of OPP
position is very hard to stem. 1t is a mos, humi-
llating conviction to know that a sovereign stote
though she offers undoubted security, should be
treated like disgraced bankrupt in the market
"Pily It's, and lis pity It's true" hope Hi
nois, if she ever emerges from this unfortunate
position, will hereafter be wise enough to guard
against any possibility of being again brought in
to SO disgracoful dilemma.
The delay that has been caused is much to be
regretted but there could have been possibility
of preventing it, short Of different legislation. 1t
would be impossible to say what the result will be,
or when it will be known. All is doing that can
be done to secure the success of the negotiation.
| am mortified to find there is an efior, made by
men whose reputation gives them claims to honor,
to make this negotiation subserve an unworthy
and selfish purpose. They are not opposed to the
negotiation, but they intend to make it 0vaiiQJhe.
| have warned them to desist, or they would find
the negotiation terminated in manner they lcas,
expected, for Illinois would sooner remain in
poverty Than become a victim to the unworthy and
selfish schemes of cunning and managing poters.
II we are 10 succeed, let us do so in such man
ner rs to reap the full benefit that may follow,
both in point of weslth and reputation. Let it
never 10 said that great and noble work was
Only competed 70 serve the interests anu IofWaru
the designs of set of unworthy men. lie, us
have it in way worthy Of a sovereign state, and
in a manner compatible with the greatness of the
scheme, or let Us not have it at all. The parties
here act with all fairness, and without any other
motives than those Of honorable men. Indeed,
consider that all the subscribers have done more
,ta han al nf hon
think Mr.. John Able Smith most especially de-
serves the lasting gratitude Of the citizens Of Iii
nos. He has shown zeal and disineres,eJness
he had been citizen of Illinois, he could uo,have
done more. trust his services will be fully ap.
precia,ed. Truly yours, ALMA.