American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-02-17
Correspondence Of the American Republican,
WAsHNGToE, Feb. ii, l845.
10 che Editor Of the Baltimore Clipper:

q eHt dsukcy ~ He BuNtHtOfC tLtpDeN:
SiR,--I take much pleasure in informing you
that NY affair with the British Government
has ah auspcious aspect. My documents in
relation TO tie transaction have been forwarded
to our minister at London, and now await
tho ahsH eF or the commander of the British
brig Alert, 10 my statement. The matter is
10 the hands of Mr., Calhoun, and with his
treatment Of it, am sure shall! have abund-
ant cause for satisfaction. Although the out
rpgeoas conduct OF the British commander no
longer engages the attention of the public press,
II has MT escaped the notice OF our govern
mont, nor been forgotten by our people,
| was much panied with the character Of an
article, which appeared in the English cores
pouuence of the New York Courier & EnQuir-
or a few days ago The correspondent of that
paper, now in England, and probably all Eng
ishman, has never seen my statement, nor It's
vcrtlcaii0n by Mr. Gordon, our Consul at Rio:
lac has not read the communication which our
Minister there, MI N,se has made the De-
pariment OIL the suDioGt-at least it is charta-
BILE SO to suppose: for / cannot believe him ca
pablo Of grllui!ous fdlSehood--a charge to
which ne would be subject, had he been made
acquainted with ny proofs.
Had he read these documents, properly sub
par.ment of STATE, in explanation and iustili-
cation OF my conduct as Captain of the Cyrus,
he never would have applied such language as
the following TO me: ''the idle parade and bonn
bast of Capt. Dumas IN regard to the American
flag" J would have understood that | APP
pealGd t. he protection of that flag as nv only
Safeguard it was my sole ns.of defence
my whole armory. | so told the British Cap
tain. | warned him, that if he did not recSfcs
the symbol Of my country's sovereignty, and
the rights which it guarded, he woald provoke
the Indignation of my county, and incur the
displeasure OF his own. Impartial testimony
has been procured to prove my own temperate
conduct, and the exuavagant behaviour Of the
British commander.
| have been accused Of an intense hatred of
Eng shmen. The charge is false. Of the CT
tizens of that country have never made com
plant, nor expressed Tesenttul feelings towards
them Gifts government, could with reason
complain.
have had it in my power TO do Englishmen
service, and have been glad of the opportunity.
Seven years ago. in 1888, while commander
of the "Moro Castle" on my way to Bordeaux,
| fell in with boat in the Gulf stream, con-
tanning five English subjects, WHO had been for
six days without shelter from the wind and
storm, and almost without food, worn out,
hopeless, and despairing. AT considerable
trouble to myself, and some risk to the objects
to my voyage, took them Oh board and car
RED them, at my own expense, to France. In
thus doing, claim only the performance of
the duties of humanity. But if listened to
the calls of humanity, the English government
neglected the rules of courtesy. IL ,,ecer took
the slightest notice of the assistance had render
ed its subjectt-an omission singular, if not dis
credable.
trust this will be sufficient answer to what
cannot but consider the unprovokcd and
unsubstantiated statement Of the "Couriers'
correspondent.
Your most obedient,
and humble servant,
P. c. DUMAS.