The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-13
KOssuth.

STA: The United States ordered the steam frigate
mississippi to conduct me out OF my prison TO Tree
DOM and by freedom to lie, because TO ACTIVITY
hailed this generous resolution as the greatest
honor which a man can meet. hailed II as ray
OF hope and consolation TO my down trodden, to my
bleeding, but still not broken, native land. haiied
il as highly encouraging manifestation OF your
glorious peoples sympathy TO that principle which
and will be the aim OF all the endeavors OF
all my life
And when, with the noble minded conSentment
OF the Sultan / stepped on board the Mississippi
frigate, and, once more free, because under your
glorious fag-heard the warm, generous, welcon-
ing cheer of the officers and crew. those frank,
loyal, gallant men, the true representatives OF
American freedom, American greatness, American
generosity-I could not forbear TO have the impress
sion that the spirit of Americas young giant has
shouted over the TO old Europe's oppressed
nations, "Don't despair, here ia brothers. power
full hand to your aid!'' These being my aenti-
ments you can judge by them, sir, how fervently
1 must have wished to have the honor to be con
Quoted by this very frigate to the United States.
But know that the sympathy OF the United
States is not given to any man in the world Tor his
own sake, but for the principles sake that he re.
presents. And so | felt convinced that would
prove unworthy Of this sympathy (this highest
treasure of my hfe) should neglect for single
moment the duties which Divine Providence mas
assigned TO me, should neglect TO provide ac-
cording to the exigencies OF the circumstances Tor
the ioierest of yonder causes, which the glorious
Repu7aic of the United States honored with its APP
probation and its sympathy.
1t became, therefore. an imperious duty OF honor
and conscience to me not to leave Europe without
arranging my public and private affairs, and care.
fully providing against any harm TO the sacred
enjoy the honor of the hospitality OF your glorious
land. So the most imperious dutics OF patriot,
father, and a man. impose upon me the necessity
to stop for a few days In England, before continue
my passage to the United States.
Commodore Morgan, at Spezzia, and afterward
Captain Long, of the Mississippi here did, with the
noble kindness Of true American heart. appreci-
to he m
consented to wait with the Mississippi in the bay of
Gibraltar, for my return from England with the
packet boat which leaves Southampton ON the 9th
instant. But the government OF the French "re-
public" (not the French nation, but its present
government refused to grant me permission to
pass rapidly through France. by which passageI
might have spared time and sufierings TO my wife
and children. And now, the first means of con-
veyance to England can avail myself of is only
a packet boat, expected tomorrow to arrive from
the Orient; and this, too, making eleven days to
England from here. On the other hand, Captain
Long informs me that any longer delay here would
render not only my associates but also the officers
and crew of the mississippi liable, in approaching
the coast of the United States ut late season, to
many suferings, by having TO endure excessively
severe cold and stormy weather.
So considering, on the one side, that the most
sacred duties force me not to leave Europe for
some time, before providing for my affairs in Eng
land, and considering on the other side that only
staying eight or ten days in England, 1T were en-
trey impossible to join again the Mississippi here
could only arrive in the second half of December
your hospitable shores, it became absolutely
duty OF honor to me not to cause any augmenta-
ton the hardships and sufferings to the officers
and crew of this ship, and not to embarrass them
in their public service also to alleviate my own
associates in their passage to the United States
These are the motives, SIR which deprive me OF
the honor to be conducted to your glorious shores
on board the Mississippi frgae; but feel consoled
at the idea that in adopting such course not
only have relieved those who are on board the Mis-
h,,f, folcn
have the high satisfaction an entire month sooner
to enjoy the happiness of landing at New York,
as am decided to leave England on board OF that
steamer which leaves Liverpool on the 7th Novem-
Der for New York
Having had the inestimabe pleasure to read re-
ported in the public papers that the city of New
York resolved to honor, with a generous reception
and hospitality. in my undeserving person, the
cause and principles represent, regard 1t to be
my duty respectfully to inform you, sir, and by
your kind interference, the generous city of New
York, about these accidents, and about my inten-
ton to leave Liverpool for your city the 7th Of
November. confidently hope that the people and
Government of the United States will appreciate
my motives, and approve the course 1 was bound to
adopt.
Let me hope also, sir, that might nothing have
lost by the impcrious necessity OF this course from
you and your peoples sympathies, which, though
conscious not to have merited, consider the great
est honor of my life, the highest reward for my suf
ferings, and the most honoring encouragement
steadily to go on toward that noble aim which the
sanctifed by its sympathy.
Be pleased, sir, to accept the expression of my
highest regards, lasting gratitude, and most dis
tinguished consideration, with which have the
honor to be,
Your most obsequious servant, KOSSUTH.
US. STEAM-F RIGATE MISSISSIPPI, Bay of Gibral
tar, October ID, 1851.
In regard to the conduct of Kossuth on board the
Mississippi, and his relationship to her officers, the
New York Courier supplies the subjoined state
@,x-t sa otr dan xrvrfh rv,nrA
elaborate narratives of other New York journals:
Captain Long assures us that difficulty
whatever occurred between them during the voy
age; that the bearing OF the Magyar leader was
in keeping with the department of gentleman;
and the details published from the London press,
rejecting upon his demeanor, pervcrsions of
fact, as were also the several letters which APP
peared originally in newspapers here, and calcu-
lated to inhict gross and unjustifiable injury.
From the time the steamer left Turkey, until she
reached Gibraltar, the utmost harmony prevailed
on board; and the relations between the Hungari-
ans and the crew, including officers, could not
have been characterized by more unanimity OF
feeling, better understanding. When the
vessel put into the port at Marseilles, 1t became
known to Kossuth that cabal were at work to
use him, if possible, to the overthrow of the
Bonaparte dynasty; that ia, afford excuse to the
Socialists and Red Republicans to seize upon
any exigency that might arise consequent upou
the passage Of the distinguished Magyar through
the French territory. Kossuth freely conferred
with Captain Long upon the subject; and, after this
mutual consultation, he declined leaving the ves-
sci, as originally intended, until he had first OBJ
tanned permission Of the French President. For
this purpose the contents of note were clegraphed
to Paris, and reply received, refusing to grant
the permission asked. While this transpir
ing, the Socialists became clamorous, and informed
Kossuth that, if he would undertake the journey,
they would conduct him to any port on the English
channel he might designate, at the point of the
bayonet, and "hedge his passage with reserve of
a Hundred thousand swords" Kossuth persisted
in declining the invitation although anxious to get
co England, for the benefit of his health, soon
possibIe and these were circumstances which called
forth the Marseilles address, frequently alluded
to. IL was at his instance, we are informed, that
Captain Long put to sea- and not the act OF the cap
tain without his wish and concurrence.
Numerous incidents of tho voyage have come
TO our knowledge, affecting the character Of Kos
suth which we would willingly detail could we af-
ford the space for that purpose. At Gibraltar the
55th 18th, goth, and Nth regiments of the British
army stationed there, rendered him a compliment
tary dinner which he declined until every follower
in his suite had received similar invitation, and
only then would their