The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-15
ALetter from KOssuth.

ALetter from KOssuth.
To his Honor A. c. Kingsla Mayor Of the
City Of New York:
SIR +: The United States ordered the steam
frigats Mississippi to conduct me out of my
prison to freedom, and by freedom to life, be-
cause to activity.
hailed this generous resolution as the great
est honor which man can meet. hailed il as
a ray Of hope and consolation to my down
trodden, to my bleeding, but still not broken
native land, hailed it as highly encouraging
manifestation Of your glorious peoples sympa
thy to that principle which was and will ever
be the aim of all the endeavors of all my life.
And when, with the noble minded consent
ment of the Sultan | stepped on board the Mis-
sissippi frigate, and once more free, because UNI
der your glorious fl.g-heard the warm, gener-
Gus, welcoming cheer of the officers and crew
these frank, loyal, gallant men, the true repre-
sentatiyes of American freedom, American
greatness, American generosity, could not for
bear to have the impression that the spirit of
Americas young giant has shouted over the
waves to Old Europe's oppressed nations
"Don't despair, here is brothers powerful
hand to your aidp These being my sentiments,
you can judge by them, sir, how fervently
wished to have the honor to be conducted, 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 for
his own sake but for the principles sake that he
represents. And SO felt convinced that would
prove unworthy to this sympathy Ohis highest
treasure of my life) should neglect to provide
according to the exigences of circumstances for
the interest of yonder cause, which the glorious
republic of the United States honored with its
approval 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 carefully providing against any harm to the
sacred aim of my life, for that time which shall
have to enjoy the honor Of the hospitality of
your glorious land.
So the most imperious duties of patriot, a
father, and man, impose upon me the necessity
to stop for n few days in England before con-
tinue my passage to the United States.
Com. Morgan, at Spezzia, and afterward Capt.
Long, of the Mississippi, here, did, with the no.
BILE kindness of true American heart appreci-
ate the motives of this necessity, and generously
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 inst.
But the government of the French "republic,' y
(not the French nation, but its present govern
ment) refused to grant me permission to pass
rapidly Trough France, by which passage
might have spared time and sufferings to my
wife and children. And now the first means Of
conveyance to England can avail myself of, is
only packet boat, expected tomorrow to arrive
from the Orient and this, too, making eleven
days to England from here.
On the other hand, Capt. Long informs me
h'at 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 at late season, to many
sufterings, by having to endure excessively Sc
we're 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
England, and considering on the other side that
only staying eight or ten days ~ England, il
were entirely impossible TO join again the Mis-
sissippi here before the 18Th of November, so
that Of course we could only arrive in the second
half of December on your hcspitabe shores, il
became absolutely duty of honor to me not
to cause any augmentation in the hardships and
sufierings to the officers and crew of this ship
and not to embarrass them in their public service
rs 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 frigate, but feel
consoed at the idea that in adopting such q
course, not only have relieved those who are
on board the Mississippi from some sufferings
but myself also will have the high satisfaction
an entire month 10 enjoy the happiness Of land
| inu at Va 1 Al H..
land on board Of that steamer which leaves Liv.
crpool on the 7th November for New York.
| Having had the inestimable pleasure to read
reported in the public papers that the city OF
New York resolved TO honor, with generous
reception and hospitality, in my undeserving
person, the cause and principles represent,
regard it to be my duty respectfully 10 inform
you, sir, and by your kind interference the gener.
Gus city of New York, about these accidents
and about my intention to leave Liverpool for
your city on the 7th November.
] confidently hope that Tie people and govern.
mert Of the United States will apprc ciate INV
motives, and approve the course was bound TO
adopt.
Let me hope, also, sir, that might nothing
have lost by the imperious necessity Of this
course from you and your peoples sympathies
which, though conscious not to have merited, I
consider the greatest honor Of my life, the highest
reward for my sufferings, and the most honoring
encouragement steadily to go on towards that
noble aim which the people Of the United States
has sanctioned and sanctfed ty its sympathy.
De pleased, sir, to accept the expression of my
highest regards, lasting gratitude and most dis
linguished consideration, with which have the
honor to be,
Your most obsequlous servant,
KOSSUTH.
U. 3. STEAG,FRreATE MISSISSIPPI,
= Bay Of Gibraltar, Oct. IL, 1851.