The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-04
From the Inteliigencer Of yesterday,


The interview between NJ KossUrH and
Mr.. CLAY has excited general interest in the
country, and the reports of 1t hitherto given to
the public have been somewhat inaccurate,
and, at the best, imperfect.
The company present on the occasion con-
sisted of Senators Cas-, JONES, of Tennessee,
Mr.. FENDALL, of this city, and the Hon.
PRESLEY EWING, of Kentucky. The last
named gentleman has been induced, at the in
stance of several persons, and with the consent
OF Mr.. Clay, to give more extended and care
full report Of the interview, and especially of
Mr.. Clay's remarks, which we publish below,
and which may be regarded as authentic, hav-
ing, besides tho authority of Mr.. EWING, the
sanction Of Senator JONES, by whom the report
has been examined and approved.
NJ. Kossuth introduced by Mr.. Cass at about
three o'clock.
On being presented to Mr.. Clay, who rose to re-
ceivc him, "Sir," said he. 81 thank you for the
honor of this interview"
ii beg you to believe" said Mr.. Clay, inter.
ruphng him, chat it is / who am bonored. Will
you be pleased TO be seated ?"
After the mutual interchange Of civiitics, al
owe you, sir" said MIR. Clay, "an apology for not
having soccded before to the desire you kind
enough to intimate, more than once, TO zee me
Blu, really my health has been feeble that did
not dare to hazard the excitement Of 40 interesting
interview. Besides, SIR" ne added with some
pleasantry, "your wonderful and fascinating elo
qucnco has mesmerizcd large portion Of our
people, wherever you have gone, and oycn some
of our members Of Congress' waving bis hand to
wards the two or three gentlemen who were pre-
sent, chat feared to come under it's influence
lcst you might shake my faith in some principles
in regard TO the foreign policy OF this Government,
ke,. l,. a
regard TO this matter, you will allow me, hope,
ts speak with that sincerity and candor which be
comes the interest tho subject has for you and for
myself, and which is due to us both the votarics
Of freedom trust you will believe me, toe, " hen
tell you that entertain ever the iveliest sympa
thics in every struggle for liberty, in Hungary,
and in every country. And in this, believe, | e1
press the universal sentiment Of my countrymen
But, sir, for the sake Of my country, you must al
low inc to protest against the policy you propose
TO her. Waving the grave and nome ntous ques-
ton Of the right Of nation 10 assume the o1ecu-
tive power among nations, for the enforcement Of
international Law, or Of the right Of the United
States 20 dictate to Russia the character Of her
lations with the nations around her, let come mt
once to the practical consideration OF the matter.
W. ,ell us yourself, with grca, truth md pro
prioty, that nero sympathy, or the expression Of
.JhP""J, S'"''N hoNebCc your pu'pOH'- 'ou ~
quirc material aid. And indeed il is manifest that
the mere declarations Of the sympathy Of Congress,
Of the President, Of the public, would bo Of
little avail, unless prepared to enforce those
declarations by resort 10 arms, and unless other
nations could that preparation and determ
nation upon our part. Well, sir, suppose that
should be the issue of the you propose to u.s.
could we thou effect any thing for you, Ourselves
or the cause Of hbcrty7 To transport men and
arms across the ocean in sufficient numbers and
quantities to be effective against Russia and Aus
tria would be impossible. II is fact which per-
haps may not be generally known, that the most
imperative reason with Great Britain for the close
of her last war with the immense cost of the
transportation and maintenance of forces and the
munitions OF war on such distant theatre, aud
yet she had not perhaps more than thirty thousand
men upon this continent at any time. Upon land
Russia is involnerablo to us ne we are L. her
Upon the ocean war between Russia and this
country would rcsult in the mutual annoyance to
commerce, but probably in little else. learn re-
Gently that her marine IL superior 10 that of
any nation in Europe, except perhaps Great Bri-
tain Her ports few, her commerce limited.
while we on our part would offer prey TO her
cruisers n rich and extensive commerce. Thus,
sir, after cfecting nothing in such a war, after
abandoning our ancient policy of amity and non
intervention in the affairs Of other nations, and
thus lustifying them in abandoning the terms
~ iorbcaranee and non-interferenco, which they