Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-02-20
Can't. Longs Letter.

-o-oooo~ooo
Capt. Longs Letter.
This document shows that all the noise which have
heard about kossuhs treatment on board the Misss-
slppi of Marsciles is but smoke, and was only pre-
text on the part of the Kossuh enthusiasts to make
capaI in his favor This has been resorcd to III COM
mon with other means. quite unfair and unworthy,
in order successfully to cole the into the uto-
plan scheme Of aiding Hungary, and advancing kossuth
in his wild and visionary movements. The formal
Iocusses' who have espcuscd this new feature of In
terycntion have left nothing unlonc which would seem
to give point and force to their schemes 1t is high
time that country should be freed from the rule of
such spirits who are mad upon abstract principles,
touchng human liberty and justice. Arc we to he
rcvouonzed and the affairs OF our government turned
upside down, by every foreign advclturcr who may he
invited to IN asylum in the land of the free? Ifso
little more prudence light be advisable in the selec-
ton Of those upon whom the respects and compliments
of this great government of ours is to rest We are
not advised that Kossuth invited to our shores to
teach Us what we should do, and mark out for the
government its lines of duty. Why should our nation
al flag be compromised on the high seas made the
password ensign and protection ofany rcvolutioniS?
Captain Long did right in observing to the very letter.
the instructions which were given him by his superior
oliccrs-to avoid any expression of opinion indicating
sympathy with any particular party-when Ill foreign
ports to observe the srctest neutrality and to enter
into no political discussions himself or TO allow his o
GERS and men to do So or to do say any thing what
ever by which the National character would be COM
promised As faithful American officer lie observed
these instruct!ons-hc done his duty-and lie did
right.
Let us for a moment see how matters stand, and we
think when all is properly understood, the head and
front ofCaptain LoSG's offending will be found to be
an exceedingly small matter. We regret not having
space for his entire letter but shall make such extracts
from it. as will Serve to place him in proper light be-
fore the public using his precise words in the conclu
sion of his cttcr-Justicc may lingcr for time but
TO one who has no ambition but 10 do his duty, will
ultimately Lc awarded by discriminating public
We shall try to show that the facts chiefly these
KossUTI was invited by this government 10 share the
hospitalties of our shores By this act we do not pre-
sumo that the Cncd States intended to give unqualified
appreciation, comfort and support to koSSuT and all
his notions ofrccdom &c. 1t was merely intended as
compliment to the patriotism Of this great leader \
government vessel dispatched upon this especial
mission to bring the great Hungarian and his conpan
ions to this country.
The duty as Capt. LONG remarks, was delicate one
and he says 81 could have been actuatcd by 10 motive
but to do it in such manner as would make them hap
pv and myself respectable" We are assured by Capt
that he did every thing in his power to make kossUTH
and his companions happy and comfortable. His own
apartments were surrendered freely TO their use. His
position at Marsces, lie says was peculiarly perplcX
ing. lie did not intend to be- nor was lie dsrespectfu
to KossUrIl, either in his language manners His
orders were positive in regard to his course rs an Ame
rican oficcr-hc to observe the striccs neutrality
in regard to all interference with tho political affairs of
other nations The American flag under his especial
charge-he dare not compromise it for koSsuTr or any
body else. The French authorities had refused Kos
surII to pass through France to England-that he
had once landed at Marsclles, and that orders had
been issued by the same authorities prohibiting his
doing so again.
1t appears that the arrival of KossUrn at Marseiles
caused such excitement among the people, that the
"Prcfcct," through Consul HODGE informed Capt. LONG
that no individual shpboard except his officers and
men should land This however did not prevent the
people from seeing KossrTrI-at least, portionI of
thcm-boats were illcl, and large numbers surroun-
dcd the ship i'll which KossCrn was and gave loud de-
monslrtons in his favor.
Under these exciting circumstances, Captain LONG
remarked to KoSSUTn that if he would retire from the
deck perhaps the people would dispcrsc. KossuTI at
first complied with this request, but returned, and
said II hope | will meet generous welcome from
yor people also and am sure you would not have me
rci,usc it, am in the same position here. Capt. L..
rcucd of course hc would not, but this different
case. KoSsurll made short address to the people,
and then retired from thc deck THUS closed the scene,
and thus is the sum and substance Of Captain LONG s
offence to KosSuT!I Behold what great fire little
matter kindcth
We should not regret TO see kOSSuTH settle down
amongst lis rs peaccablc citizen else leave us. We
do NOT like this continual noise and confusion about
person, who after all is said which be said is but
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Plank Road.
The Montgomery (Ala) Journal, speaks i'll high
terms Of the successful operation Of the Central Plank