The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-21
Consm Hodge 10 Mr.. Jp,b,tu.

mARsEILLEs, OCTOBER IL, 1901.
SIR: Owing 10 the unexpected visit at this port
Of MIR. kOssuth, en -Goyernor of Hungary, IN
pleasant duty devolves me to place before the
Government, which may do in a frank manner,
the details Of this affair. He being the nation q
quest, ne he ia under the hag, the people Of the
United States will naturally inquire Why he did
not proceed directly to our country in lieu Of Civ
ing the preference to England, which he admits
was always bic intention.
In his appeal to the people be preends that, after
remaining few days in London, IL was his inten-
ton 10 rejOin the steamer at Gibraltar if il bad not
been that Captain Long and myself bad asserted
he was compromising va and the flag Of the United
States. On the arrival Of the Mississippi, Mr. Kos-
suth sent to me two letters-one 20 the project of
this department. dated September 9th, III in
tended, doubt, to be the 26tb. az the steamer
arrived on Friday afternoon, the 26th Of Scptcm.
Der, and the Hungarians were on shore that even
inE;l the other 10 myself both requesting permits
sion TO proceed through France to England.
/ waited the project; . lac could not grant the
request, ! asked him 10 telegraph TO the govern.
ment soliciting this favor; also, TO Mr. Rivcs, Uni
ted States Minister at Paris, informing him that
Mr. Kossuth was here. Both were granted him.
went on board OF the steamer TO take leave Of him
Captain Long met me at the gangway, and hand
ed me Mr.. KOssuth's letter Of the 30th Of Septem.
Der. ! glanced rapidly over it, and clearly sau
the object II vas a miserable subterfuge 10 quit
the frigate in order to 20 to England aud remain
longer there than the steamer with any propriety
could be detained at Gibraltar. remained some
time I'm the cabin before he made bis appear
TO bis stae room Somewhat excited, he began with
stating that bad accused him Of compromising
the flag of the United Statcs-whch was grav,
charge: and that had not acted the Representa-
tive Of independent nation Of fifty millions
This excitement now increased, TO which attri
butte the mistake in numbers. AZ he was under
the banner Of my country, ] kept cool and quite
collected, and told him ] regretted that he hac
misconceived my letter TO Captain Long He re
piled that be had not that ! had accused him o
compromising TIA flag, which was grave charge
and he should appeal TO the people of the United
States lie often mentioned the people, and tina
they should Judge that ] had driven him from th'
Missssippi. ] stated 10 him the excitement Of th'
city, Of which he had the proof by the boats around
the steamer aud the dense crowds in the Jstee
wrote the project Of this department requested
lie ranted about prison, national insult, &c.
anxious To place the affair in its true light, 20
that the sober second thought might cain down hi
malignant feelings towards this government
which was venting on Captain Long and myself
the authors Of his intended departure from th'
| steamer, and not Of his intention before HI
went on board ! assUfed him offence wac in
tended, and that nothing could be more distan
from my mind; that bad no diplomatic powers
/ was only commercial consul and was bound bJ
my instructions toe obey the laws Of this country
| which was my duty, aud should do Her
| was the tender point. These laws were in opposi
ton to his ungovernablc will. Fearfully excited