The southern press., 1852-02-21

\ The President of the United States not hav
ing yet sent in the correspondence heretofore
called for, and seeing a continued effort on the
part OF tho kossuth press to refer to Capt Long
in terms ofcensure, deem il due TO that accom-
plished officer TO have this letter published. II
4 contains his yindication, expressed in terms a
once modest and distinct with careful etfor
to avoid throwing the least censure upon Kos
tsuih
The country should rejoice in possessing al
officer who looks with sagacious intuition into
the consequences Of threatened events, and de
termines to avert the danger in advance. Most
respectfully, &c.
w. r. SMITH.
Captain Long 10 M. Smith.
EXETER, On. H. Feb. !, 1852.
DEAR SIR: | have received yonr letter Of
the 9th of January, informing me 'sthat yo1
had called for the correspondence relative to
the supposed difficulties which occurred or
board the Mississippi, under my command, with
Kossuth Oft Marseiles, for the purpose of vim
dicatng the dignity Of the navy, and TO sustain
me as commander" &C.
While the circumstances which gave occasion
to the honorable intentions mention in your let.
ter are to me matter of deep regret, allow me
to express to you my thanks for your readiness
to vindicate the dignity of the navy, as well as
to sustain the character of an officer whose
ablest efforts, in the discharge Of his duty, have
met with unmerited reproach.
1t should be remembered by the American
people that, in the discharge of the delicate duty
of removing Kossuth and his companions to this
country, could have been actuated by no mo-
tive butte do it in such a manner as wonld make
them happy and myself respectable. TO have
treated any of them with rudeness or neglect,
would have been inhospitable, as they were then
on board ship under my immediate command.
II would have been inhuman, for they were de-
jected and sorroWful at the failure of their ex-
ertions to give freedom to their nation. They
were exiles, without actuntry, without home,
and had claims upon the compassion rs well as
the respect of mankind.
The prominent charge against me is rudeness
to Kossuth at the time we were off Marseilles
From the first moment saw him, to the hour of
our separation, spared no pains to render him
and his associates happy. When he first came
on board, he and his companions were received
by me and the officers and men under my CON-
mand with every expression of welcome which
language and cheers could afford. On my part,
their welcome was sincere; my own apartments
were resigned to promote their comfort, and
employed all the means in my power to divert
| their attention from the gloom which seemed to
have settled on their prospects.
NV position at Marseilles was peculiarly per-
picking and responsible; but did not intend
to be and was not disrespeetful to Kossuth,
either in my language or manners. My conduct
was such that on a review of il cannot regret
and would not alier it.
In order to form just opinion Of the pro-
priety of nay conduct as an officer at Marseilles,
/ it is important to consider the strictness of my
orders with reference to a compromise of the
American flag; that had teen cautioned again
and again by Commodore Morgan and others,
whose opinions were entitled to the highest re-
spect, of the imminent danger of compromising
the flag; and that the French authorities had
refused to allow Kossuth to pass through France
to England; that he had once landed at. Mar
settles, and that orders had been issued by the
same authorities that he should not land again,
together with the excitement which his presence
personally among the people had occasioned at
Marseilles.
In the first place. please to observe the strict
ness Of the general orders of Commodore Nor
pan against all interference with the political
affairs Of other nations, dated April g.. 1851,
which the following Is an extract:
"To the careful preservation of the good faith
of our country, asplighted in treaty stipulations
and the delicate subject Of strict neutrality
claim your particular attention. You will re-
member, therefore, that the ship under your
command, when lying in the port, or sailing
within the jurisdiction of another friendly ma :
ton, is a mere guest, and, for the time, more
or less under its protection. Assured that ii il
the wish of the government of the United
States, il is my order that the utmost crcum.
peciion be observed, particularly by the officers
and crew of the vessels composing the squadron
under my command, at all times when in CON-
pany or conversation with the people of the ma
tons Of Europe that they enter into no polit-
cal discussions with them, or with. each other
about them, or the state Of their respective
countries; and that they carefully avoid the ex-
preston Of any opinion which may justify o
surmise that their sympathies are enlisted in
behalf Of, or inclined towards, any particular
party or nation. II is the determination Of the
government TO preserve our neutrality strictly,
and thereby 70 secure the friendship and con.
iinued confidence Of all. Any deviation from
the foregoing order in relation TO this subject
will hardly, under any circumstances, admit Of
an excuse"
In addition 10 the above general order, please
10 observe the specific orders from Commodore
4 Morgan 10 me Of the Gath September. 1851
In these orders you will find that many doubts
i are ulH1 WHebnef hOhsutn NOul0
4 be allowed 10 land 10 France; an expression of
regret that Kossuth had determined TO land at
Marseiles an apprehension lest | should en-.
counter many vexaiions and Inconvenience ;
and then enjoins on me "thc most exsct obser.
vance in every particular" Of the instructions
already given me in general orders with refer.
ence 10 tho careful preservation Of strict neu
4 trality, without which the most serious compro.
mise Of the character Of our country is almost
inevitable.
| next received letter from the American
consul at Marseilles, John L. Hodge, esq, Sept
3, 1851. In this letter he says that he received
an official letter from the project, requesting him
to call on him on business of Importance. 10
compliance with this request, he called. The
preftet told him that the letter addressed TO him
as the representative Of the United States was
published in a paper called La People, violent
partizan paper, and asked by whom il had been
done. as he considered Il breach Of confidence
| Mr. Hodge stated that he let Kossuth have the