The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-24
KOssuth and Captain Long.


The New York Times has RECALLED its read
ers with further important disclosures" in re-
gard 10 the difficulties on board the Misss-
sippi;" preacing them with an editorial com
mentary which seems to us to indicate clearly
the motives of the publication, and the manner
in which it has been prepared. The docu
menls now printed are, first, kossUTH's letter
to Mr.. Consul HODGE,, setting forth complaints
of the former in reference to his alleged treat
ment at Marseiles; secondly, the letters of
subordinate officers of the Mississippi, giving
their versions of events on board, condemning
their superior, Captain LONG, and declaring
their approval of kossUTn's conduct, in way
not exactly consistent with naval discipline,
and which may subject some of them TO a little
further attention and finally, letter from
kossUTH 10 Captain LONG, with the reply of
The latter.
The Times affects to consider this pubica-
lion triumphant eXoneration of kOssUTH from
complaints that have been made against him,
and final settlement Of the controversy. Such
a conclusion is altogether unjustifable A
glance makes it apparent that the narrative, in
GLIDING the correspondence, is an er parte
statement of facts, and therefore unreliable. 1t
onits notice of incidents which are essential to
4 right understanding of the matter, and dis
plays reckless desire to eXculpate kossUTH at
the cost OF truth and the character of our navy.
The affair cannot remain in its present shape;
the garbled story, although sufficient Of itself
to rebut many of the differences at which the
kossUrH journals have arrived, will necessitate
the production of the whole truth and, when
that appears, we believe il will be found that
kossUTH has once more miscalculated the
genius of our people, or been again misled and
damaged by his noisy and indiscreet admirers.
We concur in the following remarks, which
we take with some abridgment from the New
York Commercial .4drertiser:
1T must be promised that the so-called 'docu.
ments published in the Times not the docu-
ments filed in the Depar tments at Washington. M.
Kossuth's letter to Mr.. Consul Hodge is the only
paper among those records that the Times gives. II
it has been communicated by M Kossuth himself,
suppose it must have been, that gentleman will
learn to regret making himself party to these at
tcmpts to degrade our navy, introduce insubordina
ton and bick ering among is officers and otherwise
ioment discords in midst. Yet this letter,
il read with reflection, will induce the reader to sus-
pend his judgment until Com Morgan, Capt. Long,
and Mr.. Hodge, have given their account Of the
difficulties board the Mississippi. There is
more than urgent reason that the ,cholt
correspondence be officially communicated to the
people.
"The other documents Published in the Times
are private letters to NJ Kossuth from the purser
and some midshipmen. One of the latter, seem
ingly conscious OF the improperly he was commit
ting in assuming attitude of opposition to his
superior officer, holds language which should
think merits the polite attention of the Secretary OF
the Navy.
In the editorial preface to these letters it is said
We omit, at this time, to mention any Of the in
c,dcnts of the voyage until the arrival Of the Mis-
sssippi a, Marssilles.' We happen to be in pos.
session of information however, which convinces
us that those incidents of the voyage are es
ssntial to right appreciation of what occurred
at Marseilles; and since Nj. Kossuth and bis
friends have published what it suited their pur
pose to make known, We earnestly hope that
the entire narrative will be promptly called
for; and shalt be agreeably dsappoint
cd it, when that is published, il is not apparent to
all that Nj. Kossuth was wishful that naval of
fcers should forget their duty to promote his ends,
az that the American people should pass by the
counsels Of Washington in order to embroil them
selves with Europe for Iiungary's sake. Again
VIC ssy,we want the truth, and the truth only But
we want the whole truth; and now that NJ. Kossuth
is supplying the newspapers with materials for
casting unjust reflections upon naval officers,
it ia time that the truth should be proclaimed"