Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-14

you would not have repulse il, am In the same POI
sltion here. replied of would not; but his
wasa different He made short address to the aeo-
pe and then he and his associates left the deck and In
about half hour after this period the boats moved off
slowly in the dusk of the evening II rude to him.
my rudeness consisted in the above expressions II is
Tor thus that have been censured How justly, you viii
judge.
There strong ground for apprehension ON my part
ior had been repeatedly warned OF the danger Of
promise Of the flag bad received express orders in no
way to interfere with the politics Of foreign nations nor
suffer tito be done by the scers under my Com
mand kossnth, though foreigner under the pro-
lection OF the American flag by virtue Of resolve Of
Congress He had had permission through the inteces-
sion OF Mr. HODGE, the American Consul to 90 on shore
with his companions. Events had TRANSFERRED Of such
character that the people Of Marseiles had becone in
tensey excited had received orders not to allow anv
person. whoever that person might be- leave the ship
put the omcers and men of the Mississippi Should these
circumstances and warnings have been d;sreoa,dad h
me- would they be overlooked by any man having the
least degree OF prudence when the peace of two nations
was IN jeopardy had no right to.suppose that the
French Government would prohibit Kossuth from landing
at Marseles account of the excitement his
caused among the people, and that the same time thew
would be tame enough to allow him address them n
their own port under the protection Of an American flag
anu from TIC utcK OF an American frlgate
Suppose there had been in reality no danger of COM
promising the flag; if had 70 apprehend danger
Of compromise it my duty speak The lip Of On
officer should not be sealed in silence till the dag is COM
promised 1t is his duty to anticipate and prevent the
evil rather than pause till mischief is complete at
tempt remedy. Regarding it my duty interfere
| knew Of no language subdued and gentle.
At the time employed the above language KossurH
mentioned that had charged him with having compro-
missed the flag told him at that he misunderstood
me- that did say he had compromised the flag but
that there danger of it. Here supposed end
of all dissatisfaction his part, until informed
days afterwards while on our passage Gibraltar
that Kossuth dissatisfied at the remarks have
ferred to- Immediately called him with view to
put period to oil dissatisfaction He appeared to be
excited still entertaining the impression that had
dered him from the deck and charged him with compro
missing the flag. disavowed it most explicitly, and,
after conversation read to him from my general
cruising instructions that part of them which par
culary related my position when in the ports Of for
egn nations and with regard to observing strict neutra
lty &c. to enter into political discussions, &c..
fully to avoid any expression of opinion indicating SYM
paty with any particular party Heexpressed his entire
satisfaction with my explanation. He then requested
copy of part of Consul Hodges letter which had read
to him days before, and mentioned that he should
like to have my that he had not COM
promised the flag while board the ship; to which
cheerfully assented.
From this period friendly relations existed between
We visited the Governor of Gibraltar and American Con-
sui, and partook of their Inequalities together.
respectfully refer you to Kossuths last letter at Glib
raltar dated 18th October last in which he sets forth his
for leaving the ship and expresses in strong lam
his personal regard for myself and the officers and
crew Of the ship.
Claiming little Skill sir in the arrangement and COM
bnaton of facts this is the first time have attempted
defence of myself, though have been censured when
have deserved it, and condemned before have been
called to answer to charges against me-
You the only person who, though personally
stranger me- has addressed to word Of encourage
ment, or who has taught to hope that my and
character would be defended in Congress. For this
enlargement please to accept my thanks JUS
tce may linger for time, but to who has no amb
ton hut to do his duty it will ultimately be awarded by
a discriminating public.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
j. c. LONG,
Captain q. s. Navy
Hon. W. R. SMITH, M. C. Washington