The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-16
The Crescent City Affair.
MIR. LAW AND HIS STATEMENTS.
lFrom the Washington Republic Nov. Is

i
The opponents of the administration are unremit-
ting in their Efforts to nsrepresent its action in
laton to the Crescent City affair. We have so re-
peaedly exposed the naccuracy of their allegations
that We have felt disposed to permit their subse-
quert statements TO pass unnotced; believing that
the country appreciates the motives and credibiity
of the parties engaged in the man0uvres, and con-
fdent that the resut-which is yet to come-will
establish the truth of all that we have urged in its
defence. The importance attached in some quar-
tiers to Mr.. George Laws latest averments seems,
however, to require yet another exposure OF the
want of fairness and fidelity which have throughout
characterized his movements in this matter. His
statement is in this sbape-
OFFICE OF THE U. s. MAIL srEAMsHrr CoMrAsY,
New YoRK, November o, 1852.
Enclosed is despatch received from agent at New
Orleans by telegraph by which 1t appears that while the
Acting Secretary Of State NJ. Conrad was giving to
the spanh minister at washington the that
Captain Porter end Purser Smith were to be removed
from the Crescent City and not be again allowed to
turn he putting forth in the official organ Of the i'd
ministraton (the Replbhc) that the government was
taking efficient to yindcate the rights of Anne
rican citizens and the honor of flag At the
time also he endeavorpg privately to have this COM
papy discharge Purse Smith and Captain Porter
from the Crescent City to the Georgia, both of which
the company declined doing believing then they
do now that it was csstrg unjust censure upon
spectacle citizens who had only done their duty to the
government to their employers and to their country.
This tn object in tell graphing for Mr. Roberts, the
agent Of this company to Washington and the
removal Of ain Purser Smith insisted
upon by the Acting Secretary Of State G. NJ Conrad
AL these facts show how far citizens rely upon
that unoonary for the vindcaon Of their rights against
foreign aggression and how feeble and inefficient 60
vernment must become, if influenced or controlled by
such councils
vsy respectfully y Ss5 sssasn sw ssrY p1s.s.
All the material points in this statement are in
correct. We understand that Mr. Conrad did not
inform the Spanish Minister that Lieutenant Porter
and Purser Smith should 9 not be again allowed to
return" to Cuba. The Spanish Minister was in
formed, however, that these parties would not again
60 out in the Crescent City, and for this assurance,
grounds existed which were believed to be valid,
Ia regard to Lieutenant Porter, it was known that
he had been rregularly transferred from tho steamer
GeoIgia-to which he had been originally assigned
by the Navy Department to the Crescent City
and he had himself requested to be restored to the
command of the former vessel II was known,
further, in reference TO Purser Smith. that Mr..
Roberts, the agent of the company, while in this
city had declared that it was not the intention Of
the company to send Smith again in the Crescent
City, and that he, too would be transferred to tho
Georgia II we are not misinformed, this declara-
tion was made by Mr.. Roberts to at least two
members Of the government The same gentleman
also stated, that Smith went on the preceding
voyage only because the person appointed in his
place had suddenly been seized with illness; the
superstition of the company at the time being that
certain documents which Lieutenant Porter had
transmitted for presentation to the Captain General
OF Cuba, would have satisfied him that his sus-
picions in regard to Smith were unfounded, and,
therefore, that the order issued against him would
be revoked. We think that these circumssa nces,
viewed conformity. warranted the only communal.
cation made to Mr. Calderon do la Barca upon
the subject
There is manifest absurdity in the idea conveyed
by MIR Law that the then Acting Secretary of State
gave promise to the Spanish Minister that Smith
would mot be again allowed to ret urn to Cuba
Mr.. Conrad ard Mr. Calderon both knew that the
government have control over the employees of
the company, and means of preventing Mr..
Smith from going to Havana if he thinks proper to
do so.
Parapbrasing the last sentence of Mr.. Laws mani
festo, we may say that "all these facts show how
far our citizens rely upon that. gentleman ''for
the vndication Of their rights, and of the interests
Of TRUTH and show feeble andineffcient govern.
ment must become if Influenced or controlled by such
councils" His dlibusterng predictions, not less
than certain speculative interests well kno to the
public, disqualify him for the ut.erance of dspas
sionate counsel, and render him questionable wit
ness 10 OF this nature The misstatements
embodied in the above despatch prove that his est
mony is TIE reverse Of reliable
MIR. Conrad's letter, published by Mr. Law in co.,
necton with this despatch, is sufficient to satisfy any
one not resolved to persist in migepresenting the
government II shows that the executive took i'm
mediate steps to obtain full information concerning
the Crescent City-that it then addressed commu-
nication upon the subject to the government of
Spain@- that the answer to that communication has
not been receiycd-and that whatever be its charac
ter "Beithert the honor the interests of the
Try will be neglected " The country, we think, will
regard these assurances satisfactory all the per
versions and wishes of Mr.. George Law to the con-
trarJ Notwithstanding.