Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-16
SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

II The following letter from highly respectable
gentleman, near relative of Consul CHAssEAUD,
has been handed us for publication The writer
was an eyewitness of what he relates:
\ RAvEsswooD IL. ~ FEBRUARY 4, 1859.
SIR: Learning that several citizens of New York are
about fitting out expedition in search of Sir John
Franklin, deem il amiss let them know, through
you Of one of the many services offered by that dstn
guished officer to the United States Government and
which think ought not at this moment to be permitted
lie in oblivion. 1t was SO far back as the year 1884,
when dispute between Mr.. JASPER CHAssEAUD,
then United States Consul Beyroo in Syria and the
Syrian Government then divided into petty States,
cernSg theRev. Mr.. BIRD American missionary residing
at the time in Beyroot Mr. Bird charged with hay
ing hit with stone one of the soldiers who undertook
rob his orchard, while the actual offender was Mr. B Is
servant Before the proper complaint was made the
Consulate the Consul astonshed to hear that Mr.
Is had been tied and cruelty used by the rough sol
diery, and he Immediately FASTENED to the Governor 5
Palace, where he made his consular protest No doubt
the whole affair would have been amicaby settled but
matters in the hand of the Syrian Government generally
lie two three months before they inquired into
To narrate all the circumstances from beginning end
would be departing from my object; but after great
deal of threatening matters brought to conclusion
between the Consul and the Syrian Government and
tsfacton promised, but yet put into execution
The satisfaction promised that the soldiers who
concerned in the outrage should be punished those who
helped in binding Mr. b. with imprisonment the space
OF three months and all other Offenders with less than
thirty each Negotiations then place between the
Consul and the Syrian Government the subject of hav
ing the punishment inflicted on the brutal oppressor
but negotiations became vain the soldiers at the
time departing to the northwestern frontier of Syria
pitched their tents the between swedia and
A - H.
up and make his complaints the proper court, when
British frgate hove in sight in few hours she to
anchor, and her captain Sir JOHN FRANKLIN, came on
shore 1t is customary in that part of the world that
when man-ofwar comes into port her captain should
invite his consul and salute his flag before holding any
communication with the shore But the brave Sir j. F.
instead of complying with this CUSTOM landed and after
inquiring for the u s. Consulate house and
addressed the Consul in words like these MIR. Chas
seaud have heard that American citizen has been
nsued and am come here to that the proper salts
faction be given The Consul then told him that before
he should interfere he ought to call the British Consul
and salute that flag but his the remark was
that his first duty defend brother" He then told
the Consul that he rstneeded his board
sci be able salute the u States flag after which
they would enter business Determined Sir was,
Mr. Chasseaud had to comply with the request and
snofe the United states nag
was hosed her foremost and consular salute of
guns fred Having landed, they both repaired the
Governors Palace where Sir John asked the authorities
if they knew what brought him to Beyroot Being an
swered that they knew not he told them that it was to
have the punishment agreed upon put into immediate
execution, and that if it not done before twentyfour
hours he would take such measures as would
bring the matter TO an immediate settlement When,
therefore the Syrian Government that Sir John truly
meant word for word what he said, they to an I'M
Outstanding that three days should be allowed enable
the soldiers under make their appearance The
three days agreed upon the end Of which the
punishment inflicted before winesses-Sir j. F. and
the American Consul being present When therefore lac
cording Sir Johns words his mission was ended he
called the British Consul Mr. p, invited him on
board, and saluted the British dag.
Many American is Of the truth Of the above
statement especially those who have since travelled East
and made Mr.. Chasseaud's acquaintance; and am
greatly surprised that those who heard and knew
Of il should not at such time the present have had
il publicly made known in honor Of the gallant officer
whose sad fate engages the lively sympathy Of the
civilized world.