Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
GEORGE PEABODY.

few men who exert at this moment more happy
influence upon the international relations between
this country and England than he does; for it is
not to be questioned that individual good feeling
between the people of the two countries forms a
most practical guarantee of their political amity.
Mr.. PEABODY is an American in heart and spirit,
business man of the best school, munifcent in his
charities and in the inequalities of his house, and
deyoting them both to the cultivation of kindly re-
lations between the land of his temporary adoption
and the United States. When the GrinaeR Ecpe-
citoa had returned from the Arctic seas more than
year ago. some of readers may be aware that
Congress was solicited to accept the services of the
same vessels for a renewal of the search. At this
time Mr.. PEABODY wrote to his correspondent in
this country
81 hope that Congress will noby respond to what ap
pears be the feeling of the nation but of the
uncertainty Of votes appropriations of money for such
Objects well of the short time remaining make
the required arrangements for the comfort and safety of
brave officers and who willing to risk their
lives in the undertaking. have request you, in such
event. subscribe for the purpose in my behalf, the
sum Of ten thousand dollars"
The project did not then 60 into effect, and it
was only last month that Mr.. PEABODY was in
formed Of the new expedition fitting out in charge
of DIR. KANE, under the auspices of Mr.. GRINNELL.
Replying to friend who had given him the infor-
nation, he writes
'When made the offer in. January last, desire to
crafty feelings of international good will and friendship
made anxious that American expedition should
company that of Sir Edward Belcher assist in the
pursuit of object worthy of the two countries, and
honorable to the adventurous who would volunteer
- -
the prospect of is great it last year.
shall be happy to be humble follower of that gentle
in his praiseworthy course; and if it should be
thought advisable to send vessels in search
of Sir John Franklin and his companions fully author
ize you give in my behalf for that object thousand
dollars"
The quiet manner of this great iberality is alto
gcther worthy of the man. 1t was just so that he
has made his large donations to that useful society,"
the MARYLAND Institute at Baltimore, and for vari-
GUS other important objects. Truly, good name
is better than riches !" but Mr. PEABODY has earned
for himself both.
This noble benefcence of our countryman in Eng
land brings forcibly to mind kindred spirit nearer
home, who dispenses his honorably- acquired opu-
lence with philanthropic munifeence too well
known here to require that we should name him.
Our readers will recollect that, few weeks since,
no small excitement was produced throughout the
country by the reports which came into circulation
about the same time that French Count had taken
possession of the State of Sonora, in Mexico, and
declared its annexation to France and that French
feet had entered the bay Of SANTANA and taken pos
session Of the island peninsula Of that name, and
of the waters that surround it, on behalf of the
French Government, and in fulflment of treaty
of cessicn made six or eight years ago. The first of
these rumors was simply ridiculous; the second
certainly wore in the newspapers the air of posi-
billy. 1t appeared first, if we recollect right, in
the columns of the Phare de Nep York, respccta
BILE French journal, and on the faith of an intel
gent and wellinformed correspondent" writing from
the island The two reports coming together formed
notable case for the application of the "Monroe
doctrine J" and the journals which subsist upon the
public appetite (Which they have done so much to
create for the startling and extravagant found in
these supposed events casus 5eQi against France,
and another topic Of abuse Of this /" imbecle and
cowardly" Administration.
We have never seen any authentic statement that
the French adventurer in Sonora ever pretended to
give political complexion to his movements, or
that there was the slightest foundation in fact for
the report of his having proclaimed the annexation
of Sonora TO France. The whole affair was
squabble relative to the possession of mine; a
small party of Government troops, taken by sur
prise were worsted but soon as they were rein
forced Boulbon and his adherents were scattered OF
made prisoners Even in Mexico, where pronun-
ciap,iento against the Government is about easy
to get upas "indignation meeting" this wretched
affair did not rise to the dignity of instruction
The French Government had as much to do with il
as the Imaum Of Muscat, and no more.
The SANTANA alarm was less preposterous, but not
less unfounded After occupying the journals Of
the class alluded to for month, and even finding
its way into the halls of Congress- vessel after YES
sci began to arrive from the island, both from the
eastern and western extrcmities, but brought no
news of the important event. This was rather a
significant circumstance, as foreign squadrons do
not usually enter and take possession Of important
naval stations without its being known in the neigh
borhood. Still, it was too valuable casus Jei tc
be given up A war with France to assert the
Monroe doctrine" is a measure 50 congenial with
the spirit of the age and would prove 50 beneficial
to the best interests of the two countries and h,
" rest of mankind" that no true-hcarted American