The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-06
Published by request. I
LONDON. August Ie, 1854.

! My attention has been called anonymous letter,
dated at London published in your paper the 2lst ut
commenting the proceedings dinner given by at
Richmond in celebration of the 18th anniversary of Amer
can independence, the 4th July; and cannot allow
such communication wanting in liberaity and truth
to pass through the press of my country without notice
particularly the writer connected with the American
legation at the Court of St James and his conduct the
occasion of the dinner stamps him the author of the letter
in the opinion of those present truly would the sigma
ture Of d. s. Sickles
The motive of The United States secretary of legation in
this ebulltion of bad feeling is unknown shall,
therefore myself by pointing the misrepresent-
aons and inconsistencies contained in the letter and leave
the matter TO the consideration and judgment OF my
trymen who have evnced toward the utmost kind
ness and who feel assured viii believe sincere and
| truthful in the remarks am about to make
am responsible for all say in this letter but not for
what has been written by others the subject of the cee
braon and published either here the United States
as those communications FIRST reached me through the
press and Immediately expressed my regret that
inaccuracies had taken place in the report-frst in the
statement that several gentlemen did not rise when the
President of the United States proposed This
so for every joined In the toast with enthusiasm
and all honor given to the Chief Magistrate of the
people Secondly Mr. Buchanans remarks in proposing
my health, although highly complimentary, not as
ported and have understood that he has felt annoyed
thereby most sincerely regret the Having con-
ceded all that truth and candor require will take
| up the other portions of his letter.
The secretary of legation the facts briefly these
This being entertainment avowedly given in COM
memoraon of national independence, the Americans
present greatly surprised to meet number OF English
the table and also observe ulllength portraits
of the Queen and Prince Albert each side of small
picture of Washington the head of the table The abb
of any likeness of the President of the United States
was noticed When the toass given, what was the
surprise Of the American portion of the company to hear
the Queen proposed with most servile speechnd this
too national holiday, before the President had been
named The result was, that several gentlemen did not
RISE either for the toast ITSELF when the air of Rule Br
tannia which followed performed by the band The
President of the United States neat given with
lukewarm Introductory remarks when the whole company
rose without exception and drank the toast with all the
honor spontaneously cheering the chief of our republic
The Amercdns present greatly surprised to meet
number Of Englishn,en at the table"
1t well known among the resident Americans that
English gentlemen to be present. they had been
all similar celebrations given by me; and this had been
known the legation many days before also that Sir
Emerson Tenant would take in the proceedings and
propose the memory of Washington.
The americans also surprised to observe full
length portraits Of Queen and Prince Albert each side
Of a small picture of Washington"
The presence of the two former entirely owing to
the courtesy of the Queen That of Washington fine
halength picture and the only that could, by any
exerons be procured for the occason but it seems that it
was comparatively small viii the secretary of legation call
to mind that in February last he wrote note, stating
his great anxiety to obtain portrait of Washington for
the of Mr. Belmont for celebration at the Hague on
the ed and asking my assistance as he could not lind
one in London? assisted him to obtain this portrait
and he appeared highly gratfed and obliged
The absence Of any likeness Of me President ras noticed
If one had been sought is not likely that it could have
been obtained in London, and my patriotism in any assem-
blage always satisfied and feel that my country and
its Chief Magistrate honorably represented when por
| trait Of the Father of his Country is present.
am accused of proposing the health of the Queen in
serve speech before the President had been named and
the result was that several gentlemen did not rise either
for the toast ITSELF when Rule Britannia which fol-
lowed, was performed by the band
That proposed the Queen in servle speech is not
true.
That "Rue Britannia" performed at all is not true
That gentlemen did not rise from the best infor
nation obtain believe to be untrue person only
| continuing in his seat
That intentionally proposed the President in luke
warm speech is not true but am man of deeds
than words the mistake OF the secretary OF legation is not
| surprising.
In the second paragraph he says 9" ought to add, that
having heard that unusual amount of toadyng was
to be done to the Queen and the English at this dinner
distinguished American ntimated his dsapproval OF the
rumored programme to Mr. Peabody in advance of the
h when he assured in reply that these rumors were
altogether unounded and that all honor would be shown
] to the President"
The whole of this paragraph far as it is connected
with my name or any knowledge have of the crcum-
stances stated is untrue Observe its inconsistency Also
with the remark the former paragraph respecting Eng
lish being present
In conclusion he says "Need add that under such cir
cumsances felt it to be duty TO leave the table in dis
gust and Mr. Buchanan only remained because he knew
that his rising would have at broken up the affair in
confusion and anger"
What the American secretary OF legation says OF his
own feelings l cannot contradict but what he says of
those of Mr. Buchanan appears completely at variance
with that gentemans department towards me on all occa
sons and with his remarks proposing my health at the
conclusion of the celebration, that would not commit so
great an offence as ask him if the words used by his
rotary of legation having reference himself were, or
were not, sanctioned by him.
The great outrage committed the patriotism of the
secretary of legation have been oang the Queen
before the President will say few words on this sub
iect On occasions when have guests my conn
trymen only give the President" Our Country
and omit the Queen; but if have party of Americans
and English invariably have given the Queen first feel
inc satisfied thereby conform to the laws Of courtesy
and etiquette and if possible more confirmed in this
opinion by recently observing that at the loyal demon
STATIONS of the allied troops the French bands commence
with "God save the Queen" followed by Honor the
Emperor while on the other hand the English bands
reverse the order and with Honor to the En-
peror On the celebration before going to the table
informed Mr. Buchanan what had been my custom, aud
remarked that as the first toast"he day celebrate