Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-07
Mr.. George Peabody's Letter.
LONDON, august l6, 1854.
IL N

LONDON, august l6, 1854.
To the Editor Of the Boston Post:
My attention has been called to an annony.
nous letter dated at London, published in your
paper oil the 2lst ultimo, commenting on the
proceedings at dinner given by me at Rich,
mond, in celebration of the 18th anniversary OF
American independence, on the 4th of July
and | cannot allow such a communication
wanting in liberality and truth-to pass through
the press OF my country without notice, partic-
ularly IS the writer is connected with the Anne
rican legation at the Court of st. James and
his conduct, on the occasion of the dinner,
stamps him the author Of the letter, in the
opinion OF those present, as truly as would the
signature of D. s. Sickles
The motive of the United States secretary of
legation in this ebullition of bad feeling is un
known to me. ! shall, therefore, content my
self by pointing out the misrepresentation and
Inconsistencies contained in the letter, and leave
he matter to the consideration and judgment
af my countrymen, who have ever evinced TO
ward me the utmost kindness, and who, feel
assured, will believe me sincere and truthful III
The remarks am about to make.
am responsible for all ! say in this letter,
but not for what has been written by Others on
he subject Of the celebration, and published
either here or in the United States, as those
communications first reached me through tn.
press; aud ! Immediately expressed my re-
5ret that some inaccuracies bad taken place
II the report-6rst in the statement that
several gentlemen did not rise when the
" President of the United States was pro.
posed. This was not SO, for every one
Joined in the toast with enthusiasm, aud ali
lonor was given to the Chief Magistrate of the
people. Secondly, MIR. Buchanan's remarks it,
proposing my health, although highly compli
nentary were not as reported and as | have
understood that he has iet annoyed thereby, J.
most sincerely regret the cause. Having con.
ceded all that truth and candor require, will
now take up the other portions of his letter.
The secretary of legation says the facts are
briefly these: This being an entertainment
avowedly given in commemoration Of our ma
tional independence, the Americans present
were greatly surprised to meet d number oi
Englishmen at the table, and also to observe
tull-length portraits of the Queen and Prince
Albert on each side Of q small picture OF Wash
Inguon, at the head of the table. The absence
States was noticed. When the toasts were
given, what was the surprise of the American
portion Of the company to hear the Queen rro.
Isl,
TOO, on national holiday, before the President
had been named The result was, that several
gentlemen did not rise, either for the toast it
self, or when the air of Rule Britannia which
followed, was performed by the band The
President Of the United States was merit given,
with some lukewarm introductory remarks,
when the whole company rose, without excep-
ton, and drank the toast With all the honors,
spontaneously cheering the chief Of our re.
public"
" The americans present aoere greatly sur
Drised TO meet a number Of Englishmea at tie
table"
1t was well known, among the resident
Americans, that English gentlemen were to I've
present, as they had been on ell similar cele-
brations given by me; and this had been
known at the legation many days before, as
also that Sir Emerson Tenant would take par.
in the proceedings, and propose the memory of
Washington.
The americans, also, tcere surprised 10 OBJ
seTre .falLlength portraits of the Queen and
Prince Albert on each side Of a small picture Of
Washington"
The presence ofthe two former was entirely
owing TO the courtesy Of the Queen. That OF
Washington was fine halflength picture, and
the only one that could, by any exertions, be
procured for the occasion; but il seems that il
was comparatively small. Will the secretary
allegation call to mind that in February last,
he wrote me a note, stating his great anxiety
to obtain portrait Of Washington, for the use
Of Mr.. Belmont, for celebration at the Hague
on the 22d; and asking my assistance, as he
could not 6nd one in London? assisted him
to obtain This same portrait and he appeared
highly grati6ed and obliged.
The absence Of any likeness ofMe President
,cds noticed"
If one had been sought, it is not likely that
it could have been obtained in London, and nv
patriotism in any assemblage is always salts.
hed, and feel that my country and its Chief
Magistrate are honorably represented, when q
portrait OF the Father Of his Country is pre-
sent.
am accused Of proposing the health Of the
Queen in s"servile" speech before the Presi-
dent had been named, and the result was, that
several gentlemen did not rise, either for the
toast itself, or when I" Rule Britannia which
followed, was performed by the band.
That / proposed the Queen" in a servile
speech is not true.
That" Rule britannia" was performed at all
is not true.
That several gentlemen did not rise, from the
best information I can obtain, ! believe TO be
untrue, one person only continuing In his seat.
That intentionally proposed the President
in lukewarm" speech is not true but, as
am more man Of deeds than words, the mis-
take Of the secretary Of legation Is not surpris
ing
In the second paragraph he says; al ought
to add, that having heard that an unusual
amount OF 'tosdJing' was TO be done TO the
queen and the English AT this dinner, distin.
guisbsd American intimatsd his disapproval