New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-16
BARON HUMBOLDT AND AMERICAN
AFFAIRS.
r. n, Editor Of TheN Y. Tribsns.

day or two since TO a paragraph copied from some
other paper into The SEMI WFEKLr TRIBUNE OF May
u. headed "a Huge Pile Of Serpents, and begin
nirg thus: Baron Humboldt says: In the savan-
nabs Of Izacubo, Guiana, saw the most wonderful
and terrible spectacle that can be seem &c. tie
smiled at the idea of this story being attributed to
him, for be never in the country mentioned, and
certainly could never have given such description
Of a sight which he never saw anywhere. lie spoke
of this paragraph however, not on account of any i'm
porance be attached to or its correction. but az
fordDg him On opportunity of mentioning a fact In
relation to himself personally, which he requested me
10 make known through the columns Of The TRIBUNE.
For some twelve or fourteen years he says, be has
been ANNOYED BY the use of his name by various per-
sons in America, especially in Central and South
America, who have, as supposed connections of his,
enjoyed and in some cases abused the confidence of
generous persons who wished and thought to do him
honor His brother left no children he himself never
married. and be is alone the last of his There is
no person living who can claim anything as connec
ton of bis. That there may be other persons in the
world by the name of Humboldt he of course does not
deny but the probability is that many pretended dis
coveres in science which have been promug gated by
people calling themselves by that name, have only
been tie offspring Of desire to swndle and humbug
In more secure and effectual manner. think but
am not sure that in this connection he spoke of a
ridiculous story of some Humboldt other having
five hundred negroes placed in his hands to be ex-
perimented on in innoculating for the yellow fever.
Tie long letters which occasionally reach him from
America and the West Indies from people who have,
as they suppose cherished members Of his family in
Illness or otherwise founded claim upon his notice
or friendship are serious annoyance, though the SCI
entic absurdities published in the papers under the
sanction Of his name partake of the ludcrous.
This noble and venerable man. though now some
years beyond four score still retains lively interest
in the progress Of our country. To every American
whom be meets he speaks of his friends, Jefferson and
Gallatn, and aments the change on the question of
Slavery which has come over our Government since
their day. He speaks of Websters las. days with ex-
pressons Of the sncerest and deepest regret nor does
he omit any opportunity to impress upon the minds of
Americans the deep moral degradation in which the
United States nation has plunged itself within the
last few years. Though intimate friend of the
King it is said of course he says nothing Of this that
the subject of politics and political affairs is never
spoken of between them. From the interest with
which he watches the development and progress of
the Republican idea in America it would seem that
politics must indeed be babshed from among the sub
iects which be can discuss with Frederick William.
At his request | showed him on the map the bound
aries of the new Territories Kansas and Nebraska
his map. though recent, dating back beyond the
Douglas and Pierce outrage.
1t Is very gratifying to national pride to hear
his praises of some of authors, Prescott being, In
bis opipion one of the finest il not the finest historian
now living and writing in the English language He has
several times expressed his wish that he could know
that man. OF Prescotts works think he likes best
the Ferdinand and Isabella" AS to the Conquest OF
Mexico could the dsting uished authorhavetraveled
TO Mexico and viewed with his own eyes the scenes
be describes so as TO have in addition to the elegance
of bis STYLE and extreme accuracy, added the charm
Of description of scenes he personally knew, Hum
boldt seems to think the book would have been per-
feet 1t is natural that he should feel something of
want Of this kind in work upon Mexico, but do
not zee how reader who has not the personal recol
lections Of the Baron can feel this want.
Parts of Owens great report upon the Lake Supe-
nor region have pleased him much. was surprised
that Whineys new work on the Mineral Resources
of the United States had not reached his notice. Tor
the great chemist Rose had made it the subject OF
several papers before the Geographical Society; but
Humboldt seldom goes out to such meetings now
The following passages from a note written soon
after reading in The TRIBUNE the account of the
orening of the Panama Railroad, think may be
translated for your paper without any improperly as
breach of the ssnctity of private correspondence
"Le chemin de fer de Panama etc propose par
moi des aimee 1905, avec lie projet beaucoup plus
utie Ct tres e1ecutabe du canal oceanque Gu Capca
a lAirato.
I esclayage out heureusement offert | occasion
quelques ames mobiles de prononcer DIES paroles CON
solanes III ne sagt pas de demander la i0ls apo
lition de / esolayage, mals d'amener peu peu des
adoucssemens dams Ia legislation actuee par plus
yepdre enfant la mamelle. La pretention du Pres
idept dams la ettre NJ. Soule de croire en- droIt
de conquerer lie de Cuba lorsque un etat vosn fait
mine De reudre sa legislation plus humane, IN paru
DIES plus sauyages."
| give the following transversion of these para
graphs:
"The Panama Railroad was proposed by me a.
early as lsO5, with the imposing project, which would
be far more useful and quite as practicable, OF en-
inier-cceanic Canal between Capca aud Atrato.
"The sad debates which have taken place on tne
extension of the system OF Slavery have hopphy
offered an opportunity to few noble souls TO speak
words Of consolation. There is no need OF demand
ing Immediately the abolition OF Slavery but o. grad
ually introducing mitigaons into the present leg
ton so that the babe may no longer be sold nom tue
breast The claim of the President IN his letter 10 NJ.
Soule that be believed be had night to co2qaer tut
Island Of Cuba when a neighboring State undertook
TO render It's legislation more humane, appears 10 NE
TO be a most barbarOus one.'
Tastes NAV differ, but | would rather have he
honor of the appreciation expressed in 'hese lines OF
the noble courss pursued by Seward, Sumner and
Chase than the title Of Pres den whsh Pierce wears,
50 obtained The approval of Humboldt Is worth
that of all the men siealers and semen senszs from
the Potomac t. the boundary of Mzico.
i''' '''''' an AMERICAN IN GEE,LASY.
Berlin. Prrsis Jsr, 10, less
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.