The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-31

ton q the Dutch government bad furnished mo
with the most irlesstibe argument OF my innocence
and the duplicity Of my enemies. In judging my
arguments / ask no credit for my integrity, but
merely that may be accredited with the sagscity
Sd. It is not tue that besides myself and persons
attached 70 the department no Others had access
to the papers in question. I myself know OF seve-
rAl Others that have had such access.
Before became aware that the letter vas missed
from the es and on the 9th instant the day before
Mr. Covers letter to Secretary Marcy was dated, l
saw copy OF the letter In question In the hands Of
gentleman In this city, for the purpose Of being
transmitted for publication In 0ne of the Ne YORK
papers; al on the 10th Instant, four days bsfore
the message sent to Congress, it was act rally
published IN the New York I'mss. Tnis fact was
known TO Secretary Marcy before he penned the
accusation Of my having purioned the letter. 1t was
the knowledge OF this fact that first led the 5ecre
taIy 8, inquire for the lost letter. / will not GER
tAnly be charged with any participation Ia the act
all events BY those who believe that was most
interested in suppressng IT, IL then follows that a.
accpy Of the letter WAS obtained BY those no Wise
concerned In my interests, the fair inference 10
that IL was obtained from the files OF the depart
ment. This inference is rendered the more proba
BILE from the fact that II Is not an unusual 0scur-
renee for copies Of papers the files Of tie depart
ment - be obtained BY persons connected With the
press for publication.
am unable to give any explanation OF the cir
cumstances, aud acting upon principle widely diff
fefent from that which prompted the 5ecretary's
letter OF tue 10Th inst. shall forbear to intimate
what have not the means to prove or the reason 70
believe.
II is proper to state, however, that II Is possible
that the lost letter may have been taken from toe
files for the purpose Of being copied for public alton,
and that the excitement 0ccasiOned by the discovery
OF ts loss NAV have prevented the person In whose
possession 1t was from returning 1t to the fles aud
BY that means subectlng himself to censure, II not
pur isnment.
Whatever conclusion may be formed as to the real
OF the oisappesrance of the letter. IL Is certain
that the circumstances furnish reason for the So
cretary . bel ewing that vas IN anywse connected
with its absence. But be entertained suco belief,
1t must have resulted from predispostion 10 judge
me with severity, and ON the slightest evidence.
Thus II Is seen, with nothing alleged against me
to my dscredit, with no other fact than tna. had
the means Of puroining the letter had the dispo-
titon so TO do the Secretary Of state Of great ma
tion protesting to hold the honor Of Its citizens
In the highest respect, has venturted TO spread
ty. He has said in effect that he suspects
me Of highly dishonorable act, aud has given the
widest publicity to this statement. The expression
Of even suspicion In 30 high quarter Is CALICO
lated to do the highest injury. For 1t is not gene
rally believed possible that person occupying the
poeiii0n Of Secretary Marcy, Of bis ability and
usual sobliety Of character, would yield himself up
to the guicance Of his passions, and infict blow
on the character Of citizen whose greatest mis-.
fortune 10 that he 10 compelled to seek justice at the
hands OF his government.
Secretary Marcy states that "Mr. Gibson has been
questioned In relation TO this paper" The meaning
these words are obviously intended to convey II,
that have been In an official manner called upon
by the department to for the absence Of the
letter. In this sense declare that statement to be
false. No official intercourse has ever taken place
between tho State Department and myself ON this
subject.
In fact, the only conversation ever hal with any
member OF the department on the subjacs Of the
absence Of the letter took place on the occasion Of
a f.I via ttotf ho hnua inf Mr.
IL was the duty Of tho Secretary To address an Of
fetal note to ne, II he had reason TO think that
could give an explanation Of the absence Of tue
letter. coud, in that case, have placed on record
the extent Of my knouledge relatiDg to the lost
letter. would gladly have svailed myself Of sucn
an opportunity and have taken great pleasure In
furnishing the department With another copy OF
the letter. Had Secretary Marcy In that case
before Congress, the President would. doubtless,
have seen tee proprety OF transmitting my state
ment with his own views
What adds to the injustice OF the act OF the Secre-
tsry Is the fact that 10 such demonstration was
cal ed for. Had copy OF the lost letter been trans
mtted With O simple exnlsnation that the original
bad been missed from the Il es OF the department,
every demand Of etiquette would have been sath.
fed.
Had Secretary Marcy been my friend, be would
have hesitate 10 lay before Congress aud the sorld
luch statement even II he had the BEST reason to
know its truth. He could have justified sueh a
course by saying that no man Of ssnsibility WILL,
when not imperstivty demanded BY what Is due 70
faithful discharge OF DUTY, involve another 10 an
accurate n sfiectrg his character, however firmly
be may be convinced u its truth aud justice.
Congress demanded 10 such explanation. The
Dutch minister alone venlured forgetting all the
Cecen lies that are recognized among the neads OF
polite nations, TO cali the State Dep ntment to
account for an imperfect discharge Of It's
duty In traL smit.ibg the documents called
for by Cong, ess. Secretary Marcy, uncons ious
that erots breach Of diplomatic courtesy hal oc-
CURED In the official notice taken by the Dutch Min
lister Of the internal affairs OF the department, and
apparently desiI Gus OF accounting for the sudden
and severity his attack upon me, transmitted
win his letter that OF the Dutch Minister. Had
an American Minister at London or Paris have die
tated 70 the heaes OF the Eogisn or French nations
what communications should o. should not be made
by the executive heads TO the legislative assemblies
be would soon have discovered, by polite suggos
tior that he accredited 70 the head Of tue
ton, and not sent 70 spy out Its internal proceed
iDgs sDd remind s officers Of their neglect Of duty.
shall avail myself OF the earliest opportunity TO
lay before you the history Of the letter OF February
rs, put forth by the Dutch Minister as having been
sent by me TO the Governor General Of Netherlands
India. The necessity OF translating important docu.
menfs in the Dutch language has delayed tais
ctmmuy ication until the Prise time. ! shall not
anti irate the statements which have 70 lay be-
fore you on that subjscr, bus can only say, thn
when II Is fully Understood the duphdty OF the
Nett erlands india government tovar me viii b.
too apparent for either denial or evasion.
] have the honor to be, yours very respectfully,
WALTER NJ GIBSON