Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-20
From the London Times, Oct. 80.
The Enlistment Question-Mr. Cushing,s
Letters-Course OF the British Govern

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L~etters-Course of the British Govern
ment.
The recent arrivals from the United States
by no means tend TO relieve the uneasy feeling
with regard to the relations between the two
countries to which we gave utterance a few
days ago.. The d%ocuments upon which we give
fresh intelligence, as to the state OF feeling Of
the American Government towards us at this
critical moment, are the instructions of Hon.
Caleb Cushing, Acknowledgement Of the United
States, to the District Attorney Of Philadelphia.
From these papers we learn many things which
are strange TO English ears. They purport
merely TO be instructions as TO the conduct Of
the trials Of persons charged with recruiting
for the militia service of Great Britain, but they
are framed in n tone and a spirit which show
that they we're intended for other eyes than
those Of the District Attorney Of Philadelphia.
We learn from these letters that the American
!" Government has addressed to that Of Great
Britain such demands Of public redress and
satisfaction in the premises as the national
honor requires"-the premises being the re-
cruiting for the service Of Great Britain and
we further learn the Government Of Great
Britain has declared, in answer, that it gave
stringent instructions not 10 violate the mum.
cipal law, and from the New York Courier and
Enquirer we further learn that the English
Government has expressed its regret if any
violations Of the municipal law Of America
have taken place. These things furnish an
admirable text TO the learned Acknowledgement,
who proceeds to pour oil on the troubled waters
by suggesting that the instruction not to vio-
late the municipal law Of the United States is a
sagrant violation Of their sovereign rights, and
doubtless the magnitude Of the national wrong
inflicted upon them. In pursuance Of this
charitable view, Mr.. Cushing proceeds to direct
that the British Consul shall not be allowed to
interfere in the trial, that no letters from him
shall be read, except IN due course Of evidence,
and no statement from him be admitted, ex-
cept in the character Of a witness for the de-
fance. We have nothing TO say against such
directions as contributing to the regular and
proper conduct Of a judicial investigation. In
this country we believe no such directions
would be necessary, because no one, Of what
soever position, would be allowed to interfere
With the due and orderly administration Of
justice. But the reason given for this direc-
ton is needlessly, and, we much fear, pur-
posely offensive. The consul is to be excluded
from taking part in the trial because he is sub
ject to the suspicion Of a breach Of law, which
has not indeed been proved, but which this high
law officer assumes against him as already
established. Every British Consul is, accord.
ing to him, a criminal IN csse or in nosse, and
is TO be treated accordingly.
Such is the official reserve, such the gravity
and decorum maintained by one in whose hands
IS placed the grave and honorable responsibility
Of directing the administration Of the law in
the great Republic. 1t is melancholy TO think
what grave interests may be compromised, and
what serious dangers wantonly risked by this
studied i~nsolence Of demeanor and interper-
aDce Of language. On our side We fear moth
ing, for zoe are quite sure That oar relations TO
lie United States UiH be decided upon calm
and just ctetcs Of dignity and interest, far
different from those noisy and boisterouS pas
sions ohich Mr.. Gushing has made II his bush
aesU TO ercite. But we remember, not without
some degree Of solicitude, that the Government
Of the United States is in the hands ultimately
OF an enormous constituency, many OF whom
have carried with them across the Atlantic a