The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-30
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES,

/ MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
\ STATES,
Communicating Cessation Of intercourse wah e Eapog Ex-
traordaary and Minister PisapoteRtlaTy g Grea bF'-
/ tain. ...#
| TO hs Senate and House Of Representatives.
have ceased to hold intercourse with the envoy ex-
traordnary and minister plenipoenary of her Majesty
the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain aud Ire
land, near this government
In making communication of this fact 1t has been deem
ed by proper also to lay before Congress the considera
tions Of indispensable public duty which have led TO the
adoption of measure of 50 much Importance They ap-
pear the documents herewith transmitted to both houses
FRANKEIN PIERCE.
WAUmsGroN, May 30 1856.
Mr. Marcy 70 ur. Dallas.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE a
Washington, May 27, 1885,
Sm The President has carefully considered the note Of
the 30h ut addressed you by the Earl of Clarendon,
her Maestys Principal Secretary Of State for Foreign AT
fairs relative TO the questions which have arisen between
this government and that of Great Britain the subject
of recruiting within the United States for the British
army and has directed to present to you his views
thereon for the purpose of having them made known to
her Maiestys government H"
lie has been much gratifed by the concatory spirit of
that note and by the desire manifested by the Earl of
Clarendon to adjust the existing difficulties and to pre-
and strengthen the friendly relations between the
United States and Great Britain The vast interest which
the government and people of both countries have IN
soemnly impressed upon her Maestys government than
it is upon that of the United States.
The unequvocal disclaimer by her Majestys govern
men of "any intention either to infringe the law to dis
regard the policy not TO respect the sovereign rights OF
the United States and their expression OF regret w con-
their intentions and their reiterated directions
there has been any infringement OF the laws of the United
States satisfactory to the President The ground of
complaint far as respects her Maestys government is
thus removed u."
But the President extremely regrets that he cannot
in Lord Clarendons favorable opinion of the conduct
of of her Majesty socers who were as this govern
ment believed and after due consideration of all which has
been offered in their defence still believes, implicated in
proceedings which clearly infringement of tho
laws and sovereign rights of this country In respect to
such Of these officers and agents have no conne1i0n
with this government it has nothing to ask from that OF
her Majesty but the is different in relation to Mr.
Crampon her Majestys envoy extraordinary and minister
penipoteniary to this government and the consus at
New York, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. The President
is gratifed 10 perceive that her Majesys government
would not have hestaed to comply with the request to
withdraw these officers from their official positions If 1t had
entertained the views here taken Of their conduct in regard
to recruiting contrary to the laws and sovereign rights OF
the United States
scarcely need say that in making this request no in
terrupon of the diplomatic relations between this govern
and that of Great Britain anticipated but on the
contrary the President and h sincerely derous to keep
them upon most friendly footing. Mr. Champions with
dawa asked for expressly upon the ground that his
connexon with that affair raising recruits in this country
for the British service has rendered him unacceptable
representative of her Britannia Majesty near this govern
ment For the same reason the withdrawal of the three
this government confidently believes deeply implicated
in proceedings contrary the law and sovereign rights oil
the United States and contrary 1t now appears tn me
intentions and reiterated instructions OF their own govern
ment 1t their personal acts certainly not lhe Tess
Objectionable for having been done contrary 10 the drec
tion of her Macsys minister's which rendered then IN
their official characters and positions unaccepaple 10 TINS
government and induced the President for that cause 70
solicit their recall believing that by this course ne was
contributing the common interest and harmony Oh the
two governments He has not after the most mature de-
liberation been able change his view OF their conduc ana
cannot therefore change his purpose ~ elahoh 10 mem
Though their conduct related to- aud ia fact originated
difficulty which disturbed the cordial harmony and gooa
understanding between the two countries, II constituted
decided objection to them of personal character which
loses none Of its force by the satisfactory adjustment OF
! that difficulty. -,
difference OF opinion between the two governments rs TO
the completely of these officers in illegal proceedings with
| in the United States. $50, :.
In reviewing this subject the President was disposed to
avail himself of any reasonable doubts which could be
raised in his mind in order to bring his opinion IN this
respect into conformity with that Of her Maesys govern
men but careful reconsideration OF the case ne mas
been unable 10 change the conclusion 70 which ne haa pre-
| viously arrived. .,-
This difference of opinion may be- in some degree as
crbed to the difference in the views OF the TWO govern
ments in respect to the neutrality law ana tno so'ueb"
IL Is not proposed however to continue the discussion
upon that subject The conclusions o. tns = on
stated in my despatch Of the 2sth Of Decemoe 20 you.
predecessor In regard the construction ot mat Jaw anu
the character and extent Of those rights remain
and he cannot forego the duty ot using an proper ~ "
The main cause Of this difference Of opinion s the DIFF
fercnt appreciation Of the proofs by which the enagss
against her Maesty diplomatic representative ana cons
sustained -
Lord Clarendon asks this to regard the bare
declarations OF these officers Of sufficient weight 70 con
ervail the evidence against them Their denias az pre-
sened in his despatch OF the 30h Of Apriand That ~ Az
which has been communicated to this government on the
subecseem to be special and do not traverse all the
Allegations against them They deny that tney nave IN
rnqed our neutrality law, by ensng persons Wtnin ,ne
United Stnes for the British service hiring or retaining
neaons 10 leave the United States for the purpose Of being
enlisted in that service The charges against them are
much broader and embrace the offence OF violating the
laws and sovereign rights Of the United States by sethng
In operation within our territory and conducting AZ ex
onsye systcn Of recruiting which not and conld not
be carried into effect without infringing our laws ana
rights by employing agents to engage persons
for pe.unary or other considerations TO leave the United
STATES for the express purpose Of entering into the British
army and BY keeping these agents Ia this employment
after II well known that they were constantly ntrne
! ing our laws. . ., .. -.-,- q.
Of the denuuencies imputed TO them but conhning the
excupaory declaration the simple charge Of having vio-
lated the provisions Of neutrality act It does not m-.
the consideration which Lord Clarendon has ascribedh
By adopting Lord Clarendons construction OF our neu-
taiy law contained In his note of the 10th OF November
which renders II almost nugatory aud contrary 70 nat
Of this government and Of its judicial tribunals nese o-
GERS have not probably found much emoarrMsmen, IN
meeting the charges with general deniaS
i But giving to the declaration Of Mr. Campton ana tne
cousnls ali 6e consideration which be fairly claimed
or II under the circumstances Of the case II cannot coun
terbaauce the unmpeached and wesustained evidence
which establishes the charges against these officers OF hav-
ng nrnred Tho laws and sovereign rights OF the United