New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-30
THE DISMISSAL OF MR.. CHAMPION.
The following is Mr.. MarcyS dispatch in full.
SECRETARY MARCY TO Mr.. DALLAS.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,


X.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, May e. 1856.
Sir: The President has carefully considered the
note the 1o 10Th @ to you y the Es of
for Foreign Affairs relative to the questions which
have arisen between this Government and that of
Great Britain on the subject Of recruiting within the
United States for the British army; and has directed
TO present you his views thereon for the purpose
of having them made known to her Majestys Govern
meDt He has been much gratihed by the conciistory
spirit Of that note, and by the desire manifested by
the Earl Of Clarendon TO adjust the existing Difficult
ties, and preserve and strengthen the friendly
relations between the United States and Great
Britain. The vast interest which the Gov
eminent and people Of both countries have in up
holding and chertbug such relations cannot be more
solemDly impressed upon her Malestys Government
than it is upon that Of the United States. The
quivOcsl disclaimer by her Maesty's Government Of
any irtention either to infringe the law disregard
the policy, OF not TO respect the sovereign rights of
gret off contrary TO their intentions and to their
"tersted directions there has been any Infringement
"of the laws Of the United States" are satisfactory
TO the President The ground Of complaint, 20 far as
respects her Msjestys Government, is thus removed.
But the Pre- sidebt extremely regrets that he cannot
concur in Lord Clarendon's favorable opinion of the
conduct Of some Of her Maesty's officers who were,
rs this Government believed and after due considera
ton Of all which has been offered in their defense,
still believes, Implicated in proceedings which were
clearly an Infringement OF the laws and sovereign
rights Of this country
In respect TO such of these officers and agents as
have connection with this Government has nothing
to ask from that of her Majesy-but the case is dit
ferent in relation TO Mr.. CramptOn her Maiestys En-
yoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenpotentiary to
this Government, and the CoDsuls az New-fork, Phil
adelphia and Cincinnati The PRESIDENT Is grained 70
have besitated to comply with the request to withdraw
these officers from their official position # had enter
tanned the views here taken of their conduct IN regard
to recruiting contr ,ry to the laws and sovereign
rights OF the United states. i need scarcely say
that making this request no interruption OF tue
Diplomatic relations between this Government and
that of Great Britain was anticipated, put on
The contrary, the President was and IL sincerely
desirous to keep them upon most fnendly roofing.
Mr. Ctsmptons with travail was asked Tor expressly
nnop the ground that his connection with the afalr-
8rasng recruits in this country for the British ser
vioe-hasrend him an unacceptable representa-
-. tive Of her Britannia Majesty near this Govern
% ment For the same reason toe withdrawal OF the
three British Consuls was also requested These ON
cerr were as this Government confidently oeheves,
deeply implicated IN proceedings contrary to the law
and sover ion rights of the United States, ana con-
trary as now appears to the intentions ana reer
ated instructions of their own Government. III was
their NJ ror al acts not the less objectionable for nav
inc h. en- done COZ tary the directions of her Males
tvs Minister, which rendered them IN their oihciai
character and position unacceptable 10 tms
Government, and induced the PRESIDENT LOT
that cause to solicit their recall, believing
that by this course he contributing to the common
interest and harmony of the two governments. lie
has not after most mature deberaton, been able TO
change his view Of their conduct AMI cannot therefore
change his purpose in relation to them, though their
conduct related to, and in fact orig mated dtho1ty
which disturbed the cordial harmony and COCA under-
standing between the two countries. 1t constituted
decided objt ction to them of personal character,
which loses of lis force by the satisfactory ADJUST
ment Of that difficulty. The only emesnassment NJ
which attends the case is the difference OF
opinOn between the two Goyefn nents as
TO the completely of these officers in Illegal proceedns
within the United States. In reviewing TINS SUBJECT,
the President was disposed to avail himself oil any
doubts which could be raised IN his mnd IN
order TO bring his opinion in this respect into conor
mity with that Of her Majestys Government; out,
after careful consideration OF the case ne mas peen
unabe To change the conclusion 10 which he had pre-
vicusly arrived. The difference OF opinion may In
some degree be ascribed TO the difference In views oil
the two Governments in respect tn the neutrality law
ard sovereign rights of the country. Ii Is not pro
poeed however 10 continue the discussion upon that
subject. The conclusions of the President stated III
INV d;soatch of the 2sth of December 10 your prede
ccssor in regard to the construction OF that law ano
the extent and character OF these rights remain un
changed, and he cannot iSfego tne uI'y u uS'"s ."
Ibe main cause OF this difference OF opinion Is the
different appreciation oI the proofs ny whlen tne
hsrcss eainst her Msjesty's diplomatic Representa-
eve aud consuls are sustained. Lord Clarendon ask
This Government TO regard the bare declarations o
n.se officers as of sufficient weight TO counterval
violence against them Their denlas, as Presehte;
i; bs dispatch of the 30th of April land that Is al
which has been communicated TO this Government OF
the subject, to be special, and do not tIavers
ali the allegations az ainst them They deny that they
Ssve infrineed our neutrality law by existing person
,;,hn the United States for British service, or hrnt
mr. retaining persons TO leave the United States Tor thu
nnrpose of being enlisted in that service The charge
aaSafpst them are much broader, and embrace thu
offense of violating the laws and sovereign night
Of the United States, by setting In oPeratoi
within our Territory, and conducting, an extensive
system of recruiting, which was not an
could NOT be earned into etfecs without Infringing
upon Our laws and rights by employing TI%er Con
Sars,;ons 70 leave the United States for the expires
purpose Of entering into the British Ht" se sia
~sl novn tbaf ibeywere constantly infringing our laws
The denial of the implicated officers only SSt S SSSnSr Pr
Icnnato,x RECLAMATION 10 the simple charge OF hayin
violated the provisions of our neqrait 1sad"n r bs
sscribed to it. BY adopting Lord Clarendon con
strucon Of neutrality law. contained IN n' ~" ~
of the 10th OF November which renders IL aiios' NV
gaiory, and contrary that of this Government, an
Of it's udcisfribunals these ofcerihave not prooso
found much embarrassment in meeting the charges WI
general denial-but giving 10 the declaration OF M
Champion and be Consus all the consideration whie
can be fairly claimed for i, under the circumstances
the case cannot counterbelarcs the unimp .ache'
and well sustained evidence which establishes th
oqiq e All rod