The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
DISMISSAL or THE BRITISH MINISTER
Ii SENATE, May 20, 1856.

Ii SENATE, May 20, 1856.
The message Of the President informing Congress that
he had ceased TO hold intercourse with the minister pen-
ipotenary OF Great Britain having been read together
with the last communication OF Mr. Marcy 10 mr. Lar
las both Of which papers were puoiSheu n our pAps
Mr. MASON moved that the message and accompanying
documents be referred to the Committee on Foreign ea
mr.. CASS said / have listened with pleasure to the
reading of the despatch Of the Secretary OF State us
powerful and conclusive analysis OF the whole case taf
pears To me that the honor of the country imperayey
required the dismissal of this officer My desire Is TO have
the facts spread before the people.
Mr. MASON. ! read, as doubtless other senators did,
with great and deberaton the despatch which the
British Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Lord Clarendon,
has written In reply to the demand made by this govern
for the recall Of Mr. Champion, the British minis
ter and which the despatch OF Mr. Marcy just read at
your table is was gratihed 10 lind that us
tone temperate, courteous and conciatory II con-
tanned full unreserved and unqualified disclaimer oil
all intended oeRce the part the British government
couched in language which struck me as peculiarly EN-
phatc and well suited to the occasion 80 ar as inc ae
of It's minister here was concerned the despatch stated In
substance that the contents OF Mr. Marcy letter had been
made known TO him for the purpose OF explanation and
that his own government satisfied that their min
lister had desire or purpose TO commit any nracnon oil
our laws any disrespect TO our sovereignty.
The whole despatch Of Lord Clarendon as have SAID
was conciliatory and as thought well and justly con-
ceved but 1t contained no special response directed 10
the demand Of this government The British govern
ment did say whether would or would not recall lie
minister and construed IL to that IT, stated
in the despatch Of Mr. Marcy, there yet remained an
opinion in the American that the British
minister here unacceptable TO it they did not feel
themselves at liberty to intarpose further so con-
strued it. sa.g --a.L H...#.. .
The very interesting and able document which has just
been read am grated find is Of the same character
with the despatch to which it is an answer It, too, Is
temperate calm aad conciaory 1t receives In the spirit
10 which was offered the disclaimer the part of the
British government, and confess for myself thought II
due After recapitulang the proofs duplicating the
British minister here in dscoureOus to the country
which, whether SO designed not were in derogation of
the sovereignty of the country II was intended, as un-
destand show the British government that our sere-
snec required the original demand should be carried into
execution The British government therefore inform
ed that the British minister continued unacceptable in this
country whoat any mpntations on him as gentleman
or "a minister representing in his Judgment as he
considered in the best anAer the interests OF his own
Great Britain has been informed that because of the
,ato,,s which he had established here he must continue
accepable to u.s. and probably could not be useful to his
own government While know, from the temper Of our
people and believe know from the dispositions OF the
a6 nothing could be further from their
purpose or design than to commit any dscouresy to the
British government hope from the character OF the cor
respondence dscourtesy will be inferred can see
none in the temper the paper and can see none IN The
occasion but am free declare senator land thus
participating in the governmen that nnder the crcum
stances existing, under the proofs connecting the brs
minister with the enstments for the Foreign Legion OF
Great Britain however he may not have designed itand
take his disclaimer it has been given TO us however he
may not have designed compcate himself with cues
ton which would be offensive To country or dsre-
card of laws the fact remains that be did and there
is alternative the part of this but TO dis
pense with bis further residence among u.s. can see no
cause in the world to ALLEVIATE the two countries
shall have misapprehended the despatch OF Lord clarendon
II 1T will be received it was intended TO place this
subject at the disposal OF our government without con-
strung the dismissal of their minister into any disconrtes
whatever. .
Nr. CASS. My friend from Virginia intended to move
for the printing of extra number OF Mr. Marcys des-
a. han ,tta1 dc, apAln
is measure which ought TO be taken TIE despatch Is
very important have already expressed my grati-
cation at its tenor its logical purpor and at its general
character 1t is written with great power and IN tone
Of courtesy becoming our government in It's diplomatic
intercourse.
The suspension or interruption of diplomatic relations
between two countries is very ordinary event in the in
Of nations and cannot lead to unless
the other of the parties Ia determined upon that extreme
measure No just cause Of war can arse out OF such an
act In the first place the British government should not
visit its displeasure upon minister In London by dis
missing him There pree1t for IT. Ii is believe
the comfy Of nations that when minister is offensive to
the which he is accredited be should be
called. An ambassador who Is minister Of the highest
grade and represents is said the person OF the
eregn 10 European government without in
the first instance asceranng he viii be acceptable This
is the common law of diplomacy Leaving every thing
else out Of view think the moment the British govern
ascertained that Mr. Champion unacceptable to
the government and people Of this country II should
have checrfuy recalled him but II has not
proper do this and Mr. Champion leaves here at
repeat the suspension Of diplomatic relations is very
ordinary in national intercourse. When was
commissioned as minister TO France In 1896 here had
been diplomatic intercourse between and France for
perhaps two years previously did not go to France
once instructed by Gen. Jackson go England
aud went hers and remained until through the British
government sscersined that It would be agreeable
TO the French government to receive minister from the
United States remained there until that
and the very courteous one, and imme-
datsiy repaired TO Paris and well satisfied wi my
reception
merely allude to this circumstance to show that the
suspension Of diplomatic relations should not give serious
OF apprehension any In this country. The
case Of the dismissal Of the British minister In Spain Is
very recent and wellknown event That act gave
rious offence TO the British government need not
view the circumstances The is a we-knowu
diplomatic fact The Spanish government sent the British
minister Of the country and without the observanc,
of much courtesy England herself has sent ambsssa
dor home to his country under guard.
repeat unless England wants to 20 TO with us,
injury win result from the termination Of the diplomatic
services Of Mr.. Champion. If she 10 determined
aud seeks only a pretert that is another question
do not believe she does and have apprehension Of tn,
result
nov suggest that thousand copies of this document
be printed It IL very important one, and will bs read
with interest by the American people.
Mr.. PRATT. Does the motion include the whole cor
respondenoe1
Mr.. CASS The despatch OF Mr.. Marcy.
Mr.. MASON | think IL would be better 10 have
ira number Of the whole correspondence printed
Mr.. CASS Perhaps 20 II Ia an important element Of
history and II Is too extensive to be published by private
enterprise move then for the printing OF ten thousand
extra copies of all the documents.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr Foor In the chair
Under the rule Of the Senate the motion for printing the
extra numbers will go TO the Committee on Printing