Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-01-25
Our Relations with England,


The advlces received to-day from the United States
are silent. as 10 the Presidents message: but we
learn that dispatches have been received from Mr.
Buchanan relating to the conduct of the British Min
lister at Washington, in which it is announced that
the English government had declined giving the ex.
plantations which have been demanded by the Presi.
dent regarding the alleged violation of the American
neutrality laws by the British agents. We trust
that this statement, although alleged to be beyond
the possibility of cavil is not correct, and that our
government has not been unwise TO wound The
sensbes of the United States, by refusing 10 grant
what they have right to demand. The British
Minister at Washington, as we have said from the
first, is accused of having violated the laws of a
country in which he exercising the trust of an
ambassador, and of having committed an offence
which, rendering the offender subje to imprlson
ment, certainly not among thai class of derelc
tons for the commission of which British repreSen
tative could be held excused Mr.. Crampton al
though not publicly imleached, is openly charged
with having taken advantage OF his posllOn at
foreign Court to transgress and encourage others TO
violate the laws Of the country in which he Is resi-
dent. To this charge Mr.. Champion has yet
vouchsafed no answer. The United States govern.
ment, therefore, reasonably asks for explanation and
satisfaction.
Mr.. Champion has hitherto, ny the manner in
which he has discharged the important functions en-
trusted to him secured the esteem of every member of
| the Cabinet at Washington, and generally of the
! American people; and when the accusations were
brought against him, his simple denial would have
no doubt been satisfactory TO the American govern
ment. The British Minister, however, refused to
make any answer to the charges until he had com
municated with the government at home, and having
SO communicated. finally decided upon saying
thing, either in explanations extenuation, defence
of his conduct. What other open to the
United States government than to require from the
British government the explanations which the British
Minister refused to give! And what reason
possibly induce the British government to decline
giving such explanation? Either MIR. Champion
has transgressed the neutrality laws OF the United
States or he has not If he has not, what easy
to say so? Why has the settlement of this matter
been delayed so long Why leave so unpleasant
question an open one just previously TO the publica
lion of the Presidents message? This document
has, no doubt, been delayed until Mr.. BuchananS
dispatches arrived, SO that the dispute between The
two governments could have been referred as past,
mentioned at all. But if the report to which we
have directed attention be true, and the British gov
eminent have really declined to give the required eH
plation, cannot be surprised i such conduct be
alluded to in the message with asperity and the dis
missa of Mr. Crompon should close the first scene
of very unpleasant if not discredble transaction,