Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-06-06

ter IMAM ueao 1etter could not but suppose tnat
he viewed 1t IN the same light Lord Clarendon did
when he wrote his dispatch TO Mr.. Champion of the
18th of April thereafter, in which his Lordship de-
clared it to be so very just but very stringent
To show that was not mistaken in this respect,
quote passage from letter of Mr.. Champion, da.
ted March 14th, to Sir G. L. Merchant: ANY ad-
vance of money by Her Majesty's agents or others
in the United States would constitute an nfraction
of the neutrality law" The dispositions which az.
company this dispatch, made by some of the same
persons who have furnished the British government
with affdavits to impeach Strobel and Hertz prove
concusively that Mr.. Champion did disburse various
sums of money to agents employed in recruiting
within the United States
1t was indeed apprehended by me at that time tina,
violation of that law would ensue. II could not
TAIL to be seen that any organized scheme of for
elgn government 10 draw recruits from the United
States, though by mere invitation, would necessarily
tend to- and result IL violation of the municipal law
So decided my belief in this respect that meas
ures had already been taken by in behalf of the
government, as it happened upon the very day of
the interview with Mr.. Champion, TO institute prose
cuons against the persons engaged in this business
IN New York and Philadelphia. | then notified Mr..
Champion of that fact as he expressly admits in the
report OF that interview made 10 his government. !
An attempt is made to deduce an excuse for MIR.
Champions course in the business of recruiting in
this country, from the alleged fact that he commu-
nlcated to me on that occasion the arrangements
winch had been made for that purpose, and that
dld not disapprove them otherwise than by insisting
upon the observance of the neutrality laws of the
United States
This allegation is hardly consistent with Mr.
Champions own statement of what then passed. In
the defense OF his conduct recently sent by him to
MS Government, he makes admissions inconsistent
with the allegation that there was no concealmen on
MS part, and that the recruiting arrangements were
communicated TO me. He says that g. is perfectly
true that did not enter into any details of the means
which were to be adopted by Her Majesty's Govern
men to render available the services of those who
rendered them to in such numbers. These SEEM
ed to be obvious for abstaning from this
IT 1t had occurred to NE. | should have been un-
willing TO do anything which might have borne the
appearance of engaging Mr.. Marcy in any express
sion OF favor or appreciation of plan favoring the
interests OF one of the parties in the present All
| should desire on his part neutrality and i'm
partialty.". His reasons for Withholding from me
the details OF the enlistment system, the most mpor
tant part OF 1T for this government, not satstac
tory. If Mr.. Champion believed what he doing
or intended to do in the way of recruiting right,
he could have had no reluctance to communicate it
to me- for his instructions required him to make that
disclosure. Acting in due frankness and with pro-
per regard for the dictates of International comfy,
NIT. Champion should, it would seem, have disclosed
to me all the measures intended to be pursued within
the United States by the agents of his Government,
including himself in the execution of an act of par
lament for raising the foreign legion. Nay, he was
expressly commanded by his Government to practice
no concealment with the American Government on
the subject. If he had obeyed these orders all mis-
understanding between the two Governments would
have been prevented.
Mr. Champion was the more imperatively called
upon to make full explanations the subject, not
only because he was commanded by his government
to do so, but tor the further that Immediately
alter the breaking out Of the between Great
Britain and Frame on the one hand and Russia on
the other, he had, by an official addressed to me,
invoked the efforts of this government to enforce up
the inhabitants of the country citizens and others,
the necessity OF observing the strctest neutrality to-
wards the bellgerent parties; and especially TO en-
join upon them to abstain from taking part in anna
ments for the service CT Russia, in any other
sure opposed to the duties of a strict neutrality.
To this application the undersigned, by expressive
direction of the President, replied, declaring that the
United States, while claiming the full enjoyment of
those rights, as neutral power, will observe the
strctest neutrality towards each and all the beger
ents. Reference made 10 the severe restrictions
imposed by law, not only upon the citizens of the
United States but upon all persons resident within
It's territory, prohibiting the enlisng OF men therein
for the purpose of taking part III any foreign war
| 1t was added that the President did not apprehend
any attempt 10 violate the laws, but should his Just
expectation in this respect be disappointed, he will
not fail in his duty TO all the power with which
he is invested to enforce obedience 10 them In view
of this formal and solemn appeal by Mr. Champion
to the American government, and OF the assurance he
received of its determination to maintain strict neu-
tralty, 1t not Tor moment suspected MT. tramp
ton could understand the purposes, or believe he
would be permitted to set on foot, and execute for
period of five consecutive months systematic scheme
to obtain military recruits for the British service IN
the United States.
That Mr.. Champion did enter most deeply into
this scheme is proved by the evidence already sub
nlitted to Her Majestys government, but it is still
conclusuely established by the additional proofs
which accompany this despatch.
i Whatever detracon from the value of the testi-
mony against Mr.. Champion may result from the at
tempt to discredit Mr.. Strobel and Mr.. Hertz it is
much than made up by the additional proofs
now adduced.
This body of strong, cumulative evidence confirms
the Presidents former conclusion as to the completely
of Mr.. Champion and the British consuls at New
York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati, in the illegal
erprise of recruiting soldiers for the British army
within the United States. And the President does
not doubt that when this new evidence shall be
brought to the consideration of her Maestys govern
ment, it will no longer dissent from this conclusion
The qualification which the President feels at the
satisfactory settlement of the recruiting question II
so far respects the action of the British Govern
ment itself, has induced him to examine the case
again, with view to remove, if possible, from hi;
mind the personal objections against Her MajestyE
minister and Consuls.
This examination has not produced that effect; but
on the contrary, it has strengthened his conviction
that the interests of both Governments require tina
these persons should cease to hold their present off
cal positions in the United States. He sincerely re
grets Her Majesty's Government has not been able
take the same view of the case and comply with
his request for their recall but it has not consented
10 do so.
If, in the earnest desire to act with all possible
courtesy towards Her Majesty's Government, the
]. A.