Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-06-19
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN: THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1856

rous to keep them upon most friend
ly footing. Mr.. Crampton's S Withdrawal
was asked for expressly upon the
ground that shis connection with that
affair (raising recruits in this country
for the British service) has rendered
him an unacceptable representative
of her Britanic Majesty near this
government" For the same reason
the withdrawal of the three British
eonsuls was also requested. These
officers were, as this government con.
fidently believes, deeply implicated
in proceedings contrary to the law
and sovereign rights of the United
States, and contrary as it now ap-
pears, to the intentions and reitera-
ted instructions Of their government.
It was their personal acts, certainly
not less Objectionable for having been
done contrary to the direction of her
Majesty's ministers, which rendered
them in their official characters and
position unacceptable to this govern
ment, and induced the President, for
that cause, to solicit their recall, be-
ieving that by this course he was
contributing to the common interest
and harmony of Che two governments.
He has not after the most mature de-
liberation, been able to change his
view of their conduct, and cannot
therefore change his purpose in rela-
ton to them. Though their conduct
related to, and in fact originated, a
difficulty which disturbed the cordial
harmony and good understanding be-
tween the two countries, it constitu-
ted a decided objection to them of
a personal character, which loses none
Of its force by the satisfactory adjust
ment of the difficulty. - 9
The only embarrassment which at
tends the case is the difference of
opinion between tie two governments
as to the completely of these officers
in illegal proceedings within the Uni
ted States.
In reviewing this subject, the Pres.
ident was disposed to avail himself
of any reasonable doubts which could
be raised in his mind in orderto bring
his opinion in this respect to confor-
nifty with that of her Majesty's gov
ernment; but, after careful considera-
ton of the case, he has been unable
to change the conclusion to which he
had previously arrived.
This difference of opinion may be,
in some degree, ascribed to the differ
ence in the views of the two govern
ments in respect to the neutrality law
and the sovereign rights of this coun-
try.
tits not proposed, however, contin-
.ue the discussion apon that subject.
The conclusion of the President,
stated in my despatch Of the 2Sth
Of December, to your predecessor, in
regard to the construction of that
law and the character and extent of
those rights, remain unchanged, and
be cannot forego the duty of using
all proper means to sustain and vim
dicate them.
The main cause Of this difference
|of, opinion is the different apprecia-
ton Of the proofs by which the char
ges against her Majesty's diplomatic
representatives and consuls are sus-
tanned. Hlf
/ Lord Clarendon asks this govern
ment to regard the bare declarations
Of these officers as of sufficient
weight to countervail the evidence
against them. Their denials as pre-
sented in his despatch of the 30th
of April and that is all which has
been communicated to this govern
ment on the subject--seem to be
Especial, and do not traverse all the
allegations against them. They deny
that they have inringed our neutral
ity law, by enlisting persons within
THE United States for the British SER
vice, or hiring or retaining persons
Ito leave the United States for the
purpose of being enlisted in that Ser
vice. The charges against them are
much broader, and embrace the Of
fence Of violating the laws and SOW
Fereign rights Of the United States
Iby setting in operation, within oul
territory, and conducting an extensive
system of recruiting, which was not
and could not be carried into effect
without infringing our laws and
rights; by employing numerous a
gents to engage persons, for pecuniary