The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-23
LORD CLARENDoN's REPLY TO Mr.. MARCY.

..
LORD CLARENDON'S REPLY TO Mr.. MARCY.
Our neighbors Of the National Ltegeneer have been
kindly favored by feliow-townsman with copy of the
reply Of Lord Clarendon to Mr. Marcys last despatch
the enlistment question: which, together with Mr. Cramp
toms letter the subject Lord Clarendon is pub
lshed in that journal Of yesterday. As not for
tunate to have kind fellow-townsman from whom
procure advance copies Of British documents we
freely tender to neighbors thanks for the opport
nifty Of reading the document referred to before 1t has
ceived the action of our, own government II we
unable to coincide with them in views to the policy
which the document ought induce our government
pursue will not be the first time that have had the
misfortune to differ with neghbors questions of dis
agreement between the two governments.
The Iteigener regards Lord Clarendons letter so
concatoy and apologize in Its character that it patron
zingly hopes that aour government will in spirit Of
ankness and courtesy forego the further prosecution of
this vexaous controversy and accept the prored hand
extended to it by the British government" As
able to concur fully in the suggestion promptly made
will proceed in brief way express the impressions
made mind by the letter Of Lord Clarendon with
out intending be understood intimang either what
our government ought do will do in the premises
The substance Of Lord Carendons letter may be stated
in q very few words: .s.s i. u
1t expressly discaims any intention the part of the
British government infringe the neutrality laws the
rights Of sovereignty Of the United States in its late
lstment proceedings aMS >t.se
1t gives credit to the denias Of guilt by the British off,
cals implicated in the proceedings and scredts the evil
dence which government charged the British
officials with guilty completely In the enlistment of soldiers
e.. H.. ..s.h.- .,,r;nl
With the exception Of certain indications Of wounded
pride consequence Of the heming despatch of Mr.
Marcy we fully coneede that Lord Carendon reply
couched in language sum GENTLY respectful and concia
tory We know for rejecting the disclaimer of
the British government and there nothing else in
the case we might unite with the telgene in hoping
that this 'vexatious controversy would But
there other considerations connected with the subject
which, in our Judgment forbid summary termination
of the difficulty. W aa.f
Upon evidence on which our government relied, Mr.
Champion charged with completely with designated
parties in systematic violation Of neutrality laws and
our sovereign rights and for that bis recall de-
manded 1t does not that the disclaimer Of the
British cabinet Of any intention their part to violate
laws relieves government from the necessity Of
taking further steps In the The government may
very well be chargeabe with such illegal intention
and yet the minister may be guilty, charged We
not how 1t Is the allegation against Mr.
Champion say that his intended violation
of our laws or rights.
But the British government goes further aud refuses
recall Mr. Champion because she denies that he Is guilty
charged and In doing aside and dscredis the
proof Of his guilt on which our government relied
In other words, Mr.. Champion puts In the plea Of
not guilty, and his government chooses TO take his
word In eIculpaon Of himself rather than give credit
to the testimony which Is convinced Of
bis guilt We suppose that Mr. Champion has all the time
stood upon the right Of the accused plead
gully !" but 10 our government such plea although put
in by British minister not recognised proof to
outweigh the testimony admitted as legal and sufficient
for conviction Ia our courts Of justice The proposition
therefore, TO stop the further prosecution Of the matter
amounts to suggestion that the charge made IN
compasat or iarsdib or iasse@t evidence AS we know
no why government should make such ad-
mission we take Il for granted that the proposition will
be rejected We certainly do think that The late devel
opments to Mr.. Cramptons credbility witness In
his own case are calculated to give any special weight TO
his plea Of not guilty We conclude therefore that the
suppression sought To be made that Lord Csrenons letter
10 likely 70 relieve Mr. Champion from the charge made
against him. and to induce government to change It's
policy indcsted BY demanding his recall without any
foundation Whatever government may deem II
proper pursue under The circumstances II is gratifying to
know that the case now stands the British government
can have prssext for being seriously offended II can
surely be cause Of hose govsrnmsn, chooses
to adhere to Its conviction that the evidence Is conclusive
Mr. Champions guilt and for that reason whilst il
may accept the disclaimer any Intentional violation Of
our laws rights by the British government, should
determine that Mr.. Champions connuancs here minis
Ter would be incompatible with proper regard for our
national selfrespect We do not know what may be the
Of The administration but have deemed IL proper
10 make these suggestions IS the result Of reading Of
tho reply Of Lord Clarendon. e,,s NJ ~ ". .gas r
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