Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-05-17
Curious Affair /.

The proceedings OF the Senate. "Wednesday, published
Yesterdays whig contain Mr.. Cytons HAT conrsdiC
ton Of statement made by Mr.. Champion to Lord Pal
rnertou. We copy the editorial summary OF what passed
in the Senate. from the National Ia,elIgencer
In the Senate Mr.. CLAYTON make personal ex-
pls,Atou he had observed IN the papers of the DAY
despatch the Brush Minister, Mr.. Craupton, tue
Brush SECRETARY OF State Tor Foreign Affairs, Lord Csr.
endon which it i alleged that Mr.. Clayton nior-
ned by Sir Henry Buwer, before the trraty OF 1850
signed that Rnstan d and Gs farso British
s,s,un, and that Mr.. Clayton had occasions
SINCE in conversation ~h him, Mr.. Crampton ed
that he Mr. Clayton considered Russian much Brit
i>h Jamaica other British West In
,ia island This statement Mr. CLAYTON pronounced un-
every particular and while disposed put the
charitable construction upon the matter said he
compelled to consider il the cd spring OF strange hau
cnaOn the least He had said nothing like IL tai
Mr. Champion any body else He quoted IRON let
OF Mr. Champions show that Mr Champion himself did
believe Ruatan TO be dependency of the Belize. or
included within the email islands excepted from
the scope OF the CLAYTON Bu~er He also
ted that in conversation held between himself and Mr.
Champion time IN the month OF February March
last in the presence of Mr.. Crtende M. Champion had
declared there nothing record commit Mr. Clay
10 the British pretensiOns respecting RuatAn.
Mr.. Cri;ienden then and substantially confirmed
Mr.. Cayons statement, though he could remember
oil that was sald Mr. Cas- thought there some
strange misappreheSon about the whole matter and Mr.
Pratt raised doubt the authenticity OF the despatch
which is understood "a have been received hy the last
from Europe and to form part OF the papers
Gently communicated Parliament 10y the British Minis
Try relative to the Central American negotiation Near
te close OF thc sitting Mr. Clayton again alluded the
subject and referred the ecoections OF Mr. Fish New
York. when the latter gentleman gave the substance OF
conversation he had held With Mr. Crampton contuatory
o the statements previously made by Mr. Clayton.
We give elsewhere the letters of Lord Clarendon and
Mr.. Champion. Some question raised in the Senate
touching the authenticity OF these letters; but
to question their gcnuneness The London Times
OF the ssth April in giving summary Of the papers laid
before Parliament, says:
The concluding dispatches relate to the proposed ar
bitraon Lord Clarendon No 1861 that the Oirr
refer arbitration the Interpretation OF the treaty OF
ls5u had been made 10y him la the formal manner by
direction OF the Cabinet The explanations relative tins
point appeared IN the Times oil the 18th O; March
The concluding despatch (No 1897 refers more espe-
caly to RuAtau. In II Mr. Crampou informs Lord Cla-
rcndou (cr date of March 81. 1851 that Mr. CLAYTON
informed 10y sPlleury BulNe before the treaty Of
signed that Rustan Do j,src aud d. fIcfo Bfi-
sh possession and that Mr. CLAYTON had on various oc-
ci-ous since ia conversation With him. Mr. Crampt,--
stated that b. considered Rgatan much British pos
session a. Jamaica or any other British West Indian
land
This removes all doubt and brings up the question Of
vcrcy directly between the British Ambassador and the
American Senator. The latter has fortified his own de-
nia by the cofrmatory Messrs Crittsnden
aud Fish We suppose Mr. Champion will feel compelled
To make some statement TO the public. There be
some strange msapprehensOn about the hole matter
We DO not think it possible that Mr. Champion would de-
hOeratey make false about such natter and
Tor Nj Clayton to have made the imputed Ia
him would have been in direct conflict with all his public
declarations IN the senate