The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-06


character and nothing could induce 70 % - 70 tbs
but the conviction that justice reqGrts w.
Mr. Burngame, OF Massachusetts IN the card which he
published in the National lnellgeDor 81 The 2sh July
commits several errors one OF which attmA 10 deana
recion from
lie attempts 10 produce the impression thai T. IN behalf
Of Col Brooks, OF South Carolina and Al has insiigai0n
endeaVored By means, sometimes confidential persuade
him 10 make explanation which would saiEy Col
Brookss friends with his failure call bin or sas-
faction for the offensive language used 10 hs speech VI Tho
2lst Of June last
TO show that have not mistaken his purpose make
the following quotation from hs card Speaking Of Ian
guage cut out OF note OF mine 10 him. BIO sas Thts.
few words disclose the desire OF Mr. Brooks through par
suason 10 get something which might satisfy bis friends
neglectng in his liberal cas gentlemen Tor per-
sonal satisfaction" Now, assert that nothing could be
unjust 10 Mr. Brooks and nothing untrue than
such construction OF what passed between Mr. Burin
game and my self Fig.
The communications which made TO Mr., Burlingame
from Mr. Brooks LIST, HIS desire to know whether
Mr. Burlingame would accept call for satisfaction from
him I'd, That he Mr.. Brooks satisfied with Mr. Bur
lingames explanation made answer TO the first cues
tom Sd, That Mr. Brooks desired have written state
men containing the substance OF that explanation
used in his Justification and that failure obtain
such one he would take some decided step in relation
the matter.
Now, it never occurred to that these communications
though made with all the courtesy of which capable
would be regarded particularly persuasive In their
character in the circumstances under which they were
made. Let the public Judge Wien irst waited on Mr..
Burlingame tor T. brooks my personal acquaintance
With .im was very slight and the accounts which had
reached us OF his views and expressions public ques
tons were not such to commend him to southern
certainly had no thought OF offering him persuasons
to his personal affairs had simple question pro-
pound and all sought do 1t in and be-
coming manner 1t seemed TO proper that should be
done privately and quietly rather than with flourish Of
rumpets and in the midst of crowd. That it be
entirely confidential did not dream, because such an idea
inconsistent with the objSct of ny mission. had
come not only to bear message but to carry back
answer That answer might have been plain and brief
as Mr. ms In nal . min hura qail
simply that be would accept that he would accept
But instead Of this he chose large into
position of his feelings towards Mr. Brooks and Of the
views which governed him in making his speech In doing
this he requested that many things said by him should be
considered confidential and these have therefore not
made public. will say, however, he seems to think
that their publication would benefit him. that he can re-
move the seal OF confidence whenever he chooses All that
was said by either party with the times and places of
our subsequent meetings may all come forth at bis call
know no word that spoke which now, gentleman
and the friend of Mr. Brooks would be perfectly
willing should be known to the world.
In his last card Mr.. Buri,ngame has saids
al owe II to truth say that, from what had heard
and seen of him prior 10 his assault Mr. Sumner had
formed high opinion of him and that act which have
properly stgmazed did think must have been abhorrent
10 his better nature In remembrance of my opsion
him, and feeling that through his conduct could still
ect traces Of galanry which day might cause him
TO condemn heartily Others do, bis assault on Mr.
Sumner had larger charity for him than did most Of
my friends Indeed have been blamed for nmatng the
opinion that in spite of that act he yet brave man.
IL
ne stated that Mr.. Brooks desired speedy meeting felt
glow Of admiration for him gallant fosman but
wrong The expressions Of kiadntss for him. In wk!ts
following proclivity OF my heafI had ulued werr
entirely misplaced
IL was theee expressions OF kindness" for Mr. Brooks
nov publicly avowed by Mr. Buriinqane which In our
hrst interview tended much satisfy that there
ought moi ~ be hostile meeting between them. Then IL
was that suggested TO Mr. Burngsme the pfopriey OF
saying nothing on the subject because false runors In re-
ation to Sc Elements often reopen difficulties
Init that Ere. TO-.
propounded question from Mr.. Brooks which was cate
gorical In its character IL clearly follows that the door
was opened Tor a categorical answer bis part he
however Voluntarily chose different course What h.
answer IN substance was appears to na To be conceded In
me cards Doth Of Mr. Buriihs anne and Mr. Brooks He
said that he Nt BurIngame] had no unkind feeling
wnhuoeFer Tor Mr. Brooks but the contrary regarded
him as of courage and man Of honor; that while
be dsapproved Of the assault on Mr. Sumner and FELT
elt bound as Massachusetts coudemn IL he had
designed To discriminate betwte The the act and
had said the subject thu his sense of req.
resentative duty required Under these circumstance
be was to find that Mr. Brooks had taken exce
uon TO any thing which be had said In relation 10 the
boasts that had been thrown in his name he stated
that they had not been authorized by him but on the
contrary he very strongly condemned both them and their
authors
This Ia The substance Of bis answer and in strength Of
expression is certainly overstaed 1t omits many
mere expressions Of good feeling which he gave utter
ance The mere int nton to be parliamentary was not
then insisted The phrase csrn was not entioped
Believing Mr.. Burlngame 10 be sincere, advised Mr.
Brooks without hestauon that he could pursue the matter
90 further lie agreed 10 accept the satisfactory
Mr. Burngame expressed himself gratfed al that resut
And rcjoiced TO believe that the affair was honorable
ebded To meet any contingency which mRh arise how
ever made memorandum Of the interview the next day
after it happened.
Some days after this Mr.. Brooks informed me that IN
consequence Of remarks which he beard we're common In
crian circles about Washington he considered II proper
that be should have written Of the sottemen
s It bad occurred Resretng that the necessity for Il
bad arisen prepared the statement length and on the
day named In the cards Of these gentlemen submitted
TO Mr. Burngame with the request that he would look
over II and say whether be would approve IT.
when he had kept II at least hslfhour, applied to
him TO know the result of his examination With strong
compliment to my fairness he said II was correct In bis
recent card he says "When had read the first mart
thought did iuslicep can but presume that Gthe
hrst part as designated by Mr. Burlingame included his
answer TO Mr. bfookss question He would hardly have
stopped short Of examining that before answering to the
correctness Of the statement
When he informed that II was correct he e1pressed
desire 10 retain II longer 10 order show II to friend
That evening he sought interview with me 10 say
that he bad looked At my statement more carefully and
while be could deny the Of expression at
euted to him In II yet by the grouping OF them which
bad been made IL placed him in improper position and
published would probably do him great injury at home
VIC Then attempted 70 agree upon such alterations as
would preserve the substance Of the statement in similar
shape but were unable Thus the matter stood when on
the next day the 18th Of July addressed him note from
my seat In the House Of Repf esentati.cs
The that Mr. Burlingane has made OF this note "a the
most extraordinary feature In bis very extraordinary card
IL strikes me as very strange that be considers this note
together With the fact OF his unwinpness TO insert the
word honor In the last statement as In no way private
while he seems 10 consider bis to Mr. rookss first
question as being confidential orbear here to suggest
reasons or to make comments Strange however az s this
fpafu Il