The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-05-31

GxCeI
tonable in the person of the representative Of an
foreign Government Mr. CHAMPION admits that
specially warned him against the violation of ou
neutrality laws, but blames me now for not the
stanng to him Tat my construction Of that Ia,
differed from his own; but no such difference
opinion was then developed
mr. Crampton on that occasion manifested CO
Incidence in the opinion the provisions Of tha
law which then held and have since fully dil
closed He called upon me to show 4 letter whicl
he had written on that day to the Consul 1t Nev
| ork. disapprovng the proceedings of q MI
angus Mcdonald, because ( bel thought those pro
ceedinss would or might be taken to constitute
VOCATION OF the act of lsls'--the neutrality Law
OF the United States. What were the proceeding
OF Mr. Mcdonald which Mr. CHAMPION though
might constitute violation of our neutralityY Th
simple issuing of a handbiil specifying the term
| on which recruits would be received at Halifa,
INTO the Queens service. This opinion of Mr.
Cfanpion ascribes as much stringency to our neu
traiify acts as has ever been claimed for them b,
the Government or courts of the United States
had men no suspicion, nor did Mr.. CHAMPION give
me any cause to suspect, that he acting or in
tended TO act upon an Interpretation of that Law
which would justify the act of Mcdonald which ht
then condemned, and make that law but little bet
ter than dead letter. l could not but suppose
that ne viewed it in the same light Lord Claren
don did when he wrote his dispatch to Mr. Cramp
ION OF the 18th of April thereafter, in which his
iordship declared it to be "not only very just bui
very stringent"
To show that was not mistaken ia this respect
quote passage from letter of Mr.. Crampton
daIed the llth of March, to Sir G. le Marchaut
Any advance Of money by her Maiesty's agents
or others IN the United States would constitute an
infraction of the neutrality law"
Inc deposltions which accompany this dispatch,
mace ny some ofthe same persons who have fur
nshed the British Government with afidayts to
impeach Strobel and Hertz. prove conclusiyeIy
tnat Mr Crampton did disburse various sums Of
money to agents employed in recruiting within the
United States I
1t was, indeed, apprehended by me at that time
that violations of that law would ensue It could
not failto be seen that any organized scheme of
foreign Government to draw recruits from the
United States, though by mere invitation would
necessarily tend to and result ip violation of the
municipal law. So decided was my belief in this
respect that measures had already been taken by
me in behalf of this Goyernment-as it happened
upon the very day of the interview with Cramp-
ton-to institute prosecutions againsf persons en-
gagged in this business in New York and Philadel-
phis. then notified Mr.. Champion of that fact
as he expressly admits in the report of that inter
view made to this Government.
An atte mpt is made to deduce an excuse for NJ.
Champions course in the business of recruiting in
this country from the alleged fact that he commun.
Gated o on that occasion the arrange nents which
had been made for that purpose, and that did not
dsapprove them othervi.e than by insisting upon
the observance of the neutrality law of the United
States This is hardly consistent with Mr.
Crampton's own statement of what thsn passed. In
tne uoIcbCe OF MS COnQucC recently sept him to
his Government he makes admissions inconsistent
with the allegation that tnere concealnep<
ON his part. and that the recruiting arrangements
were communicated to me. He says that 'iG is per.
fectly true that did enter into any details OF the
means which were to be adopted by her Majesty's
Government to render available the services of those
who rendered them TO US in such Lumbers. There
seemed to be obvious for abstaining from
this, even if it had occurred to l should have
been unwilling TO do any thing which might have
borne the appearance OF engaging Mr. Marcy in any
the interests of of the parties in the present
All could desire on his part was neutrality and
impartiality."
His for Withholding from me the details of
the enlistment systen-the most important part # it
for this Government-are not satisfactory. If Mr.
Champion believed what he was doing intended
to do in the way Of recruiting night, he could
have had no reluctance to communicate il TO me, for
his Instructions required him to make that disclosure
Acting In due frankness and with proper regard
for the dictates of international comfy, Mr. Cranp.
ton should, it would seem, have disclosed to mo
all the measures intended to be pursued within
the United States by the agents of his Government,
including himself in execution of the act of Para-
ment for raising the Foreign Legion. Nay, he
expressly commanded by his Government to practice
no con ceainnent with the American Government
the subject If he had obsyed these orders all mis-
between the two Governments wsuld
have been prevented. Mr. Champion tue more
imperGtivey called upon to make full explanations
on the subject, not only because lie commanded
by his Government to do but for the further
son that, immediately after the breaking of the
war between Great Britain and France on the
hand and Russia on the other, he had, by official
note addressed me- invok ed the efforts of this Gov
ernment to enforce upon the inhabitants of the
try citizens others the necessity of observing the
strctsst neutrality towards the beiserent parties
and especially to eDjoiu upon them to abstain from
taking in ornaments for tho service of Russia
any other opposed the duties of q strict
neutrality" To this application the undersigned, by
express direction of the President replied. declaring
joyment of their tights as neutral Power, will Oh
the strictest raty towards each and all the
belligersnts.' Reference made to the severe
restrictions imposed by law, not only upon citizens
of the United States but upos all persons resident
within its territory, prohibiting the "enlsting men
theraln for the purpose of taking part ia any foreign
war" 1t was added "that the President did not ap-
prshend any attempt to violate the laws but should
his just expectation in this respect be disappointed
he viii not fail in his duty to all the power with
which he is invested to enforce obedience TO them"
In view Of this formal and solemn appeal by Mr.
Champion to the American Cove: nment and of the
assurance he received of its detefmn alton to main
tain strct neutrality. IT was not for moment sus
pected that MIR. Champion could msunderstand the
purposes or believe that he would be permitted TO
set on foot and execute for the period of five eonse
cutive months Systematic scheme TO obtain military
recruits for the British service i'll the United States
That Mr.. Champion did enter most deeply into this
acheme is proved by the evidence already submitted
to her Msjesty's Government but is still more
established by the additional proofs which
accompany this dispatch. Whatever detraction from
the vaiue ofthe testimony against Mr.. Champion may
result from the attempt 10 dscredit StIobel and
Hertz, is much more than made UP by the additional
proofs now induced. This body of strong cumulc-
tive evidence confirms the Presidents former conciu
sion as to the com city of Mr., Champion and tho
British consus at New York, Philadelphia and Gin
cnns in the illegal enterprise 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 under the consideration of
her Majesty's Government 1t will no longer dis.ent
from this conclusion.
The qualification which the President feels at the
satisfactory settlement of the recruiting question in
so far respects the action of the British Govern.
ment ITSELF has induced him to examine the case
again, with view to remove ii possible, from his
MIND the personal objections against her Msjesty's
minister and nsuls. This examination has not pro-
duced that ehect but, the contrary has streng
ened his conviction that the interests of both Go
require that those persons should to
hold their present official positions in the United
states de sincerely regrets that her Majesty's Go.
veInment mas not been abe to take the view of
the case and to comply with his request for their re
CALI but it has not consented TO dose.
If, in the earnest desire to act with all possible
courtesy towards her Majesty Government the Pre-
sdent could have suspended his determination 10 the
case, In order to submit the new testimony which
he 10 confident would have been found sufficient TO
iaduee compliance with bis request for the recall OF
the British Minister, re is preciuded from any such
thought of delay by the exceptionable character of
dispatches of that gentleman copies of which
been recently laid before Parliament have thus come
10 the knowledge of this Government and which are
Of tenor to render further intercourse between the
two Governments through that Minster, alike un-
pleasant and detrimental to their good understand
ing.