The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-04-04
From the National Intelligcnccr.
A HISTORICAL POINT CORRECTED.

The following letter has been communicated to US for
publication, and relating it does to pending question
of public law, would for that alone be entitled to
attention but in addition this tier of present inter-
est, the writer, it will be observed has sought to res0
an honored name to its appropriate place in ccnnexon
with memorable event in our diplomatic history:
WAsHNGTos March g. 1851
My have jus perused with pleasure the let
ter you banded me last evening addressed Mr. Everett
and published in the Newport Advertiser of March 4,h
from the lntgencr the subject OF the ard pro-
posed notifications OF the law OF nations in times OF war
10 the interest of ccnmeIee and private rights As war
when carried In denee of national existence or under
circumstances OF mutual and universal evaporation must
from the nature OF that condition of things make It's
own laws do not believe that any OF the changes referred
70 be made inyolable. Ia carry out special
and local object or TO secure proper balsnce of power for
the common safety of nations, like the recent in En
rope or in Of limited character in the field Of their
operations like the late between Holland and Belgium
where no great evaporation exists between the parties
Them rules may be established and observed which may
narrow down the natural riehs which every national
muuity possesses In the last resort in every desperate
and at every sailable point by by land Such
aud will continue to he the necessities and the calamties
of war such are the teachings of history 10 all desper-
conflicts between nations the declarations of the late
conference Of Paris and The phil nthropic propositions OF
Mr.. Marcy viii be found equally nuga,ory.
My object however my desr sir in writing this note
tartan s,hsmes for mitigating the evils of war; but to
yndicate The truth Of history ia relation to the influences
which broke down the quntupe treaty. You introduce
The name OF Mr.. Wheaton, in connection with that of
Geoea Cs being entitled to the gratitude of the conn
try for that great achievement My own relations TO
that affair American czn enable me 10 state that
the honor Of accomplishing the important service to the
country OF defeating that treaty belongs exclusively 10
the official action OF General Cass Mr. Wheaton took no
steps in regard to the matter till long after Cass had
presented official protest the French government
against the ttaty violation of the maritime rights Of
nations snd bad pacsd copy OF his pamphlet the sub
jet in the hands OF every deputy of the French Chamber
The work was entirely accomplished before Mr. Wheat
on brought out s able brochure on the right Of search
was terms of personal intimacy with both thu SO
gentlemen in regard TO the snbjec in question: and
sess the Of showing that tho country is exclusively
indebted to General Cass 10 the character Of American
minister at Paris for the defeat Of qunuple treaty
so far from taking any active defeat the
treaty. Mr. Wheaton absolutely declined aid Gen Cass
by his advice and opinions on the subject He was
stronely, though vainy, urged by M self both in the
interest of The country and his fame Paris
and return to Berlin and there inerposs his official in
1uence to preyeo the ratification Of the treaty by Prussia
The name Of htaton occupies too brilliant position on
the pages OF history to any additional usre from
the assumption for him OF honors which belong 10 others
Your sense of justice will, sure dispose you to nut
this matter right with the public any future history Won
may give Of the important event alluded to.
Very traIy, y2AIsg
Hon. W. D. LAwAzscx. 4. -. 4SsSs = 49,