The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-03-26

tried before.
Who Shall be British Consul at New York
Considerable interest is being taken by the
commercial community in the pending contest
for the vacant Office of British Consul at New
York. Various candidates are said to be in the
field among whom the best known is the late
Consul Mr.. Anthony Barclay; and an impress
sion prevails that there is disposition on the
part of the British government to reappoint him,
provided it be made certain that the appoint.
ment would be agreeable to the United States
government, and to the commercial community
of New York 1t is moreover generally under
stood that not only would Mr.. Buchanan gladly
recognize Mr.. Barclay, were he reappointed to
his Office, but that bis return hither would be
welcomed with joy by every person having
relations or business with the British consulate
In the apprehension that this state of things
must necessarily lead to the reappointment of
Mr. Barclay, our contemporary of the Tribune,
under an inspiration which may form the subject
of inquiry hereafter, devotes column and half
to ferocious attack upon that gentleman. The
onslaught is in the Tnbune's peculiar manner;
in the language of Senator Seward, it is
exaggerated, extravagant excessive and
severe" Its aim is to persuade people in
England that public opinion here is opposed to
Mr.. Barclays restoration; end thus to remove
out of the way of prctsge of the Tribune the most
formidable rival he has. The basis on which it is
sought TO make out a case against Mr.. Barclay is
the charge that he was concerned in the recruit
ing business; and the evidence in support of this
charge is that of Strobel, the Russian-G German,
who is believed to have sold himself to both Sides
who confesses to having sold himself to the English
to break our laws and to betraying them after
wards who, in fine, is denounced as unworthy Of
credit under oath by a number Of reliable wit.
nesses. A charge against an old, respectable. and
high principled gentleman like Mr.. Barclay ought
surely to come from better source than this
So far as the government at Washington is
concerned, the attack in the Tobwe will rather
nal is not yet precisely an organ of the admins.
tration; indeed we know Of no public question on
which it does not widely differ in opinion from
Mr.. Buchanan and his friends; and if anything it
may say be noticed at all at Washington. it will
be regarded merely as the sentiment of the oppo-
sition. II Mr.. Barclay have no more formidable
opponent than the abolitioniss Of the Tribune
school-who have never forgiven him for marry
ing into Southern slaveholding family-and r
more reliable betrayer than the runaway Strob.l,
bis chances Of success will be very fair indeed.
All these frivolous matters aside. there are
many reasons why it will be well for the British
government 70 appoint him 70 the consulate.
Though an Englishman and very loyal one. he
is more identified with this country than macy of
our own citizens His family dates from before
the Revolution. He married an American lady.
and has American children, United States citi.
zens, shipbuilders in this city, He owns pro-
petty, not only here in New York but In the
South also. He is thoroughly familiar with our
people, our society, our Institutions More tnan
this, or perhaps partly in consequence of this.
never once, during his long service as Consul.
has be come into collision with our authorities.
or our people, or mixed himself up in any way 10
the controversies Of the day. more discreet
judicious official II would be difficult 10 find for
a post requiring no common discretion and judg- |
"on' ~ We WI" w Shc eudh nc IL perSOuhiiy /
popular; that everybody from the Mayor and |
the Oldest merchants to the boys in the streets |
knews Mr.. Barclay. and likes him; that when he |
went away there was general feeling Of regret |
here, and people who approved the dismissal OF |
Champion complained loudly at the unnecessary |
rigor Of Marcy In dismissng Mr.. Barclay also;
we shall not have said al-but we shall have said |
considerably more than can be affirmed of any
othtr competitor for the Office
question has been ignorantly raised-Mr. |
Barclay having been dismissed by the Pierce ad-
can be be restored by that of Blu
chaDan? This question answers itself In the
first place, Mr. Buchanan IL not bound by the
acts of Mr.. Pierce. Next, England having put
a good face on the afront offered 10 her, and
having sent us new Minister, the very least Mr..
Buchanan can do IL to show that he too has a
soul above petty spites, and is ready and willing
70 give Mr.. Barclay the right hand. The Eng
lish may rely upon II, II they will send us Mr..
Barclay, he shall be as we'll received as Lord Ma
pier was, and Mr.. Buchanan will grant him bis
papers without the least hesitation. Indeed, af-
er the civilities that have passed between the
wo nations, II would be matter of regret If we
lad not an opportunity of showing John Bull
hat We do not bear malice.