The Shasta courier., 1859-08-13
NUMBER %
Douglas on the Naturalization Question

will give you an incident relating to Senator
Douglas on his return from Europe in 1853. He
entered the Bay of SMYRNA in an Austrian shin
the day that Captain Ingraham sailed out after
releasing Koszta. As soon as he landed he nada
himself acquainted with the facts and comnuni.
Gated them to President Pierce, with warm
recommendation that Captain Ingraham should
be sustained. During the remainder of his trip
over the Continent, the Koszta affair and the
principles involved in the controversy were the
leading topic of conversation in all circles A
few months afterwards Senator Douglas took the
Russian steamer from st. Petersburg to Lubec.
and when few miles below Cronstadt. in the
Gulf of Finland a conversation arose between
quite a number of gentlemen upon this Koszta
question, which finally settled down into dis.
cussion between Senator Douglas and the Swe-
dish ambassador at st. Petersburg, who was al
so a passenger upon the same ship. In the course
of the conversation the Swedish ambassador de-
clared with emphasis that every crowned head
in Europe would respond to the Austrian rireu-
lar denying that any government upon earth had
a right to naturaiZe the subject OF another gov
ernment without the consent of that government
where such person was born. Senator Douglas
INQUIRED of the Swedish ambassador whether his
august master, King Oscar, would join in such
declaration; to which the latter replied unhesi-
tatingly in the affirmative, and that he would
maintain it at all hazards. Senator Douglas then
said that there was brief chapter in the histo-
ry of Sweden which, if satisfactorily explained,
would go a great way to reconcile the American
people to that doctrine; and that as it was de-
sirable to preserve peace, he hoped the Swedish
ambassador would explain it.
The latter said that be would take pleasure in
doing SC, ard inquired what it was. Senator
Douglas stated that the American people had
heard that about the year 1907, (he would not
be positive as to the precise data) a French army,
commanded by Marshal Bernndotte, captured =
large number of young Swedish noblemen in q
battle in Pomerania, whom he treated kindly
and then released them. About the time that
these young noblemen arrived home. the Crown
Prince of Sweden died, leaving the old King
without any heir to the throne. The old King
Immediately summoned the mobiles of the king
dom to elect Crown Prince as heir to the
throne and when thus assembled TO the surprise
of everybody, they elected Bernadotte, a French
man by birth, and the son of lawyer in the
south of France, who was then in command of
the French armies under Napoleon, as Grown
Prince and heir to the throne ofSwedep, Tb,s
natnraized him on the sppsStt Without the consent
of France, where he was born and in opposition
to the known wishes of the Emperor Napoleon
himself. The people of America had also heard
dotte became King of Sweden by virtue of that
naturalization, and held the throne until his
death, and that he succeeded by his son
Oscar, the present King, who held his throne by
virtue of that naturalization. Mr.. Douglas then
asked the Swedish ambas ssador if he would be
so kind as to explain to him upon what principle
of public law Sweden had naturalized Bernadotte
without the consent of France, where he was
born? The Swedish ambassador was hat
embarrassed, aud the passengers raised hearty
laugh at his expence. Russian nobleman, of
large distinction in the financial world, told the
Swedish ambassador that he must stand aside,
having been crippled in the contest, and placed
hors de combat, and that he would take up the
contest on behalf of Russia. He asserted the
same principle, and invited Mr.. Douglas to re-
spond to him ns Russian. Mr. Douglas then
said that there was brief chapter in the history
of Russia, which also required explanation be-
fore that doctrine could be satisfactorily main.
tanned and being asked what it was, he said
that when he entered Russia for the first time,
at Odessa, on steamer from Constantinople and
| when they came to anchor in the harbor of
| Odessa, the first object which particularly at
tracted his attention beautiful statue at the
head OF long stone staircase, which stretched
| from the sea side to the boulevards. As soon as
Mr.. Douglas had served his allotted time in the
| Quarantine prison he repaired to that statue and
| ascertained that it was a monument erected to
the Duke de Rchelieu. Not remembering any
family of that name in Russia, or recognizing
that Russian name, be looked into his guide
| book to know who was the Duke de Rchelieu.
There he found that he was the head of the no.
BILE and distinguished family De Richelieu, Of
France, and that when the French Revolution
broke out he had fed to st. Petersburg, where
he welcomed by the Emperor Paul and i'm
mediately naturaized, without the consent of
France where he was born. and made general
in the Russian army that when the Emperor
Alexander succeeded to the throne he appointed
the Duke de Richeleu Governor of Odessa and
Vice Regent OF the Russian dominions upon the
Black Sea and that upon the death of the Duke
de Richeleu the inhabitants of Odessa had
erected this monument to him in gratitude for
his services. Mr.. Douglas then stated to the
Russian Baron that he would be under obliga-
tion to him if be would explain upon what prin-
ciple of public law. or by what right Russia had
naturalized the Duke de Richeieu, without the
consent Of France where he was born, adding,
that such explanation would go great way to
reconcile the American people to that princi-
pie. The only reply the Russian noblemau
made TO this inquiry was to invite the entire
company to join him in glass Of champagne