Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-28
Gbe aaip Spy dolurtest saturOap Murng gune g. 1852

trality have been done by aliens during this
war-a motive which is not sancttying to acts
by foreigner, which. if done by a subject,
would be treason or high misdemeanor!
Ny proclamation of May l, assured respect
TO all persons and property that were respec-
table. 1t was not an amnesty to murderers,
| thieves, and criminals of deeper dye or less
Nervousness, nor Il mantle to cover the pro-
| perry Of those aiders OF the rebellion, wheth-
er citizens or aliens, whom l might find here.
II numbers of the foreign residents have been
engaged in aiding the rebellion, either direct
" or indirectly, from spirit of gain, and
they md themselves objects of watchful su-
pervlson by the authorities of the United
States, they will console themselves with the
reflection that they are only getting the ''hit-
ter with the sweet" Nay, more, if honest
and quiet foreign citizens find themselves the
object of suspicion to, and even their honest
acts subjects of investigation by the authori-
ties Of the United States, to their inconye-
nlence, they will, upon reflection, blame only
the oyer-rapacious and greedy of their fellow
citizens who have by their aid to rebellion,
brought dlstrust and suspicion over all. Wish
ing to treat you, gentlemen, with every re-
spect. have set forth at length some of the
reasons which have prompted my action.
There is one phrase in your letter which | do
not understand, and cannot permit to pass
without calling attention to it. You say, ''the
undersigned are disposed to waive all past
proceedings" &c.
What proceedings" have you, or either of
you, to ''waiye," If you do feel disposed so to
| do? What right have you in the matter?
What authority is vested in you by the laws
OF nations, or of this country, which gives you
the power to use such language to the repre-
,t,ti,r n,,Ft 80
fetal communication? Commercial agents,
merely of a subordinate class, consuls have no
power to waive or condone any proceedings,
past or present. of the government, under
whose protection they are permitted to reside,
so long as they behave well. If | have com
mtted any wrong to Mr.. Covas, you have no
power to ''waive" or pardon the penalty, or
prevent his having redress If he has com
mtted any wrong to the United States, you
have still less power to shield him from pun
ishment!
take leave to suggest, as a possible ex-
PLANTATION of this sentence, that you have been
so long dealing with a rebel confederation,
which has been supplicating you to make
| such representations to the government whose
subjects you are as would induce your sover-
eigns to aid in its traitorous designs, that YOU
have become rusty in the language proper to
be used In representing the claims of your
| fellow citizens to the consideration of great
and powerful government, entitled to equal
respect with your own. In order to prevent
all misconception, and that for the future,
| you gentlemen may know exactly the position
upon which | act in regard to foreigners resi-
dent here, permit me to explain to you that [
think a foreigner resident here has not one
right more than an American citizen, but at
least one right less, i. e., that of meddling or
interfering, by discussion, vote, or otherwise,
with the affairs of the government l have
the honor 10 subscribe myself your obedient
| servant, b. +. BUTLER.
Messrs. George Coppell, claiming to be H.
B. NJ. acting consul.