New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-26
TBR TROUBLES OF A REBEL
EuBAsSADCI,

We must hold ourselves justified for devoting
so much of our space this morning to the con-
traband correspondence BETWEEN Mr.. Tbos.
Butler King aud bis friend. in Europe, on the
ground that we have, heretofore, had no such
direct evidence Of the swinding character Of
the Rebel Embassies, as pertains alike to their
personnel, and their means Of operation. II
an additional reason were required for this
publication il might readily be found in the
matters incidentally eliminated in the corres-.
pondsnce such as the sudden conversion TO
Secession views Of the eI-ainister TO Portugal,
Mr. OSaliyan, who confesses, with admirable
narrete, that his personal debts at the present
time detain bim in the pleasant Capital Of
I4sbon-such also, for instance ~ tho certifi-
cate which is given to Mr.. Crawford, Her
Brittanc Majesty Consul TO Havana, and
agent-general of tie Rebel priyateers, IN the
appeal TO Lord John Russell, for bic, Craw-
.ord's, appointment ss Minister Resident at
Richmond from the Court Of st. James
The stOry altogether forms an interesting pOr-
traiture of an adventurous embassador en-
ployed on a spurious mission; playing the
confidence game with men 10 high positioni
swindling the money-chaneers who, doubtless,
expected to swiDdle him in turn, and then dis-
disappearing ia the u,uai unromantic way from
the scene OF his triumphs md his sorrows, to
the grief and discontinue of . large circle OF
acquaintance.
But We anticipate The story Of the contra
baud correspondence, which, in brief, is this
Rebel ggnboat, named the Calhoun, was
captured BY Que Of our yes,es near Havana,
on the 2:id OF January last, the Rebel crew
aud passengers escaping in boats TO the shore
after having set FIRE to the craft. The officers
of the National vessel (the Samuel Rotan)
succeeded, however, 10 sItingushing the
Games; and tho Oyerhauling of the things on
board subsequently revealed the papers, part
OF which it j, now doomed proper to pubii.h.
Mr. Thomas Butler King, whose letters
turned up in the vassel thus Overhauled, as il
well known. was, in bis embassadorial capacity,
primarily the agent Of Georgia in England.
More recently his powers seem to have ex-
panded into those OF = Southern Comniifsioner
or delegate from Mr.. Davis. Aud the extent
Of his mission may be measured 10 some de- /
gree by his appeal 30 the English Foreign Min.
lster for the nomination Of Mr.. Consul Craw- /
ford of Havana as British Minister t. the 80
called Conlederacy Mr. Craw ord, II will be
seen. ia youched for n, friend Of the South |
but what Lord Russell's opinion Of such n
mission, or OF Mr. Butler King. appeal, may
have been there ia nothing 20 guide us. Aud
We are not curious TO inquire into the matter /
beyond pointing 90 the accumulation Of evidence
which these letters supply as TO the real pcsl-
ton which Crawford bss long been known TO
occupy ns % slsneless agent of the Rebels IN
Cuba, protected by the commission which he
holds pnI his impotence for positive evil.
As to Tie correspondence, in other partcu-
lars. our readers will find it bears with suii-
cient direc.aess on the history Of tho war 10
Justify study. Tne men Of means aud charac-
tcr with nhom King appears for the time to
have associated, lived long enough TO find out
that, in money matters, he was n swindleri
and we may reasonably infer that bis promise,
20 pay, az well Gs those Of bis confederacy,
came to be rated al their proper value before
be retired from the theater oi European diplo-
macy, aud fell upon the congenial bosom
Of Mr. Consult General Crawford.