The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-22

International Ambr0gliO.-The Wisdom
Of the AuthOritIes.-The Board Of
Trade in Memphis, and Her British
Maiesty.-Lucifer Matches.
We have been informed by enc of her Bri-
fish Msjesty's subjects, that he is about to lay
before his minister at Washington statement
of an attempt which he alleges to have been
made by the Memphian Board Of Trade to
trick him out of his allegiance, and failing
that, more successful one of interfering with
his private business, in spite of tbs military
thorities then IN possession Of the city.
as the case seems likely to kick up more or
less " bobbery," and as such cases become more
and more intricate as they proceed, it may be
as well to record the facts just as they are, ere
they become what they never were in the
transmitting erucible of diplomacy, for into it
they seem pretty certain to force their way.
We had cherished the hope that Capt.
WILKES and the MASON and SLIDELL affair,
would prove a warning unto officials, and
cause them to pause ere they infringed on
rights which the justice of the United States
has always caused its government to respect.
We are, however, more inclined to believe,
that the error evidently committed was merely
one of judgment, and tina. no desire really ex-
isted on the part of any member of the Board
Of Trade to give her Msjesty's government any
just cause of complaint.
It seems that on the 26th ultimo, Mr.. Geo.
King, late employee of MIR. Prescott on JEFF
ferson street, between Main and Second, ap-
piled to the Board of Trade for permit to
| transact business. He AYERS that the members
of the Board required him, ere giving him the
permit he sought, to take an oath which they
assured him would not interfere with his ale
glance, an allegiance lawfully due the crown
of Britain. He signed and swore, but on af-
forwards reading the oath, which he should
have done at Hrst, found that it was simply
| the oath administered at that time, to citizens
of the United States as a safeguard against
their cooperating with the rebels of the
pseudo Confederacy. Mr.. King then consulted
with some of his fellow subjects, and on their
advice returned the copy of the oath to the
Beard, for it had furnished him copy, and
causing his name to be erased from their books
and the oath to be wholly cancelled, re-applied
as British subject for the permit he desired.
1t was refused to him unless he took that
oath
Mr.. King then laid before Major Genera al
Grant, not before Gen. Wallace as enormously
limited, the following letter;
ITO MAJoR-GENERAL GRANT-Sir: l have
been informed by the Board of Trade
that ere l can prosecute my lawful
business, / must take the enclosed oath.
take the liberty to forward with it for your
inspection, the documentary evidence possess
of my being subject OF Her British Majesty s.
owing no allegiance to any other national au-
thorities, protected by the British Crown, SO
long as continue, as heretofore, to conform
with Her Majestys proclamation of May 18TH
1861, pledging her subjects to neutrality be-
tween the beIligerents of the North American
continent.
/ am British subject, entertain no desire
and have no right, to become a citizen of the
United States, and respectfully beg to be in.
formed by you whether cannot proceed in
my business without being forced from one al
legiance to another.
"Etc. etc. GEORGE KING"
Enclosed in this letter were the following
oath and passport
Oath of allegiance to the United States Govern
nsent.-I solemnly swear that will bear true
allegiance to the United States, and support
and sustain the Constitution and Laws thereof
that will maintain the National Sovereignty
paramount to that of all State, County, or Con.
federate powers that l will discourage, dis
countenance and forever oppose Secession, Re
bellion and disintergration of the Federal
Union that disclaim and denounce all faith
and fellowship with the so-called COME ieratt
States and Confederate Armies, and pledge
my honor, my property and my life, to the
sacred performance of this my solemn oath Of
allegiance to the Government of the United
States.
Sworn to and subscribed before me-
---this the-day of--1862