New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-18
AT ROME-MB. J. &.
HOOKER.
To n, Editor of Tie N. Y. 7tibuna

SIR: have read, with equal surprise and re-
greet in The TRIBUNE Of January H. An article headed
Rebels in Rome" surprise that any gentleman OF
high responsibility could vouch for the many mis- state
ments which the article coutains and regret Mat IHE
TwuYE should have lent Itself TO their publication.
will endcavor to answer briefly and temperatey' this
editorial indictment Of Mr. j. G. Hooker and OF our
late aud present Ministers at Rome. MI X. N.
Blatchford and General King. Mr.. Hooker Is de-
nornces 10 the Government ana the public. as a
disloyal Rebel" on active sympatbzer With and
iu.tfer OF the Rebellion and who bad used what
ever influence DC had in Rome against our Govern
mont and its credit" while Mr.. Blaehford and Gen.
King are represented fully cognzant of this state OF
things and therefore accessories after the fact.'
because Notwithstanding Mr. Hooker's alleged seees
sion sympathies. associations and efforts, they MAN.
tanned personal and official relations with him. This is
tho general charge which meet with an unqualified
denial There is not word Of truth in the story.
Mr. Hooker, so far from being " Secessionst' or
Rebel" has been earnest, stcsdast and outspoken on
the side Of the Government and the Union and he has
proved his faith by bis works The charge supported
BY specification. wilrquote it, That, at Mr.. Hook
er instance for the syowed purpose Of releasing the
.ece,sonist visitors at Rome from the necessity OF
taking the oath Of allegiance and also from tie neees
,ty of having recourse TO- any intercourse WITH the
representative OF the North" the Pspal Government
dspensed with the risd Of the United States Consul
previously required upon American passports. Now,
the fact is precisely the OF what here alleged.
In 1903 Mr.. Hooker then in charge OF the American
Legation here (Mr. Blatchtord being temporarily ao'
.en learned to his surprise that Secessionsts were
wcd TO leave Rome rtaout the Consular rtsa. He
at once called upon the Cardinal Secretary Of State 10
At ntnIt 60 Afpar RIO an
eoud not BE- extended TO loyal citizens well. The
Cardinal replied that there was % oil lection that the
Pspal Government was satisfied with the Police rsos
aud that for his part. he hoped. ere long. to see
passports and risas dispensed with altogether IL was
therefore ia the interest, and for the sake OF loyal
Americans and for them only that Mr. Hooker sought
and obtained the exemption Of which THE TRIBUNE
seems to complain
have thus met. fully trust the charge against MI
Hooker A word now, In behalf Of the two u Minis
rrs" who are held up as his accomplices. Mr. Match
ford Is taken 20 task for maintaining relations with Mr.
Hooker and transferring the Legation to back room
in the smallest bank in Rome" while Gen. King is cen
sufed for continuing this condition Of things The
81 Bank in question il that OF Maquay. Patenham &
HOOKER one Of the best established and most respeca
bic houses in Rome They occupy the premises Nos ~
principal ,horoughtarcs. The back room" Ia which
The TRIBuSss informant summarily transfers tie Lee
CATION consists In fact OF no front rooms. Of good szo
on the first floor looking directly OUT upon the Piazza
di Spaena do not know OF more central. convenient
or eligible situation for public office in all Rome. Dur
ing the present Winter this back room aforesaid
has been occupied twice every Sunday the American
Chapel the congre CATION frequently numbering upward
OF hundred There Is separate entrance TO the Lee
CATION rooms and Il is these. andmst over the
Bank that the arms Of the United States are dis
PLAYED. No more / think need be said on that score.
But motive is kindly suggested for the selection BY
our Ministers of this back room.' The arraIgs
ment" THE TRIBUNE informant snys, saves about
OIL 900 or 81 200 yearly to the Minister Resident"
have the best authority Tor saving that it does not
him one penny Indeed il lie should III to give up
the arrangement and transfer the Legation to u
buck or front room in some other bank" or bud.
ing not quite so centrally eligbly situated. the Min
ster might drive very good bargain by the change.
Aud that is all have to say the subject
Az AMERICAN IN EcNE.
Rome. Ftb. IL, 1865.
Remarks.
The main question at issue concerns the
personal sympathes of Mr.. j. C. Hooker. Our
acquaintance with that gentleman began and
ended during a brief visit to Italy in 1851, when
we were indebted to him for many kind aud
friendly acts, which we hold in grateful re-
membrance. This does not, however, suffice to
overbear the fact that We found and left him a
decided Reactonst in politcs-as thoroughly |
identified in feeling and sympathy with the
aristocrstic and prestly faction then (and stilL
dominant in Rome Iand in Europe as we sere
and are) with that factions implaeable foes
Is it possible that we were mistaken on this
ponti We certainly had good opportunities
or learning Mr.. Hooker's views from his own
lips; and, II he was not then a Reactonst, We
,ould not comprehend the force of language.
Now did any man ever see British Tory or
Continental ReactiOnist, who did not sympa-
hze with our Shareholders Rebellion Ii any
me did. his experience differs strangely from
,urs.
We are not satisfied with our correspond.
nt's explanation above of the matter of the
iyo. Cardinal Anfonelli has au unQucstioned