The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31
ENGLAND.

Worliingrnen aud Reverdy johnson in Re-
Iation to the Proposed Banquet.
The following Is the communication addressed by
the worklngmen OF London to the American Minister
In relation to the proposed banquet.
To his Excellency the Hon. REvERDY JOHNSON, &c.:-
SIR-With extreme regret and full knowledge OF
the unworthy return we are making for your kind
ness in accepting an invitation TO dine with certain
London wOrkmen, we are compelled to ask you to
release the committee from its engagements.
We feel that where any division OF opinion exists
among persons engaged In such work rs the COM
mttee has undertaken there Is some danger OF that
which was intended for q compliment becoming an
insult instead.
Unfortunately, such division has arisen among
those who were before unanimous in the desire to do
honor to your countrymen, through you, and to
graduate you personally upon the successful manner
in which you conducting difficult negotiation.
Certain allegations which have lately been made as
to the hostility OF the maj orlty of American towards
dlsquieting effect upon some members OF COM
mittee and, after much discussion, 1t has been
thought wise to avoid all possibility OF giving further
offence either TO you, TO whom these discussions
must be annoying or to any Others, by asking your
permission to withdraw the invitation.
am, sir, ON behalf OF the depuration you SO kindly
received yesterday, your Obedlent servant,
ROBERT CONIGSBY.
No. 81 RIvERHALL STREET, S. W., Dec. u, 1868.
Mr.. JOHNSONS REPLY.
No. UPPER PORTLAND PLACE, Dec. IA, 1868.
. Ny DEAR SIR-Your note OF the 12th written in
behalf OF the committee who honored me with per-
sona call at an early hour OF that morning. re-
ceived. j OF course, make no objection to the with
drawal OF the invitation to which you REFER and f
you had merely requested II should have made no
other reply.
The reasons, however, which you assign are such
that deem It proper to advert to them.
These are that majority OF Americans are
hostile to me and disapprove OF my acts since my
arrival in this country
right OF any class OF persons in this country, many
or few to question that am representative OF the
government and people OF the United States, and
object, II possible. more decidedly that any such i'm
preston constitutes even the semblance Of excuse
for any act OF disc0urtesy towards me officially
For whatever estimation may be held In by those
who have been instrumental IN compelling You, and
those associated with you to do what you evidently
consider an ungentemany act should feel no con-
Germ personally but only regret 1t on account Of Its
authors Ii they are satisfied with their course 1
shall continue perfectly content.
The allegations which you mention as having been
made IN the United States in regard to myself arose
from having sat at the banquet given TO me In Shelf
Held with Mr.. Roebuck, then a member OF Parlia-
ment and an invited guest, and for having con-
sented, at his request to be introduced to Mr. Laird
member OF the past and present Parliament, ut a
banquet given to me at Liverpool who was also an
invited guest and Tor taking, when he offered it, his
hand, aud because OF continuing efforts culti-
vate friendly feelings between the people OF this
That these imputations may well be borne with by
me- when was sent upon my present mission for
the purpose OF removing ennit.es, \ | should find
lleved. Notwithstanding u certain portion Of the
workingmen OF London have thought it proper and
within their province to endcavor To innict what
they designed TO be a slight upon me. say u por-
tion Of the working men OF this city, for have
Reason To believe that am not held in kind regard
by that class OF Engsnmel here and elsewhere
so far from having any such reason, the receptions
WHICH nave met with In Sheileld, Leeds, WorceS-
ter Liverpool Brighton, Birmingham, and in Lon
don also, nave been such to satisfy that stand
wei with all classes OF her Majesiys subjects. And
may, therefore, submit with RESIGNATION to any al
verse opinion which may be entertained by any part
OF any class within the limits of this city.
Ny information Is that these are few What inilu-
ence has been brought To bear upon them | do not
Know IL Is possible that some busybody for inter-
ested ends OF his own, may be ut the bottom o. it;
or that sucn persons may even possibly desire, for
some political end, that a'nlcabe relations between
this country and my own shall not be established.
That am justly subject to censure in regard to my
conduct towards Messrs. Roebuck and Lard will not
be believed bY any portion Of the appropriated and
intelligent people OF the United States have Wiz
nessed-nUt only without blame, but with pleasure
the course pursued by all the distinguished officers
OF the United states army, including Generals Sner-
man and Grant, towards the officers lately IN the
Confederate service.
These latter mad sought to destroy the government
10 winch they owed allegiance, ana thereby conf
mitled the highest Of all political olenCes and yet
from the moment our late war terminated they were
taken by the hand by our generals and their former
friendly relations were at once sincerely resumed.
General Grant, whose devotion to his country no one
doubts, has had IN his house IN Washington as
guest one Of the most distinguished OF the Confed-
crate leaders.
II conduct like this Is not only not censured, but
approved, upon what grounds IL even be de-
Gently held mat should be censurcd for my course
towards Messrs. koebuck ana Laird, who owed no
allegiance whatever 70 the United Statesg
thanking you, sir, ana your committee fOr the
courtesy shown me at our personal interview, and
for the friendly terms OF your note remain, with
REvERDY JOHNSON.
ROBERT CosrSGsBY, Esq, Chairman, &c.