The New York herald., 1869-06-21
the GREEK GOVERNMENT AND THE LATE OR. xlss.
CONSULATE OF GREECE II NEW YORK,
NEW YORK, June Is, 1869

CONSULATE OF GREECE IN NEW YORK,
NEW YORK, June 15 1869. I
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
You do manifest injustice to the Greek govern.
ment In the obituary notice published In this morn.
ing's issue, regarding the late Jonas King, mis-
sionary OF the Presbyterian Board who died in
Athens, Greece, on tue 22d Of May.
The unfortunate controversy between the Greek
government and Dr. King arose solely from the per.
sistence Of the latter, notwithstanding numerous
warnings 10 desist from speaking, In unbecomlng
terms against the predominaing religion of the
country, from distributing secretly pamphlets TO the
same effect among the peasanry, and from practis
ing openly proseytism Both these cases are
clearly provided for by the first article OF our const
tutlon:-
the orthodox Church Of Christ Every other religion
IL tolerated and its services and ceremonies allowed be
lection Of the laws Of the kingdom Proseysm and any
other interference against the predominans religion
For these offences he was brought before the Court
OF Jurors IN Athens, In 1852 and condemned TO leave
the country but the sentence has never been carried
out, out Of Difference TO the American government
and people II IL q well known fact that DIR. King
continued to reside In Athens unmoested ever
since, with the exception OF two visits which he
made W the United States for the benefit OF his
health. Dr. King has never been imprisoned in
Greece
With regard to the land controversy, the case
stands thus:-Dr. King had bought piece OF land IN
Athens for $1,000. According TO the approved plan
through corner Of his land and for this fair com.
pensaton was offered ~ him by the municipality OF
Athens. ,le refused SAID compensation be-
cause he wanted more money, and then because he
pretended that he wanted to build on It, OF course
this could not be allowed as It would obstruct
public thoroughfare Many years afterwards he
brought heavy suit for damages and accrued
interest against the government His claim
was powerfully supported by the Franklin Pierce
administration, which ordered the Hon. George r.
Marsh, then United states Minister at Constantinope
70 proceed 10 Athens and enforce the claim. This
gentleman, o. soon as he arrived IN Athens de-
manded In very peremptory terms, nrst, the SEN
tence for exile TO he annuled, and second, the
whole amount claimed by DIR. King 70 be paid at
once. The Greek government replied very cour-
ieously that II had no power TO overthrow Judi.
cary sentence talthough said sentence was never
carried QUIT OF an Independent tribunal, and a. for
the land claim II was ready " come to terms and do
justice 10 Dr. King. Mr.. Marsh left Athens without
accomplishing the object OF his mission. subse-
ousntly the United StatesRovernment sent TO Athens
the Hon. X. II. Pryor Of Virginia, TO settle this mat.
ter amcably. Mr.. Pryor laid entirely aside the Judi
cal question and confined himself TO the land claim
The result was that Dr. King received draft on the
Greek Treasury for s2a00 In gold for his claim.
may a. well add that the cash and landed property
OF the late Dr. King In Athens is estimated at over
half million OF drachmas (t100 000,. His wife, an
accomplished Greek lady from Smyrna, continues 70
reside In Athens and has always renamed 0 member
Of the Eastern orthodox Church.
have the honor 70 be- sir, youf most obediens
servant, ID. N. BOTASSI,
Consul OF Greece In New York.