New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-03

The Times at the conclusion of o long article, says
the Queens proclamation of neutrality at the begin
ming of the Rebellion was prohibition not ali au-
thorizaton of blOckade-runners The only real evil
caused by it was the position given to the Alabama
in English ports, which point would haye come
within the operation of the rejected treaty 1nstruc-
tiOns have been sent to Commodore Philimore, COM
handing the British West India Squadron, to de-
mand of the Spanish authorities in Cuba the restora
tion of the brig Mary Tnwell. and apology for her
seizure.
PRESIDENT GRANTS APPOINTMENTS FOR THE
CONSULATE GENERAL OF LONDON AND THE
CONSULATE OF SOUTHAMPTON.
IRON OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
LONDON, April 17-President Grants choice Of
Minister to England was so admirable that it is
pity it should be followed by exceptonabe nomina-
tons for inferior offices. If We may believe the
cable, Mr.. Freeman II. Morse is nominated Consul
General at London and Mr.. William Thomson, Con-
sui at southampton. few words first as to
the lattor consulate. President Lincoln APP
pointed Capt. John Britton to that place, and
Capt. Brtton has retained his Office till
now. We have not had better Consul in Europe.
He is so well known in New-York that need
ly remind you of his long and honorable service
merchant captain, illustrated by repeated acts of
devoted courage in the Of shpwrecked crews.
Mr.. Grinnell, for whose firm Capt Britton com
manded many ships will tell anybody who asks him
what he thinks of Capt. Britton. His long fami-
aIty with mercantile affairs made him
an unusually competent Consul. To
that merit he adds high personal character
He has had very difficult post TO fill. Excepting
Liverpool there was seaport in England that 50
ran over with Rebel sympathes as Southampton
1t wanted not only inHe1iblc loyalty but high cour
age to maintain the Office of Consul in that port from
1861 to 1854 Mobs attacked the Office, tore down the
flag and pulled of the doorplate that bore tho
hated name OF the United States Now, In those days
Can't Britton distinguished himself by dignity Of
bearing which extorted respect even from his enc
mics Many Americans, even many American officials.
in Europe bent to the storm, but Capt. Bruon was
busy caring for American interests, thwartng Rebel
intrigues and earning the hatred Of oil our enemies
by bis unAipchng loyalty at all times and in all cir
cumstances. We almost forget in these days what
high praise that is. 1t the universal expectation
of Americans here, who are interested III commerclai
affairs, that Capt Britton would be retained in the
Office no had Lfilled creditably. But President
Grant under influences which am at loss to &C
count for has removed or suspended Capt Britton,
and nominated Mr.. William Thomson in HIS place.
Who is Mr.. William ThOmsoni lie was President
Buchanan's Consul at Southampton. He occupied
that post when the war broke out. He took sides
with the rebellion and againt the Government whose
commission he held He worked and emphasized
his sympathy with the Rebel cause, by openly well
coming the Rebel Commissioners, Messrs Rost ana
Yancey. When they arrived at southampton, 1t
was Mr.. William Thomson, who turned himself into
their courier and hired special train on the South
Western Railway to take them up to London. As q
return for this service he solicited commission as
Confederate Consul ! told Mr.. Thomson de-
MES the truth of these charges, which here per-
,.,,n IN Ina frna INIT ha nf
them exists in official correspondence now on file
in the State Department at Washington. Perhaps
ought TO add that do not learn them from Capt.
Britton but from sources wholly independent OF
him, and which are not only trustworthy, but au
thoritative.
am sure President Grant knew nothing Of these
facts when he nominated Mr. William Thomson to
be Consul at Southampton. His charity to repontant
Rebels may be great but it would not cover this
case. For this is not case ike for instance, the
appointment of Longstreet to New-orleans.
To conceive q parallel to it, you must conceive the
appointment of Lee to the exact military rank and
postion from which at the outset of the war he de-
serted and which he used-as Thomson in less
degree used his-to betray the aud country of
which he was sworn defender. To send Thomson
back az American Consul TO nest Of Anglo-Rebel
sympathzers like Southampton, is to indorse
his trcachery and to discredit the steady loyalty
and admirable services of his successor President
Grant never meant to do that He has been simply
imposed upon. OF course l don't know what the
Senate may have done. but if they have ignorantly
confirmed this impudent Rebel, appeal to the Presi
dent to remove his own appontee. / think in the
circumstances ii would be no more than an act Of
Justice to restore Capt Brtton II were writing
private letter. / should urge that. on the grounds
have stated above. don't think we have many
Consuls of conspicuous ability and high character
that we can afford to dismiss this one. But what
ever the President may deem it right to do to Capt
Briton venture TO assume that il will not, now
that the facts arc known, expose us to the humla-
ton of having Mr.. William Thomson American
representative abroad.
The London nomination stands on different
ground have nothing to say against Mr. Morse's
LOYALTY But in the first place. an explanation is
wanting of his action in the Priolean / have
not the material for a full statement Of il, but
refer YOU to THE TRIBUNE ales in the Winter of
1861, where the facts published, and Mr. Morse
is sharply consured in leading for asettlcment
in which the interests of the United States seem to
have been less considered than the interests
Of Rebel litigants. As for the manner in which Mi
Morse discharges tho routine duties of bis office.