New-York tribune., 1869-05-13
MR.. WILLIAM THOMSON.
IPRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

LONDON April 21.-As the telegraph brings no
news of the confirmation of Mr.. William Thomson,
have some hope that his true character is known in
the Senate and that he is not to Teappear III South
ampton as consul said in my last letter that the
evidence of the charges against him was on file in
the State Department in Washington. Some OF It,
which is also preserved here has since come into my
hands. Mr.. Thomson, after his removal sent to the
State Department his own affidavit denying that he
had welcomed the Rebel Commissioners and provided
a special carriage for them on the railway. The De.
partment was not satisfied, and in 1854 directed Mr.
Adams, then Minister to England, 20 make further
inquiries. Mr.. Adams accordingly sent down 10
Southampton and the result of his investigations
will appear from the following aiidayits which
submit without comment The first IS from Mr.
Thomson's own clerk:
sorrnAMrroy. Sept. %, 1874
T. Henry James Of Southampton. England. DO hetSsby
solcmuy swear that was In the emp0yn OIL vi, VI MI
liam Thomson late Consul OF the United states at ths
port as hs clerk 1850 aud part OF 1901 ana bat ON or
about the 27th day OF April In the latter year Messrs
aeey and sl.1s. Rot q fo%%Sacf E.tS S4 Nest INDIA
steamer at the said Southampton; that they went 70
with a. letter from himself to Mr. Yancey, on Mon
day, the .2th April, which letter delivered P' la,
40 render what service l could TO Messrs. Yaneey
and ROst. and 10 engage special railway ShIrso aOi
after reading the letter. said TO "Mr Thomson says
In tins letter that you will render us any assistance you
cam lie then requested me 10 the baggage OF ms
party safely TO the railway station and put on Tue
train for London This dd went WIN Alesss laneey
ON FOR them by Mr. John BOswOr Inspector OF the Lon
don and southWestern Railway who SAID he had already
All my attentions TO Messrs. Yancey and kost we're
under Mr.. Thomson's positive instructions. r
Sworn to and subscribed before me- John Brtton, u s.
Consu AZ Southampton this day Of September 1904
II. s. JOHN BRIToS, U. ). Consul
The second affidavit is made by the Inspector Of
tho South Western Railway, and is as follows
l. John Bosworth Inspector Of the London and South
Western Railway Company at southampton, do hereby
soemn swear Lha orSp S or rom SOOSS Mr. William Thomson tbh
United States Consul at Southampton Tor special car.
sgT iO 10! hat at that hour Henry james Mr. Tho
clerk 10 the station with three gentlemen who
gland from the socaled Confederate States OF America,
and that they with some ladies' proceeded 70 London IN
the carriage provided for them by me at Nj ThOmsOns
request JOHS BOswORTH, Inspector l.. and S. w. Ry
Dated at Southampton this 2sh day Of September, A.
sworn 10 and subscribed before me- John Britton u g.
Consul at Southampton this 2sth day OF September lS5i
H. 81 JOHN BRITTON, u. 5. Consul
Somebody may take the trouble TO observe that
these two afdayts are to before Capt Britton
the Consul whom Mr.. Thomson is nominated to
supersede That fact might be open to inquiry but
for the other fact that the date Of the afdayits is
1864 when no human being so mad as 10 expect
that Mr.. Thomson would ever again be sent to
Southampton. Moreover, the oaths admin
istered by the express order of Mr.. Adams because
as stated in an official dispatch, the feeling IA
southampton against the United States was so
strong that no magistrate could be found to take the
aifidavits.
Here is. therefore, the sworn statement Of two
credible and disinterested witnesses, contradcting
point blank the denial made by Mr.. VIM. Thomson
in his own behalf, and sworn to by him. There is
not court Of law in Christendom which would hesi-
tate which of the two to believe. Whether Mr..
Thomsons affidavit constitutes technically the
crime of perjury cannot say. What it consti-
tutes in morals and in the forum Of conscience no
man will doubt. And again / say that cannot
believe it possible to put keep in Office man thus
proved 10 have betrayed the interests aud dignity of
the Government whose commission he held, whose
pay he was receiving, and which ln has since de-
ceved and insulted by the denial Of his treachery
If there be a who ought to be eager to wash his
hands of all responsibility for Mr. William Thomson,
should suppose it must be Mr.. Hamilton Fish.