New-York tribune., 1869-05-22

hood You will not fail remember that the Thompson
letter. by order OF the House Of Representatives. was
Immediately after its publication in THE TRIBUNE made
the subject of investigation by Committee, to which
voluntarily submitted my private letter-bOoks, which
contained copies Of all my private correspondence during
tho three previous years. wherein there was neither
sentiments nor expression OF dubious or disloyal import
but much TO the contrary which was made part OF the
report. The report Of the COmmttee-the Hon. James
T. Wilson OF Iowa Chairman-was made jan 20 1861
and merely recommended that the testimony be print
ed and the Committee be discharged" continued to
hold my oce for more than two years after this PERIOD
and until Mr. johnson became President and tho failure
of appropriation made the pretext OF transferring my
duties to another bureau after which appointed
Examiner Of National Banks by the Hon. Freeman
Clark Controller of the Currency which office suDse'
queuuy resigned under his successor, my services
having BECOME 6nSaged for the baubs ~
would appear, however. that tho declaration OF
Pliny, that calumny neglected soon expires
does not always prove true, for notwthstand-
ing these facts and many others equally pertinent the
declaration was not very long since made by u 3.
Senator in Executive session. and repeated by the press
that during the war my sympathes with the Rebels
as proven by my letter TO "a leading Rebel ana the
rejection OF my name or an important appointment loi
lowed as a necessary consequence, although supported
by some OF the oldest and abest Republican members OF
the Senate. You will remember, or by reference 10 your
files for April 1861 Will perceive that the only auslon IN
my letter to Mr. thompson which related directly or re-
motey the state OF the country or events OF the u
was in these words, viz:
81 know nothing OF the views Of the Administration
regarding the allabsorbng matter Of the condition OF the
conntry believe IL Is Intended TO send merchant
vessel 10 Charleston harbUr with provisions for Fort
Sumter should she be repced do not Know "hat -
the Intention Of the power. that be- believe the ara
mcnt destined To TeXasa portion, perhaps Tor
Fort Pckens. God grant that soon he united IN
the ancient bonds Of amty and bo spared the carnage OF
civil war"
Every sensible person. possessed of the facts, VIII
readily appreciate that 1t the time Of tho publication
OF the letter. disregard Of It's date and isapprehenson
OF It's real character and purport which occasoned all
tho oboquy and artful misrepresentation OF which
have for years been the patient victim BY referring 10
tho files Of THE TRIBUNE or any other NewYork paper
OF that MONTH you will perceive that make allusion
TO topics 0r events which had not been previously pub
lished with much particularly and detail. You
will recoect that the Rebel Commissioners were, at that
very date in this city, for the professed purpose OF effect
ing peaceful solution Of difficulties; that tcegraphic
and mail communications with the South had not been
interrupted that the had not commenced and that
the Government itself had previously communicated OFF,
ciay TO the Rebel authorities by special messenger
Ir Chew Of the State Department. Information OF the
particular fact obviously alluded to by me, and for which
have been accused Of mparting to leading KeDe III
me Of war; and that subsequent to this that Mr.
Thompson defined himself a co0perator with the Con-
federates.
was prepared to respect Mr. Thompson, because,
knowing as he did that had not only coOperated
with Democratic party but had been the victim OF s
prescription under n previous Administration, ne ap
pOnted Inc 10 direction OF the Eighth Census although
several prominent Southern Senators objected to my
selection This beralty Of Mr. Thompson was referred
10 by tho distinguished Dr. Farr, F. II. s. before the
Fourth International Congress, London, July, lseo
who in the opening address said Mr. Kennedy was an
active promoter OF this Congress- he was in England at
tho time origin and did all he could 20 set In mo-
ton that which we earryingou IL is most credira
BILE thing 20 the American Administration that Mr.
Kennedy ,cho Is not their politics has been appointed
step "a We conceive I'm the right direction for these
great operations only be carried out successfully by
practcod stalstslproceodngs ISL could not well
entertain anything but good will toward man who had
thus proved himself my friend and whose general con-
duet In the administration Of the Department gained the
respect OF all hts subordnates by beray to them and
An abnegaton Of self inlthe Of pcrquses" which
Inns not always since been initiated believe have the
coura 90 TO do what Is right and am thankful, however
much Il may have cost me, that performed duty TO
one who had served In statement TO you need
make no ausIou official services, which have spoken
for themselves good for evil Mr Thompson has
recently returned his home In Mississippi and realizing
for tho fret time that through him have been made
the victim OF misappchenson promoted By bad men 10
my prejudice addressed ettor 70 President Grant
(by whom 1 am authorized 20 make use OF q copy,
whereby ho confirms a claim 20 my respect for some
qualities which he believed TO possess. with this
statement send you copy Of hs lettor, that you may
have 10 in your power at tins late day, TO effect
such reparaon may appear TO you just aud reason
able while both ye aud leave It to your discretion
to do 50 IN tho way which may appear TO You most agree
able While thoughtful OF my own yiudicauou, am not
disposed to make reflections on those who have nten-
ouay injured me, aud with reference TO the chief Of
whom possess the proof, not only Of their reyengefu
motives my case. but OF selfish crimes than dis
loyalty; but In view OF present public opinion Of their
proclyes may well afford to be patient regarding
rctrbutve justice 10 them as have been under their
injuries. Very truly, your friend
Washington, May 49, 1869. Jos. G. G. KENNEDY.
VOM.iN SUFFRAGE IN MASSACHUSETTS,.