The Portland daily press., 1871-10-11
The Russian minis,er ExpI.ins.

The following is from the correspondence of
the New York Herald:
In consequence of the rumored statements
with reference to Minister Catacazy, the Rus
sian Ambassador, having openly DETAINED the
President oil the United States, Secretary Fish
and Mrs. Fish, at dinner recently given at
the russian embassy in Washington, a Her
aid representative yesterday waited upon him
at the Clarendon Hotel in this city, where he
is now staying, apparently for the purpose OF
experimenting the arrangements being mad
here for the reception of the Prince Alexis. He
commenced by saying that he was sorry be
could give but little information that would be
OF public interest l..E .l.
81 HAVE BEEN cALUMNIATED,
and correspondents of papers have very natur.
ally fallen into the error of publishing rumors
which have no foundation in fact, but which
have been started for a certain bad end," said
His Excellency, ''and the following is the state
ment now wish to publish in the columns of
the Herald in order to show my position with
the people of this country, and also a denial of
these malicious personal statements"
MINISTER cATACAzY's STATEMENT.
have read with the deepest disgust the cor
respondence from Washington to-day. l am
bound by my official duty to abstain from all
polemics or controversy with newspapers upon
all political matters, and, therefore, I cannot,
and Will not answer or reply in any way, di-
rectly or indirectly, to the attacks directed
against me. Sooner or later the truth will be
known. Having been honored with the fullest
approval of my government, submit with per-
feet indifference to the attacks OF those who
consider it proper and gentlemanly to direct
charges against man who cannot answer
them, and who is representing
THE FRIENDLIEsT POWER TO THE UNITED
STATES.
But can offer a denial to the personal and
intentional calumnies stated yesterday by your
correspondent In this correspondence it has
been stated, among other things, that I ex-
pressed myself on account of President Grant,
the Secretary of State and his most amiabe,
honorable and respectable lady, in terms 80 In
famous that / shrink even from rspeating
them. Idecare the whole story to be a false.
hood, and challenge anybody to substantiate
such an absurd charge against me. Whatever
the political disagreements there may be bo-
tween myself and the Secretary of State, I
have never expressed a word or even entertain
ed thought against his character, much less
against his lady, to whom have always en-
deavored to manifest my deepest respect. The
Intentional and systematcal circulation of
these calupnies has been
ATTRIBUTED TO A FOREIGN MINISTER
who was at my table. But am firmly con-
vnced that none of my colleagues are capable
OF doing that. But if such was the case, every
gentleman can appreciate such cond uct. 1t
has been said, further, in the correspondence,
that put
Low EoAimAIE UFON The AMERICAN CHARAC-
TER.
Everybody who has had dealings with me since
have been in America knows what nv feel
ings are to the American people, and my opin-
ion of their character. / will not consequent
ly, express the feelings with which am ami
mated. which are alone due to the American
people. | will only ana that besides nv appre.
citation of the greatness and nobility of their
character, perceive also the American people
are most intelligent and comprehensive upon
almost every subject, and that every unbiased
citizen will understand whence these calum-
MES are originated and for what purpose they
are spread with renewed violence on the eve of
the arrival OF an Imperial Prince, who is COM
ing here as living token of Russia's friend
ship and esteem.