The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-24
CATACAZY'S CASE.
Text OF the Note Of Prince Gortschakof to Min
lister Curtin.

ST. PETERSBURG. JAM 4. 1872.
To.days OOc,ol Messenger publishes the following
note OF Prince Gortschakof to MIR. Curtin, United
States Ambassador TO the Russian Court. 1t must
be remarked that documents OF this sort are seldom
published In Russia except when the government
has some particular aim IN making them known TO
tho public:-
NORTH AMERICAN AMBASSADOR. Mr.. CURTIN.
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 81, 1871 Jan. 2, 1872.
SIR had the honor to receive the despatch ad-
dressed to you by Mr. Fish on the 4th q6th) of No
vember last, copy Of which you were instructed to
leave with me. The painful affair OF NJ Catacazy
began ana grew up during my absence. On my
return 10 st. Petersburg took care 10 make myself
acquainted with all its details. found that the
pro tempore Minister OF Foreign Affairs, Prlvy
Councillor Westmann, without repudiatng the re-
quests OF the United States government expressed
only the wish that, for the sake OF decency and con-
venlence M. Catacazy should continue to perform
his duties during His Hignness the Grand Duke
Aexis' sojourn In the United States. Your govern
ment accepted these considerations, and M. Cata-
caZy received consequently orders to return to
Russia as soon as the Grand Duke should have left
America. and it was also minated to him that he
would no more return TO his post. II seemed to me
tnat after such acquiescence on The part OF the
Imperial Cabinet to all that was asked for in the re.
quests Of the United states, the whole affair ought
10 have been considered one finally settled &C
cording to the rules Of courtesy in force between
Cabinets It was therefore, not without regret that
Learned of the correspondence that was going on
ON the spot--a correspondence which, In my opin-
lon was quite purposeless, and In which neither
su0,cent attention nor respect was shown TO Rus
sian Ambassador still performing his duties.
The communications you made me- In accordance
with Mr. Fishs instructions consist OF TWO distinct
parts Tire one contains the request to recall M.
Catacazy with reference to which, as SAID, we
have already given our acquiescence TO the wishes
of the United states government. me Other coh-
tains the complaints against our Anrbassador Tnis
second part makes tue imperial Cabinet Judee Oh
| NJ Catacazy's conduct We shall give ms due COLI
| ALTERATION. But must tell you that against many
or inese complaints NJ. Caracazy has furnished
as In his reports with the fullest reiutatlohs ons
before we knew anything about Mr.. Fisf's despatch.
Sowever ideas of right are sufficiently spread In
the United states to make us believe that the secre-
| ,orv nj state will not expect us to pronounce a
verdict before we have given fair hearing 70 the
| .ccusea. consequently, we must at present for
so,r from anv Judgment, and give NJ. Catacazy full
,,nor,v for prescntlug all the arg unents he can In
I his favor
| am arm,y convinced that such manner Of
4 viewing things will be duly appreciated by the
United states government, and, on the 0tner hand.
| will preserve the belief that, however painful this
ana,r ia It viii In no way alter the feelings OF old
| ana sincere friendship which unite the Two coan-
tries all the more as these feelings have been quite
recently 80 brilliantly confirmed by the hearty well
| come given by the American people TO the son oil
| nv august master. Believe me, sir, &c, &c,
GORTSCHAEOTF.