The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-06-06
A CRUMB OF HISTORY.
Hon. &. ]. FauIkner's Arrest I'm ! 81


A party of capitalists from Philadel-
phia, Baltimore and New York recently
visited Martinsburg in this State. for the
purpose Of inspecting some improve
ments in which they had already in
vested money, and to seek out other
opportunities for the useful and profta-
BILE employment of their funds. They
were welcomed with true Berkeley hos
pitality and at the dinner to which
they were invited a number Of very APP
propriate toasts and responses were had.
From the report published in the Nsoo
Era we clip the following as a matter
of Justice to Mr.. FAULKNER and as
afording an opportunity for an exp'ana-
ton of the Circumstances attending that
gentleman's arrest and incarceration
after his return from France in 1861.
A toast having been offered to "the
ladies Of Martinsburg was very
heartily applauded, and
"Thereupon John w. Miller, Of
Philadelphia, rose and said that
he hoped he would be excused
for violating the rule which they
had adopted, as he perceived that
among the persons present was a gen.
tleman, who filled large space in the
estimation of the country. One, with
the record of whose public life he had
been familiar for many years; and who
had represented the country abroad
with the most distinguished ability.
That gentleman, perhaps, might not
recolIect him, but he had met with him
at Paris while he was Minister to
France, and had received from him
whilst there, as every other American
citizen did, the most marked courtesy
and hospitalit-. He announced an
opinion shared by himself in common
with all his countrymen abroad, that
no diplomatic representative OF this
nation ever discharged the duties OF
that high office with more fidelity to the
country. He was proud to have the
opportunity of again renewing his
acquaintance with that gentleman, and
of testiiying the high admiration he en-
tertained of his character. He pro-
posed the following sentiment to which
he was sure the whole company would
cordially respond.
Hon. Charles J.. Faulkner, our for.
mer able and distinguished representa-
tive to the Imperial Court OF France.
The sentiment was received with
great enthusiasm by the company, and
loud calls were made for Mr.. Faulkner.
Mr.. Faulkner said: That the notice
which had just been taken of him was
wholly unexpected. He was not aware
that there was now present any gentle
man who had met with him abroad
while engaged in the diplomatic service
of his country. 1t was certainly very
gratifying to him to perceive that the
courtesy and hospitality which he had
sought to extend to all his countrymen
when abroad, was so cordially recog-
nized after a lapse Of more than ten
wears. 1t was also very grateful to
his feelings to learn that the fidelity
with which he executed that trust was
appreciated by his countrymen. He
was foreign representative at a very
critical period Of our history; and when
every Southern man in the diplomatic
service was the subject Of watchful sus-
picion by the government. But ne had
been reared with sentiments that would
have utterly forbade him to prove false
to any commission under which he was
acting. He might safely have defied
all the spies and detectives of the gov
ernment to have traced to him one dis
LOYAL sentiment or act, during the time
that he held commission under that
government. 1t is true, he had been
arrested and was imprisoned immedi-
stely after his return from France, and
when he had proceeded on his way TO
the city of Washington to report to the
President, and TO close his accounts for
moneys left in his hands for disburs-
meut; but his arrest was not based upon
any imputation or charge of disloyaltv.
He was held simply as hostage tor
the safe return OF certain prominent
individuals then confined as prisoners
at Richmond, and President Lincoln
had, in the most unequivocal language,
acquitted him of all imputation upon
his fidelity in the performance OF his
trust"
To this we may be permitted to add
some facts in relation to the affair not
fully stated above. 1t will be remem-
bered by many that Colonel CAMERON,
brother of the then Secretary Of War,
commanded New York regiment in
the first battle OF Bull Run. He was
killed in battle and his body left
upon the field. At Secretary CAM
EroN's request, Hon. H. S. MCGRAw,
then Treasurer Of the State Of Pennsyl-
yania, was sent within the Confederate
lines for the purpose Of recovering the
body of the fallen Colonel. He
was provided with a pass addressed
simply ITO whom it may concern" and
making no recognition of General
BEAUREGARD or of the Confederate
forces. Deeming such a paper not en-.
titled to respect, BsAuREeARD ordered