New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-10
RpISTOY HOTEL.


BRISTOL HOTEL, LoNpoN. June % 1886.
To ne Hon. EDWIN J. PHELPS Unit,d Atates hm's'er;
SIR: Last week requested the secretary OF tue uneu
stat-s Iegatiop with whom have an old aclu'ih'u'o
to have NY name put the list OF American o't'N'
wishing to pay their RESPECTS al Ie'ee W his o'
Ui.hness the Prince OF Wales
Nv reason for making this request was that am on
the mint OF leavna England, ana that desired tere
fore To exprs in tho ceremouious mere cistoiay
my ackno Nledrment OF personal courtsie extended 10
me by the Prince during ttay IN this country As
am Informed AMI you doubtless aware the omi'-
this fornay In such circumstances IS here Heu
10 constitute act OF rudeness.
fam toll f. response to my request that You have
person lily refused allow name u b" prrsented 10y
The American Legation. the ground That you dsap-
prove le dealing with the Secretary OF state
published iu The Worth Ame1can RousV Of which an
the editor and PROPRIETOR
In thrse circumstances you will not be surprised that
now put on formal protest against such an
interpretation my DISADVANTAGE, OF the privileges OF
y9Lr nciL position.
Holding pnhc office be a public trhst. AMI beng
una are OF any law which authorizes servant
az tbe STATE Department 10 exercise foreign countries.
the function OF a censor OF tie American prrs', am
compelled regard your action as an abuse 81 ohcai
opportunities ir the purpose OF gratifying irVate ie'-
ing, an political nositIo either IL your own person
eut servant ALLEN rHORNDIEE HicL.
LEGATION OF The UNITED st It's.
LoNpoN. .iaiY ,. 1886.
SIR: reserved your note OF June 2oth complaining Of
my refu al present yUu at the recent eyee 0! lbs
Royal Highncss tae Prince Ul Wales
Your note So yravely missates the that 20 not
aow II to pass without reply.
You seem to suppose presentation OF that sort Is
a matter OF any American WHO cs request Tor
II at tie Leg aon AM the United states Minister
IL ouy agent u carry such request mo eeN1 his
supposi ION l. altogether a mistake.
i, true tuat, By % the Prince Of wales
authorized to pres Mt At ms evees limited nAm-
Der of AmerIc ms whose names nave he'n previously
submitted For The proprety OF the presentation oota
as respects for ,kug It, ahd the character
h. prison presented. an regarded ~ responsive
Bat an under o ObhgatiOD persona or oih'lldy.
10 such presentation At all IL IS an act OF
courtesy onIy. extending whicn IT Is nv duty ana
certainly ing Intention 10 exercise very Careful
discretion.
When your application To he presented was brought
ITO my notice by tile Secretary Legation, un-
kauwn Upon inqurT. learned that you are the
editor proprietor OF The Worth american herec In
that periodical there appe4re !. long most
abusive attack Mr. Biyarl the secretary OF STATE
tn UNITED states Had that article been CRITICISM
however Frank upon any pubic policy or coaiuci OF ms
just exposure OF anytnint In MS private chir-
ac!cr tlat ought be made known. neither
BE- irenis wou.d have had any rght TO com
ugsie OF tcious and gra'uitods abuse unworthy Ot
the pages Of any respect bic puoicatou An olpour-
v nis name, and INTENDED AS gross ani
ani,be en- ,rlcter au eninout pubic shonli
protected hun from sucn an assault tue hlsh
office he holds. Leaf, cnu lei him to decent treatment
10 production yOu thought it nroDer 70 give cir
culation and permanenco IN The Worm DercGn hfre1
FOr do'ag 30 yon mad not rvcn the poor "1cHse o.
10 party. Nor any personal provocaton that am
Mr.. B yard {. not merely my personal friend; he is
the head % the Department the Government under
enocerned xifh are CARED on An or1cer whom |
scrnpuOus respect and for whom Am expected 10
require all who have intercourse with my Gov
erinen, through
L. upon ms state of facts YOU supPose me TO be ca;
Courtesy IN my power Of presenting to Prince
Wo.e 80 o. 'ne ~ rn w. ,ne rrest n,1stic
Yon assured nat II maj sem 10 your name Tor
that pnrpos- and Tue attention OF lis Roya ngnmess
had been drawn TO the article III he would nave
II this 6e as you are pleased to
censorship II the press IL Is censorship TO which
hope every American gentleman Will l~nl his all The
freedom Of TIE press thing. abuse quite
another am truly yours EDWIN j. PHELPS
ALLEN THoENDIKE RICE E>Q
Bristol Hotel, Burlington Gardens
III.
PARIS, July 4.
To Tie Hon EDWIN J. PHELPS United States Minister
SIR: Your reply TO my letter OF tue 29th ulG has |
been forwarded 1t requires OF me that I
correct the serious mIsapprehension into which you
have fallen OF my purpose in addressing you at all
ma 10 complaint Of your conduct in person
ally interfering prevent from performing through
channels open you IN your public and Official ca
pacty. OF customary courtesy to parsonage OF
exalted portion in foreign country who had more
extended to me private and personal
civiires.
That question OF taste and OF temper. ana have
wish a censorship Of your character in
these respects
Nor have IN any way invited you TO discuss with me
TIE prupretes OF pOlemca expression he condi
lions ana limit atoms or the liberty OF the press.
These conditions and limitations questions OF high
polItcs. AMI wish dlscOur;eOus when |
Intimate the OF your selection post
which you ill would perhaps have been received
with less ny the people OF the
United axes. hal you favored the public with
fruits and evd-nces or line and labor expended by
IN fitting yourself speak with authority upon such
u
What cOmpl uned OF was, that should have dealt
win request dressed by American ciiZen to the
head o. an American LEGATION, upon grounds hOrrOwcd
from Your private relations with particular public !
officer All from your personal objection "a particular
publication niie by me IN the exrrcisr Of nv functions
a. the conductor OF an organ OF public opini0u.
Your reply o NV complaint | am sorry to say, |
firms It's in tice, ami cOpvicts you OF ali
rghhn Ia! persons must regard AS the grave pu he
O-nco OF coGv~rJug the grshratipn ~ private and
personal objects opportunities of respons bic pub
lie position. Your OOedeut servant,
ALLEN THO ,SDIKs RICE,
e-