Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-12-08
MR.. PlERCE'S SACKvILLe.
A Notable Precedent for President
tleveland's Action,

tleveland's Action
On May %, 1856, President Pierce address
ed 10 the senate and house Of representa-.
tires the following letter:
"Io TIE Senate and House of Representatires:
Ihave ceased TO hold intercourse with the en-
voy extraordinary and minister plenpotenti-
airy of her majesty the queen of Great Britain
and Ireland near this government In making
communication of this fact IL has been DEEM
ed proper by Inc to Law before the congress
the considerations of indispensable public
duty which have led to the adoption of a
measure of so much Importance. They
appear in the documents herewith transmit.
ed TO both houses. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
''Washngton, 29th of May, 1856
Mr.. Champion, the British envoy in CUES
ton, had been guilty Of grave breach Of
diplomatic etiquet and an offense against the
sovereignty OF the United States as q neutral
power, by taking part in the enlistment of
Ameican citizens In the foreign legion of the
British army for service against Russia in
the Crlmean war. " 10 trre that the actual
enlistment took place on Canadian territcrr,
but It was clearly shown that both Mr..
Champion and his consuls had participated
in the matter by financially assisting
men 10 journey 10 The Dominion for the pur.
poe.
On Dec. 1876, Secretary CT State Marcy al
dressed communication 10 the British gov
ernment demanding the recall of Mr.. Cramr-
, .on vn Ine grounl that by his conduct he
had placed himself in such position as to DC
unacceptable to the American government
and people. Lord Clarendon, the British
foreign minister. delayed his answer uutil
April 30, 1886. when he replied in letter
containing full, uureserved, and urqusl IL
ed disclaimer of all intended OffenSe on the
part of the British government and express
ing the conviction Of the latter that Mr..
CramptOr had no desire or purpose 20 con-
NIT anv disreSpect 10 The sovereiCnty of tic
United States. While conciliatory In tone.
however, the dispatch contained no response
to the request Of the nited States cabinet
for the recall Of Mr.. Champion, and at The
same time the English press referred 10 the
American demands as "An eectioneerne
| trick" "a bid for the presidency" Manu-
featuring political capital etc.
Accordingly President Pierce, feeling that
the self-respect of every American citizen
| required that the original demand Of the
United States should be carried into execu-
ton, caused the secretary OF state to forward
his passports to Mr.. Champion, and 10 inform
him that the government would hold no fur
ther relations with him. Minister Bucbanan
was at the same time directed TO inform the
British cabinet OF this decision, which was
| universally approved by men of all shades OF
political opinion III this country. Diplomatic
relations at Washington between the two
countries were not resumed until twe,ve
months later. when Lord Napier arrived to
take charge OF the legation. Ii should be
| added that the United States government
while insisting on the fact that Mr. Champion
was unacceptable as envoy, expressly dcclar-
ed that there were no imputatiOns ou him as
a gentleman.
II may be OF Interest to add that only few
years previously Spain had occasion to ect in
similar manner toward British ambassa-
dor: Sir Bulwer Lvtton, the envov at Madrid,
had received instructions from Lord Palmer.
stoD, the English foreign secretary, privately
to advise Queen Isabella's governmen 20
strengthen the administration BY calling men
belonging TO the liberal party TO its councils
he Spanish government was exceedingly
indignant al such piece of interference, snl
addressed tue following note TO Sir Bulwer
LyitOn:
"For reasons which the loyalty OF the Brit
ish people and It's government can not other.
wise that appreciate ut their true value, her
catholic msjesty'S government has resolved
10 put an end to all these fatal contingencies
by transmitting you your passports and re-
questing YOU within the term of forty-eight
hos or sooner il possible, to quit this CAPT.
tai for circumstances urgent, and there would
be much to lament If IL were TOO late"
Sir Bulwer Lytton left immediately. Di-
plomatic relations were suspended for twelve
months snd then were resumed as if nothing
had happened, new envoy being appointed
This Is not the first occasion on which Lord
Sackville has got into scrape. In March,
1871, being at the time secretary OF the Brit
ish embassy At Paris and charge des archives
he got scared By the outbreak of the COM
mune and bolted from the city, leaving the
archives 10 take care Of themselves. Within
q couple of davs his place was taken by Mr..
(now Sir Edward) Malet, his subordinate In
rank, who remained in charge OF the embassy
throughout the whole of the commune. For
his courage and PLUCK on this occasion Mr..
Malet received the order Of the Bath and has
since been promoted over the heal Of his
senior, Lord Sackville. to the rank of am
bassador at Berlin. Lord Sackville was with
in an ace OF being forced to leave the diplo-
matte service ri the time for his conduct In
deserting his post, and WAS ONLY saved IRON
diayrace by his relationship to Lord Derby,
whose brother-in-law he is.