The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-10-10
1T IS OLD HISTORY
Lord SackVills Vests Publication
Revives the Public Memory.
THAT "MURCHlSON" LETTER
1t Was Dated Pomora. Cal, Ad-
dressed to the British Minister
at Washington. and Raised
Cain All Around.

cation by Lord Sackville West Of
pamphlet in which he sets forth his
defense and explanation OF letter
written by him during the presidential
campaign of 1855. in answer to a letter
from an alleged Englishman residing
at Pomona. Cal. asking his advice as
to the proper channel In which to cast
his vote. has revived In the public
memory the story of how the "Murch-
ison letter" was written and published
and how It brought a reply that con-
vulsed the country. startled Europe
and flashed Its way around the civil
lied globe. The letter. which was first
made public by the Les Angeles Times.
was dated Pomona. Cal. Sept. 4. lsSS,
and was addressed to THE British
Minister at Washington. d. c." and
was signed Charles F. Murchison."
The writer stated that "The gravity of
the political situation and duties OF
those voters who are OF English birth
and who consider England the mother
county was the reason for intruding
for information Mr.. Cleveland's
message TO congress on the fishery
question was mentioned as exciting
alarm which compelled the writer and
others to seek further knowledge be-
fore casting their votes for him. The
writer also said that many English
citizens had for years refrained from
being naturalized. but Mr.. Cleveland's
administration had been so favorable
and friendly toward England that
thousands had become naturalized for
the purpose of electing him over again.
He continued by saying that IL Mr..
Cleveland was pursuing a new policy
toward Canada temporarily only and
for the purpose OF obtaining popularity
and continuation Of his office four
years more. and intended to cease his
policy when his reelection was secured
and again favor England's interests,
he would then have no further doubts
and would vote for him. The object OF
the writer was to ascertain through
the agency Of an unofficial letter direct
from the British minister the real at
titude of the British government to-
ward the two great political parties In
the United States to elicit q response
which, when mare public. should au-
thorltatively settle the disputed ques-
tion as to where the sympathy of the
government and people lay In the elec-
toral conflict then impending.
"Murchison" stated in his letter to
Lord Sackville that ne desired the
minister's advice on the subject OF
voting, not only for the benefit of him.
self, but for the Information Of others.
Lord Sackville's reply was dated Bev-
erly. Mass, Sept. 13, 1883. and Is as
follows:
II fully appreciate the difficulty In
which you find yourself In casting
your vote. You are probably aware
that any political PARTY which openly
favored the mother country at the
present moment would lose popularity
and that the party In power Is fully
aware of this fact. That party, how
ever, Is. believe. still deslrous OF
maintaining friendly relations with
Great Britain and Is still desirous of
settling all questions with Canada
which have been unfortunately re-
opened since the rejection OF the treaty
by the republican majority In the
senate and the presidents message, to
which you allude. All allowance must
therefore be made for the political sit
uation as regards the presidential elec-
| tion thus created. II Is. however.
plainly impossible to predict the course
which President Cleveland may pur-
sue in the matter Of retaliation should
he be elected. but there Is every rea-
son to believe that while upholdlng the
position he has taken he would manl-
fest a spirit OF conciliation in dealing
with the question involved in his mes
sage. (Signed)
IL. S. Sackville West"
The identity of "Murchison" was not
made public until Jan. II, 1889. II was
then made known that his real name
was George osgoodby. a well-to-do and
reputable citizen Of Pomona. who was
OF Scotch-Engllsh parentage. but was
born In the United States. The letter
sent to Presldent-elect Harrison by
Harrison Gray Otis and Judge W. +.
Fitzgerald was simply an exhaustive
history OF how the famous letter came
to be written and was gent him in the
interest OF historic truth.
London. Oct. 9.-The statements
made by Lord Sackville. who as Sir
Lionel Sackville-West. was the British
minister in 1Ssi-s9. In pamphlet
marked For private circulation only"
copy OF which was obtained here by
the correspondent Of the New York
! World. and the substance Of which was
printed In the United States to-day
have caused amazement in diplomatic
circles. Truth. commenting on the
statements made, says: Whether K
was courteous or iudicious for Lord
Sackville 10 publish this attack when
Mr.. Bayard is ambassador In London
| is a debatable question 10 which It may
however. reasonably be replied tha;
Mr.. Bayard was immeasurably more
discourteous and iniudicious in his be-
havior toward Sackvllle-Wesi when
the latter was In Washington. Mr.
Bayard. therefore. would be mean to
complain OF this point. But the mat
ter acquires exceptional interest when
Il Is considered side by side with a re-
cent dispute regarding the race for
Americas cup. II should be remem-
bered that Sackvllle-West was the vic
tim OF an election trick. An indiscreet
expression OF speech upon his part
was exaggerated for the purpose OF ex-
citing anti-Irish agitation. The trick