New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-21

Ed{Sd BY his Grq ,gs Zoo charl'f : F,d hnF
SELECTIONS FROM THE CORRE,. sP I,1,.sl EC.
OF THOMAS BARCLAY formerly aS i hi t;c orn
Lockhart Ryes, u. ~ i'r ~ 'n'rper "
Brother.
The letters III each Of these volumes have much
TO say about a question which became Of burning
interest within few years after the United states
successfully asserted its independence name
Is. the impressment of seamen. King ana Ear
clay naturally took somewhat different views.
Tho former had been a Loyalist ana one IF The
trainers of the American Constitution, while Bar
CLAW though an American born. sided with the
Rovolists lived in exile during the Revolution.
and only returned t. the city Of New-York as
foreign official Of the British Government. 1t Is
true that in the bitter recriminations that at
tended the rise of a second political party in the
United states, King like his friend. Alexander
Hamilton. came in for great deal OF abuse on
The score Of aristocratic and monarchical pr2-
cIiyitics President Washington hesitaied about
amounting him Minister to England in 1876. main
" because of what had been said against MN
by the Anti Federalists. He had no doubt o.
Kings fitness or his ability but reminded Hamil-
ton If what had been said of his political s"htl-
ments with respect to another form of Govern
ment" lie dreaded the Interpretation that wopid
10
controversy over the Jay Treaty was just dying
ont Hamilton had been of more than one nina
on the subject As long as the ratification of the
treaty was in doubt, ne opposed King wish to
leave the Senate. When that was accomplished
ne strongly supported Kings desire to be sent to
London and replied TO the Presidents doubts by
areuinc that the mere dread Of Calumny should
not prevent the choice for public business of the
most competent mon Upon these grounds Wash
ington made the appointment. but his hesitation
gave occasion for the belief that he disliked
King The editor Of the volume in hand finds NJ
evidence # this supposed antagonism though ii
is asserted in J. c. HdmiltOn's Life OF Hamilton
There was. however curious remark in kings
letter to Hamilton in which he first expressed his
wish TO be sent to London After telling how
weary he was Of drudgng in the Senate and 81
absence from his family. ne expressed the opinion
that he could be of service his country in Eng
land. and asked Hamilton to consult jay on the
subject IT can through other channel com
municate with the Executive" he added. and these
are words which might be understood to mean
that he had little access to the Presidents inti-
mate circle But the best evidence of good feeling
between the two is t. be found in the occasional
letters Of Washington to King.
As Minister. King found himself obliged to
take up growing number OF complaints on the
part Of American citizens against the British
Government. The seizure Of merchant vessels
was frequent. and the cases were dealt with
in a spirit of deliberation ruinOus to the com
plainant The impressment Of seamen has be-
come historic At first King thought the affairs
could be managed. He saw no reason to doubt
the sincere desire Of the English Government To
cultivate the esteem OF the United States Eng
land he thought. would ultimately enter into a
If m
pressment He was at that time, early in his
term Of service as Minister inclined to defend
England against the prejudCes Of his country
men, She was not 20 be blamed in his opinion.
for unusual caution in matter which affected
so nearly their navy, and through II their
national safety. This was in the autumn OF l'96
by the middle Of the year 1873 he had modified
his opinions. In fact. the change belonged 10 a
much earlier time. but he discreetly kept silence.
and at last only ventured TO express his dis
content - the Secretary Of State under cover
Of the official cipher. Il have hitherto foreborn."
he exclaimed. from motives that you will be
at no loss 10 conjecture. to express 10 you the
dissatisfaction and even the disgust that often
experience in intercourse and connection
with this Government" He pointed to the in
difference procrastinaton and exclusiveness of
English statesmen many admOnitions t.
Americans TO depend themselves as much,
and on others as little. as possible. Those
times when the United States with prosperous
commerce. inclined to ask England for
convoy TO protect American merchant vessels
from the depredati tons of the French. Such times
are not pleasant to remember.
To Barclay the impressnent Of American sea-
men wore different aspect. one % MS first
difficulties upon becoming the English Consul
General at NewYork was found in the effort to
keep English seamen from deserving when they
reached an American port. Ships We're sometimes
delayed for lack of men. But he had no dplo-
matte obstacles u overcome. When ne repre-
scented the case as he understood it, the Legisla-
ture of New-York state readily passed act
providing for the summary trial of scamen
charged with desertOn. though the bill sub
sequenty rejected by the Council Of Revision
the ground that the subject belonged TO the Gen
eral Government Desertion not confined to
merchant vessels It sadly affected the dignity
OF an English naval commander to find that men
could be entccd from his vessel by some argu-
mentative workman hired to make repairs. Bar
clay was obliged to moderate the zeal Of
Cockburn Ohen a captain but subsequently an
admiral, notorious FOR causing the destruction Of
the public buildings in Washington. who had pu,
an American workman under arrest for inducing
sailors to desert Whatever his conduct may
have been" wrote Barclay. significantly. his de-
tent!on can be punished" Another English naval
commander put him 10 excessive annoyance by
fmpressing men from English merchant ship
In American waters. in fact, at the New-York
Quarantine Station. The Health Officer was not
allowed 10 board the merchant vessel until the
press gang had done its work. The only excuse
made for this infringement Of the peace Of neu-
trail port was that the English warship was
shor; Of men. 1t is not surprising that Bar
clay found Americans very warm the sub
feet This was the case Of II. VI. S. Cambrlan
CAPTAIN Bradley. which afterward became a sub
icct OF correspondence. Charges of Illegal I'M
pressment became daily more frequent and Bar
clay found the irritation growing. Still he kept