Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1895-10-16
MURCHlSON LETTER
The Story 81 Lord SackmIls
Vests Downfall.
he FELL INTO A CLUVFR TRAP
WaShingfon Authorities Believe Mlniatar
naymra Can Make NEuFe IFowhAo
Tor Hixn.

Lac Angeles. Oct. a,-The publication
by Lord EAcixvflia West az 4 pamphlet
IN which ne sets forth his defense ana
explanation Of q letter written BY him
during the presidential campaign of
lssS. IN answer to = letter from an al
legged Engiishman residing Al Pomona.
Cal, asking his advice as to tne proper
channel in which to cast his vote. has
revived in the public memory the story
81 how the Murchison letter was writ
ten and published and how II brought
a reply that convulAed the country.
startled Europe ana flashed gts way
around the civilized globe. The letter
which was FIRST made public BY the
Los Angeles Times. was dated pomo-
ma. Cal, September 4 1883. was ad-
dressed to "The British Minister at
washington. ID. c. and was signed
Charles y. Murchlson." The writer
stated that 'the gravity Of the political
situation ana the duties OF those voters
who are OF English birth and who con-
slider England the mother country was
the reason for intruding FOR informa-
ton"
Air. Cieveland's message to congress
on the fisheries question Was mentioned
as exciting alarm which compelled the
writer and others TO seek further knowl-
edge before casting their votes for
him The writer also said that many
English citizens had Tor years refrain
ed from being naturaiized, bat Mr..
Cleveland's administration had been
10 favorable and friendly toward Eng
land that thousands nad become nafur-
allied for the purpose Of electing him
over again. He continued by saying
new pollcy toward Canada temporarily
only and for the purpose Of obtaining
popularity and q continuation Or hts
Office for four years more and intended
to cease his policy when his re-eiection
was secured and again favor England's
| interest, he would then have no further
/ doubts and would vote for him. The
object Of the writer was to ascertain
I through the agency Of an unofficial let
ter direct from the British minister. the
real attitude OF the British government
toward the two great political parties
in tbs United States, 70 eifcst a res
| ponse which when made public should
authoritatively settle the disputed
question as 70 where the sympathy Of
the government and people lay TN the
electoral conflict then impending.
MurchiHon stated In his letter 90
Lord gackviile that he desired the min
ister's advice on the subject OF voting
not only for the benefit Of himself. but
for the information OF others
VESTS REPLY.
Lord Sackviile's reply was dated Bev-
eFly, Mass. September n. 1855. and u
as follows:
Il fully appreciate the difficulty in
which you find yourself In casting your
vote. You are probably aware that any
political party who openly favored she
mother country at the present moment
would lose popularity and that the par
~ In power Is fully aware OF this fact.
That party, however. IA, believe. still
DESTROYS Of maintaining friendly rela-
tons with Great Britain and atiIi de-
sirous Of settling sill questions with
Canada. which have been unfortunate
" reopened since tie rejection of the
treaty by the republican majority in
the senate and the presidents message
70 which you allude. All allowance
must, therefore. be made for tha p0lik-
zeal situation as regards the preBiden-
tai election thus created. II 81. how
ever. plainly impossible to predict the
course which President Cleveland may
pursue In the matter Of retaIia ton
!. 1 HANAA3 AN ~ GAE@&NAAt AMA AaaNN& LID MANk4
reason 70 believe that while uphold
ing the position he has taken he would
manifest a spirit Of conciliatiun In deai-
ting with the question involved III Its
message.
IA q aAcKv1IsIsE WEST.
II The Identity or MurchiAon was not
made public until January II. 1850 II
was then made known that his real
/ name was George osgoodby. weIi-to-
Z DO and reputable citizen Of Pomona,
; who was Of Scotch English parenkage.
: but was born IN the United States. The
) letter sent to Presldent-elect Harrison
by Harrison Gray Otis and Judge W
; II Fitzgerald was simply an exhaust
, i've history Of how the famous letter
came 30 be written and was sent him
ia the interest or historic truth.
!. MAY MAKE TROUBLE.
. Washington. =. G.. Oct. 9..-Extrnets
! eronl the pamphlet printed by Lord
sackville West reviewing his diplomat
&c career IN this country. which ended
in hie being summarfiy given hlm pass
ports IN the fall OF 1855 after the publ
cation Of the Murchison letter, have at
| tracted great attention here. 1t Is
thought perhaps that Minister Bayard
who was 40 severely scored IA the pub
iieatioa. may ask the state department
70 make a complaint against Lord
Sackvllle West The latter. although
retired n on the pension list.