Jánossy Dénes: A Kossuth-emigráció Angliában és Amerikában 1851-1852, I. kötet (Budapest, 1940)

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room. Somewhat excited he began with stating that I had accused him with compromitting the flag of the U. S. which was a grave charge, that I had not acted as the representative of an independent nation of fifty millions. This excitement now increased to which I attribute the mistake in numbers. I told him I regretted that he had misconstrued my letter to Capt. Long. He replied that he had not, that I had accused him of compromitting the flag which was a grave charge and he should appeal to the people of the U. S. He often mentioned the people and that they should judge, that I had driven him from the Mississippi. I stated to him the excitement in the city of which he had the proof by the boats around the steamer and the dense crowd in the jetée. I was anxious to place the affair in its true light so that the sober thought might calm down his malignant feelings towards this government which he was venting on Capt. Long and myself as the authors of his intended departure from the steamer and not of his own intention before he went on board. I assured him, no offence was intended and that nothing could be more distant from my mind, that I have no diplomatic powers. Here was the tender point; these laws were in opposition to his ungovernable will. Fearfully excited, he replied in a louder tone and with insolent gestures: Yes, sir, the laws of the country but not the whims of Mr. The Prefect; if only a commercial consul you are perfectly acquainted with laws, diplomacy and you should never have permitted as the representative of an independent nation an insult. He repeated over and over that I had driven him from the Mississippi, he would appeal to the people, his letter to be for the people, prison, grave charge etc. He talked of prison as if he really thought he was in one and that I should have resented the order. I found it useless to reason with him, he imagined his miserable excuse would release him from the stain of ingratitude and gross insult to the people of the U. S. I feared the continuation of this unpleasent scene, whished him a pleasant voyage, bowed and retired, I in a cold, respectful manner, he like an Oriental Satrap. Being the nation's guest I pledged myself as its representative if permitted to come on shore he should respect the laws