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

Okirattár

disposal by the unanimous vote of our Representatives in Congress, you have been charged by a commercial agent, of having compromised that country's banner! When the American people, through their representatives, have extended to you a mark of their respect and sympathy — which has never been: paid to any man with the exception of Lafayette — he has,, without considering the consequences, undertaken to say toyou that which would oblige you to decline their proffered honor. I, sir, am not a diplomatist. My profession does not often place me in position to decide upon questions of political intricacy. But I can be allowed to judge and to express my opinion upon subjects as devoid of ambiguity as this appears to me to be. I am familiar with every circumstance which has led to this accusation. I have watched attentively every movement of yourself and every word, almost, that you have spoken since you came on board at the Dardanelles, and I do not hesitate to venture my opinion, that in no one instance have you, in the least, compromised the American flag. I do firmly believe, that upon investigation, your whole course of conduct will meet the entire approbation of the American people. I know it is a piece of assumption in me to make such an explicit declaration, and particularly after those whose experience and situation entitle them to so much more respect, have decided otherwise. But there are cases in which men of the finest tact and judgment may be deceived. There are cases in which men, from a strict sense of duty may be misled; in my humble opinion, this is one of those cases. I cannot think that captain Long considered the consequences of his becoming; a party to this charge, the impossibility of your remaining under this flag, after having been accused of compromising it> (unless it is satisfactorily retracted and explained,) and the disappointment which will be produced at home, among the parties and classes when they become acquainted with these mortifying, these painful facts. I hope most sincerely that such explanations will be made to you as will exculpate Captain Long, and that you will, after receiving them, reconsider the resolution which I know you have made.