Rassegna storica del Risorgimento

58
Howard R. Marraró
George Perkins Marsh a Henry H. Barstow
Turìn, November 25', 1861. *)
Dear Sir: I am now satisjied that the Italian Government will moke no answer to my communication respecting the attacks upon you, and upon full consideration, I do not see any ground upon which I can insist upon one. The Government has practically treated the charges as futile. It has neither voith-drawn your exequatur, nor mode any complaints concerning your conduct, nor have I understood from you that the locai authorities have obstructed you in the discharge of your officiai duties, or given you any cause to complain of their treatment of you.
Under such circumstances I do not see that the Government is under any responsibility on the subject, and I do not think I have any righi to ask in your behalf any verdict of acquittal or any expression of opinion as to the justice of the charges against you.
If the New York Herald were to charge the British Consul at that city with corresponding with, or aiding the rebels, I am sure our Government would not think itself under the least obligation to givo the consul a certificate of good conduct, or to interfere in the matter at alt, and I know no ground on which I can demand of the Italian Government what our o?ore, under like circumstances, would refuse.
If the Italian Government had believed the charges, it would have revoked your exequatur, or asked your removal. It has sufficiently testified its disbelief ofthem hy disregarding them. It has done you no wrong, it owes you no formai satisfaction, but the legai tribunals are open to you to seek redress according to the laws of the land...
') Archivio Ambasciata americana, Roma.