The Express.
London, England, 1862-01-30 00:00:00

H•smoziums.—NEW MODEL
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LONDON, THUNIDAY. JAN. 30.

F.iat Breast has fulfilled hie premien by '
replying in an elaborate note to the despot&
written by Mr. SIWAAD on liberating Mama
Btimit.t. and Maxie. It may be remembered that
in Earl tic.exu.'s original despatch as to tie ask'
of the Trent, it Rai merely stated that cartain
individuals had been forcibly taken from on board
a neutral British vessel whilst such vessel wee
penieleg a lawful and innocent voyage, and re-
arm was demanded for this act of violence, which
wee described ae an affront to the British flag and
a 'debase of international law. With ueeasep-
towel& teat and judgment every means of retreat
wee thee left open to the American Government.
They were fres to adopt such grounds for acceding
Utile demeede of the British Government se they
might think least damaging to the natioaal
dignity. In fact, it was clear that as
soon as the captured were restored, pro-
vided that the restitution was accompanied by
a sufficient apology, the danger of war was over
and the doctrines of international law maintained
on either side, though they might become the sub-
ject of an interesting diplomatic diaeuesion, could
lead to no serious consequences. And, indeed,
such hie been the case. As we observed at the
time, the elaborate and somewhat tedious note of
Mr. S ewseu was remarkable neither for literary
ability nor for sound law; although, as it seemed to
us, its main principles were bleed on acknowledged
legal principles. It was, therefore, absolutely DO.
ceiseary that the British Government should state
their view of the doctrines of international law in-
voked in the seizure of tho Confederate Com-
=jalousie, and the despatch embodying that view
is now before us.

1 t is certainly for the advantage not only of other
nations of the world but of GresA Britain beeself,
that in the present case she oommiestbe pail's& of
• neutral. It is not to be denied that during the
great war Lord Stowers and his judicial brethren
pushed belligerent rights to the extreme. It is
true that modern English jurists have candidly ad-
mitted that Lord STOWZLL was, in some most im-
portant points, manifestly wrong. It is said that
the English Government would not now venture
to enforce the right of seizing British subjects found
on board any neutral ship. It must be admitted
that during the Ruarian war, under the influence
of such men es Lord Kinosixiwn Sir Jonir
Parr and Sir WALLUI ?evu, the
right of capture was in no way en-
larged, but rather restricted. The opinions of
mankind had in the course of time tended towards
extending the rights of neutrals ; but it is well
that this tendency should be increased by prac-
tical experience of the interruption caused to
neutrals by the strict exercise of belligerent rights.
That the most powerful maritime nation in the
world should become the champion of neutral
rights is no doubt a source of the liveliest astir
faction to the other Powers of Europe ; and if
the Northern statesmen of America knew their
real interest, they would be as eager as the Powers
of Continental Europe to support the position
NMI IRMA he the %Web Minis'/...
After • careful perusal of Earl RmeneLL's de.
spetch, it seems difficult to state the rights of
neutrals in time of war more broadly than they
are stated in that document. According to
Earl RossaLL, either belligerent is at per
liberty to maintain communication with
any neutral country, end the conveyance
of such public agents as Messrs. SLIDE LL
and Manor from Savannah to St. Thomas on
their way to Europe, and of their credentials or
despatches, on board the Trent, was not end
could not be • violation of the duties of neutrality
on the part of that vessel. There wee, in fact,
not one element which could make either the coon.
miasionera or their despatches contraband. For,
as Earl ituserLL correctly says, the fact of carrying
despatches or ambassadors is not • breach of
neutrality. The destination of the ship must be
hostile, or the ship must be specifically hired for •
hostile purpose. As to Mr. Sew.van's quotation
from Verret, who says that you may stop is
Ambemador ou:liis passage, it ia obviously irrek-
sant, and it is certainly difficult to understand
the reason which could have induoed Mr. Szwann
to rely upon a pessege which he must have
known to have no bearing upon the case.
In short, Earl RtresaLL has stated with perfect cor-
rectness the Me of international law in these
words;—" If the real terminus of the voyage
" be bond fide in • neutral territory, no English,
" nor indeed, se bee IidAJIIITT'a Government be-
" lies% any Anyone= authority, can be found
" whisk has ever given countekssaes to the doe-
" trine that either men or desredobor can be gab.
" ject during such • voyage, and on board each
" a neutral vessel (as the 'boo, to belligerent
" capture as contraband of war. Her Ku me.
" Government regard •,ocir a aiddin as wholly
" ineconcileable with ',be true pindlella d curb
" time law, and cert fly with them prinelpies en
" they have been u sidereleed in the mute of Ids
" country." But a most importent palmy 14
lows, "Itis to 'be further ellemed that rads
“ engaged
anal
postal genii% end bespint=se
66 d peel/Aka senmindmilimn
" mat Gauntries of Sumps and ANNA%
" and other parts of the world, time r Ile!
" shame el trusty stipulations they map mot be
" exempted from visit sod seen* in lir of web
" sot from the penalties of any violation eff
" seutrahty if proved to bare been knowiesit
" committed, are stM, when sailing in the ordiemy
" and innocent came of their *Wimple* easpisp.
" mot, which cessists in the senveyenen d.
" mails and passengers, entitled te
" and protection from all Governments in 'Yee'
" service they are engaged. To Main, Mt" or
" them, without the eery graved
" come, uvula be ein act of a moat noziono and

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