The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-08 00:00:00

XR. REWARD TO LORD LTONR.

Washington, Jan. 13.

My Lord,—You have kindly left with me a copy of an
instruction which you had received from Earl Russell, dated
on the 22nd of November last. I have great pled:sure in
stating to you, for the information of his lordship, that the
President frankly and unhesitatingly accept. the explana-
tions given by Earl Russell of what was the meaning of the
British government in the views which, at their instance,
you had heretofore submitted to me concerning the right of
the President to suspend the habeas corpus in time of insur-
rection, without waiting for direct authority from Congress.
I have to regret, however, that while the misapprehension
which has existed upon this one point is thus generously
removed by Earl Muesli, he deems it necessary to
persist in the opinion that the President's proceeding,
under • suspension of the habeas corpus, in the
case of William Patrick, was wanton and capricious, and
that it had not been rendered necessary by the exigencies of
the civil war. As government must proceed always upon
information, and often with great promptness end energy, it
could hardly be possible to avoid the commission of occa-
sional errors in the exercise of precautionary power to
repress insurrection, manifesting itself more or less for-
midably in every .State of the American Union. I cannot
but think that • prompt correction of the error in such a
ease, mach a correction as was made in the case of Mr.
Patrick, is all that could reasonably be required by perinea
willing to deliberate carefully and anxious to interpret the
action of the government with candour and impartiality, as
lam sure Earl Russell is. I cheerfully consent to leave
Earl Russell's protest on the record where it will lie side
by side with the decisions of this government, which show
that during a civil war, now of nine months' dur•tioe, no
complaint of any kind has been denied • hearing, not one
person has been pressed into the land or naval service, not
one disloyal citizen or resident, however guilty of treason or
conspiracy, has forfeited his life except in battle, not nee
has been detained a day in confinement who could and would
give reliable pledges of his forbearance from evil designs,
nor indeed has one person who could or would give no such
pledges been detained a day beyond the period when the
danger which be was engaged in producing bed safely passed
away. Happily, it is not the judgment of even greataudgood
men like Earl Russell pronounced in the excitement of the
hour, and possibly subject to the influences of disturbing
eventa,which determine the character, of states. From such
judgments we cheerfully appeal to that of history, confident
that it records no instance in which any government or
people has practised moderation in civil war equal to that
which thus far has distinguished this government and the
American people.—l avail, &c., (Signed)

WILIIAX H. Szwean.

A despatch from Lord Lyons, dated Jan. 14,
1882, contains Mr. Beward's explanations as to the

obstruction of Southern harbours. In another
despatch of the same date Lord Lyons writes :

Mr. Seward said that be was desirous that the United
States should, in the present war, offer to the world an
example of leniency towards the enemy and regard for the
interest' of neutrals, such as had never before been seen.
Hs proceeded to enlarge upon the moderation hitherto
displayed by this government ; on its having ►bstained from
shedding the blood of traitor' or inflicting any severe punish.
manta upon them ; on its having adopted the mild form of •
blockade for closing the Southern ports, and on other simi-
lar topics. He went on to say that he hoped to be able to
give still another proof of moderation. He was occupied in
devising • plan for reopening correspondence by letter with
the South. Of course what was conceded to one foreign
nation must be conceded to all ; and what was conceded to
foreigners must be equally conceded to American citizens.
He thought it might be possible to establish at some point
a special office to which letters to and from the Southern
States should be sent, and from which such as, on examina-
tion, should prove to be unobjectionable might be for-
warded.

We may have occasion to revert to the Corre-
spondence respecting international maritime law,
involving as it does questions of more than tempo-
rary importance. It is noticeable that the Confe-
derate government was willing to subscribe to all
the declarations of the Congress of Paris except the
Brat. These declarations were—

1. Privateering is, and remains, abolished.
2. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with
the exception of contraband of war.
3. Neutral goods, with the exception of contra-
band of war, are not liable to capture under an
enemy's flag.
4. Blockades, in order to he binding, must
be effective ; that is to say, maintained by a
force sufficient really to prevent access to the coast
of the enemy.

On the present occasion the Federal government
would have accepted all the four principles but for
the declaration which was proposed to be attached
to them, and by which the Confederate war ships
were, in effect, to be excluded from the category
of privateers, or " pirates."
The Correspondence relating to the Tuscarora

and the Nashville makes ue heartily glad that two
such troublesome visitors have left our shores.
They soem to have kept the Foreign-office and the
Admiralty (not to speak of the local authorities at
Suuthampton)in a perpetual ferment. Both the com-
manders are courteous in their official oorrespon-
deuce ; perhaps the commander of the Nashville,
as the weaker of the two, is the most passively com-
pliant.

An influential meeting was held at Exeter on
Thursday, for the purpose of erecting a mueeum in that
city, which is intended to nave the purpose of • memorial
to the Prince consort.
THE PRINCE CONSORT MEMORIAL Forfn.—The ,
total amount received at the Mansion-house in aid of the
memorial fund up to last evening was 20,900/. Among the
principol donations were : the Illustrated London News,
1001. : FAA of Dartmouth, 501.
Tun PRINCE or WALES AT Dorm --Captain
Trisoott, Admiralty Superintendent, who received his
royal highness on his arrival at Dover, met with
a singular accident whilst accompanying the (prince to
the bust. Engaged in conversation. he became so absorbed
that a lamp-post which stood directly in his pathway
escaped observation, and the violence of the concussion
resulted in his being thrown heavily to the ground. His
royal highness and a sturdy polioe.ooostable immediately
lent their assistance to the gallant captain, who quickly re-
pined his feet, though almost stunned with the collision.
We are glad to learn that Captain Triscott sustained no
, move serious injury from his misadventure than • severe
shaking, and that yesterday found hint in his usual health.
—Doter Chronicle.
THE REPRESENTATION OP LICICESTER.—RESIONA-
, nom or Ma. J. RICOB.—We sincerely regret to have to
1 announce the retirement of John Biggs, Esq., as one of the
rehetrecisethnat4ttivte.hisadtechisisitmh‘gahs. beenWe atarek disposed
iy toonarPPrere--
spected friend at a moment when his family have
, suffered a severe domestic calamity in the loss of
I a venerable and well-beloved parent. If this event
have had any serious influenoe on the step now taken,
we would be rejoined to think that Mr. Biggs might
be induced to revoke it. That be has • heavy charge
upon his mental and physical energies, in the conduct
of the great establishment of which he is the leading
bead, is a matter of public observation— while, during
his whole parliamentary career, he has bees a sealous
sod most attentive and sound representative of this borough.
j At any time, his retirement would be • matter of most to
, all parties • but at the present, the great liberal party
I cannot Afford' to lose him. Could he be induced to retain
his seat until that dissolution occurs which is believed to
be not remote? We are on moat delicate ground at pre.
sent. There has been a union of the liberal party, but are
they sufficiently cemented to beer the shock of battle? We
trust that prudence, forhearases, and patriotism, will galde
them in this crisis.—Leirestershire Mercury.
Druerss OF Cmermsz.—Pmursummrr.—The Rev.
William Ranee Burgin'. 8.A., has been licensed by the
Lord Bishop of Chester to the stipendiary curacy of St
Paul's Church, Warrington, on the Damnation of the Rev.
William Wood, incumbent.
SADLER'S WELLS TREATRI.--01; dil, that • gallant
captain, well known in sporting and theatrical circles, has
taken the Fladler's Wells Theatre of Mr. Phelps for the
ensuing season, commencing at Basta. Elhakapeare will, we
believe, be for the time superseded by epeeist* farefares,bne-
leisque,and ballet. A young and fentunstaus actress, who is
now gaining laurels at a fashionable west-end theatre, is
meeikead as likely to be the directress.
NORTE STAFFORDSHIRE—The directors of this
eampany have resolved to recommend • dividend at the rate
of 3 per cent. per annum fur the half-year ending the 31st
I December last.

Cbt (Court.

OSBORNE, Fn. 7.
The King of the Belgians and Prinoess Rohm-
bile remain at Osborne on a visit to her Majesty.

A deputation on the subject of Scottish National Edam.
lion had an interview with the Lord President and the Vice-
President of the Committee of Council on Education yester-
day, at the Privy Council-office.
A meeting of the Royal Commiesion for the Exhibition
of 1881 wee held yesterday, at the Palace of Westminster.
There were present Earl Granville, the Duke of Bucking-
ham, the Earl of Derby, Lord Overetone, Lord Taunton,
the Right Hon. 81r G. C. Lewis, Bert., M.P., the Bight
Hon. W. E. Gladstone, ILP., the Right Hon. B. Disraeli,
M.P., the Right Hon. B. Lowe, ALP., Sir Alexander
Spearman, Bart., Sir C. Wentworth Dilke, Bart., Sir
Charles Eastlake, Sir R. Murchison, Mr. Thomas Baring,
M.P., Mr. Thomas Fairbairn, Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. Gott,
Mr. Hawkshaw, Mr. Thring, and Mr. Edgar Bowring,
(secretary).
A meeting of the Commissioners of the International
Exhibition of 1882 was held yesterday at their offices in the
Strand.

A deputation from Scotland on the subject of education
had an interview with Secretary Sir Georp Grey yesterday
at the Home-office.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yester•
day. An appeal from Canada, "Boswell v. Kilborn," part
heard, was concluded ; judgment wasreierved. An appeal
from the Mauritius, "Lepoigneur V. Coevals," was com-
menced. The Lords present were Lord Chelmsford, Lord
Kingedown, the Lords Justices Knight Bruce and Turner,
and Mr J. Coleridge.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Coloniateffice
from the Governors of the Mauritius end Malta. Des-
patches were sent to the Governors of the North American
Provinces.