The Express.
London, England, 1862-01-02 00:00:00

The steamship Europa arrived at Halifax on 010
morning of Sunday, Dec. vs, bringing European
advioss to Deo. 2. A very full =granary of the
opinions of English press on the ?damn and
Slidell mums, and the important decision of the
British Government, as well as the opinion of the
law officers of the Crown, was telegraphed to New
York and Washington, when the DOWD was re-
ceived on Sunday afternoon. No journals
were published, however, on Sunday, but
the nature of the news gained currency through
private circles', and caused intense excitement, the
more so as the previous advicea per Hansa had
led the public to believe that thews would be -

render of the prisoners under an; circumstances
whatever.

The following day, Dee. 17, the feeling univer-
sally was much calmer and quieter throughout all
circles, and the general opinion was that war would
certainly not ensue ; the idea of giving up Maws.
Mason and Slidell was even dimmed and its pro-
bability entertained, the argument being if the
Federal government was in the wrong in taking
these men there is no disgrace in surrender-
ing them, and if they were right the
question can be discussed or settled by ar-
bitration. The startling rumour that the
Federal government had forbidden the export of
specie gained credence in New York fur some time
on the afternoon of Dec. 17th, but it was soon as-
certained that such • thought had never even
entered the heed of the Washington cabinet.
The Europa reached Boston late on the after-
noon of Dec. 17th, having been 49 hours from
Halifax to Boston against strong head-
winds. It was then announced that
within thirty minutes after the Europa
touched at Halifax, the British 'team'
sloop of war Rinaldo got up steam and left, iu pur-
suance of some orders, it was supposed, brought by
the Queen's messenger, to communicate with the
admiral of the British North American squadron.
The Europa's mails were delivered in New York
December 18, and their contents largely scrutinised.
Captain Seymour, Queen's messenger, and Mr.
Cooke, messenger from Mr. Adams, arrived in New
York on the morning of December 18, and at once
left for Washington by special train, where they
arrived at midnight.
The tone of the New York morning journals of
Dec. 18 was materially changed on the Mason and
Slidell question, and • degree of moderation was
observable in discussing this subject very different
from the articles of the few previous weeks. Whether
through absence or any other cause, none of them
contained any despatches from Washington on
this question. On the afternoon of the 18th,
news from to the Bth December was tele-
replied boas and the ansouncenseut et
the formidable warlike progress being made in Great
Britain again created great excitement and affected
the money market injuriously.
The following despatch from Washington was
published in the New York Times of Dec. 19 :
"A cabinet was held to-day at which the English
question was discussed, of course informally, as the
nature of the despatches brought by the royal
messenger has not been divulged. There was but
one sentiment prevalent, and that was that no
quarrel with Eugland must be permitted to inter-
fere at this moment to stay the reduction of the
Southern rebels. The government is probably
satisfied that the clamour for a war with England
originates with, and is propagated by, sym-
pathisers with the Southern rebellion. It
knows that nothing would so gratify the rebels,
would so restore their vanishing confidence, and re-
invigorate them to redoubled efforts at defence, as
the news that England is permitted to come to their
rescue. It believes it has no right to give new life
to the rebellion by entering upon another and vaster
quarrel, which would at the same time Mimeses ten-
fold the burdens upon the people of the North ; and
it naturally hesitates to adopt a policy which would
carry joy to every traitor in the country, and
weigh down to poverty the loyal and law-observing
citizen. But whether these or other considerations
govern in the matter, I have the beat authority for
saying the demands of England will be met in a
spirit of conciliation' which will at once refute the
calumny that Mr. Seward or any other member
of the cabinet has been eager to provoke
a foreign war. The intelligence received by the Jura,
that the despatches with which Slidell and Mason
were entrusted reached England notwithstanding
I their arrest, renders the question as to the dispo-
sition of the persons of the rebel envoys one of
secondary moment, and a most inadequate one, on
which to base a great international struggle. It
will be borne in mind that the administration
is still uncommitted on the Trent business.
The subject was not mentioned in the President's
Message ; and the language of Secretary Welles in
his report, and his letter to Capt. Wilkea,are rather
professional and personal than diplomatic, and in
I no degree bind the State department. Of one thing
the public may rest assured, the subject will not be
settled without an important curtailment of the
English pretensions to enforce a right of search,
which she finds it so unpalatable to concede to
other Powers."

The Tribune, of the same date, published the fol-
lowing :—" Captain Seymour and Mr. Adams' mes-
senger arrived about midnight, in consequence of a
delay caused by a railway accident. Lord Lyons has
detained the Africa tall Friday. Nothing own, of
course, be known of the despatches till to-morrow,
when the President will send a message to the senate
on the subject of our relations with Great Britain,
which will be considered in executive session.

A rumour is afloat that the government
has decided to return Messrs. Mason and Slidell ;
but we are satisfied, after inquiry, that it is untrue.
" The question would not be decided in advance
of the receipt of Mr. Adams' despatches, and there
has been no Cabinet meeting since yesterday. The
Africa will awry to England a despatch from Lord
Lyons, containing little more than the intelli-
gence that he has received and delivered to
the American government his instructions
from the Foreign-office." These despatches, it will
be seen, entertain the idea of the surrender of
Messrs. Mason and Slidell, the first time that the
New York press has argued the possibility of their
surrender since their seizure.

Tho detention of the Africa for despatches was
settled immediately on receipt of the Europa'.
advice,.

---'iisCongress, on December 16, Mr. Vaßandit-
ham (opp., Ohio) introduced • preamble and reso-
lution :—• Whereas the Secretary el the Navy has
reported to this house that Captain Charles
j Wilkes, in command of the Elan Jacinto, an
armed public vessel of the United States,
did on the Bth November, 1881, on the
high sea:, intercept the Trent, a British
mail steamer, and forcibly removed therefrom
Messrs. James K Mason and John Slidell, disloyal

Mims, L.ii s tionepiesteee, rebel mends% sad
deapetees ma, who id& flair smite male am their
way tell= plessolls the mum of the imam
to be the eashemadcre teem the
re= Osofeckesto States ; and •
" Whores' the Secretary for the Navy has fur-
ther reported to this home that the prompt and
decisive action of Captain Wilkes on this 0001111011
'stetted end tmeived the emphatic approval of the
Depsairsea. ; and, moreover, in a public letter,
has thsaked Osphda Wilkes for the acts and
" Wham, this be..., on the lint day of the
did to tender the thanks of Con-
:tees 'n Wilkes for his brave, adroit, and
=oeVie maduct in the arrest of the traitors
Maims and Slidell ; and
" el on the same day this house did fm
qq~~ theresident to confine the said Julies
Y. alma and John Slidell in the cells of
tionvielpd felons until certain military offi-
cers irs the United States captured and held
the imealled Confederate States should be

Affairs.
" Mr. Vallandigham remarked that a former re-
solution approbatory el Captain Wilkes was passed
without bang so referred. He (Mr.Vallandigham)
had Awed this resolution in good flab, and would
stand by it.
" The house then refused to second the demand
for the previous question.
:40 Fenton again moved that the preamble
and lution be referred to the Committee on
F Affairs.
" motion was agreed to byTees, 109, Nays 16.
"AA 1 p.m. to-day 19), a general impreasion
prevailed among well-informedcireles that the Wsah-
mgtai Cabinet will surrender Meows. Mason and
Slidell, if the demand of England is couched hi
such Wins that it can be complied with with-
mit Mating the easeepribilitise and wounding
the aidlonal honour a/ our gnat nation in its inter-
course with another.

" the steamer does not sail much later than
this > 1 closes further particulars will be known."
mediate effect of the Europa's news upon the
stoelested money market on Dee. 16 was startling.
There was a general fall of about 3 per met. in
the Meek market, and • depreoiatioe is several in-
stinct& of from sto 8 per cent. Western shares fall
from 3 to 5 per cent. Sterling exchange rose to
110} is 111. The New York Herald, in its edition of
December 17, in a characteristic article on England,
argued that there were probably 800,000,000 dol-
lars north of property of various kinds, stocks,
batreal estate, merchandise,dia, belonging to
. and French subjects, and in case of war
England and France the Herold urged the
government to appropriate the whole of the property
of private individuals, and also reconinic the
government to prohibit immediately the further
export of breadstuff' to Europe.
The bank statement of Dec. 16 showed an m-
e:peeled large decrease in specie, the decrease
amounting to nearly three millions, without any
specie shipments to Europe.
44tetscontEdion of specie payments by the
ew York„ and Philadelphia Banks
was certain, but contrary. to ex-
pectation, at a meeting of the banks in New
York on Dec. 16, it was resolved not to sus-
pend specie payment. The following resolutions
were passed unanimously :
" Whereas the public mind has become unduly
agitated in regard to the financial course to be pur-
sued by the banks and the United States government
which has led to a premature discussion of a sus-
pension of specie payments ; and
" Whereas, an examination iuto the condition of
the specie of the country has resulted in the belief
that we now hold 80,000,000 dole. of bullion more
than we held a year ago, eif which a fair proportion
is in the banks • and
" Whereas the exports of cereals and provisions
have so far exceeded those of former years, that,
notwithstanding the loss of the cotton crop, our
exports far exceed our importations, and there is
no demand for foreign exchange to warrant consi-
derable shipments of coin ; and
" Whereas the pending difference with Great
Britain will probably prove to be capable of a
diplomatic solution through the ordinary channels,
or by arbitration, and fears on this score are pre-
mature and groundless ; and
" Whereas, there is nothing in the position of
the loans to the government to cause uneasiness,
and the entire arrears due upon them from the
banks of this city (a considerable part of which is
to be reimbursed) do not exceed 21,500,000 dole.,
provided the Secretary, in his drafts therefor, will
consult their wishes, which may be expected from
him from motives of interest and policy, es well as from
his promises ; and whereas, independently of all
these considerations, it is not only unbecoming but
bad faith for fiduciary agent' to refuse the just de-
mands of depositors, unless for clear cause and
manifest necessity, and nothing but an entire want
of public confidence, or great national considerations
rendering it impossible to comply with all engage-
ments, can ever justify such refusal ; therefore be it
" Resolved, That the New York banks, with as-
surances from the representatives of banks in
Boston and Philadelphia, of their co-opera-
tion, see no reasonable justification or
necessity for • suspension of specie payments
under the existing state of their relations with the
banks of this country, the United States govern-
ment, and Europe.
" Relying, therefore, confidently on the harmo-
nious action of the government, on the continued
confidence of their depositors, and on the patriotism
of the people, they will maintain specie pay-
ments."

led the public to believe that there would be no iieateil lia pritionet-sort;;;,theTefore 13it:
difiiculty with England on this question. " lieenlvei, as the sense of this house, that it is
A full telegraphic summary was published in the the 4,017 et the President to now firmly maintain
American journals of Monday, Dec. 16, and the the stead Ono taken, approving and adopting the
die Mason and Slidell case became the absorbing act of Wilkes, in spite of any menace or de-
topic of the day. The press and the mad British government, and that thin hone
public generally seemed to deprecate war tie NI support to him in upholding now tits
with England, and to Cling i 0 & vague idea tigit esnl:rin*anag the sentare el the govern-
the nstfter'iltweVerweßsd by me-somiwilliliailMelarWASlPAMld Mar 4.611:s
Mrat. Unanimity at first, however, ap- fer,l2.Powelt
ceoprevail among the press and public upon Vallabglighant moved the previous question.
the most important part of the question namely, They hid heard the first growl of the British lion.
the surrender of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and It remained to be seen who would be cowed.
1 the universal opinion was that the "national ho- "Ms Fenton (I p. N.Y.) hoped the resolution
none of the country could never permit the sur- would he referred kP the Committee on Foreign