The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-10 00:00:00

IR 10, 1861.

Luta:JuraNr FAIRFAX AND THE BOARDING

OP TEI TRENT.

At the dins& which was given, at Boston, to
Commander Wilkes, Lieutenant Fairfax, to a tout in his
bower, responded ma follows :
" I thank you, gentlemen, for this cordial welcome. lam
in heart a Virginian, but I am a native of the United States,
and owe allegiance to the government of the United States.
(Loud applanae.) When this difficulty, which has now
culminated in open war, was pending, I was on the coast
of Africa, where, of cons, I could not enter into the merits
of the case ; but, as a Southern man, I that I would
give all my energies to sustain the Stars and Stripes.
(Cheers.) When the question was presented to my mind
whether I should ideality myself with my state and
withdraw from the United States service, I could
see nothing but the United States government, which
I had pledged myself to support. (Applause.) Sticking to
that text, I readily arrived at the nu-lesion that I had but
one duty to perform, and that was the duty I owed to the
United States' government, of which I had been for twenty-
(anywise an bumble representative. When I sew those who
were seeking the disruption of this union turning their eyes
to the two great powers of Europe—England and Femm—
es their only hope, it seemed to me a pitiable thing
that men who had contended that uo foreign power
should put its foot on this continent should now
be so ready to welcome their aid, and I felt the
full force of the obligations which we all owe to the go-
vemment Captain Wilkes put me forward in the position
which has called forth the expansion of your Iseip to-
night, and I take little credit to myself for the part I took
in the act which seems to have met the approval of the go-
vernment and of the people of the country. It was by oo
means an agreeable duty to go on board the Treat and arrest
my old Irian, Mr. Mason, whose family is connected with
mine by marriage, though we are not, as some of the papas
have said, ernides. I knew pretty well what I had to do,
and I knew soon after I got aboard the veas that I should
have something more to contend with than the four
gentlemen I was to take with me to the San Jacinto. Mn.
Slidell and her daughters were than. They were womanly
and ladylike ; but they were under a groat deal of excite-
ment, and you may well imagine that they gave utterance to
a good many not very ptomain expressions. I extended to
them the courtesy, agreeably to the instrutiess ofttt:idalea
Wilkes, of a panne in the San Jacinto,whin they '
and they were permitted to go on their way to Europe,
I made se Ant week of the matter as I could. (Laughter
and aprause.) There was nothing at all meritorious in
what did. I introduoed myself to the captain of the
Trent, who received me properly ; but when I in-
formed him of my mission, be demurral considerably to
'my proposition. Seeing Messrs. Mason and Slidell not far
off, I told him it was not necessary to insist upon what I
bed at first demanded, an examination of his passenger list,
as I had tangible evidence that my friends were on board. f
then addressed Messrs. Mason and Slidell and told them
my mission. They intimated that they would not go unless
force were used. I then told them I was prepared for that.—
(ebeers)—and in a short time I had sufficient force on board
to impress every one in the ship with that fact. Lieutenant
ChM, of the San Jacinto, came on board, and took quite as
active a part in the transaction u Lieutenant Fairfax did.
He was rather apprehensive that the ladies and the mob
would overcome me, and presented six very inoffensive
marines on board, to be made offensive if neotuary. (Ap-
plause.) That gave rise to the report about a charge of tW
marines with fixed bayonets on the ladies. Messrs. Mason
and Slidell conducted themselves with a good deal of pro-
priety under the circumstances. Mr. Mason was perfectly
courteous throughout. Mr. Slidell, as we all know, has
inane crustiness in his disposition, but it must be remem-
bered that he had much more to embarrass Lim,
having his wife and family with him ; therefore it
was more difficult to impress him with the belief
that I intended to carry out the purposes of my visit.
He said he would not go unless I employed more force
than I seemed willing to show; but by the aid of the
°Moen the gentlemen were removal on board the San
Jacinto, where we were made very comfortable. With the
spirit of men brought up in naval or military life we felt
&sines to make them feel as little as possible the discora•
forts of imprisonment. On arriving here I was instructed ,
to escort them to Fort Warren, and introduce them to Col. ,
Mammon, to spare them the mortification of being
in the hands of the United States' Marshal. I took
leave of of them with those feelings which strike roe as per- 4
fectly natural tuner the circumstances. When we were about
to part, Mr. Mason said he could not express how much
gratitude he felt for the attention and kindness he had
received. (Applause.) I feel the full force of your kind
exhibition of feeling to-night ; but I take no credit at all to '
myself—it belongs entirely to Captain Wilkes. It affords
me great pleasure to be here, for lain no stranger to Barton. o
I went to school in Jamaica Plain, and I have often, as a
boy, been to Faneuil Hall, and listened to Mr. Everett and
the other great men of Massachusetts. As I stand here to- '
night, my memory goes back to the time when our fathers
of Virginia and Maseachusette were boon companions, and
made good cheer in the city of Boston ; and it is with a
great deal of satisfaction that I receive your welcome here
to-night with Captain Wilkes." (Cheap)

REV. NEW-VAN HALL ON THE AFFAIR OF

THE TREAT.

At an assembly of nearly 3,000 persons, chiefly
working men, held last evening in Money ,
The Bev. Nswesx HALL, in referring?*haal subject of
r : id "At the lecture before the Young Men's
AMAIII=OI2, at Exeter Hall, last Tuesday, I am informed
that ' Rule Britannia' was performed on the organ, and
rapturously encored. (` So it weal 11 the audience simply
meant to express feelings of patriotism I should heartily
have concurred with them. No doubt it was so. But some
people seem to imagine that Britannia has a right to rule
the waver—that the ocean is her freehold—that she may do
I what she pleases there—and that other nations must not be
allowed to not as in • manner which is quite justifiable in
ourselves. Need I nay that such a sentiment is most unjust
and monstrous? (Hear.) If this were carried out we should
always be at war with every commercial nation of the
world. No, there are certain laws and customs to regulate
affairs on the ere. By these we most abide as much as
others ; and therefore the first thing to be done is to dis-
cover what is the law—whether it has been broken—end
what can be done to secure its observance in future. Let us
then regard this questicn as one needing celmuees of judg-
meat, not violence and passion. Let the case be delibe-
rately argued. If America meant not defiance but law, let
us first ascertain what the law is—not demanding our
interpretation as the true one, not admitting theirs—but
referring the dispute to an impartial referee. (Cheers,
and • voice—' That's good.') But it may be urged in
=for violent measures—' Must we not at once
to the honour of our flee What! is our
flag of so recent invention, with so poor • history,
enriched with so few memories of glory, that it will be dis-
honoured by a short and dignified delay? Dishonoured by
not at once fluttering defiance against the freeman of the
North ; but would it not be more dishonoured by floating
side by ski. with the flag of slave-traders—(repeated
cheers)—slave-breeders, slave-drivers? If there must be
one or other dishooour, Oh, spare us this latter ! Neves,
Dever let the meteor flag of Britain be hoisted on the side
of tyranny and oppression. (Great cheering.) Suppose you
are watching two men fighting, and one of them, all excited
and irritable, chooses to be provoked by your looks, and
shakes his fist in your face between the roue&
(Langbter and cheers.) Would it be brave in you
at none CO fight him ? No! Bravery would my, ' Wait
I a bit, my fine fellow--you've enough on your
bands at present. I'm too much of • man to accept your
challenge just now. Finish affairs with your anta
int—two at once isn't fair. You may think better
of it perhaps by and by.' Now, I ask you, would not
that be braver than at once accepting such a ma's
ide-
fiance'
(Cheers.) But, supposing arbitration fall,, and
we cannot agree on this question, must we then fight!
I have been astonished at the opinion widely circulated
that we must either have redress or retaliation. Is there
not a third alterative—forgiveness? (Hear, hear.) If
for the future the law can be made plain, and obedience
to it secured, may we not pass over the affront to ourselves?
Is every dispute between nations, if sot amicably arranged,
to lead to war? Is nothing to be overlooked? What is thelaw
of Christ? ' Forbes:leg ono soother, and forgiving the another,
If any man have a quarrel against any, even as God forgave
yea, so ales do ye.' We feel it our duty to act on this law
in our individual capacity. Is it less our dirty as citizens,
and as nations ? Alas, Christian nations seem to think they
may do as communities what would be wished as individuals.
(Hoar, hear.) But there are not two rules of cooduct. If
I am to forbear and forgive ea regards you, my family must
do so to your family, my town towards your town, my na-
tio° towards your nation. What ha' our religion done for
us as • country, if we are to weal as hastily and angrily
to the sword to settle a quarrel se if we heard • Sab-
bath bell, and never had seen a bible, sod never listened
to the gospel of peace. (Cheers.) Oh that God, in whose
hand are the hearts of all, would dispute the people and
the rulers of both countries to peaceable counsels. (Cheers.)
I beseech you ; make earnest prayer to Him. I observe
with pleasure that a great meeting is convened in Exeter-
ball for prayer seat Theasday—the day Won our govern-
meat despatch will reach Washington. Let us pray that it
may be received in a conciliatory spirit. But not only so.
Let us pray that we may be conciliatory, that we may be
patient and forbearing, and gentle, even if their reply be
otherwise, remembering the command, forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have •
quarrel against any. I fear I have detained you too long
but the importance of the subject I trust will be • ri., , dent apology. (Cheers and' Go on.') Ones more, working
men, I beseech you, do what you can to allay the un-
reasonable, unchristian war spirit that now prevails.
Ponder on what I have said, and, inlopmention to much that
you hew and read, let my arguments, if you deem them
valid, persuade you to do your utmost for the preserva-
tion of peace. I 111111 not one of those who condemn war
under all circumstances—but I consider in this case war
would be most wicked. I am not one of those who
advocate peace at any piles—but I do earnestly
plead for peace now, and I ask you all to help.
Let each do .what we can to roll back the tide et
=passion. Let us listen to the earnest pleadings
I can imagine the fair spirits of hurnasity. et
freedom, of religion, with weeping eyes and 10110
trembling with emotion, are now, amidst the Ma ad
angry threats and warlike preparation, addressing SW
runs and our heart. Oh, by all the untold homes of
Cuewer—by the tenfold terribleuees of • MY beberess
re—by the sufferings of a negro race, who look on
with alarm lest you should join their oppressors to rivet

their chains—by the aspirations of the long down-trodden
CPliHungary and Italy, whose enemies will exult if
of Hungary
champions of freedom contend with each other
instead of making common cause against tyranny—by the
interests of the world, which will look on aghast to see its
civilissre and evangelists engaged in mortal combat instead
of prosecuting, in holy rirall, enterprises of benevolence
—by the principles of Christianity—by the example of
Jaws—by the law of God—l beseech you cut in your in-
fluence on the side of pesos, and loudly proclaim, We
will have no war with America.'" (Loud and repeated
applause.)

WEATHER REPORT._(THIS DAY.)
11111 DAT, DOo2ll3ilt 10, 0 A.IL

LEs. LIL D. P. C. I. I.
-.•-•
NUBS 29.0 43 42 E. 9 • 2
LanDiall - .65 45 a B.E. 9 r 9
LAWN ":19.50 47 46 8. 8 0 2
111/IW2OI 129.66 43 42 8. 9 r 2
ArD•00677 29 49; 47 48 9.w. 9r 6
toast= 29.41 45 a R. 6 r -
Man 29.70. 46 46 8. 8 1 0 6
I GuirAr -- 29.461 43 41 8.6. w. 1 13 1
8042404011411 '29.771 44 66 8.8. W. 7 0 8
Linalool —19.66 61 50 B.E. 9 xi 2
YALINIU -..1 I
•12 20.66. B.W.
44 46 S 0 1
AMMO= '29.66, 47 66 8. 4 • 2
LOSDOI llO.BB 60 40 b. 9 0
Davis - 29.86 52 61 B.W. 7 0 2
P 0126210012 _lakes IA 49 8. 8 a 1
P•LTIAND -.129.77 63 Id 3. S a 5
P 12110012 ...29.66 64 U L$.W. 7 0 6
Manor .... 29.6 s 61 SO W.S.W. 9 0 3
• W.-010.
_rump, 20 THIS 2290122. MORA= MORI 121022041

N. litttslo—W. to 8.
Ifodorsto tottrg, 1

and E.-
o.ale rain.

MBA= MORS 11113RSDAY.
&to 8 and W.—Presh to

_..id—W. to &ad &Z.—
Moderat-5. o
W. Watson, so
and on min.
entro.l to & B.E—

atront rainy.
11. to N.W.—elaillar.

LK to H. and W.—Fresh to
Fru& strong, some rain.
Coast—W.R.W. to B.—Mode- B.E. to B.W.—Fresh to strong.
rata to fruit, line. some rain.
ingland—W. to R.W. and 8. fI„B.E to KW. and W.N.W.—
Fresh to strong. for rain in Fresh to strung, to a gale.
the west. rain.