The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-07 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER ,7, 1861.

SLIDELL, in the act of his capture, he adroitly
associates the protection of the Commissioners with
the honour of our flag, it may be time to observe
that our action is prompted by what is due to our
own self-respect, and that we are doing no lore fur
Messrs. SLIDELL and Moos, than we should do
for Mr. FILEDERWIL DocOLAB, or any other
negro taken out of one of our ships under similar

Mr. DAVIS announces that the military means of
the Confederates are stronger now than they were at
the commencement of the struggle. We should have
supposed this ass matter of course, as it is usual
for armies to grow larger in war. There can now
be no hesitation in admitting that the people of the
South have developed military resources for which
no one was prepared a year ago to give them credit.
The magnitude of their army, and the compara-
tively small sacrifice at which its members have
been withdrawn from their homes, casts a new
light on the capacity for mischief of a community
loosely bound to civil life, and devolving its
industry on an alien and subject race. At the
end of seventy years of self-government the South
has no material or moral progress to set beside
the glorious history of the North ; slavery
exhausts and ruins the soil, and brutalizes the
white race upon it. But it facilitates the pro-
duction of armies for the extension of its nefarious
power. The fact is curious as a phenomenon of
modern society ; but it has an interest more than
speculative for States which like England have
possessions in such lawless neighbourhood.

Mr. Davie observes that after seven months
the Federal forces have failed to extend their
occupancy of Southern soil, and at many points
have been driven to act on the defensive. This is
not just how a European observer would expect
to see the military situation described. North
Carolina has been the seat of a Northern force for
several months, and South Carolina has 12,000 or
13,000 Northern troops on her soil. But how
are we to account for Mr. DAVIS'S utterly changed
tone f He is surely thankful for small mercies,
when it is matter of congratulation with him that
he has lost so little ground. We feel uo delicacy in
reminding him, for Southern newspapers are doing
the same, that the military policy of the Confedera-
tion was not originally defensive. At this moment
the public journals of New Orleans and Richmond
are accusing the incapacity of the generals and the
imbecility of the administrators of the Confederacy,
because the onward movement which has been
universally expected is not made. But in truth
there is nothing surprising in the immobility of
either side. Each appears very mysterious to the
other. Each overrated its own power, and under-
rated that of its antagonist. But while the South
makes no way, and does not even hold its ground,
the North is rapidly increasing in strength, which
it manifests in new enterprises. The South has
been able to do more, much more, than
we expected ; but there is every reason to
believe we know the utmost it can do.
As long as the North is induced
by a pedantic and fastidious feeling to abstain
from piercing the South in its vulnerable side, as
long ea it hesitates to strike at the institution of
Slavery, it will make but weary progress. But
let it resolve to make an end and for ever of the
curse of the Western continent, and the power of
the Confederates will collapse like a pricked
bladder. The statesmen of the North are rapidly
ooming to see that this course must be taken ; and
it will be taken. Foreign intervention might post-
pone the issue of the struggle, by imposing truces
upon the combatants. But the American con-
tinent is the destined home of the freeman, and
the battle in one form or another will rage as long
as a single slave is on its soil.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.

LIVEZPOOL, S►YDaD►Y.
The Edinburgh, from New Yost on the 24th
nit, arrived here thin morning.

It is understood that no communication has been
made by Loed Lyons to the Federal government
concerning the Trent affair.
The New York World says :

The arrest of Messrs. Slidell and Mama, with various
antecedent and current events, conspire to force on the
American government the consideration of the status of
the rebel Confederacy. With respect to belligerent rights,
it cannot be longer postponed. A case has arisen
which can only be decided by the rules of in-
ternational law relating to belligerent rights and obligations,
and in which we lose • great advantage if we do
not come& to the South the belligerent character
which has been recognised by foreign nations.
The right of visitation exercised by Captain Wilkes is
an act of war, and war presupposes two belligerent parties
If we are not prosecuting war against • belligerent power,
our cruisers have no shadow of a right to detain vessels of •
neutral power and search them on the high seas.

The New York Albion, s British organ, says :

What the British may do or demand is s serious question,
not yet to be dismissed quite so easily as the press affects
to believe. We must say, however, that if Britain sought
• pretext for bringing oa war, as she is perpetually accused
of doing, there is now au opportunity for her to claim such
reparation as would not be granted, and for pushing the
dispute to hostilities.
The New York Herald says :

The government has decided to treat Messrs. Slidell and
Mason, in all respects as to close confinement and fare* like
criminals guilty of the highest crimes against the laws,
until full assurance is given that Corcoran and other officers
In the hands of the rebels shall receive the treatment due
to their rank and position as prisoners of war.
The government has also oome to the determination to

bang every prisoner duly convicted of piracy on the high
seas, and will hold the prisonm now in captivity, including
Messrs. Mason and Slidell, answerable for any barbarity
committed on the prisoners of war in the Southern prisons.
The New York Times says :

No government could be more positively bound than the
British government Is boned by its own most peremptory
direct and authoritative decisions to admit the legality of the
capture of the rebel ensimaries. If, however, that
mhos Is minded to construe abstract principles in a hostile
muse, there is just a sufficient element of vagueness in the
matter to make it open for her to do so. The whole question
is in that interesting condition to make the action of
the British government • palpable test of its disposition
towards the United States. It is hardly necessary to say
that we await, with perfect friendliness as with perfect
calmness, her yoke in this matter.

The New York papers of the 24th ult. state
that active preparations for important movements
were being made at Fortress Monroe.

Meeare.Slidell and Mason reached Boston har-
bour on the 23rd November.

THE SOUTHERN PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE TO THE CONFEDE-
RATE CONGRESS.

The following is the text of President Davis's
message to the Confederate Congress :

TOTHZ CONOILEM or TELE CONFEDERATE &ATM

The few weeks which have elapsed since your adjourn-
ment have brought us so near to the close of the year that
we are now able to sum up its general results. The re-
trospect is such as should All the hearts of our people with
gratitude to Providence for His kind interposition in their
°shalt. Abundant yields have rewardcd the labour of the
agriculturist, whilst the manufacturing industry of the
Confederate States was never so prosperous as now. The
necessities of the times have called into existence new
breaches of manufactures, and given a fresh impale. to
the activity of those heretofore in operation. The means
of the Confederate States for manufacturing the ascsmariss
and comforts of life within themselves istresse as the
conflict continues, and we are gradually lassomiog inde-
pendent of the rest of the world for the supply of suoh mili-
tary stores and munitions wars indispensable for war.

The operations of the army, soon to be partially inter-
rupted by the approachins winter, have afforded a pro-
tection to the country, and sled • lustre upon its arras,
through the trying vicissitudes of more than ear arduous
auspaign, which entitle our brave volunteers to oar praise
and our gratitude. From its COMIDOXIC•1011M ap to the
present period the war has been enlarging Its proportions
and expanding its boar/iris' so as to include new del&
The conflict now extends from the shores of the Misspeaks to
the confines of Missouri and Arizona, yet sadden Gale from
the remotest points for military ail have been met with
prompts... enough not only to avert diameter is the face
of inperier nemben, bat also to roll back the tide of in.
vision from the border. When the war einninseind the
enemy were poisoned of oarsman strategic points and strong
plains within the Confederate States. They greatly =-
ended us in numbers,in available resources, and in the arm-
pits. necessary for war. Military establishments had been
long organised, and were completed. The navy, and, for the
most part, the army, once common to both, were in their
pangolins. To meet all this we had to create, not only an
army in the fees of war itself, but also military estahhah.
meets ainsgaary to equip and platy it i• the geld. It
night, indeed, to be a subject of gratulation that the spirit
of the relenting sod the patriotism of the people have
anabledlles, under Providence, to grapple successfully with
theme difficulties.

• enocenien of gherkins victories, at Bethel, Bull Run,
Iliaassar. Springfield, Lexington, Leesburg. sod Belmont,
bin shocked the wished invasion which gamed of gain and
W Wallowed lost of power brought upon our soil, and
hes preyed that Ramberg cease to avail when directed
spirt a penis fighting for the sacred right of selfirovern-
mat end the privileges of freemen. After seven months of
war, the gamy have sot only failed to extend their own.
piney of oar soil, but new states and territories have been
added to our confederacy ; while, Weird of their threat-
ened 111/Mil of unchecked conquest, they have been driven,
at were then me point, to assume the defensive, and upon
a fair compariem between the two belligerents, as to men,
military man; and financial couditiou, the Confederate
BMWs are relatively numb stronger now than when the
ehruggle esnammeed.
ease your adjournment the people of Missouri have con-
ducted the war, in the face of almost unparalleled difficul-
ties, with a spirit and success alike worthy of themselves
end of the great PODS in which they are straggling. Siam
that time Kmeturky, too, has become the theatre of active
hostilities. The Federal forces Lave not only refused to
acknowledge her right to be neutral, and have Insisted
upon making her a party to the war, but have invaded her
fur the purpose of attacking the Confederate Stated. Out-
rages of the most despotic character have been perpetrated
spoil her people. Born of her most eminent citizens have
boon mixed and borne away to languish in foreign prisons,
without knowing who were their accusers, or the specific
Merges made agaiost them, while others have been forced
to abaudon their homer, their fami'les, and property, sod
✓eek a refuge in dietaot lands.

Finding that the Coedsdiode States were about to be
invaded through Keetaciry, and that her people, after
being deceived into mistake, security, were unarmed and
in defter of being subjugated by the Federal forces, our
armies were marched into that state, to repel the enemy
sod proveut their oocupatioa at certain etrategic points,
which would have given them great advantage is the
eontoit—a step which was justified not only by the
smemities of self-defame on the part of the Confederate
States, but oho by a denim to aid the people
et Kentucky. It was saver intended by the Confederate
goveromeat temper or comes the people of that state ;
bat, on the contrary, it was declared by our generals that
they would withdraw their troops if the Federal govern-
ment would do likewise. Prockelatios wee also made of
the desire to respect the neutrality of Kentucky, sad the
intention to abide by tie wishes of her people se soon as
they were fres to express their opinions. These declare.
gor were approved by me, and I should regard it as one
of the beet effects of the march of our troops fob Kea-
tacky if it should end in giving to her people liberty of
choice and a free opportunity to decide their owe destiny
according to their own will.
The army has been chiefly instrumental in prosecuting
the great portent in which we are engaged, but the navy
has also been effective in fall proportion to its MGM. The
I moral alma, deprived to a great extent of as opportusiki

to make their professional skill available et sea, have served
with commendable zeal and gallantry se More and epee
Wend waters, further detail of which trill be found in the
reports of the Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of
War.
In the transportation of the mails maw difficulties have
arisen, which will be found fully developed in the report of
the Postmaster-General. The absorption of the
means of transportation for the movement of fro=
military supplies, the insufficiency of the rolling stock
of railroads for the accumulation of badness re-
sulting both from military operations and the obstruc-
tion of water communication by the presence of the
enemy's fleet, the failure sod even refusal of contractors to
comply with the terms of their agreements, the difficulties
inherent in inaugurating so vast and complicated a system
as that which requires postal facilities for every town and
village in a territory so extended as ours, have all combined to
impede the beat direct( I efforts of the Postmaster-General,
whose zeal, industry and ability, have been taxed to the
utmost extent. Some of these d'fficulties cm only be over-
come by time and an improved condition of the country
upon the restoration of peace, but others may be remedied
by legislation, and your attention is invited to the recom-
mendations contained in the report of the head of that de-
partment.

The condition d the treasury will, doubtless, be a rubject
of anxious inquiry co your p►rt. lam happy to say that
the financial system already adopted has worked well so
far, and promises good rese'te for the future. To the ex-
tent that Treaso•y notes may be issued the government is
enabled to borrow money without interest, and thus foci-
litotes the conduct of the war. This extent is measured
by the proportion of the field of emulation which these
notes can be made to occupy. The proportion of the
field thus occupied depends, again, upon the amount of the
debts for which they ere receivable, and dues, not only
to the Confederate and State governments, but also to
corporations and individuals, are payable in this me-
dium. A large amount of it may be circulated at par.
There is every reason to believe that the Confederate
Treasury note le feat becoming such a medium. The pro.
vision that thole Dotes shall be convertible into Confede-
rate dock, bearing eight per cent. interest, at the pleasure
of the holder, insures them against ► depreciation below
the value of that stock, and no considerable tall is that
value need be feared so long as the interest shall be punc-
tually paid. The punctual payment of this interest has
been secured by the act, passed by you at the last session,
Imposing such a rate of taxation as must provide sotracient
means for that purpose.
For the summed presecntion of this war it is indispose-
able that the means at transporting troops sad military
supplies be furnished, as far as possible, in inch manner ea
not to interrupt the commercial intercourse between our
people, nor place a check on their productive energies. To
this end the meow of transportation from one section of our
country to the other must lie carefully guarded and ins•
proved ; and this should be the object of anxious care on
the part of the State and Confederate governments, so far
as they may have power over the subject.
We have already two main systems of through trans-
portation from the north to the south—one from Rich--
mad, along the seaboard; the other through Western
Virginia to New Orleans. A third might be secured by
completing a link of about forty miles between Danville, in
Virgiais, and Greinsborough, in North Carolina. The con-
struction of this comparatively short line would give us a
through route from north to south in the interior of the
Confederate States, and give us access to a population, and
to military resources, from which we are now, in a great
measure, debarred. We should increase greatly the safety
and capacity of our means for transporting men and military
supplies. If the construction of the road should, in the
judgment of Congress, as it is in mine, be indispensable for
the more successful prosecution of the war, the action of the
government will not be restrained by the constitutional obi
jeotion which would Wads to a work for commercial pur-
poses ; arid attention is invited to the practicability of
securing it. early completion, by giving the needful aid to
the company organised for it. construction sod adminis-
tration.

If we husband our means, and makes judicious use of our
resources, it would be difficult to fix a limit to the period
during which we could conduct a war whist the adversary
whom we now encounter. The very 'Hotta which he makes
to isolate and invade us must exhaust his means, whilst
they serve to complete and diversify the productions of our
industrial system. The reconstruction which lie seeks to
effect by arms becomes more and more palpably impossible.
Not only do the causes which induced us to separate still
exist in full fern, but they have been strengthened, and
whatever doubt may have lingered in the minds of any must
have ben completely dispelled by subsequent events.
If, instead of being a dissolution of a league, it were in-
deed • rebellion in which we are engaged, we might find
ample vindication for the course we have adopted in the
neon which are now being enacted in the United States.
Our people now look with contemptuous astonishment on
those with whom they have been so recently associated.
They shrink with avenion from the bare idea of renewing
such a coneexion.

When they see a President making war without the
anent of Congress—when they behold judges threatened
because they maintain the writ of h►beas corpus, so
sacred to freeman—when they see justice and law
trampled under the armed heel of military authority, and
upright men and innocent woman drugged to distant dun-
geons—when they find all this tolerated and applauded by
• people who had bemire the full enjoyment of freedom but •
few months ego, they believe that there must be some
radial incompatibility between such • people and them-
' eaves. With such a people we may be content to live at
place, hot the separation is furl, and for the independence
we have asserted we will accept no alternative.
The nature of the hostilities which they have waged
spinet us must be characterised an barbarous whenever it
is understood. They hove bonalirded undefended villages,
without giving notice to women and children to enable
them to escape, and in one instance *elected the night as
the period when they might surprise them must effectually
whilst asleep sod unsuspicious of danger. Arson and
rapine, the destruction of private houses and property, and
injuries of the most wanton character, even upon non-
combatants, here marked their forays along their borders
and upon our territory.
We ought to have beets admonished by these things that
they were disposed to make war upon us in the moat crueland
relentless spirit, yet we were not prepered to see them fit
1 out a large naval expedition with the °catered purpose not
Daly to pillage, but to incite a servile war In our midst. If
they convert their soldiers into incendiaries and rubber,
and involve us in a species of war which claims non-com-
' barer, women and children, as its victims, they must ex-
pect to be treated as outlaws and enemies of mankind.
There are certain rights of humanity which are entitled to
respect even in war, and he who refuses to regard them for-
feits his claims, if captured, to be considered as a prisoner
of war, and must expect to be deah with as an offender
against all law, human and Divine.
Bat not content with violating our rights under the law
of nations at home, they have extended these injuries to tw
within other jurisdictions. .

The diatiuidahed gentlemen whom, with your approval
at the last eassioa, i cuinuti.aioned to represent the Con-
federacy at certain foreign coerce, have been recently seined
by the captain of a United Stites ship of war, on board a
British steamer on their voyage from the neutral port of
Havana tu England.
The United States have thus claimed a general jurisdic-
tion over the high sea% and, entering a Britian ship, sailing
under its euuntry's fiae, violated the rights of embassy, for
the most part held sacred, even among barhariana, by
seising our minister* wallet under the prukction rod withia
hbs dumiuions of a neutral nation.

These gentlemen were u much nutter the jurisdiction
of the British government, upon that ship and beneath
its flag, as if they had been on its soil, and a clam on the
part of the United States to seize them in the street' of
London would Wire been as wall founded as that to appre-
hend them where they were taken. lied they been male-
factors, and citizens even of the United States, they could
sot have been arrested ou • British ship or on British
soil, unless under the express provisions of • treaty, and
&wording to the forms therein provided for the extradition
of criminals. But rights the most sacred seem to have lost
all respect in their eyes.
When Mr. Faulkner, • former minister of the United
States to France, commissioned before the wassina of

Virginia, his native state, returned in good faith to Wash-
ington to settle his accounts and fulfil all the obligations
into which he had entered, he was perfidiously united and
imprisoned in New York, where be now is. The vases-
peeing confidence with which he reported to his govern-
ment was abused, and his desire to fulfil hie trust to them
was need to his injury.
In conducting this war we have sought no aid and prof-
fered no Minium* offensive and defensive abroad. We have
salted for • recognised place is the family of nations ; bat

in doing so we have demanded nothing for which we dld
sot offer a fair equivalent. The advantages of intercourse
are mutual among nations, and in seeking to establish di-
plomatic relations we were only endeavouring to place that
interoonree under the regulation of public law.
Perhaps we had the right, if we had chosen to exercise it,
to sak to know whether the principle, that blockades to be
binding must be effectual, so solemnly announced by the
great powers of Europe at Park, is to be generally enforced
or applied only to particular parties.
When the Confederate States, at your last session, be-
came • party to the declaration reaffirming this principle
of international law, which has been recognised so long by
publicists and governments, we certainly supposed that it
sou to be universally enforced. The customary law of
nations is made up of their practice rather than their
declarations, and if such declarations are only to be enforced
in particular instances at the pleasure of those who make
them, then the commerce of the world, so far from being
placed under the regulation of 'general law, will become
subject to the caprice of those who execute it or suspend it
at wilL If such is to be the °ours* of nations in regard to
this law, it is plain that it will thus become a rule for the
weak and not for the strong.
Feeling that such views must be taken by the neutral
nations of the earth, I have caused the evidence to be col-
lected which proves completely the utter inefficiency of the
proclaimed blockade of our met, and shall direct it to be
laid before such governments as shall afford us the mesas
of being heard.
But although we should be benefitted by the enfome-
meat of this law, so solemnly declared by the great
powers of Europe, we are not dependent on that en-
forcement for the successful prosecution of the war. As
long as hostilities continue the Confederate States will
exhibit a steadily increasing capacity to furnish
their troops with food, clothing, and arms. If
they should bs formed to forego many of the
luxuries and some of the comforts of life, they
will at learnt have the consolation of knowing that they
are thus daily becoming more and more independent of
the rest of the world. If, in this process, labour in the
Confederate States should be gradually diverted from
those great Southern staples which have given life to so
much of the commerce of mankind into other channels, so
as to make them rival producers, instead of profitable Cue
tamers, they will sot be the only or even the chief losers by
this champ in the direction of their industry.
Although it is true that the cotton supply from the
Southern States could only be totally cut off by the sub-
version of our social system, yet it is plain that a long
continuance of this blockade might, by a diversion of
labour and investment of capital in other employments, so
diminish the supply as to bring ruin upon all those in-
terline of foreign countries which are dependent on that
staple.

For every labourer who is diverted from the culture of
cotton in the South, perhaps four times u many elsewhere,
who have found subsistence in the various employments
growing out of its use, will be forced also to change their
occupation.

Wink the e'er which is waged to take from us the right
of self-government can never attain that sad, it remains to
be seen how far it may work a revolution in the industrial
system of the world, which may carry suffering to other
lands as well as to our own.

In the ressatime, we shall continue this struggle, in
humble dependence upon Providence, from whose searching
scrutiny we cannot conceal the secrete of our hearts, and
to whose rule we confidently submit. For the rest we shall
depend upon ourselves.
Liberty is always won where there existe the unconquer-
able will to be free, and we have reason to know the
strength that is given by a cooacious sense not only of the
magnitude but of the righteousness of our cause.
Richmond, Nov.lB. JEFFERSON DAVIS.

(atom's IIIIXOWL)
THE EAST.

PARIS, Dsc. 7.

The Moniteur in its bulletin of to-clay says :
" A letter from Beyrout, which we publish in our
columns to-day, confirms the news of the arrest of
Joseph Karam.

"Fnad Pacha and Daoud Effendi seem to have
acted on this occasion in accord with the European
Commissioners assembled at Beyront in order to
insure the execution of the new organisation of the
Lebanon, which has received the sanction of
Europe."

" Various incorrect reports," says the Army and
Nary Gazette, "have been circulated respecting the
regiments supposed to be under orders for Canada.
The only battalions at present under orders are
the Ist of the Rifle Brigade and Ist of the
16th. No doubt more will follow u soon u transport
can be obtained, and the course of the American
government is more decidedly apparent. The roster
for service stands thus i—lat battalion 15th, 96th,
36th, 55th, 76th, Ist battalion 11th, god battalion
12th, 58th, 45th, Ist battalion 10th. It is probable,
however, that some of the new battalion, would be
seat out after the first sic we have named. The
brigade of Guard* next for servos consists of the let
battalion Grenadier Guards, now at the Tower; 2nd
battalion Coldatreams, and 2nd battalion Soots Fusilien,
both at Wellington Bursas."

At noon yesterday, thirty-one members of the
Iston Volunteer Corps had signed • letter, addressed
to their commanding officer, in which they desire it to
be made known in the proper quarter that they are
highly indigaant at the seizure of Medlars. Slidell and
Mama on board the Tient, and express their " united will•
levees sad readiness, at • few minutes' notice, to proceed
to defend our Queen, and flag, and country." if the
Baotou volunteers are resolved to " proceed to defend" the
national honour, we (Mancluster Guardian) feet their
views rm only be mat by the`• enlisting into the Mariner,
or joining one or other of the mimesis ordered to Canada.
The Canard steamship Persia, which has been
chartered by government for the conveyance of reinforce-
ments to Canada, will will, along with the Australasian, in
about 10 days. The destination of both vessels will pro-
bably be the Biviere du Loup or the island of Bic.
Considerable anxiety prevails as to the period
which will be allowed for mail oommuoication with Ame-
rica, in case of a declaration of war. This matter, however,
has been well provided for in • convention concluded be-
tween the two countries, dated the 15th December, 1848,
when Mr. Polk was President of the United States and
Lard Palmerston was at our Foreign-office. By this it is
stipulated that, in case of war between the two nations,
the mail packets of the two services shall continue their
navigation " without impediment or molestation until six
seeks after a notification shall have been made on the part
of either of the two government., and delivered to the
other, that the service is to be discontinued, in which case
they shall be permitted to return freely and under special
protection to their respective pone

-
A Vienna letter states that the Duchess de Berry
is on the point of purchasing property in Styria for the
Duchess of Parma, who intends to take np her residence
there.

Advices from Athens date that Dousioe, the
young man who lately male an attempt on the life of the
Queen of Greene, has been condemned to death.

The Thtlitre Francais, Paris, has received from
the Minister of State • present which will soon be placed iu
the new green-room of the theatre. It is a full length por•
trait of Madlle. Rachel, painted by G4rOme, and which has
already been seen in several exhibitions.

The orders given for coloured glass windows for
the new churches now being built in Paris amount to
1300,0001 r. !

The Constitutionuel announces that lately Mgr.
Manlier. Bishop of Niemen, on his return from a pastoral
tour, was received by his clergy at the cathedra., and cons-
plimented on hit recent latter to the Minister of Public
Worship. A vicar-general addressed the bishop, and ex-
pressed the utmost contempt for the authorities. The
bishop then ascended the pulpit, and compered M. Soared
"to the reptile which wounded St. Peal in the heel at
Malta." The Constitutionnel makes the observation tbat
" Hp. Planter has terms of sbuae at the service of every
one, and be lavishes it on the minister as freely u on what
be cells ' miserable pamphleteers.'"
Mr. Burtt, of the Iteconl Office baa again
arrived at Southampton in charge of the DOomeday Book,
for the purpose of having its account' of the counties of
SoloT4, Haute, Middlesex, Cheshire, and Laaaaahire,
by Sir Henry Jamee's pboo-zieoccraphic process.
he episcopal church at Fairfax Court. house, in
Virginia., has been destroyed by the Confederate sad Fed.-
nil troops. The church was one of the oldest in the
limited States. It war built by Lord Fairfax, sad the pul-
pit end altar were constructed in England. It was in this
church and at this altar that George Washington was
Mak&

THE CANADIAN PRESS ON THE TRENT

SEIZURE.

(From the Quebec Oh ronielc)

The tone of the extracts from the British and
American press we this day publish—extracts taken from
one day's mail—jnetifies the impression that war between
England and the United States has now become highly
probable. Mr. Seward's letter to Lord Lyons, and his cir-
cular to the governors of the states, have been felt as they
were intended ; that is as an insult and a menace. The out-
rage committed in the British waters of the Bermuda passage
by the San Jacinto, in forcibly taking two Southern
commissioner from beneath the protection of the
British flag, will be listened to with indignation by
an already irritated people, and if the reparation which will
be demanded be refused—as from Mr. Seward's unreason-
ing foolhardiness we suppose it very likely will be--the
American Secretary of State will have fulfilled the darling
object of his life, and succeeded in involving two kindred
people in deadly strife. It is not difficult to foresee what
the immediate consequences of such an event would be.
Great Britain would recognise the Southern Confederacy and
make with it an offensive and defensive alliance. Vessels
bearing the Star and Stripes would be swept from theorem,
and even from the lakes of the interior. The blockade
would be transferred from the Southern to the Northern
mast-line. The South, which would supply cotton, and
Britain, which would receive it, would both profit by the
exchange. The North, deprived of its navy, and forced to
withdraw its armies from its Southern to its Northern and
?Astern frontiers, would collapse financially and comfier.
daily, and be speedily forced to make an ignominious pesos,
recognise the independence of Dixie's land, and perhaps
yield a state or two, to be annexed to Canada. The Lincoln
cabinet, if they were sane, would see all this. But they do
not, or they would not act so stupidly towards England.
And we can only account for their acts on the supposition
that they are out of their right mind, and afford examples
of the truth of the classic saw, that " whom the Cods want
to ruin they Bret make mad."
But while the result of the war on the empire at large
would be what we have sketched, while we hardly re in
what way strictly British interests would materially suffer,
the sass would be very different as regards particular pro.
viers. British North America, whether on the Pacific or
the Atlantic slope, would have to bear the brunt of the fight
which would ensue. Canada especially would have to pay
the penalty of her loyalty to her parent star, and be made
the battle-ground of the contending powers.
Would it not be well, then, to act up to the oft reiterated
advise at the commander of the forces, General Sir
F. W. Williams, and do our best to preserve peer
by brag prepared for war? Not only should
hie excellency and the other imperial officers
here stationed represent to the home government (if they
agree with our reasoning) that there are not sufiicient troops
here to defend the province summarily ; but the militia
authorities tooahould bestirthemselves. It needs bur's few
words from them—it requires bet a phrase from the Com-
mander-in-Chief of the Militia—to set 20,000 men drilling.
The words should not be rashly spoken, and then authori.
ties ought to know better than we what the state of British
international relations is—but if it in critical, it is their duty
not let war find us unready to defend our homes. We have
• provision in our Militia Act authorising the formation
of engineer corps. Ought we not to add them to our active
force? Matters might be so arranged that the whole of the
frontier, or, at any rate, the most important points of it,
could be fortified by our own volunteers, under the direc-
tion ol the Royal Engineer department, at the tare cost of
materials. Burlington Heights, London, Taranto, the line
of the easels, and a point or two on the railroads leading
from the States into Lower Canada, maiden be weds strong
enough to delay an enemy's advance. If war should be
declared, such preparations would be of vast service.
But we still hope that the reflecting portion of the
Americans will find means of checking the mad career of
their misguided statesmen, and that we may be able to con-
tinue working out uninterruptedly the development of
our country's wealth and resources.

(From tin Toronto Herald.)

Every Canadian must have seen, with the utmost indi,k
nation, the arrest of Medan. Slidell and Mason, the Confe-
derate States =humidors, by • Federal naval officer, on
the high seas, from en board • British siesmer, just after
leaving Bermuda.
This offence against the laws of the seas, as now recog-
nised by all civilised nations, is an insult to which Great
Britain cannot submit, not merely if she desires to be mis-
time of the sea, but if she desires to maintain the ordinary
honour and dignity of a first class power. Even the Man-
chester men, though they care nothing for the honour of
the country, may feel indignant when they see that they
themselves might be placed in the awkward predicament of
Messrs. Slidell and Meson.

This arbitrary and high handed measure on the Kiss is
just of a piece with the suspension of the Habeas Corpus,and
other tyrannical measures at Washington, and •ill
destroy the lad vestige of sympathy that the Britons hos
had for the Federal' ; it being evident not only that they
are not fighting for freedom, but that they do not under•
stand the first principlel of it, or, if they do, they throw
them aside, whenever it suits their pride, ambition, or
interests.

The honour of England, as well as the interests of
the world at large, require that this outrage should
be promptly resented, even at the risk of war, the klia-
chaster men to the contrary notwithatandiog. A war m
the parted Great Britain with the Federal (not the United)
States would be short, sharp, sod decisive, and swat bees
but one result—their severe humiliation—a lesson they
would not forget for the next half century. We do trust
that the spirit of England will be roused by this gross
insult, and that no commercial consideration will interfere
with that actiou which national honour imperatively de-
manila We shall be glad to find the Washington govere-
meat disavow this set, and release the prisoners, but if net,
the sooner war is proclaimed the Letter, as the Yankees
seem determined to force it on us, and we had better have
it at the time most convenient to ourselves and must in-
convenient to the enemy. Canadians are reedy and willin;
to take their part in the contlict, and to assist in vindicat-
tog the honour of the British flag. Every Canadian feels
this last outrage as a personal insult.
(From the Toronto Globe.)
_

Let it be conMided that Commodore Wilkes was justi-
Bed In stopping and overhauling the Trent because he sup-
posed that despatches were on board, and there is no limit
to the annoyance which Yankee captains may give to
British steamers plying to New York or Portland. TM
Norwegian may be stopped on her east outward voyage,
and every bag and every trunk may be ransacked for
Southern despatches ; and so on without limit. The pre-
tended right is boundless in its application.

We (Atheamum) are glad to be able to contradict
the rumour that Mr. Charles A nderssoo, the South African
Explorer, sad author of "Lake Ngasni" and '•Tbe
Okavango River," had suddenly died. Letters from him,
dated Cape Town, October 7, have just been received,
according to which be was about to start for the anterior.

On Thursday next, the Society of Antiquanci
will begin a new series of special exhibitions, after
manner of those which last year gave so much pleasure to
the fellows and their friends. The evening will be devote!
to early and curious bock', from the introduction of print-
ing down to the seventeenth century, on which Mr. Tile
wil read a paper. Many choice examples will be cer
teibuted by Mr. Tite, including some beautiful works iron
the Paris press, block-books, books of devotion, Carat
works, a series of Shakapeara quartos, a Coverdate bible,
and many other rarities.

The Dean of Windsor, ea we (Athencrum) haft
has privately invited some distinguished arcleologi,tio
visit Windsor Castle, and subject ita lions to • more mat
and minute examination than has )et been made. SI:.
Parker baa been looking into the structure ; Mr. MO'
Jones into the books ; Mr. Albert Way at the figures ilia.
magnificent west window ; Mr. George Scharf at the crf,,,
collection of historical portraits; Mr. Glover at the num,
besriuga of the Knight. of the Garter ; and Mr. Woodwirj
into everything.

Mr. W. West has succeeded Mr. Leigh Mum!
ea stage .manager to the Royal English Opera, GO'
Garden.
It is rumoured that Her Majesty's Theatre 111
positively open next season under the direction of IL Ey
tiler, of Madrid.
The lessership of the St. James's Theatre hit.
paned out of the hands of Mr. Alfred Wigan into 004
Sussex Millbank, Faq. Mr. and Mrs. Wigan will, we ISO
day Tines) believe, shortly leave the stage of St. .11,14
having entered into a series of starring engagements in
country. They will return at Easter. In the mela
Mr. Charge Vining and Miss Herbert will head the 0:0*
puny, which will be considerably reinforced.