The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-29 00:00:00

personal instrumentality in bringing about that
recognition, all true lovers of Reform and enemies
of oppression, must feel greatly indebted to the
hon. member for Liskeard.

The letter of Earl RUSSELL to Lord LYONS on
the subject of the trade with Matamoras is a very
excellent one. It refers directly to the most im-
portant points of the case. In the first place, there
is this striking statement made which truly epito-
mises the events that have recently taken place--
" There is an impression," he says, " that it is the
intention of the American Government by captures
without cause, by delays of adjudication, by wanton
imprisonment of the master and part of the crew of
captured vessels, to put a stop to the British trade
at Matamoras altogether." This is speaking
out at all events ; and a decided opinion
is given with a determination and energy
which is not often found in Lord RUS-
SELL'S despatches. He then goes on to state
that the trade to Matamoras is a perfectly legiti-
mate one, and that it is quite impossible to say be-
forehand what goods will be consumed in Mexico,
and what carried into the Confederate States. This,
he truly declares, is a " matter beyond the scope
and destination of the sea voyage." Finally, Lord
RUSSELL is very determined in his summing up of
the case. He intimates that if from any motive
the British trade be deliberately subjected to a vexa-
tious and arbitrary interference, that "it is obvious
that Great Britain must interfere to protect her
flag." This is the right spirit to display in such a
question, and if it had been exhibited earlier much
annoyance might have been spared to many. Mr.
SEWARD'S reply to Lord LYONS is not at all satis-
factory, it is only what might have been expected
from him, considering the circumstances. After re-
capitulating the various important observations that
have been made in the communication recently re-
ceived, Mr. SEWARD admits that he does not in the
least doubt that the impression mentioned does
exist in England. He, however, appears to attach
very little importance to its existence. Mr. SEWARD
then describes the magical springing up of this
trade with Matamores, comparing it to the instan-
taneous creation of the aurelian lights. He pro-
nounces his opinion regarding the Peterhoff, and it
must be very encouraging to those who are at all
concerned in this complicated matter to learn that
Mr. SEWARD has appropriated to himself the right
to judge in advance, and that he considers the vessel
was engaged in unlawful trade. If the affair is not
yet settled by his own account, it is somewhat pre-
mature for Mr. SeavaßD to express himself after
this fashion. The vessel is indicated, moreover, as " a
forerunner of other fraudulent crafts of the same
character, organised with regularity, so as to con-
stitute a contraband packet line." This is
unwonted assurance, even on the part of an
American statesman. He not only refuses to take
the hint that is given, but he volunteers his own
hurtful remarks, and insinuates that all is true that
has been already asserted against the character
of British traders. Mr. SEWARD is also indignant
at the impression that has prevailed in England
on this subject, and seems to say that it was en-
tertained with the intention, if not the
purpose, to prevent the exercise, by this Go-
vernment, of all legal right to arrest the new con-
traband trade." Things must have taken quite a
new turn when it is permissible for any one, how-
ever powerful his position may be, to speak in these
terms of our country and our countrymen. It is
not enough that we have already submitted, as Earl
RUSSELL has truly declares, to the "most severe
interpretation of the law of nations," it is not
enough that we are to endure injuries,
and bear heavy privations at home and
abroad, for the sake of this American
war, but now it is incumbent on us to put up with
insult, and it is deemed necessary that the language
of bravado should succeed to the actions of tyran-
nical interference and unjust assumption of autho-
aity. It is of no use after these asseverations for
Mr. SEWARD to make more plausible statements,
and to refer to the past for encouragement for the
present and hope for the future. It is evident, with-
out a shadow of doubt, that it is the intention of the
American Government to throw every obstacle in
the way of British commerce and to heap every in-
sult upon the British name. It remains, however,
for us to decide how far this may proceed, and
how long this can endure without rousing
the indignation of this country. Are we
to allow this state of things to continue for
an indefinite time without protesting against it in
a form and a manner that cannot be mistaken, and
that no one will profess to misinterpret. The time
has gone by when it is desirable to make all these
sacrifices for a shadow ; no good has resulted from
the strict maintenance of the law inexorably laid
down at the commencement of this struggle that
our interests were to be subservient to the will and
pleasure of the Government of the United States.
It is therefore expedient that some show of resist-
ance should be made to this unscrupulous interfe-
rence with the traffic of British vessels, and the
rights and privileges of British sabjects:

The festive entertainments which the Royal
Bride and Bridegroom have honoured with their
presence may be held to represent the various
phases of our national life. The splendid assem-
blies held at Guildhall and in the Exhibition
Building have testified to the loyalty, the libera-
lity, and the taste of the men of peace and the men
of war—the merchant princes of the City, and the
gallant and fashionable " Guards." The stately
circles of our old nobility have been well re-
presented by a series of banquets and re-
ceptions ; the haunts of classic learning have played
their part in the pageant; the youth of England
have given their loudest hurras ; the busy sports.
man on Ascot Heath has looked up from his betting
book to cheer the Royal carriages ; the homage due
to the dead has mingled with the cordial loyalty to
the living in the beautiful gardens at Kensington ;
the shrines of music and art have been visited, the
sparkling scenes of the drama have passed before the
youthful pair whom all classes delight to honour.
Nor have the masses been without the opportunity
of showing their interest and affection. The
spectacle presented by the thoroughfares of the 1
great metropolis on the day of the Princess ALEX-
ANDRA'S arrival; the universal rejoicings in cele-
bration of the wedding celebrations, that extended
wherever Englishmen resided, that is to say, pretty
well over the habitable globe—all exhibit the
breadth and depth of the hearty goodwill and
sympathy of English men and women to the young
heir to the Throne and his beautiful bride. Never.
theless the panorama would have been incomplete
while the charities of England were left unnoticed,
and the warmth and readiness of the national bene-
volence 'remained 'without illustration. This gap
has now been supplied by the interesting
it oya
l ceremo-
nialllih
of Wednesday last, when their
High-
nesses inaugurated the new building of the Britishg
Orphan Asylum. The claims of an orphan on our
charity are universally acknowledged—they are
supported by the common feeling of mankind arid
by the special recommendation of Scripture.
They are felt to be touching in the:: helplessness
and urgent in their need, and have Leen duly hon-
oured by the establishment of many excellent inst-
tutions. the British Crphan Ayl-e Whose object,