The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-22

cured q quantity o. hsehlc WHICH sue sWano"eoi
and from the effects she died.
on TIE INSIDE PAGES
May be found, in addition to the subjects already al
uded TO, a letter from our Boston correspondent,
and an article giving the statistics Of the religious
denominations in Boston; address of the Cuban
Junta to their compatriots; affairs in Mexico; the
Angel Cabaiel again; remarkable phenomena; scar
city OF breadstufs in Ohio; commercial and financial
intelligence, &c, &c.
History of the Negotiation on the Neutrality
Laws.
We must do Mr.. Mason the justice to admit
that he has not spent all his time in Paris in
convivial pleasures He has had several inter-
views on business with members of the French
cabinet, who, it seems, were the first to sug-
gest the notion of modifying the old rules of
war in order to satisfy the claims Of the United
States with regard to neutral vessels Whe-
Their Louis NAPOLEON was more anxious than his
ally to secure the friendship Of this country, or
whether the sagacity of which he has given SO
many proofs led him to see the necessity Of
taking the step before any similar idea oc
CURED to the British Minister, it seems that the
first overture towards the adoption of the rule
that free ships make free goods came from
Paris. AT that time the position of Austria
and Prussia was very doubtful. The chances
were that they would side with Russia, and not
with the Western Powers. On the brink of a
conflict with Russia and Germany, France and
England naturally looked with some anxiety to
this country to secure If not an alliance at least
our strict neutrality. We had in our power to
supply the only great deficiency of their
antagonists with American ships to back
them, the foe might have deied all
the skill and strength of the Western allies
Besides, notwithstanding a strong current of
public opinion here setting in favor of the lat
ter, there were many reasons more substantial
than mere prejudices why the United States
should lend their sympathies to the other side.
Wa had a "a. ss.>- -, .e'.S - 49,
war as would place Great Britain in position
of commanding superiority. We could see
very plainly that the defender of Turkey might
easily become the protector OF Spain and rem
der the same service to Cuba that she had rem
dered to Constantinople. The conqueror OF
Russia would not improbably next seek to
modest tho only other ss--s vless pv"cc III tne
win. These grounds of Partially were not
overlooked in Europe and the inference from
study of their bearings was that some strong
inducement must be held out to us to Counter
act their tendency and incline us to the side Of
the allies. 1t was not in the power of France
and England to hold out to us any other in
ducement but waiver Of their old pretensions
in relation to belligerent rights This was ac-
cordingly seized upon by the government Of
France, and Mr.. Mason was given to under
stand that if he would make some reasonable
application in favor Of the rights of American
ships, it would be granted. 1t is not improba-
BILE that this hint was accompanied by another
to the effect that the minds of the rulers of
France and England would be Quoted
by some formal declaration on our part.
announcing an intention to prevent privateers
sailing from our ports However this
was, we know that enough was said to Mr..
Mason to enable him to entertain reasonable
hope that he might, by the exercise of little
judgment and prudence, settle the vexed ques-
ton of neutral rights at once and forever
So apprehensive were France and England Of
our joining Russia and SO DESTROYS were they
that our trade with them should be preserved
on its present footing, that we have not the
smallest doubt that definite final settlement
of the matter might have been had if Mr..
Mason had been able and willing to endeavor
to obtain it.
He was not He had not the mind. in the
first place, and he had not the will. in the
second. His habits were opposed to anything
of the sort. lie knew little or nothing abou;
belligerent rights, or the duties of foreign min
listers. lie knew that he represented the Uni
ted States at Paris, for the beggarly sum of
$4,000 year; and he thought-if ever he
thought at all--that twice that sum would not
be too much. lie may have said to him.
self that the United States couldn't expect TO
have their diplomatic business done so cheaply
II he did, he was quite right. At all events
Mr.. Mason dined with the Emperor and other
great men, but would not have anything to saw
70 the puzzling question proposed for his so
luton.
80 the scheme went to London, where Mr.
buchanan was nervously endeavoring to do
sometning without doing too much He had seen
something OF political treaties in his life and
was not so easily frightened as Mr.. Mason. He
was perhaps ready to make the most of the |
anxiety Of the allies. Unfortunately, the British
government were less anxious than Louis Ma
poieon about the matter; or at all events. were
less inclined to make formal remuneration Of
rights they had claimed and fought for for CEN
uries. The scheme ofa convention fell through.
ma each government explained its views for
ne 'me being, in an Independent proclamation
We give these details, believing them 10 be
1's'a''uaily cpEre:t, end pres1niug tba. some