Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-05-13
From the New Orleans Delta.


From the New Orleans Delta
a CIarendon's Despatches.
The Earl of Clarendon is q British Minister
for Foreign Affairs who is likely to achieve as
equivocal and worldwide reputation as his
distinguished predecessor in the office--the
present Premier; and whatever charges may
be brought against him, it is exceedingly un-
likely that he will be accused of timidity, rres-
olution or overscrupulosity in the exercise of
the power guaranteed by his position.
The Secretary belongs to distinguished
family which has supplied many brilliant orna-
ments to the literary and political world, but he
is decidedly faster man than any Of his an
cestors, and is quite as celebrated as q rOaie as
some of his progenitors have been as statesmen,
philosophers and historians. During his Off
cial residence in Spain he became notorious
for his eager readiness in sacking converts and
plundering religious Institutions and while he
| held the position of Vicegerent in Ireland in
'4S he signalzed himself by suggesting "sci-
ent6c agriculture" to a people dying of famine,
and fever, and misrnle, and by consuming more
Hayana cigars than any other statesman or
politician of his generation. He was the most
plausible greencropper," and most indefati-
gable smoker in the country-but there his ca
pacity was supposed to halt.
Since his assumption, however, of the porte
feuille Of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs he
has displayed the higher characteristics of his
race, great capacity for business, exquisite
diplomatic tact, undeniable hardihood, and that
dplonab which is so necessary to q man who as
sumes serious responsibility in crisis of much
danger and difficulty. He is prompt, sharp,
and decisive. OF course, he is not very pune
tilious as to how, when or where his ideas may
be carried out; he resembles Lord Palmerston
in the possession of a stretchable and gutta
percha conscience; he sees goal to be at
tanned, an object to be gained, and he moves
straight on to its realization without single
deviation from the plain line before him, ener-
getically, ceaselessly and iearlessly, until victo
ry is beyond cavil or doubt.
Much surprise has been expressed on this
side of the water, because certain dispatches
of Lord Clarendon, enclosed to the Secretary
of State of Costa Rica, were intercepted by an
American detachment under Captain Baldwin,
which offered material aid and assistance to
the government of that country in opposition
to Patricio- Rivas and General Walker, but the
surprise is not justified by the facts The in
fuence of the British Cabinet has been om-
nipotent in Costa Rica and Guatemala and
other Central American States, especially since
the passage of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, which
has proved to be the most solemn and injurious
blnnder ever committed by a so called states
man. Since the ill-omened conjunction of the
stars Of Henry Bulwer and John M. Clayton,
the hold of Great Britain on the possessions
really belonging to the United States, her
property according to all rules Of geographical,
commercial, and political necessity, has been
strengthened and tghtened SO effectually that
no means, save those employed by Walker and
the practical expansionists of the South, could
unloose or even shake her clutch. The State
business Of Costa Rica has long been conducted
under the supervision Of the British Consul
through whom even the most trifing minutia
of commerce and politics are transacted, and
the hostility of the people to the United States
is Fictitious rather than natural the result of
the wiles and Vaccinations Of England. With
these facts before us il is not astonishing that
Lord Clarendon should proffer aid and help to
his allies threatened by the formidable "fli
busterism' of Nicaragua.
But the Intervention in American affairs by
an English official is not the less gross as an
international outrage, because it is not unex-
pected, not less high-handed and daring as
practical reply on the part of Europe 10 the
Monroe doctrine of our statesmen; and 1t is
incumbent on us TO take heed that our govern
ment vindicates itself before the world, and
preserves its dignity intact. Ii such barefaced
Clarendon had been committed by the United
States, we should have been charged with
piracy by every press in Europe; and il re-
mains TO be seen whether we will tamely sub
init TO such conduct on the part of the British
Government.
The Excitement at south am pit on ON the
Day Of the Review.
The London Times, of the 23d of April, gives
the following account of the scenes at South
ampton on the morning Of the review:
The Fleet, as now anchored, covers a space,
from pivot ships to pivot vessels, Of upwards
Of II miles.
At the time our correspondents parcel left
Southampton last night, the excitement existing
in reference to the grand naval display, which
takes place at Spithead this day, bad reached
an extraordinary height, and the town was
beseiged by visitors from almost all parts Not
only had London, Liverpool and other large
towns, together with places adjacent contri-
buted largely their quota Of sight seekers, but
numerous arrivals had taken place from our
French neighbors Hotel accommodation for
those not previously provided was entirely out
Of the question:; and, although the facilities
afforded by the mail companies for supplying
numerous visitors with beds, &C., on board their
ships we're literally contributed, yetthe difficulty
to arrange for the requirements of all was in
many instances apparent. From an early hour
till the close Of the day huge trains crammed TO
excess we're constantly pouring into the South
Western Railway station at Southampton, and
although il was impossible that the business Of
the line could be conducted with that quiet
which is observable on ordinary occasions, yet
we have not heard Of a single accident. A
little confusion existed in one or two instances,
at Bshopstoke Junction, but, by the adoption
of a proper arrangement, order was very easily
resumed. The docks at Southampton pre-
sented a most picturesque appearance during
yesterday. At the north side Of the tidal basin
we're arranged six vessels belonging TO the
Peninsular and Oriental Company, and each
ships stern being placed against the quay wall,
an easy access was provided for those who win
witness the grand spectacle by that means.
The Royal Mail Company's and other ships
we're likewise judciously arranged, and feet
Of not less than twenty large vessels we're in
this dock alone. The whole Of the vessels, it