The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-20

The Times city article says the universal
impression seems to be, that in the present
unhappy circumstances, the United States
government can scarcely command them
selves SO as to regulate their course by the
light of the law of reason or courtesy, and
that although this opens wide field OF dan
ger, 1t should also stimulate all other nations
to the exercise of the utmost torbearance.
The Times says the principle on which the
British government rests its demand, is that
a British ship, until the violation of neutral
rights is fully proved, must be held to be
British glound, as much as if she was an &C
tual piece of British soil, and the right of
protection of all persons on board is as valid
as on British territory. Now no such viola
ton has been proved, or sought to be proved,
against the Trent, consequently the seizure
of the four persons dragged from her decks
was entirely illegal. Referring to report
that the seizure was the act of the American
commander, not expressly directed by the
government. the Times says it means that
the federals had deliberately determined to
seize the southern commissioners, and it is
understood that Gen Scott has declared, since
his arrival in Paris, that the seizure had
been subject of cabinet discussion at Wash
ington long before he left. The American
authorities might have warned the English
steamer at Havana that if they took on board
the southern ENJOYS they would subject the
vessel to seizure and forfeiture in prize
court They made no remonstrance against
taking them on board, as they were bound
to do, but secretly planned the outrage tor
which we now ask reparation. Slidell and
Mason were at most civil servants to hos
tile power, and were travelling from one neu-
| trail port to another in u neutral vessel. Ii
the government at Washington declares
them rebels, then the right of asylum has
been clearly violated. The Times concludes
by adjuring the American government ant
the northern people to do justice in the mat
ter.
WHAT TIE FRENCH SAY.
! The French journals universally look a
the Trent affair in the interests Of England
The Paris Patrie maintains that the Amerl
can government had no right to arrest tht
southern commissioners while on Bri,iSt
mail steamer and asserts that the Engilst
government Immediately prepared to sent
achievements to Canada. The same jour
nal also gives report that Admiral Milne
commander of the British West India squad
ron, on hearing of the San Jacinto affair
forthwith deatiled three war vessels to escor
for the protection of sou,herners travelln.
that route The Paris Pays and Constitu
tionelle cenSure the action of the commander
of the San Jacinto.
1t was stated that one ship with a large
cargo Of saltpetre for America had been stol,
ped, and that relandins warliAe stores al
ready shipped had been required.
The naval volunteers were Offering TO com
forward to protect the honor OF the British
flag.
There is no confirmation of the report
that ten thousand troops were to be sent t
Canada.
Letters from France state that the new
Of the American difficulty caused al lmmens
sensation in Paris, and the first general III
preston was that ample PREPARATION must b
MADE TO prevent collision.
Communications have taken place hetwee
the English and French governments. and
good understanding on the subject was h'
levcd to exist. as it already does on the que>
ton of the policy to be carried on, with retei
ence TO tn. \merlcan question generally.
FOUR DAYS LATER AN IMPROVED TONE.
Bv the Civ Of Washington. off Cape Rae
We have dates from Queenstown t. the III
The excitement about american matters Va
. unabated.
: The Temps repeats statement that y,
poleon had rendered his services as meIia.,
: between England and the United States.
\ rumor that the Persia has been cnarte
, ed to carry troops to Canada is pronounce
premature.
At banquet at Rockdale. Mr. Brigh
member of parliament, made an elabo!a
p speech on American affairs. but declined
q give decided opinion on the Trent affair
. He believed if the seizure of Mason and :
i, dell was illegal, America will make fifth
, rtparatien. He strong! Y condemned Il
prevalent warlike feelings. secuted the i0'
that the American cabinet had resolved
. pick a quarrel with England, and made ;
Il qucnt rerorat.on in favor OF the NOrth.-
i. \ letter was read from Mr. Golden. o! 4 p
h c!ic tone, urging a suspension OF Judgment
\ letter from Gen Scott, in favor of I:
maintainancc of friendly relations betwc,
; England and America, attracts much ate
,, ton.
~ The Paris Patrie has an cditoria! foresha
=, owing the disposition of the French t. reco
- nize the South, il England sets the eXai
!. pie.
-, The seizure OF Mason and Slidell contnu
! press, which continues to denouuce the q
!, as an insult in the strongest terms.
!. Active naval preparations are going on
J. the government dock-yardS. 1t was assert
>. that the Australasan mad been chartered
convey troops and battery of artillery
=. Canada. She would sail about the 18th.
n The partial effect of the Persia'S news W
Il sent per Europa. 1t was then regarded HOP
20 fully. and conSois and cotton slightly il
II proved, but after carefully digestins the Sc
o. tinents of the American press on the $
70 Jacinto affair, a reaction set in. and iea
" were entertained that the Washington 90
= ernment would seek to Justify the act I
D. English journals generally were very bit
;, and hostile in their remarks. and continued
y, treat the matter as an insult which cannot
IL tolerated.
= Lord Lyons instructions, in which the ca
X met we're unanimous, are explicit and dett
20 mine.l. Tue Morning Pos. SAYS the acknov
II ment of the error and the surrender of Il
h prisoners will be received with great JOY. b