The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-22

quiet. Ercights quite Grm while engagements
moderate.
Engiand's Ncutrnifty-Thc Trent, the
Rebel Steamer Nashville, and Other
Cases.
Having broken the intelligence to our readers
Of an impending adjustment at Washington Of
the Trent affair upon the basis Of Engand's re-
! Carnations, and believing that the public opin-
ion Of our loyal States will freely respond to
| this arrangement, in view Of our domestic EN-
| barrassments, we may take the liberty Of sug-
| costing to Mr.. Lincoln and his Cabinet that the
sooner this settlement is made the ibetter it will
be for our purposes Of a vigorous and uninter-
rupted campaign against this Southern rebel
| lion.
| In the meantime ii must not be forgotten
| that, after yielding to England's ultimatum for
peace it is our right and the duty Of orr govern
ment to call for explanations and reparations
touching certain recent and fragrant infracto ms
Of England's obligations Of neutrality. as set
| forth in her Majesty's proclamation of May
| last In that proclamation Queen Victoria,
after announcing the fact that "hostilities have
unhappiy commenced between the government
| of the United States and certain States styling
| themselves the Confederate States Of America"
declares that. 1--WE being at peace with the
government OF the United States" it is "our
royal determination to maintain strict and
impartial neutrality in the contest between the
said contending parties" She then quotes the
act of Parliament on foreign enlistments, &C.
with its pains and penalties; and next. in
lengthy catalogue Of offences against this law
and this neutrality on the part Of her loyal sub
jecis she warns them against serving "either Of
said contending parties" in carrying officers
soldiers dispatches, arms, military stores or
materials, or any article or articles considered
and deemed TO be contraband Of war, according
to the law or modern usage of nations
Such are Englands neutral obligations in refe-
renee to this domestic war Of ours, and such are
the indicated violations Of this "strict and impair
tial neutrality" But how has il been observed by
her duiiful subectsy Captain Wilkes. it APP
pears, has committed an objectionable outrage
in The seizure Of certain rebel emissaries from
the deck Of u British ship. But how i, it with
the captain Of that ship 1t cannot BIO denied
that he was engaged in carrying both "oifi-
GERS" and dispatches in the service of the So
called Confederate States. II becomes, there
fore. the right Of orr government to demand
that the Trent affair be considered upon the
charge Of the violation by that ship Of the
Queens proclamation, in carrying officers
and dispatches from one Of the contending
parties in this war, in order that we may have
n complete settlement of the whole affair. and
a clear understanding Of the metes and bounds
of Englands neutrality.
The Queen leaves her glowing subjects to
all the risks incident to the breaking or run
ming blockade; 80 that when such adventur-
Gus spectators "a those of the ship Bermuda
and the Fingal slip into rebel port land their
contraband goods and get of, we can only
complain Of our own lack of vigilance
in permitting such prizes to slip through
our fingers. One would suppose. how
ever that when the success Of con,raband
ship in sneaking into and ont Of rebel port
under cover of night, is produced by English
ministerial journals as proof that our block
AIDE is al ntolerabIe sham. we have the right to
inquire the views Of the British government on
the subject. and whether it is or is not interest
I'D in these experimental contraband enterprises
from any unfriendly purposes or designs,
Then there is the case of the rebel steamer
Nashvitle-a vagrant. according to the Queens
proclamation; vagabond. according to all the
facts in relation to her. and II pirate according
10 the Convention Of Paris, to which England
was subscribing party. This piratica stcani-
er tthe Nashville) overhauis II United States
merchant vessel al sea. the captain and
crew of which are seized and put in irons
on the Nashville and then orr merchant yes
sci. having been duly plundered is set on fire
abandoned and destroyed. The offending pi-
rate, fresh from this characteristic act Of piracy
sails on to England. aud is not only admitted
into an English port, hut is welcomed with opcn
arms, aud is there permitted to reit and be pro-
ysionea for another piraiica cruise. TIE Anne
riean people, loyal to our government, will ex
pect from Mr. Seward auch a notice Of this affair
AS will secure from the British government
satisfactory explanation
With the settlement Of these little balances
! in connection with this case Of the Trent. we
shall be indebted to Captain Wilkes for such
clear and honest understanding with England
as will relieve us from any further trouble on
| her account pending this rebellion. With this
! rebellion suppressed, and with an army of II
| million Of men upon our hands we shall be
| prepared to inaugurate new order of negotia-
| tons touching the claims, pretensicns and de-
| signs Of the great Powers Of Europe in reference
| to American affairs.
TaE CENTRAL PARK AND IT'S New DgIyE.--
| We have before announced the opening of new
| drive, seven miles long, in the Central Park
! The simple announcement Of this new drive
summons up visions of sleighrides this winter
| beneath the gimpses of the moon, and with the
merry music Of juggling bells and happy
| laughter. II the long deferred SHOWS ever
! come this winter, this new drive will be great
| accession to our people. who delight in sleigh