Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-20
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM
EUROPE.
TnE Mason AND SLIT ELL CArTURE ~
ENGLAND.
Hostile Attitude Of the English Press, and
WdrhIc aspect Of ofGrs.

Hostile Attitude Of the English Press, Gaa
WGrhsc aspect Of cfars.
The Europa at HALIFAX, with LFerpoo
dates of Nov. Both, and the CITY Of Wash
ingfon, from Liverpool Dec. 4th' bring
exciting and important edviceS from En-
gland.
The Europc was detained at Queenstown
till the I'd INST, by order Of the Govern
mcnt. She has a Queen S Messenger on
board with dispatches for Lord Lyons.
The statements of the American prCss Oh
tie San Jocinto affair, had been received in
England by the Persia, and widely read and
the general deduction az first was that there
was less cause to fear a rupture between the
two countries. But after carefully dgcs:ing
the sentiments Of the American press on the
San Jagqfo affair, reaction set in. Fears
were entertained that the American govern
ment would seek 10 Justify the act. The
English Journals generally were very bitter
and host lie in their remarks, and treated
the matter as an insult which could not
be tolerated. 1t was stated that Lord Lyons
instructions. on which TIE Cabinet were
unanimous, were explicit and determined.
A Privv Council was held at Windsor on
Saturday Three of the ministers including
the First Lord Of the Admiralty and the See
Rotary Of State were obliged to travel from
London to Windsor by special train to be
present. Previous to leaving town the three
ministers had attended a cabinet council at
Lord Palmerston s official residence.
The Queens advocate, Sir John Hardinge,
V,lI Al
and the Solicitor General, Mr.. Rowndell
Palmer, have been in personal conmunica-
ton with the government during the last
few days.
E 1t was rumored that the cabinet modified
It's instructions to Lord Lyons under the in
fluence of the Pcrssa's advices, and hence
the detention of the Europa at Queenstown.
The affair monOpolized the columns Of the
London daily press, which continued TO De.
bounce the capture as an outrageous insult.
The Observer, a ministerial journal, as
serts that a demand for an apology from the
Federal Government will be made that the
British Government insists also upon the
restitution to the protection of the British
Tag. Of those who were violently and illegal
" torn from that sacred asylum, and that
especial messenger by the Europa, carries ill.,
structions to Lord Lyons to demand such
apology and restitution.
The ObSerrer adds there ia no reason why
Messrs. Mason and Slidell should not be re-
restored to the quarter deck of a British Ad-
miral before New York, or Washington. in
the face of ten or twelve British men of war,
whose presence in the Potomac would rem
der the clustering Cabinet at Washington
as helpless as the Trent was before the San
Jocnto. 1t is no fault Of ours if it should |
come even to this.
The same paper says large reinlorcements |
are to be Immediately sent to Canada.
The Morning Posi- says the acknowledge /
ment of the error, and surrender of the priso- |
ners, will be received with great joy, but if
the Federal Government fails to do so, no
man in England will blind his eyes to the al
tentative that England must do hes duty.
Her rights and duties were never more com
pletely indicated than in the present case.
The Tunes continues to assert that 1t has
been Mr.. Stewards policy 10 force a quarrel |
with England. Both it and the Post call for
energetic military preparations in Canada.
The Times says sit mayreasonably predict |
that three things will Immediately follow an
outbreak, namely the destruction Of the
Southern blockade-the complete blockade
of the northern ports-and the recognition
OF the Southern Confederacy by France and
England.
The DAILY Ne,ps reioices that Congress
meets before the English demands can get
out, and hopes it will act with honor and
dignity, without foreign pressure. 1t hopes
the golden opportunity will not be lost.
Nearly all the London weekly papers
treat the question of the San J0cntO in the
same energetic spirit as the daily papers.
A serious decline was taking place daily IN
Canadian securities.
1t was asserted that the Australasan had |
been chartered to convey troops and bat.
terry of artillery to Canada. She would sail |
about the 10Th.
Active preparations were making in the !
various navy yards. A considerable number |
of vessels had been ordered to be ready for |
an immediate commission. The transport |
for Canada, Melbourne, would leave W ool- |
witch for Halifax on the 9Th with $4,000 |
stanG of arms, large quantities OF ammunl-
ton and a battery of six Armstrong guns
She will be conveyed by the Orpheus, y
guns frigate The Warrior would be ready for
foreign service Immediately. Her sailing
depends on the answer from Washington.
a Royal proclamation prohibits the export
of powder and satpetre, also nitrate OF soda
and birthstone.
The sending rifles from England to New
York continued.
1t was stated that the James Adger cap~
tured privatcer off Faralon the 18th, and
towed her into that port.
The ship Lady Franklin from London for
New York, put into Plymouth on the Sd
inst, and took fire the same night. She
was scuttled. There were southerners among
the crew. who were suspected of firing her.