The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-25
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
~
The Latest Developments Respecting
the MaSon-Slidell Affair.
>->>-~>~~~>~~o~>>>>~~o~
Important National Military
Railroad Project.
Additional Particulars Of the
Battle Of Dranesville.
CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS.
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Preparations for Celebrating
Christmas i'm the Camps.
THE SUPPLEMENTAL TARIFF BILL,
TO-, &c. &c.
CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS
Preparations for Celebrating
Christmas i'm the Camps.
THE SUPPLEMENTAL TARIFF BILL
&c., &c. &c.

&c., &C.. &c.
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 1861.
THE MAsoN-sLIDELL AFFAIR.
1he negotiations in regard TO the Trent business
s quietly and amicaby progressing There is not the
shghtest foundation for silly that has been put
b circulation that the interview yesterday between Lord
Lyons and Mr.. Seward excited and ended in high
words ! am authorized to say that ii was conducted
with becoming courtesy and concluded with tho utmost
amiablity.
whatever are the demands Of the British government
reference TO the seizure OF Mason and Sde cannot
BE- doubted that they couched in and
sidsrats language and presented with dignity and
politeness, without anything in word that
b personally offensive 70 the American Cabinet
Whatever spsculations may be indulgea, there is
ground for the supposon that the arrivals brought
the British Minister hcre any modification Of the in
structions originally conveyed by Captain Seymour The
question TO be treated here from the beginning There
was no correspondence between Mr.. Adams and the
British the subject It is known that when
the British Cabinet about act upon the affair
q the Trent, it proposed await somo explanation
.sr communication from Mr.. Adams; but he had re.
csived NO instructions, and had no explanation
make consequently instructions forwarded the
British Minister here 70 demand explanation Of
uct which believed to have been Immediately au-
orixed by this government, and which considered
~ the legal advisers Of tho Crown without precedent
md unwasrantable by the law Of nations
The impression that the act OF Captain Wilkes was d.
setly ordered by government is really the SOURCE
only o tho prscipate action Of the British Cabinet,
bat also Of the frenzy OF tho British people, Before the
arrival Of The Trent Secretary Sewards circular regard
tho renovation It Lake and dsfences had
sached England II was there regarded . menace to
Breat Britain exclusively At the moment when this
Impression prevailed both in and Of the British
tho news Of the arrest Of tho Trent and the seizure
four Of her passengers It believed that our
government had FIRST directed the seizure of Mason and
tdsll board Of British vcssel, and then conscious
That 1t would be grave offence, gave orders prepare
or lake and defences for the war that must
becessarily ensue.
The conjunction OF these two certainly unfor
innate but admits Of explanation which may somewhat
bate the impetuosty but will certainly altogether
ppeasc the excited ire Of the English people. ID known
ID evidenced by communications to distinguished
tatesmen here from gentlemen in England who have an
opportunity Of informing themselves accurately as to the
mper Of the British Ministry that the Cabinet officers
here do not desire to produce with this country.
but the pressure upon them Is almost incredible. 1t Is
uaed only by the excitement in regard to the Reform
Qcston, thirty years ago.
In the meantime, 1t is Of the utmost Importance 10
now precisely the attitude Of France 1t is vain and
ly for to talk wildly about fighting the whole world
account Of couple Of miserable renegade rebels who
probably glad to escape from tho fate they had
ved at home. 1t true that all the natural sympathy
"a historic associations Of the French nation would
to incline them to be allies but it isneverthe-
M true that for months past Napoleon has been urging
bHat Britain to unite with him in breaking the
blockade Of the Southern ports. This has hith-
Drb been resisted by the British Cabinet, but
the position Of France very doubtful in o.
ctiities between government and that Of Eng
Ian.
ns AFFAIR is complicated. Time alone can unravel IT,
nthe utmost prudence the part Of the administration
vii be necessary to avoid which may involve us
wih more than European Power, while we are en-
asd in life and death struggle for the preservation Of
thdJnon itself.
uGDRTANT NATIONAL MILITARY RAILROAD SCHEME
Te committees Of Congress to whom referred that
por'on Of the Presidents Message, relating to the
contraction Of q national military road across the
STATS Of kentucky and Tennessee have, under
sidtien plan for the connection by railroad Of the
g centres Of the railroad systems Of the North and
Son. This plan the approval Of the President
p nom II has been suggested by General Leslie Combs
a lntucky with whom 1t has been carefully studied
hotv for quarter Of century. 1t contempates the
couetion by direct railroad, of Chattanooga Tenn
VII Louisville, KY, and Cincinnati. To complete
thi connection it would be necessary to construct
abu two hundred and twenty miles of railroad
evt practicable route. Tho surveys and estimates
ha, already been made by competent engi-
nss Chattanooga is the great railroad centre Of
thecuth II Is the point of convergcnce for railroads
srsdy constructed from all the principal cities tho
loV- Mississippi the Gulf of Mexico and the Southern
Atlatic around the whole semcircle from Memphis,
Teni including Little Rock, Arkansas, vickshurg, and
Jacton, Mississippi, New Orleans Mobile, Pensacola,
oayunah Charleston, Beaufort, n c., to Norfolk and
Richmond
Aasrategcal point it is OF immense Importance. There
A the immediate neghborhood abundance OF coal,
fro and "copper" 1t is argued with much force that the
establishment Of a national armory at this point, and
b maintenance there Of q school Of practice, like
hit Carlisle. Pa except upon larger scale would
enble the government efectually to maintain the
ablic peace in all Of the Southern States.
The whole Of this Southern railroad system has the
gauge, and the extension Of it to the Ohio river
ithin loyal State, would enable the government at any
ms to bring TO the point Of distribution whatever mill
ary $orseAhssldsss seauired.
THE BATTLE AT pRANEsvrLLE.
Il appears that ut the Dranssve battle We had only
wenty hundred mon actually engaged vs
housand Of the enemy all Of whom participated in the
ht out Bucktail" Rifles and the sixth and Ninth
egments-ths regiments in addition to Eastons bat
ery, which did the Aghting-ten companies were do
allied advance scouts two miles from the scene OF &C
on in the direction Of Goose creek, and 70 keen up
hannsl Of communication with Gen. Reynolds brigade
aar Difficult creek This statement makes our victor,
Aose decisive and brilliant than heretofore reported
Ths bodies Of four Of those killed in the battle a
ranesve to-day forwarded to their late homes fo
ptermeht. Their names were Samuel C. walter, Com
my A. Samuel Dsvlin, Company c-Sixth Pennsylvania
sgiment John W. stockdalc, Company f. and John Sex
%, Company NINTH Pennsylvania regiment Thsoths