Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-13
HIGHLY INTERESTING DETAILS.

The London Times Of the 18th contains an ac-
count OF meeting In Liverpool In reference to
the seizure Of Messrs. Slidell and Mason.
The following placard was posted on 'Change
"oUTRAeR ON THE BRITISH FLAG"
1hs Southern Commissioners Jorcibiy removed
from n British Mail Steamer.
A public meeting was held at O'Clock, and
wRs crowded to excess The chair was occupied
by James Spence, who read the following reso-
luton.
"RsSolrsd, That this meeting, having heard
with Indignation that an American Federal ship
Of war has forcibly taken from British mail
steamer certain Passengers who were proceeding
peacefully under the sheltef Of our Gag, from one
neutral port to another, do earnestly call upon our
Government to assert the dignity OF the British
flag, by requiring prompt reParation for this out
This resolution was received with great enthu-
siasm. The resolution was advocated by the
chairman, who considered that he was expressing
the feeling Of the people when he said II was
the duty OF the people TO press on the government
me Imperative necessity Of vlndicating the honor
and dignity Of the British name and flag.
Mr.. John Cambell considered that there was
reason to doubt whether the facts related and acted
upon by this meeting were In reality breach of
International law and referred to the opinions of
the law officers Of the crown az being In some
measure inclined to show that such step as taken
with respect 70 the Southern commissioners was
)usnable under the existing state Of international
.aw and urged the PtOPrtet Of PostPoning con-
Mr.. Torr sustained Mr.. CambeIl's views and
the chairman suggested to meet the objections Of
Mr.. Cambcll, to strike out the words "by requir-
Ing prompt reParation for this outrage"
Thus amended, the resolution was passed near
ly unanimously.
Several merchants present expressed their views
after the adjournment, that the meeting and is
action were premature.
The London Times is more moderate In its
commenn than the News. While denying that
thefederal government, on Its own position ''that
the existing wal 10 mere rebellion" has a right
TO overhaul neutral ships, IL nevertheless admits
that England herself has established precedents
which now tell against her. But these precedents
were made Under circumstances very different, 1t
asserts, from those which now occur. England
was then fighting for existence, and did In those
days what she would not do now or allow others
to do.
In discussing the question whether Mason and
Slidell were liable TO capture as belligerena or
contrabands the Times states that it is the opinion
Of very eminent iuriss that this was not question
to be edtudicated by boats crew. The legal
course would have been to take the ship into port
for adjudication. 1t concludes with the express
sion that England will discuss the question with
calmness and appeals to the Federal States not to
provoke war by such acts.
The rebel steamer Bermuda arrived at Havre
on the oath from Savannah, with two thousand
bales Of cotton.
tHB CASE OF THE NASHVILLE.
In reply to the application Of Capt Nelson for
warrant to search the Nashville to recover the
property belonging to him and the owners Of his
ship, Earl Russell directed MS secretary 10 say
that he cannot authorise magistrates TO issue such
warrants and declines to interfere In the matte" "
The application was made on the recommenda-
ton Of Minister Adams.
The dispatches of the Southern commissioners,
which escaped the vigilance OF the officers Of the
San Jacinto, arrived safely In charge Of gentle.
man of the party. On arriving at Southampton
the Sliden and Mason families went on board the
Nashville, and next day the dispatches Were taken
to London.
No repairs had yet been commenced on the
Nashville.
The London News says I" The remote conse.
quences Of this act we shall not attempt to pre-.
dict. Enough for the present time to say, # ID
one which will make IL the duty OF our Govarn.
ment to insist on ample, complete and immediate
satisfaction. Its wanton folly bids US hope tina,
Lieut.. Fairfax was acting without instructions,
and that the Washington Cabinet will no sooner
learn what has taken place In the Bahama channel
than IL will disavow the act and restore Messrs
Mason and Slidell, and tender the fullest apology
Nothing short Of this reparaton be accepted ,,
The London Times city article says that con-
soils declined per cent. under the news Of tbs
capture Of Mason and Slidell, but afterwards
rallied Der cent closing at 81 x ex- dividend