The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-24

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IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS or CONGRESS.
Passage Of a Bill Levying Additional
Duties on Tea, Coffee and Sugar.
'he Latest Reports Relative to the Mason.
Slidell Affair.
report Of Mr. Seward Respecting Pass
ports to California,
&c, xc., As.
WASHINGTON Dec. %, 1851.
THE nAsoN-sLIpELL AFFAIR.

THE MAsoN-sLIDELL AFFAIR.
The English complication has as yet assumed no de-
fded shape. II is still subject Of simple diplomatic
egotiaton, Notwithstanding the unwoDted excitement
the British Masses the menacng tone Of the British
ess and the wake preparations Of the British govern
nent tho British Cabinet is too far removed from tho
nuence Of passion and popular camor to rush headons
hto which. under the most favorable circum
lanccs to England must be to her serious and disas
tous The negotiations preliminary to settlement
open rupture have only just been begun The result
= matter Of conjecture. There will be no indecent
aste on either side in settling the difficulty 1t
certain that, while our own government
|il submit to compromise Of national
ouor it will not lose sight Of the grand enterprise in
hich is seriously engaged, and will not
ry endanger the SUCCESS Of the federal arms in crush
be the rebellion homo, by Quxoticaly engaging
a foreign war at the same time
No details Of action in the premises have, however,
cen determined because tho circumstances by which
he conduct Of the administration will be controlled
not yet been fully developed. It has not been de-
ded that Mason land Sidei shall be given up, that
hey shall be replaced the deck Of English vessel
I'D the affair begun dc mouo by carrying the vessel
nth her passengers into neutral port FOR
adjudication OF the matter by some admiralty
burt. Nor has It been determined to refer the
lsstion variance TO arbitration. The prospect is
equal that will be had to the other
these modes OF settlement for the is
et made up. The ID not ready for trial. II will
equre timo " mature all the pIeadings The diff
ty is, at best, trivial in comparison with the
ences Of between the two countries and indeed,
very little danger OF appeal to the last
monaxchs unless the British Cabinet, majority Of
hch is known TO DO decidedly opposed TO war, should
= r tlut for, c,,cv,o acultu
The administration will not be taken by surprise II is
repaired to the emergency firmly, and with view
kclusively TO promote the public interest, and
insure the restoration and maintenance OF the in
grity Of the Union The officers Of the administration
70 confident that there ID not in the Trent affair
cient Tor either side TO 60 to about, and il Great
rtan should appear determined to push that matter
lone 10 such a result it will be solely because she de-
res to take advantage Of our present situation.
There is nothing to be lost in taking such
lin compel her nd other pretext and show her
md more plainly, while in the meantime shall have
opportunity to prosecute the home to its con
uson and then teach the proud mistress Of the seas
lesson that will suffice for centuries to come.
1t is believed here that the sudden return
General Scott is for the purpose or laying
person before the government information Of pressing
Importance, which may influence the action Of the i'd
AinStratlon IN the treatment Oh the Trent lmbrogi0,
nd perhaps present it in an entirely new phase.
The instructions to Lord Lyons, brought by Captain
eymour were unqucstionaby issued with precipitation
hid it may be important to both parties to know what
ttitude France will occupy in the premises. General
cott undoubtedly brings this Information.
GENERAL M'cLELLAN's HEALTH
General Mcclellan has been ndsposcd since yesterday
Ind required to avoid exposure, but will resume his &C.
Iaye out Of door duties tomorrow,
NO NEWS FROM THE ARMIES.
There has been no army intelligence to-day from any
uarter All is reported quiet throughout the Depart
{lent of the Potomac.
No news has yet been received from Kentucky or o.
Lny engagement there
fierce norher is blowing gale here o-night It will
severely the powers endurance of the cotton coated
sebels.
|,ENERAL M'cALLs OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE
OF EVANSVILLE.
General McCals Official report OF the battle Of Dranes
lille was submitted to General Mcclellan today 1t re-
ties the leading facts with fewer Details than the his
DRY of that brilliant victory already published In the
IERALD.
,Assp0RTs BETWEEN NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA.
In reply TO resolution OF tho Senate, IN reference
he regulation Of the State Department requiring pass
orts passengers between New York and California,
secretary Oh ucioIe poof
owing communication
d To THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
The Secretary Of State has the honor to acknowledge
tho receipt Of the resolution OF the Senate Of yesterday
requesting him to inform the Senate by virtue Of what
Flaw, Tor what reason passports are required OF
passengers going direct from New York city to California.
In reply the Secretary OF State has the honor TO remark
the twenty third section Of the act OF OF the
lSh Of August, 1856 ordans THAT the Secretary Of State
sha be authorized TO grant and issue passports and
cause passports 10 DO granted issued and verified in
foreign countries by such diplomatic consular officers
OF the United States aud under rules O. the Pres
dent shall designate and prescribe for and on behalf OF
the United States From the beginning Of the existing in
surrecton has been believe that citizens OF
the insurgent States and agents OF the
taken passage in the from New York to
for dsoya purposes, and especially for the purpose Of
embarkng Cor Europe and elsewhere. Laiterly il was
deemed imperative for the public safety to cheek ,h
practice. With this view, few weeks since the Score
ary OF State directed that all persons e1nbarkng in such
steamers should obtain passports. These instrument,
are by law required TO be gratutousy furnished this
country and order that travellers might experience
little Inconvenience and delay practicable in obanns
them the Secretary Of State authorized the Despatch
Agent OF the department New York TO furnish them
,oya applicants In the manner as they Shout,
anply TO the department itself Complaints OF the incoa
venience OF the requirement. however, TO travellers
california having reached the department the regula
ton was for time suspended but information haviu
been received that the suspension had led abuses whic