Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-11-18

s-e-5ssiiT Blank HoofS, LedFSrs JonrnSiS, Bsis;
Biotn. ssOoivinE Booka, 40. q.
Ths Capture Of Mason and slidslL
The country was electrified, on Saturday
last By the announcement that Mason and
Slidsl, sent as rebel commissioners to Eng
land and France, and who escaped the block
ade several weeks ago, had been captured
and were safely lodged in Fortress Monroe.
That these two precious traitors should really
be in our possessio and where they would
receive the punishment due them for their
rebellion against Government, wss almost
too good to be true, but of the fact there
could be no doubt. As to the precise man
ner Of their capture, accounts differ but the
general facts are that they had Fun the block
ads in the steamer Nashville, and afterwards
taken passage in an English vessel for Eng
land. The dispatches sre not clear as to what
this English vessel was. One report says
that 1t was the Fingal, which has been known
to be fitting out with g cargo Of assorted
goods for the Southern trade, intending to
run the blockade. Upon meeting with the
Nashville, she transferred her eOntrabaDd
goods to the latter, taking the Mason and
SlidsI party in return. To Offset this, q
HAVANA dispatch says that the Fingal had
landed her cargo. Another report is that
the vessel vas tbe British mail steamer from
Vera Cruz to Southampton by way Of Ha-
wanna, ct which place Mason and Slidell took
passage. At any rate they were taken from
under the British Gag, and this alleged ''TiO-
IAtion Of neutrality" viii doubtless be pro-
duStive Of important discussions.
We are not informed of any provision in
any international treaty between this coun-
Try and any foreign power, in which this
principle Of respecting inViOlate q neutrars
flag and ell It covers, is laid down, bat it has
been a recognized principle of the Law of ns-
tioas. England brought on the war Of 1914
BY insisting upon searching for British sea.
mso upon American ships and 50 strenuous
ly hsve we ever insisted upon the sacredness
Of the Flag and all Is covers, that during the
Buchanan administration the British govern
mont formally set aside all claims to the
right Of search. That Commander Wilkes
traascended bis authority for the accomplish
ment Of very important capture, cannot be
doubted. he intimates ss much himself and
SAYS that be took the responsibility and is
ready to take the consequences Of it. Prob
ably England will make one Of two demands:
either thas our government offer an apology
for the seizure; or that Wilkes be removed,
and Messrs. Mason and SHden be carried
to England in one Of our LationRl armed
vessels. TIE first we can dc, the oct
Of Commander Wilkes not having been
directed nor sanctioned by our Govern
msnt. The second We cannot do, for 1t would
in effect be acknowledging the country from
which Mason and Slldel were sent. The two
raseals we have got and can afford to apollo
gizs Tor the manner in which they were
caught; bat cannot afford to deliver up our
prisonsrs, much less to send them to Eng
land with all the honOrs which would be paid
to the representatives of a foreign nation with
which we were on terms Of national friend
ship.
Nearly parallel to this case was
the well known case OF the steamer Caroline,
during the Canadian Patriot war in 1897.
The Canadian patriots had rsbeIled against
England. America was neutral The Pat
riots msde their headquarters upon Navy
Island n the Niagara river. A small steam
eE, the Caroline, was employed by American
sympathisers in carrying supplies and acting
as q ferry boat between Navy Island and the
American shore. An English party, head
ed BY Capt. Drew, crossed over to the Amer
cAnshore one nigh, captured the steamer
aftsF killing one men, set the boat on fire,
aud sent it floating down over the Falls.
A man was on board Of her, who of course
WIS lost BY going over the Falls. The
American Government demanded satisfaction
for the violation Of the neutral flag, and also
demanded Capt Drew and his party for
Punishment for the murder Of our Ameri-
can citizens. The English government dis
aEORsd the act, bat refused 70 deliver up the
ofsndsrs. Five years after, n 1912, one
Mcleod was arrested upon American soil,
charged with having been one Of Captain
DreWs party. The trial excited the most
intsnss interest, as il was known that the
Eaglish government had determined, if he
was convicted and hung, 1t should be regard
ed as cause for war Mcleod clearly proved
an slibi, and was acquitted had he been
convicted, war would have ensued.
i the vessel from which Mason and SlidslI
were taken was the Fingal, she was pursu-
ing che same course as Wss the Caroline
furnishing aid and comfort to the enemy
and car Government will probably take the
Ssns course as that pursued By the British
Government in that case, viz: disOEn the aos.
The act was one Of aggression, but the ne
csssities Of the case demanded It. Under
ths1s eileumstaness, We doubt not ths Apology
viii be deemed sufficient rspaIation by the
British Government
A gouth Car0iina GlajOr General.