Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-29
nar. Lineoln,. Foreign Relation..

rzr. Lincoin,s Foreign Relations.
Ia the multiplicity Of ruulor. and state
ments in relation TO the probable cousequea.
ces of the seizure of Messrs. Mason and ST.
DELL, as between the British and Federal
Governments, which, to say The least, have
contradicted themselves every few hours from
the first, we may sift the following facts:
1. The seizure of these gentlemen on a
British vessel sailing directly from Spanish
to an English port, was deemed by The En-.
glish people direct and wanton insult
to the British flag, and numerous public
meetings were held in England, giving *
preston TO thsir Indignation on aeeehat
thereof.
2. The Queen called together her Pr!vy
Council, which resolved unanimously TO de
mand restitution of the two Confederate
gentlemen, with their respective sabordinates,
together with ample and satisfactory apollo
gies for the oatragese..
8. In accordance with this determination,
a Messenger WAS sent with instructions to
the British Minister at Washington to de-
mand compliance with the resolution of
the PrIvy Council, and, on refusal. TO cease
diplomatic relations with the United States
4. The Messenger arrived and delivered
his papers TO Lord LToNs, who has had sew
eral interviews with Mr.. LINcIoN's Secretary
of State. in neither or all Of which. up to
last advices. q conclusion vas reached
5. In the meantime the indignant feeling
pervadiug the English people is undated.
and sets powerfully in the direction OF
war; while the Government is preparing
rapidly fer the war on very large scale, by
sending to Canada large achievements
TO It's ordinary military establishment,
and providing war munitions at home.
The rest is rumor and may be true or
false. 1t is stated that Lyons, thinking that
his Government was not in possession of Ger
tain material information at the moment his
ms ructions were forwarded, declined TO
present the demand until he could commu-
nicate with his Government, and that the
whole matter is still in suspense on that ac-
count. Another statement is that the British
Minister extended verbal invitations to a
Christmas dinner, conditioned on his remain
ing in Washington and having dinner: and
subsequently, and after an interview with
Mr. SEWARD, he issued formal written invi-
tations to bis intended guests. implying that
the contingency which rendered his contin-
uance at Washington doubtful, had been re-
moved. These are Inconsistent and unreli-
H., q r. LII -,
eraI press, which was defantly for war a.
the first, are modifying their tone, and argu-
ing for a compliance with tie British demand.
holding the matter OF honor, which is iuvolv.
ed. for review and FINAL settlement after the
rebellion at home has been crushed, while
another portion is for noncompliance and
war, if necessary, on tbs spot. Sensation
reporters for the Nor thern Press, true 10
their vocation, are telling all sorts of stories
one day and conradicting them the next, as
TO The probable termination of the negoii.
atious.
No one outside Of the respective Govern
ments and their immediate agents can state
positively wi at will be the result. There is
unquestiohsbIy grave issue pending. If
the Washington Government backs squarely
down, of course there can be no war on that
score. Ii it stands by the act of WILKES. there
will be. If third European power pro-
poses mediation, and if is accepted months
may pass away before any final result is OBJ
tanned. II is our business, at ali events. 10
go on with The work in our hands, which 10
to whip our wOuld-be oppressors, and con.
queF cur independence.