The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-20
nrther frow England on the
Trent Question.

hurh Of the thunler of the London TINES ha.
r.o founded upon assertions Of what has been
iningirarily dore by the British Cabinet, and
much apprehension has boon created here 10y
the report that Minister Adams has confiien.
TALLY stated that his recall was to DO expected
1t is not always cafe to credit first rumors aud
bold assertions, in matters of great national mo-
mcnt, as is abundantly proved by the follow
ing:
Ghc Lonlon correspondent Of the Boston Ap-
vERrIsER, writing on the 2Sth and % h OF No
vember, gives these views Of the feeling in Eng
lard on the Trent affair
Mr.. Adams hApp, ned not to be in London,
and although telegraphcd has not returned At the
moment Of ay writing; but you may bc assured
rot only that he has not received his passports
but that no extreme measure Whatever has been
re olyed upon by the British cabinet.
II is unquestionahly true that the general
fc, ling hero is against tho North and the Cnion;
aud nov a truly plausible pretext for hostility y
is afforded. Bat the precodonts are numerous
wherein Great Britain has justified precisely
such acts rs that which our officer has jus. com
nittcd, and the British publicis;s will dnd
themselves answered out Of thoir own mouths
II they attempt to make a cdsuS beM Of the pro-
cecding
There was no cabinet council on wednesday,
nor even yesterday, and as 1t happened, no op-
portunity Of communication of any sort with
Mr. Adams Nor would any government pro-
tend to resort 10 so extreme a measure without
hearing ths other side. A great part of the
British grievance (you will obserye) lies in the
alleged rudeness and discourtesy of the Ameri-
can commander In executing his task.
This we hear only in the British accounts 4;
We have yet TO hear the matter described from
the American point Of view, You must bear in
mind that the families Of the persons who were
seized have arrived in Englan and II Is not
strange II accounts o. the arrest come into cir
culltion here not wholly unbiased Impair
tial.
IL must be confessed that this affair has
wounded the pride Of Englishmen upon the most
sensitive point II is their boast that their soil
is an asy lum, and that their flag everywhore
gives all the privileges of their soil And as
lntimated in my yesterday 5 letter, nothing was
more needed by the intriguers Of secession SYM
pathyi than good protext against the govern
ment Of the Union. This at last Is furnished By
tho action Of the San Jacinto.
You may make sure that this advantage vii
be pursued to the utmost. Europe is swLrmjng
turned TO induce the leading European powers
to pronounce against the legitimate Govern
ment of the United States.
But, on the other hand, we cannot but re-
joice here TO find positive and pIlpable proof Of
the efficiency Of our navy So much has bsen
said Of its weakness in maintaining the block
ade, that 1t is gratifying 10 lind its power exhib-
tied in an incontestible manner. Indeed, the
British press can scarcely cease even nov TO
sneer at the alleged incompotency Of the navy
to do its work, while bitterly complaining Of
what the commander Of tho San JIciAto has
done.
GENERAL scoTT's LETTER.
The following is the text of Con. Scott's let
ter alluded 10 in our dispatches yesterday, but
the publication of which was then prevented
for want OF Toom:-
NV Dear Sir: You were right in doubling tho
declaration imputed to me, TO wit; that the
Cabinet At Washington had given orders 10 seize
Messrs. Mason and Slldell even under a neutral
flag; for was not even aware that tho Govern
ment had had that point under consideration.
Al the time Of my leaving New York 1t was not
known that the San Jacinto had returned TO the
American sea-; and ii was generally supposed
those persons had escaped to Cuba for the pur-
pose OF re-embarking in tho Nashville, In pur-
suit Of which vessel the James Adger and other
cruisers had been dispatched.
think can satisfy you in few words that
you have no serious occasion TO ieel concerned
about our relations with England, ii, as her
rulers profess, she has no disposition to encou-
rage the dissensions in America.
In the first place, It is almost superfuous 10
say TO you, that every instinct OF prudence as
well as of good Aeighborhood prompts our Go
vernment 70 regard no honorable sacrifice too
great for the preservation of the friendship of
Great Britain. This must be obvious TO all the
world. At no period OF our history has her
friendship been Of more Importance TO our poo
ple-at no period has our government been in a
condition TO make greater C cjncessi0ns TO pre-
serve it. The two nations are united by inter-
| ssis and Sympathiss social, politi-
cal and religious--almost Is the two arma TO
| one body, and no ono Is % ign9rapt N net y