The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-12-20

The Capture Of Mason and Slidell-A
British Precedent to the Point.
Just before the outbreak of our war with
Mexico, Mr.. Slidell was sent on mission
to that country, but his diplomacy proved
fruitless, for he encountered, at the head of
the Mexican government bitter enemy of
our country in General Paroles, who, a
couple of years later, furnished precedent
for us in the case of the Minister whom he
then foiled.
The war broke out, and in 1916 Paroles
was forced to give way for more popular
chief; and, while attempting to escape
from Mexico, was captured and kept in
close confinement in the Castle of Perote.
By the interpoaition of friends be was final.
ly allowed to retire to Europe, whence,
after year, he returned to Vera Cruz, via
Havana, on the l4th of August, l847, in
the British mail steamer Teviot, command
ed by Captain May. Paredes landed very
early in the morniog, under the assumed
name of Martinez, and Immediately repair
ing to the house of Mexican, procured
horses, and was soon beyond pursuit on his
way in the interior.
Col. Wilson, our commanding officer at
Vera Cruz, in reporting these facts to the
government at Washington, declares "that
it is we'll known fact, ascertained from
passengers, that the captain of the steamer
was aware of the character Of his passen
gers," though that character was, at the
time, in fact, not official, and only remarks
able for the ex. Generals known hostility to
the United States.
Onthe 14th of September, 1847, Mr.. Ba-
chanan, then Secretary of State, complain.
ed of the conduct in despatch to Mr.. Ban,
croft, our Minister at the Court of st.
James, and directed him to require salts
faction for the breach of neutrality.
ga neutral vessel" said Mr.. Buchanan,
s'Which carries a Mexican officer of high mill.
tary rank to Mexico, for the purpose of taking
part in hOstilites to our country, is liable to
confscation, according to the opinion of Sir
William Scott, in the case of the Orozimbo,
Goth RObinsOn's Reports. page 1907 and thus
even although her Captain and officers were
ignorant that they had such person on board
This is their lookout. Such ignorance is no
excuse, because it is their duty to inquire into
the character of their passengers. The con-
sequence is the same to the belligerent as if
they had acted with full knowledge. 'Other.
WISE" in the language Of distinguished ju.
rist. ''such opportunities of convenience would
be constantly used, and it would be almost
impossible, in the greater number of cases, to
prove the knowledge and purity of the imme.
date Offenders
On the Sth of October, Mr.. Bancroft ad~
dressed the following letter to Lord Pal
merston, the present Premier
80 EATON SQUARE, Oct. 8, lS47.
MY LoRD-In consequence of instructions
from the American Government, l called at
the Foreign Office q few days ago to repre-
sent to your Lordship the conduct of Captain
Nav, of the British mail steamer Teviot, who.
unmindful of his duty as neutr al, and using
improperly the extraordinary privilege which
the American Government has granted to
British mail steamers ever since the commence
ment of the present war with Mexico, in the
month of August last, brought from the Hava.
dent of Mexico, the author of the war OF Mex.
leo against the United States, and their
avowed and embittered enemy. By the
principles of British law. according to
the opinion of Sir Walter Scott (6 Rebin.
sons Reports, 43O), Captain May has rem.
0erQefcQ Lne 1eVIOC udDle 10 cOuuScdClOn,
or the President of the United States might
effectually prevent similar aid to the enemy by
withdrawing from these steamers the privilege
of entering the port of Vera Cruz. But l am
confident her Majesty's government will rem.
der such steps unnecessary by adopting eff.
cient measures to prevent for the future such
violations of their neutrality. If Capt. May,
or any of his officers implicated in this serious
charge, are officers in the British service, l
feel bound to ask for their dismissal, or pun
ishment in such other way as may clearly
manifest that the British government has disap.
proved their conduct. have the honor to be,
my lord, with high consideration, your lord
ships obedient humble servant,
GEORGE BANCROFT.
Viscount PALMERsToN; &C., &c &c.
TO this demand the following conclusive
and satisfactory replies were returned to
bis Lordship:
FOREIGN OFFICE, Oct. IL, lS47.
SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt OF your letter of the 9Th inst, stating
that you have been instructed by the Govern.
ment of the United States to complain that
Capt. May, of the British mail steamer Tevoit,
violated the belligerent rights of the United
States by bringing the Mexican General Pa
redes from the Havana to the Vera Cruz in
the month of August last; and have to in.
form you that have referred the above com.
plant to the proper department OF her MaJeS-
ty's government, in order that the charge
brought against the Captain of the Tevoit may
be officially investigated. l have the honor to
be, sir, your most Obedient, humble servant.
PALMERSTON.
GEORGE BANCROFT, ESQ.,, &C., &c.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. l6, 1s47.
SIR-In answer to your letter of the Sth inst,
complaining of the conduct Of Captain May ,sof
the British mail steamer Tevoit, in having
conveyed General Paredes from the Havana to
Vera Cruz in the month of August last, have
the honor to state to you that the Lords Com.
missioners of the Admiralty having investiga.
ted the circumstances of this. affair, her Males.
ty's government have informed the directors of
the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, to
whom the steamer Tevoit belongs, that the
directors are bound to testify, in marked
manner, their disproval of Captain Mays con.
duct in having thus abused the indulgence at.
forded to the company's vessels by the gov.
ernment of the U. S, and the directors of the
company have accordingly stated to her Ma
jesty's government that they will Immediately
suspend Capt. May from his command and
that they publicly and distinctly condemn any
act on the part Of their officers which may be
regarded as breach off faith tor wards the Uni.
ted States, or as an Infringement or invasion
of the regulations established by the United
States officers in those marta Of Me vico which