The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-27

A very lively and pleasant sensation was
created in this city yesterday by telegraphic
despatch from Boston, stating that the British
mail steamer Europa, en- route from that port for
England, had touched at Fort Warren on
Christmas Day, and that it was believed she
had gone Off with the rebel ambassadors, Mason
and Slidell. This news too, was generally be-
lieved; but instead Of exciting any expressions
Of popular disappointment or patriotic wrath,
it was instantly accepted as matter for public
congratulation. BY some it was supposed that
our Secretary Of State, Mr.. Seward, under the
instructions of the President, had quietly stolen
march upon Lord Lyons and that this was
one fthe best jokes that "Honcst Abe Lincoln
had ever put into practice. 1t was contended
that this dcnouement would instantly change
this dreadful affair of tho Trent into a broad
farce, and that the laugh on both sides Of the
Atlantic would be at the expense of John Bull,
as at the awful labors of the trembling noun
tain in the delivery of ridiculous mouse.
But this pleasant sensation was soon spoiled
by the wet blanket Of another telegraphic dc
spatch from Boston announcing that the Europa
uau tOuCucu ~ COIt VoITcu W UiSCudISc D
pilot
Only this, and nothing moro.
Accordingly we are constrained to fall back
upon this mysterious secretivencss which hides
the movements of Lord Lyons and Mr.. Seward
in this matter from the public eye. Has Lord
Lyons put in his ultimatum? Has he announc-
ed to Mr.. Seward that it is coming? Has he
said anything at all to him on the subject? We
cannot answer. We suspect, however, that his
lordship is working up his CASE collecting pre-
cedents, collating authorities, decisions and
points of law to support the reclamations which
he is instructed to demand. He has already
discovered that in our Secretary of State he has
no neophyte TO deal with upon matters Of inter
national law, belligerent rights, neutral rights,
and the rights and wrongs Of an insurrectionary
combination calling itself nationality. There
fore, to plant his acquisitions upon plausible
foundation, Lord Lyons must make them appear
consistent, proper and right before the impair
tial judgment of the civilized world. Hence,
we conclude, the impenetrable mystery which
envelopes this affair of the Trent at Washington.
Meantime we have received the intelligence
OF just such another affair in the Gulf of Mexico.
The United States gunboat Santiago de Cuba,
as we are informed. in the carly part of the
present month, overhauled vessel bound from
Matamoros to Havana, under English colors'
called the Eugcnia Smith, and took from her
two passengers, Mr.. Zacharie, of New Orleans,
and Mr.. Rodgers (now in Fort Lafayette), ennis
sarics or agents of the JEFF. Davis government
and then permitted The offending vessel to pro-
coed on her voyage. We presume that the cap
tain of the United States gunboat had no doubt
of the nationality of the Eugenia Smith; for
otherwise he would have made prize
of her. Here, then, we have another
Mason and Sldell affair; but, as the belligerent
and neutral rights involved are amply en-
braced in the case of the Trent, the only effect
of this additional case will be to expedite a
comprehensive settlement.
1t is said that when the news was first CON-
municated to President Lincoln Of the capture
of Mason and Slidell he promptly expressed
the opinion that if demanded by England it
would be difficult matter to justify refusal
to deliver them up. At all events the admin
istration need not feel any embarrassment in
coming to the decision thus foreshadowed as q
measure of peace. The public opinion of our
loyal States will gracefully yield to this resti-
tuition for the sake of peace with the great
Western Powers of Europe. Besides, although
our loyal people have experienced high de-
gree of satisfaction in the visitation of some
punishment to those arch conspirators, Mason
and Slidell, for their reasonable offences and
designs, we have gained little else by their cap
ture. The principal diplomat of their party,
Madame Slidell-a charming lady, of very su-
perior political knowledge and experience
has, doubtless, ere this, unfolded the dispatches
and the instructions of Mason and Sidell before
some one in rapport with the government Of
Louis Napoleon. Indeed, we are advised from
Paris that M. Thouvenel was in possession oil
the official papers of Mason and Slidell; and il
this be 50 we may say that the object of their
mission las been virtually accomplished and
that, accordingly, we have no further use for
Mason and Siidell.
That the French government is apprised o.
the contents Of the dispatches in question, and
that they involve something like the sale of oul
revolted States to England and France, includ
ing cheap cotton and free trade, we are inclined
to believe, from the recent otherwise remarka-
bic manifestations Of an active sympathy on the
part of the French government for the cause OF
jeff. Davis and his confederates. 1t seems that
France has been pushing England to make the
most of this affair Of the Trent, and has been in
tma!iug, in patronizing way, the propriety Of
raising our Southern blockade, and recognizing
the Davis confederati9n- Low gre we to account
for this, except upon the basis Of the cheap cot
ton and free trade embraced IN the mission ana
in the dispatches Of Mason and Slidell? Ac-
cordingly, if these propositions arc before the
French government, and if Hunter and Brock.
inridge have gone out to take the places Of Ma.
sen and Slidell, what possible advantage is to
be gained by the retention Of these two last
named rebel ambassadors, against the demands
of England, seconded by France
The point of honor involved turns upon a
local technicality. and fhia NAV he waivod for