Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-12-31
ThurlOw Weed in England.


LONDON, Dec. 7, 1861.
Nothing but "war, aud rumors of war, are
heard here. All expect, and all accept it, and
generally with less reluctance than L antlcI
pated. 1t is, unfortunately, assumed that we
are unfriendly to England and are seeking a
quarrel. The causes of our own war are
wholly misunderstood, While we were at
tending to our own business, confederate ennis
saries were in Europe pervcrtihg the judg-
ments and poisoning the minds of governments
and people, The preparations for war, here,
are on a gigantic scale. For other reasons,
England is fully prepared. Everything is
upon war footing. But that the ice in the
ST. Lawrence presents barrier, there would
be British war steamers upon the western lakes
a month.
am, you see, writing upon the supposition
that peremptory demand for the surrender
of Slidell and Mason has been made and re-
fused; and that Lord Lyons is on his way
home. Ii this assumption proves unfounded,
| should venture, even while | know how
greatly the burning of the Harvey Burch must
have exasperated our people, to ask the gov
eminent and the people TO take counsel OF
their judgments rather than their feelings. l
cannot but hope that you have all realized the
fact that both governments are in a false posi-
ton; that on this question OF maritime law
and usage we have changed sides, and are,
consequently, both wrong Or both right. But
perhaps the real solution is, that the times and
circumstances, rather, have changed; that the
world is older and wiser than it was and that
neither government would now do, or permit
the other to do, what all nations practiced
century ago.
But even if we feel that we are right, may
we not, for the sake of peace, make conces-
sion or do even magnanmous act to preserve
a,la ,lott 1ly
will be ead that England manifested unfriend-
illness in too ready recognition of the rebels
as bcigerents. Granted; but do not let us
forget that we have ever encouraged rebellions
in Ireland and Canada; and that our sympa-
thies were with Russia in the war OF the
Crimea; and that We quite promptly sent
home British minister because attempts
were made to recruit soldiers for the Crimea
in America.
Again. If there must be war with England,
should we not choose our own time? Are we
prepared now =? Such a war is just what the
traitors desire. 1t opens their ports and block
AIDES ours, thus reversing our relative positions.
And in the event of a sudden war with Eng
land, what becomes of California But will
not pursue the subject, having only intended
to set you all to thinking.
dined yesterday, with a large and distin-
guished party, at Sir Emesson Tennant's-all
friends OF our cause-but all intensely appIe-
hensive OF war. You cannot find an English
man who is not pragmaticay tenacious of the
honor of the British flag. These gentlemen
tamong whom were admirals, generals, mem
bers of parliament and Manchester million
aires,) all expressed the hope that our govern
ment would avert war by its wise moderation;
that if both governments insisted that they
were right, then, AS question of International
a M pot fnrh osf x,
war. but for arbitration.
Sir John Wilson, a veteran general, to whom
was introduced, said that he received seven
wounds then Capt WILSON, on the Niagara
frontier in 1914, and was brought wounded,
with Gen. Scott, to Albany, where he remain.
ed several weeks, and was then taken to Pitts.
field. He spoke warmly of Gen. SCOTS gal
lantry and generosity. He also remembers,
gratefully, the kind attentions of his American
surgeon, (Dr. Thomas OF Poughkeepsie y who
entered the army about the time Gen. Scott
was appointed captain.
Sir John related several incidents that oc-
cured on his way 10 Albany A few miles
west of Canandaigua, at tavern, he was an
noyed by a Yankee who came into his room,
sat down and asked all sorts of questions,
many OF them in bad taste if not impertinent.
Before leaving Capt. Wi son asked for porter,
but il could not be obtained Some hours at
forwards, us the wounded officer was journey
ing eastward, lie was overtaken by the Yam
kee. who said, ''Well, capting, 'spose you did
not expect to see me agin." The officer re-
piled that he neither expected nor desired to
see him again" "Well,' responded the Yam
kee, never mind that heard you say you
wanted porter, and have brought you some,
then producing bottle and lumber, poured
it out and handed it to the captain, who drank
it, was refreshed, and offered with his thanks,
payment! Il don't want no pay for that, nor
these six bottles. What we Americans want
is to whip the British, and then treat EN- well
afterwards, specially If they are wounded"
This incident, said Sir John, with the ex-
trene kindness OF all classes, to him, led him
TO cherish pleasant recollections of America,
and to pray devouty that the horrors Of an
other war between kindred, who ought 10 be
friends, may be averted. T. W.