The New York herald., 1861-12-30
THE AMERICAN QUESTION.
Vhurlovv Weeds Defence of the Secretary
OF State.

TO TIE EDITOR OF THE LONDON TIMES.
The ntmlton yesterdays Tones Of "a yea; ming ii
this country after" American views upon the com
piicaton Of our relations with England followed th
morning by relaxing and even kndlief structures, tcmp
10 submit briefly some thoughts which occurrence
profoundly embarrassing suggests not, however upo,
"nternaonal law, for as humble journalist have
been accust med only TO the common inerpreta
tons OF public qucstions and were at all qualified L
enter into tho legal arglmcnt should be inclined to
accept your own view OF the dGestiouyIz that time
aad circumstances have 20 far changed the practice
and reformed the principles OF international mari
time law as to render tho earlier prece 'ents
cascs; and further while the concession in proving nv
cldor may impeach my patriotism, am constrained TO
a1t aat in the ventilation OF Ito Liurens seizure as
cien BY Ar George Sumner, the bottom has fon out of
nges. Ityc ycedent
Sss.ag, therefore, tho legal considerations Of the
Trent and san JAcnto question: confess very strong
"ycarnhg that the English government its press ami
its people, may be dstbIsed Of impression which has
50 generally obtained. that our government socks
for Disagreement, chershes other than such feel
ngs rs belong to the relations OF interest and ay that
blend and bind together am less surprised at
the bellgerent sensibity which the Trent affair has
awakened here, than with the pervading antece-
dent impression that cur government cntertais
hostile purposes towards England, and that
Secretary Of State has actually designed dsrap
ton OF relations winch hld supposed, and still believe
almost universally regarded essential to the welfare
our country and the happiness OF our people.
An alleged conversation Of Secretary Seward with Tho
Duke Of Newcastle. reiengcd to i'll the Hiaes conflicts
with these assurance Without precise information as
To- The language Gseu by Mr. Seward, cannot be
taken in assuming that its spirit was nisapprehended
The conversation occurred, believe, 1t os 9irea by
G0ue, Mo,Got d the Prince Of Wales The avowal
Of pronoicnt Senator who Ind suppose that
he might be called usaote responsible position IN tho
government OF a deliberate intention to .insut
your lhc DHl;c's) government - co2tld BET haze
been highly ogesice. Bot while I readily
excuse an English nobeman for misntcrpsctns
idle 'oose talk" in an American states
man to all Americans the badnage Of vi. Seward would
have been readily understood, Perhaps it woui have
been visor not 10 attempt TO lsg 'stth e5 to." IN
deed, from the mischief attempted plesan,ry has
casoined any departure from the graves OF conversation
is certainly 10 be regretted. After Giseaimng, fc
quite authorized IN dong for NJ Seward surfpndy in
cutions and feelings towards England beg such
rpgsh gentlemen have acquaintance WITH or opor
tupities lsuitng, Mr. Adams resont raiu ter
for reflex OF American sentiment and sympathes
That distinguished statesman. whose eminent father and
grandfather at different epochs Represented Country
President Of the tnitOd Statcs,noys the best aud
boaatst sense Of the term tho confidence of govern
ment; and, resigGing his Congress u aare III.
plomatic responsibilities, he s also familiar Min TIE
views and feelings OF our pubic men
Until saw the accusation asainst sccrctAfy Seward
standing out prominently in the London PRESS the idea
had not entered my mind, nbN persuade VA.
that il has any real ounoai stand upon All Tho
settlement Of he Maine and Vancouver boundary ous
tions in their final action upon ,th q VII ch course
OF the English government was chaacterzei BY cnizh
ened justice and wisdom had supposed that cause of
misunderstanding remained, and that might look for
ward TO iong period Of exemption from CONFLICT or dis
sensen. Subsequently Incidental occasions for ntor.
changes Of national courtesies occurred calculated and
tending 10 confirm and strengthen feelings OF good viii
These were succeeded by that memorable OF the
Prince Of Wales. whose advent among afforded the
American poonle an opportunity 70 mark, in heartfelt
ovations both their regard for the future monarch
Of Great Britain ana their high estimate Of and their per
sona admiration Tor, Queen whose evontfu aud iustr
Gus reign, in advancing civilization promoting public
and private virtue and in haowing household shrines
will enrich the archives and brighten the pagos Of Eng
lands history, often thought, while witnessing as
did several Of cities the demonstra
of from hundreds Of thousand
of hearts warmed by remenbrances OF Saxon descent
that il all England cond be 'there seen we should
thsaceforth, az nations, dwell together in peace aud
freosbp. ln that triumphal journey extending many
thousano miles, through cities towns, Villages haues