The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-12-04
From the Petersburg Express
THE MAsoN-sLIDELL cAsB.

II appears pretty certain already that the
Rump are preparing for grand backdown
in the Mason Slideli affair. Having secur-
ed the persons Of these gentlemen. and ac-
commodated them with lodgings in the Bas-
tile, they may think that a simple official,
pro lorna disayowal Of tn. act of Commo-
dore Wilkes will satisfy the demand which
will be made upon them for explanation and
repsration, and that in the meantime they
may hold on to the distinguished prisoners.
But they cannot sneak out Of the difficulty
in this way with Power which has always
been remarkably sensitive TO insults upon
its flag, and particularly SO when such in
suits are upon the high seas. The pride Of
England is extremely nice in everything
touching her maritime rights, and she has
never failed 10 resent any contemptuous or
lawless blow inflicted upon them b. foreign
State. We doubt whether more wanton or
impudent indignity was ever perpetrated
upon her than this overhauling Of one Of her
mail steamers in mid-ocean by Yankee
war vessel. II constitutes an offence which,
in our humble judgment, a disclaimer BY the
Washington Government will not be ac-
cepted as an atonement, unless il is in,me-
diately followed BY restoration Of the H.
legally seized persons to the status they
were in when they were captured; Or, III
this arrangement is impracticable) by send
ing them 10 England By Federal convey.
ance and landing them safely upon her soil.
We yesterday expressed our surprise At
the view taken Of this affair by the Charles
ton Mercury, which broadly admits the le-
gality Of the act Of Wilkes, suppo.ing him
to have proceeded under the instructions Of
his government-for Of course the question
is one between the two governments. But
suppose that the Rump deny that he had any
such aulhorityi viii the Mercury in that
event contend that the capture was proper
one under the law Of nations
And now suppose, on the other hand, for
arguments sake, that Lincoln ayews that the
act Of Wilkes was in conformity to official
instructions from his government, What
then: That government is no party TO any
provision in the international code which
recognizes the right either Of visit or search.
On the contrary, il stands upon the record,
up TO the breaking out Of this war, as the
steady and uniform opponent and resistast
Of that right. II has again and again refus-
ed positively 20 Subscribe 10 any such prin-
yiple, and has declared that its own vessel,
shall in no case be boarded and searched Al
sea BY an armed vessel ~ foreign power.
Does the Mercury hold that the Federal
Government, which has thus exempted il,
own ships from the operation Of the Euro.
pean Law. may Of right and with proprieiy
visit and search the ships Of Europen 70.
yernment under the terms Of thst law: Thl.
would be putting the Washington Govern.
ment in position 81 perfect supremacy upur
the seas. II would be srming i with self
constituted authority TO invade ibe decks q
foreign vessels for the purpose Of searching
them, whilst its own vessels would be secure
against any violation &c the kind. Thii
seems 70 Us 10 be the inevitable conclu.'or
from the Aereury's premises, for be il re.
membered that The Federal Government hal
not heretofore recognized or asseRted to III,
doctrine Of the right Of visit and search
and therefore cannot be entitled ioerercise Il
for It's own benefit, 20 the detriment Of ans
one Of those whe have consented 10 be gov
erned BY il. This Circumstance constituted
the peculiar sggrsyatiOn in the case Of oul
from The pale Of the decisions 10 which 0ui
respected Charleston contemporary refer
TO show is legality.
We mat be wrong in our views and III,
Mercury may be right. Let this be as i
nav, the discs.-icn Of the matter over here
viii have 10 influence upon the decision Of
the British Government, which, we doub
not, will subject it to the most rigid anC
careful examination. Whatever that deci
sion NAV be, we feel very sure that il vii
be 10 accordance with the public law gov,
erning the case, and here We are perfectly
content 10 leave IL.