The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-16

expressing hope that the government would be
found equal to the emergency.
The exports of breadstuffs from this port to
Europe during the past week were l,349,G94
bushels grain and 1879 barrels -four.
Important from England THE Mason
and slideI Cause.-The Demands or tho
British Government.
We publish some important news from Eng
land this morning. The Europa reached Hall
tax yesterday, and the City of Washington ar-
rived off Cape Race soon after, bringing one
weeks later news from Europe. The British
government detained the Europa one day for the
purpose of sending on Queens Messenger, with
dispatches to Lord Lyons. What may be the pur-
port Of these dispatches will hereafter appear.
According to tho intelligence, as found in the
London papers, the British government is pre-
pared to demand not only full apology for
the late alleged insult to the English flag, but
the restoration to the protection Of that flag Of
Messrs. Mason and Slidell. In making this an
nouncement, the English papers add that when
twelve British vessels-of-war shall make their
appearance In The Potomac or in the Bay of
New York, both Of these gentlemen will no
doubt be restored to the protection of the Eng
iish government After saying a good deal
about the feeling Of the British people
in reference to the insult to their
flag, and the opinions of the American
press in reference to the promotion of Captain
Wilkes for this gallant act the English papers
conclude that the American government will
agree to the terms demanded Of them. Eut by
the latest dispatches, explaining the reasons for
the detention Of the Europa, il is shown that
the intelligence conveyed by the Persia, which
left this port on the 10th ult., informing the
English people Of the universal sentiment of
approval Of the conduct of the command
or Of the San Jacinto, had produced
some effect in England, and that con-
sequently the original instructions to the British
Minister at Washington had been somewhat
modified, but were still strong enough to satisfy
any Engiishman.
All This excitement has been produced in
England by the agitation of the cotton mer-
chants, the politicians and manufacturers in
want Of the raw material, demanding instant
reparation for this alleged outrage to the British
flag; and the government, feeling the necessity
Of doing something in consequence of the pres
sure of the tory party upon them have taken
the strong position reported in this news. Every
one who understands the relations of the
British government 10 the people will
ut once see the reason for this diplomatic move
But on carefully reading over the opinions Of
the leading English newspapers, it is manifest
aot ttay hayo n hal nd ct will
be difficult thing for them to establish their
right in the eyes of the world. The right OF
belligerents to board neatrals has been conccd-
cd by England FOR more than century, and it
is peat 0! her maritime code, insisted upon by
her for years; and SO patent IL this fact that the
London Post and London Times had already
decided the matter in our favor, although the
latter journal said that this event called for q
new code
There can be no doubt that this news will
produce a great sensation throughout this
country. But there is no need OF getting ex-
cited over the detaia. It's nevertheless the part
Of wisdom for our government to be prepared for
any emergency that may arise. Tie greatest
efforts Should al oace be made, ,oitboai ne loss
cf q dag, to PIT orr Seacocst and lake defencss
in The most e6ectire condition Of defence; and
or GocaG na7iia sho,ld u more fully armed
e3npae4 and drtlea IN liz aSe Of artillery md
he7vy ordnance. These are The duties required
Of each State. For the rcst We may leave the
management Of his question in the hands Of
Mr.. Secretary Seward
Win her brilliant successes in the naval
struggle between Oliver Cromwell and Hol-
land. tive centuries ago, England began to
assume dictaioriNl supremacy on The seas
From. her subsequent naval conflicts with the
otcr maritime Power, Of Europe, eliminating
in the humiliation of The combined naval pre-
tensions OF France and Spain al Trafalgar,
she practically secured the recognition of
her supreme authority on the ocean by the
European continental States. She has, how
ever, during the last half century, recognized,
Oh different occasions, a somewhat alarming OBJ
sacie to this supremacy IN Tie great and rapidly
growing maritime republic Of tic United States
OF America Hence her Industrious iabors and
vaccinations il the work Of ,hc dissolution
OF tie Union Of lheso States, through The
agitation Of the slavery question. The OBJ
ject OF England in tns assumed labor Of
love and philanthropy has been simply tie re
moval Of great and iiourshing rival CONNER
cial Power from the field OF hor exclusive do
minion. Nor could human ingenuity have con
irived q more formidable engine for this pur-
pose than this sectional slavery agitation.
Tic enterprise has so far succeeded az to
give 10 tho feudil oligarciy Of England "a new
lease Of That power which was slipping through
their fingers, from The moral Influence
OF oar saecessnl rnpuiar Institutions. Our
Union i, temporarily rent in wain--thc moral
influence IN Europe OF our peculiar institutions
il suspended. and with The establishment Of a
Southern con!cderacy, ibe only commercial
rival which England holds in fear will he
broken up. Before The outbreak Of this re
bcllion tie commercial tonnage Of the United
States had advanced f. beyond that Of England,
aud our next step might be d naval establish