Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-30
ENGAGEMENT IN MISSOURI
Capture Of Rebel Property
and Prisoners.
Mr.. SEWARD'S CRAFTSMANSHIP.
Satisfaction over the Decision
In the Trent Affair.
Saturday Nights Report.
OF THE MASON AND
SLIDELL CORRRSPONDENCR,

SLIDELL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
have not been unaware that In examin-
ing this question have fallen into an argu-
ment which seems to be q British side of il,
against my own country, but am relieved
from all embarrassment on that subject.
had hardly fallen into that line Of argument
when discovered that 1 was really defending
and maintaining, not exclusively British in
teTest but an old, honored and cherished
American cause, not upon British authorities,
but upon principles that constitute a large
portion of the distinctive policy by which
the United States have developed the resour.
ces of continent, and thus become a consid-
cradle msratime power and won the respect
and confidence Of many nations. These prin
ciples were laid down for US by James MsdI-
son, In 1904, when Secretary Of Safe under
Jefferson, in his instructions to James Nun
roe, our then Minister to England.
Mr. Seward says, after quoting these in
stractions, that if decide this case in favor
of my own Government must disaTow its
most cherished principles, release, and revise,
snd forever abandon its essential policy
The country cannot afford the sacrifice. II
1 maintain these principles and adhere TO that
policy, l must surrender the case itself 1t
will be seen, therefore, that this Government
could not deny the justice of the claim pre-
sented. We are asked to do to the British
nation Just what we always insist al nations
ought to do to Us. In coming to my conclu-
sion, have not forgotten that if the safety
of this Union required thu detention Of the
prisoners, it would be done.
Il would be the right and duty of this
Government to detain them, but the effect
ual check and waning proportions Of exist
ing insurrection, as well as the comparative
uCimportance of the captured persons them
selves when dispassionstely weighed, hsppi-
ly forbid me from resorting to that defense.
Nor an / unaware that American citizens
are not in any case to be unnecessarily sur
rendered for any purpose into the keeping
of foreign State. Only the captured per-
sons, however, or others who are interested
in them could justly raise question on that
ground. 1t would tell little for our own
claims to the character of a Just and mag
unanimous people if we should SO far consent
to be guided by the law of retaliation as to lift
up buried injuries against national consis-
tency and national conscience.
Putting beyond me all suggestions of this
kind, prefer to express my satisfaction that
By the adjustment of the present case upon
principles confessedly American, and yet as
l trust, mutually satisfactory to both ma
tions concerned, q question is finally and
rightly settled between them which hereto
fore, exhausti1g not only all forms of peace
ful discussions but also the arbitrament of
war itself for more than half a century,
aliensted the two countries from each ether
and perplexed with fears and apprehensions
ali other nations. The four persons in ques-
tion are now held in military custody at
Fort Warren in the State of Massachusetts.
They will be cheerfully liberated. Your
lordship will please indicate time and place
for receiving them. renew my assurance
of my very high consideration.
lSigned, VIZ H. SEwABD
A dispatch from n. Thouvenel to N. Mer-
cier, French Minister to our Government, is
also contained in the correspondence in which
n. Thouvenal urges that neutral flag from
q neutral to another neutral port covers the
persons and the merchandise it carries, and
adopts the principles laid down in the des
patch of Earl Russell, to which Mr.. Seward
appropriately replies.
The following is from Lord Lyons to Mr..
Seward:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2T, 1851.
To the Hon. ". q. Seward, &c:
SIR: ! have this morning received the note
which you did me the honor to address to
me yesterday in answer to Earl Russells
dispatch of Nov sOth, relative to the reno
val of Mr. Mason, Mr.. Slidell, Mr.. MeFar-
land and Mr.. Eustis, from the British mail
packet Trent. 1 will without loss Of time,
forward to Her Majesty's Government, a
copy of the important communication which
you have made to me. l will also, without
delay, do myself the honor to confer with
yoa personally on the arrangements to be
made for delivering the four gentlemen tC
me, in order that they may sgsiD be placed
under the protection Of the British flag.
I have the honor to be, sc,
[signed1 LYONS.