Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-30
THE MASON AND sLIDEI.L mATTRR.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2S.
The official correspondence between our
Government and Great Britain relative to
the seizure of the traitors Slidsll and Ma.
son is received. The first is letter from
Secretary Seward to Minister Adams, dat
ed Nov. Both, in which he compliments the
latter for wisely speaking and acting at
the Lord Mayors dinner, and also states
that he told Lord Palmerston simply the
fact, when informing him that the life of
the insurrection was sustained by the
hopes Of its recognition by England and
France, and if those hopes ceased, the in.
surreetion would perish in ninety days
He refers in the same note TO the fact of
the arrest Of Slidell and Mason by Captain
wilkes as a new and unforeseen circum-
stance, which is to be met by the two Gov
ernments, if possible, in kindly spirits.-
Lord Lyons had said nothing on the sub
jeet, and no explanations we're furnished
Minister Adams, it being deemed prudent
that the ground taken by the British Gov
ernment should be FIRST made known here,
and discussion be had here. But Secretary
Seward deemed it proper to state that Capt.
Wilkes acted without instructions, and the
subject therefore is free from embsrrass-
ments which might have ensued if the act
had been specially directed.
He trusts the British Government will
consider the subject in q friendly temper,
and it may expect the best disposition on
our part. The next letter is from Earl
Russell to Lord Lyons, dated Nov. Both,
which details the Trent affair. He says it
thus appears that certain individuals have
been forcibly taken from British vessel,
the ship of a neutral power, on a lawful
and innocent voyage, an act Of violence
which was an affront to the British flag
| and violation Of international law.
Her Majesty's Government were willing
10 believe the act was without authority,
and resulted from misunderstanding, as
| the Government Of the United States must
| be fully aware the British Government
would not allow such IN affront 10 the ma
| tional honor to pass without full reparatioD,
/ and the British Government is unwilling
TO believe that the United States deliber-
/ ately intended unnecessarily 10 force dis
cussion of so grave q question between the
two Governments. Her Msjesty's Govern
ment trusts that the Government of the
United States will Of its own accord offer
such redress As alone could satisfy them,
viz /; the liberation of the four persons, and
their delivery to Lord Lyons, that they may
again be placed under British authority,
and suitable apology for the aggression
committed. Should these terms not be Of
fered by Mr.. Seward, you will propose them
to him.
Mr.. Seward replies to Lord Lyons, by
whom he was furnished q copy of Earl
Russelps letter, stating that the dispatch
has been submitted to the President. Mr..
Seward states that the British Government
rightly oonjectured what it is now MY du-
ty to state, that Captain Wilkes acted upon
his own suggestions of duty without any
direction OF instruction, or even forel1noW-
ledge Of it on the part Of this Government
No directions had been given him OF any
other naval officer to arrest the four per-
sons, or any Of them, on the Trent, OF any
other British vessel, or any neutral vessel
there or elsewhere.
After discussing the subject at great
length, in all its bearings, Mr.. Seward
says trust have shown to the satisfao.
tlon Of the British Government, by a very
simple and natural statement Of facts and
analysis of law applicable to them, thai
this Government have neither meditated
nor practiced nor approved any deliberate
| wrong in the transaction to which they
have called its attention on the contrary
/ that what has happened has bsen simply
an insdVertency. consisting in departure
By the naval officer, free from any wrong
fnl motive, from q rule uncertainty estsb
lished, and probably By the several partie