New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-09
MASON AND sLIDRLL-BRITIS
NEUTRALITY.

Though they had not heard in England, when
the steamer Africa left, of the arrest Of Messrs.
Mason and Slidell, events were preparing the
public mind for discussion of that intelligence
when they should receive it. The James Adgor
was supposed to have been on tho watch Tor
the English mail packet La Plata on BOARD
which vessel the Rebel smissaries were reported
70 have taken passage. According to The
Scotsman, whose article we copy ia another
column, there had been some communication
upon the subject between Her hnjes9's Gov
ernment and the United States Minister, Mr.
Adams, and the latter had denied all knowl-
edge of any order. from our Government for
paper further Gays. apparently upon authority,
that the case had been laid before the Law Of
fcers of the Crown, who had lntimated that
the seizure Of a British vessel, even in British
waters, would be justifable, if it could be
proved that she had on board the emisssries
aud dispatches Of tho enemies Of the United
States tIy;ernment. II this be true wo may
dismiss all anxiety as to any trouble arising
from the act Of Capt. Wilkes. lie proceeded
upon knowledge OF the notorious fact of the
public character Of the persons he took from
the Trent, and of their presence on board that
vessel. And il the question whether Mason
and Sbdell were tho ambassadors Of the Rebel
States should be raised, it has been settled by
the admission of JEFF. Davis ia his message to
the Rebel Congress.
Indeed the possibility that the James
Adger might have captured the British packet
for carrying contrabands, evidently attracted
less attention in England than whether we had
not right to complain of a violation OF the
proclamation of neutrality by the landing at
Southampton Of the crew Of the ship Harvey
Birch from the Confederate steamer Nash.
vile. The burning Of the Harvey Birch
is very generally denounced as wanton act
Of destruction of property, and of cruelty to
unarmed and peaceful mariners, and it is even
suggested that the captain Of the Nashville
be arrested and handed over to the custody of
the American Consul, unless she can show
some more authority for exercising the right
of a privateer than the mere fact that she
sails under the Confederate flag. Even The
London Times, which never wants for boldness to
defend ito Southern friends, feels that the
right of landing prisoners in England is
a questionable one, and endeavors, by an
elaborate and ingenious discussion of the
subject 10 show that thore has been no
violation of neutrality. 1t admits that had the
Nashville brought in the Harvey Birch as q
prize, it would have been tho duty of the Coy.
erament to refuse her admittapce into British |
port; but as she did not do this, the Govern
ment was not bound 10 know that she had on
1t ia not at all likely Tie Times persusdes itself
though it may hope to convince its readers BY
such fsacious reasoning; for if vessel Of
either Of the be!ligerents may land persons
taken from captured ship, without q viola
ton Of the proclamation OF neutrality, because
The Government is not bound to rec6kuize any.
thing, unless it be- towed along side or asterD, why
may not the same principle apply 10 goods
Had the Harvey Birch had on board a cargo
If French silks, which the captain of the Con-
ederate steamer appropriated to himself, and |
he should propose to land portion {
# them, as little venture of his own, ,
It Southampton, would not the British au. |
horites feel disposed to ask how he {
% came by them If not, then all that pri. /
ateers have TO do in future who wish to sell :
GODS in English ports, is to be careful TO dis G
Ose of the vessel from which they take them. b
id stow them away ia their own holds. 4