The New York herald., 1861-12-29
THE MASG -SLIDEIIL AFFAIR.
Important Decision of the Ame-
rican Government.
The Rebel Commission
ers Surrendered to
England.
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Arrangement Of the
Difficulty.
THE DEMAND OF ENGLAND.
SECRETARY sEWARD's REPLY.
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Note from the French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs.
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MIR. SEWARD,S ANSWER.
s~A<~o~-~-~oV~N~>~o~~~4S~
The EFFECT OF THE DECISION,
&C., &C., SC.
Note from the French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs.
MIR. sEWARD,s ANSWER.
THE EFFECT OF THE DECISION,
&C., &C., SC.


WASHINGTON, NOV. 30, 1861.
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAHs, ESQ.,, &C., &C., &c.:--
ElR-Your confidential note of the 18th of No
mitted to the President, and hasten to reply to
u in time for the Wednesdays mail.
No minister ever spoke or acted more wisely in
crisis which excited deep public solicitude than
you did on the occasion Of the Lord Mayors dinner.
We are impressed very fayorably by Lord Pal
merston's conversation with you. You spoke the
ample fact when you told him that the life Of
this insurrection is sustained by its hopes of recog
milton in Great Britain and in France. 1t would
perish in ninety days if those hopes should cease
! have never for moment believed
that such a recognition could take place
without producing Immediately war between the
United States and all the recognizing Powers.
have not supposed it possible that the British gov
crnment could fail to see this, and at the same
time have sincerely believed the British govern
ment must in Its inmost heart, be as avcrse from
sach war as | know this government is.
lam sure that this government has carefully
avoided giving any cause of offence or irritation to
Great Britain. But it has seemed to me that the
British government has been inattcntive to the
currents that seem to be bringing the two coun-
tries into collision.
infer from Lord Palmcrston's remark that the
British government is now awake to the import.
ance Of avertng possible conflict, aud disposed to
confer and act with sarnestness to that end SO,
We are disposed to meet them in the same spirit
"a nation chiefly Of British lineage, sentiments
and sympathies-a civilized and humane nation, a
Christian people.
Since that conversation was held Captain Wilkes
in the steamer San Jacinto, has boarded British
colonial steamer and taken from her deck two in
surgents who were proceeding to Europe on
an errand Of treason against their own coun-
try. This is new incident, unknown
to, and unforeseen, at least in its circumstances,
by Lord Palmerston. 1t is to be met and disposed
OF by the two governments, if possible, in the
spirit to which I have adverted. Lord Lyons
AdS pIuuchuy iehaihSu hVm oPSiuhS she
subject to me, as, ! presume, waiting
instructions from home. We have done
nothing ON the subject to anticipate the discus
sion, and we have not furnished you with any ex-
planations. We adhere to that course now, be-
cause we think il more prudent that the ground
taken by the British government should be
FIRST made known to us here, and that the
discussion, If there must be one, shall be
had here. II Is proper, however, that you should
we attach importance to t-nameiy, that in the
capture of Messrs Mason and Slidell on board
British vessel Captain Wilkes having acted with.
out any instructions from the government the sub
iect is therefore free from the embarrassment
which might have resulted if the act had been
specially directed by Us.
trust that the British government will consider
the subject in friendly temper, and il may expect
Abe best disposition on The part Of this govern
Ment.
Although this Is confidential note, shall not
object to your reading il 10 Earl Russell and Lord
Palmerston If you deom II eSpedent. ] am sir.
your obedent servant
WILLIAM u. SEWARD.