New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-24
THE STEAMER TRENT AFFAIR.

WAsHsGroS, Monday Dec. 70. 1861
THE STEAMER TRENT AFFAIR.
Lord Lyons held another conference to-day
with Secretary Seward OF the State Depart
ment. There is testimony Of high authority
that the conference was friendly and satisfac.
tory; and it is known that Lord Lyons, who,
when bidding guests to a Christmas dinner last
week, intimated that the necessities Of bis
position" might constrain him to postpone tho
feast sine die, this afternoon, several hOun
after bis visit to the State Department, issued
cards of invitation.
Thus far, only the President and Secretary
Seward have handled this delicate affair in tho
American interest. The last regular Cabinet
meeting was adjourned by note from Mr..
Lincoln, to avoid the rick of general and
premature discussion, which might establish
policy.
1t is probable that the action Of the State
Department has already practically determined
the conduct of the Government. Tomorrow
meeting of the Cabinet will be held, at which
our relations with England will be thoroughly
discussed.
Public expectation here has anticipated from
Mr.. Lincoln an offer TO leave this difficulty 10
the decision Of an umpire to be selected by
England herself, from one Of the four great
European Powers, if the opportunity to make
this offer is allowed him. But if the atens
tive of war or surrender of the Rebel
Emissaries be forced on US, it ID expected that
the President will himself assume all the re-
sponsibility, and deliberately make his choice,
deciding as he decided the proposition to
evacuate Fort Sumter, after thoughtful delau
Surrender, in preference to war, is withOs
doubt tie choice Of many influential persons
here. and it is pressed upon Mr.. Lincoln BY
both civilians and military men, high in posi-
ton. Hence the persistent assertion BY several
Of our contemporaries, which We again pro-
nounce untrue. that this conclusion to surren-
der without q consideration has already been
arrived az. The President will be governed in
his decision by bis determination to crush the
rebellion.
That England is almost beside herself is the
tenor Of the latest and most trustworthy pri'
vate letters. They say that passion has sweps
away reason in manner and to an extent
unknown since 1881, and that the national
sympathy with the South developed BY recent
events. is startling. Great credit is given b!
one of the most trusted of these writers to tho
British Government for so long resisting tho
pressure of Louis Napoleon and Of the work
ing classes, as represented by the weekly Journals
of the largest circulation among them to re-
pudate the blockade.
1t remains to be seen whether the dispatches
to Mr.. Adams, which went week after tho
seizure, informing the British Government thai
Capt Wilkes acted without specific instruc'
TONS will allay the popular excitement or
abate the Ministerial demands.
THE TREATY WITH MEXICO.
The important treaty with Mexico, of which
the outlines are before the Senate, Is under
stood to contemplate mortgage to the United
States, of all the public lands, including the
Church property, estimated to be worm
hundreds of millions, as security for the repay
ment of the 81, 900 900 which it is proposes
that we lend, for the satisfaction OF the fren"
and English creditors, whose fleets NV
threaten our neighbor.
THE NATIONAL CURRENCY. .
The Sub. Committee of Ways and Means no.
nearly perfected the grand scheme OF N'"s sm
Currency, secured by the hypothecaton :,
s. stocks. 1t provides for Bank Con ":S.sx
in the Treasury Department to oo OPP 49,.
by the President and Senate, VINO -
a bond Of 500 600 for the faithful periofmAre. '
Os his dnties with a salary Of S5,Ooo' n.
business will be to manage all oper''0n' u
TSa hin nrovidss that existing banks ms'
dono.i. limited States stocks ard procure ca =,
,aia.;na notes. New banks may be formed -.
tbs so,es purpose under this bill, ou. ' "o
.au;,.l stock shall not be less than sioo'o,
and may be for any greater amoant' AL 0'.