The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-12-24
Important Foreign News.
THE MASON AND SLIDELL AFFAIR
IN ENGLAND

In GN1bANO.
The steamship Europa arrived at Halifax on the
18th lust, bringing tie Queens special messenger,
who bears important official dispatches for Lord
Lyons By the tenor Of these dispatches, he is
instructed 70 demand, peremptorily, the imme-
date restoration of the persons of Messrs. Mason
and Shdell, the Southern ENJOYS, and to call tor
such apologies for the outrage as the occasion
warrants These instructions are explicit, and
have received the unanimous concurrence Of the
Queens Council.
The London Times, in its editorial comments
the affair, predicts that thr results will follow
viz: First The destruction of the blockade of
the Southern ports. Secondly, The complete and
efectual blockade of the Northern Ports; and
thirdly The recognition Of the Confederate States
by France and England.
The Paris Patrie says that France will side
with England, and take decided attitude with
regard to the difficulty. The Emperor Napoleon
has rendered his services as Mediator"
The greatest excitement prevails throughout
Great Britain and on the Continent Heavy bod
les Of English troops have been ordered to embark
ut once for Canada. A ship is loading at
Woolwch with Armstrong guns and $4,000 En-
field rifles tor Canada. g..
LATER.
The steamer City Of Washington from Liver
pool on the 5th has arrived. The excitement
with reference to Mason and Slidell continues
unabated. The Paris Temps repeats the state
ment that Napoleon has rendered his services as
mediator. The Paris Patrie has an official fore
shadOwing of the disposition of France to recog-
nize the independence of the Southern Confed-
eracy, if England sets the example. The London
Times has Ito hope that the Federal Government
will comply with the demands of England. The
English journals very bitter and hostile and
treat the affair an intolcrable insult. Lord
Lyons, instructions, in which the Cabinet said
TO be unanimous, are explicit and determined.
The London Post says that ackuowed gment
of error and surrender Of the prisoners would be
received with great Joy, but if the PederalS fail
do so, no in England will blind his eyes to
the alternative. England must do her duty. The
Times asserts that it has been Stewards policy to
force quarrel with England, and calls for
getic military preparations in Canada. The Paris
Patrie argues clearly that France will side with
England, and recognize tic Southern Contederacy.
A large number of English naval vessels have
been ordered to be ready for Immediate commits
sion. Several were loaded with immense military
stores destined for Canada.
The priyatcer Sumter has escaped the L. 5
steamer Iroquois aud is again at sea.
Immense Meeting in London Dsnouncing tie
Arrest, and Dcmondiny ct'he English Cor
srrmaemt a Tinlicdtiow IF the Npmor Of IL"
British Flag.
We have before us, says the Norfolk Day Book
Northern papers of Saturday, which contain a
great deal of European newspaper and other views
Of the Mason and Slidell capture
The London Times money article alleges that
q large portion of the public regarded the act in
the worst light, confirmation of the indications
so long given by Mr. Seward of his desire to in-
volre this country in collision at any cost.
Tie Liverpool Gotten men held Indignation
meeting. After the resolution calling uIon the
Government to assert the dignity Of tie British
flag by requiring prompt reparation, had been
read, the chairman remarked:
When the news of the outrage reached this
town, the feeling created was one of surprise,
mingled with indignation. lie remarked that all
had heard of the sacred dignity of the American
flag. That dignity, he proceeded to say, was a
means by which persons engaged in the nefarious
slave trade could at once protect themselves by
hoisting the American flag, which fully enabled
them to resist any attempt to search such vessels.
II g trusted II would not be allowed that pros
eeuting so nefarions trade would be protected
and that men peaceably proceeding on their own
affairs under the protection of our flag, might be
forcibly taken from ships. (Cheers) On
the contrary, he believed that the people of this
country would not, by any means, permit such an
outrage. (Cheers) He said in having agreed |
TO take the chair on this OCCASION he did 50 with
ont reluctance regret, as he felt deeply that he
only expressed the feeling, not merely the meet
ing, but of the community in general, when he
said it was their duty to press the Government
the imperative necessity of vindicatng the honor
and dignity of the British name aud flag Loud
and continued checrng)
After the chairman took his seat several gentle !
men occupied the floor in the vain endcavor to
give another turn to the expression of the meeting
but their object on being expressed met with the
cold shoulder, and they had to desi>t The reso-
luton as proposed to be amended by the chairman,
was then put to the meeting aud carried by large
majority, and amid the most deafening and euthu-
siastic cheers. For the negative only few hands
were raised.
The effect of the news on saltpetre, which ap-
pears to have already gone up considerably, was
to increase Its price from 3Ns to 4Os per cwt and
in little while another advance to i3s. And it
is said that an order will be instantly issued by
the British Government to prohibit the clearance
of such contraband Of war. And it has been re-
Gently discovered that large quantities Of arms
have been shipped to the Northern Government
under the desi ign of "hardware." This has also
been determined to be stopped.
Excitement in Lirerpool
LIVERPOOL, Nov. 2S.-The excitement here
over the soppage of the Trent has been must ia
tense, exceeding anything since the Crimean war
At first the public were slow to believe the
counts surprising them to be exaggerated; but,
when the statement of the Purser made its appear
ance, the excitement and indignation knew no
hn,,ndc