Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-20
The Mason. SItden Affair In Eogland.
From the Dublin preeman's Journal (democrati
oIgan), November 2S


Such are the facts of this most important
case, which raises one of the most serious
questions between the Governments of Eng
land ard America which has risen since the
year 1872, when the right of search produced
hostilties. On the arrival Of the Trent the
Admiralty Agent left at once for London to
report the transaction to the Admiralty.
The news in few minutes spread over
England, and, as may be supposed, produced
mingled feelings of Amusement, excitement
and indignation. A great meeting was at
once held in sober Liverpool to consider the
matter, and a unanimous resolution was
adopted, calling on the Government to assert
the dignity of the national flag. Some Of
the tory London evening journals repeat the
same demand; and it is said-but we ques-
tion the authenticity of the statement-that
q Cabinet council was Immediately convened
to consider the propriety Of giving Mr..
Adams, the American Minister, his passports
Before such q decided step is taken, the
Government, we may be sure, will act Nth
that caution which is demanded by such
extraordinary circumstances,
The London Stock Exchange became
somewhat depressed on the receipt of the
intelligence, a result which does not surprise
us when we reflect on the consequences OF
Misunderstanding between the two countries
which might ultimately lead to hostilities.
|
ALL one of intern dtonaL ldtO tchch jurists svill
hare to decide. The frank avowal of the
Commissioners of the character in which
they embarked on board the British bottom
and the purpose for which they sought the
protecting shield of the British flag, nerrOws
The inquiry lOithu UeTy small compass. They
were American citizens, and had left their
own shores as the accredited agents of a
provisional Government" which has levied
| ha nf fha H,;t toI
States. The Commissioners were in fact
engaged in an overt act of war against the
Government of the United States, against
which they bad revolted when pursuing the
mission on which they were dispatched by
the provisional Government" of the re.
volted States. Docs The International cod.
recognize the right Of parties to tor0ard to the
TeUoLted subjects Of a GoUtTnmeHt arms, dmmu.
nihon money, commisSdriGt, or "Other aids, y
under the protection of a friendly JJaag7
We believe all jurists will admit that nc
friendly flag, no matter how powerful the
nation to which it belonged, could legally
protect from seizure either the "arms" OF
other Comforts" intended to be supplied tc
the revolted subjects of friendly Govern.
ment, or the parties who, being subjects o
that friendly State, were engaged in convey
ing such aids. The position of the accredited
agents carry ing dispatches, or journeying OF
to meet and use dispatches for the purpose o
promoting and forwarding the views of tn
rival Government set up by them, is no
very different from that of men carrying
arms or money, or other aids to the revoltet
subjects. The admissions Of the commis
sioDs place all the facts beyond dispute aut
the question to be determined isis til
British flag endowed with the privilege @
protecting the revolted subjscts of a friend
State when engaged in an accredited misso
to advance the revolt2