Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-12-30

suffer from their innocent and even their lndl-
rect relations with the one or the other OF the
belligerents. These last would no longer lind
themselves as having only the right To exact
from the neutral entire impartlallty, and to
interdct all inttrmedding on his part in acts
of hostility they would impose on his free
dom of commerce aud navigation restrictions
which modern international law has refused 10
admit as legitimate, and we should, in word,
fall back upon veXatious practices, against
which, in other epochs, no power has mora
earnestly protested than the United States.
II the cabinet of Washington would only
look on the two persons arrested as rebels,
whom il is always lawful to seize the CUES
tion, to place it on other ground, could not be
solved, however in sense in favor of the
commander Of the San Jacinto. There would
be- i'll such case, nsapprehension Of the prin
cipe which makes a vessel portion of the
territory Of TIE nation whose flag it bears, and
violation Of that immunity which prohibits Il
foreign sovereign, by consequence, from the
exercise of his jurisdiction. 1t certainly is
not necessary to recall TO mind with what en-
ergy, under every circumstance, the govern
ment of the United States has maintained this
immunity, and the right OF asylum which is
the consequences of it.
Not wishing to enter upon more deep dis
cussion OF the questions raised by the capture
of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, l have said
enough, Think to settle the point that the
cabinet of Washington could not, without
striking blow at the principles which all neu-
trail nations are alike interested in holding in
respect, nor without taking the attitude OF con.
tradicton OF its course up TO this time, give its
appreciation to the proceedings OF the com
mander of the San Jacinto. In this stale of
things it evidently should not according to
our views, hesitate about the determination 10
be taken
Lord Lyons is already instructed to present
the demand for satisfaction which the English
cabinet is unjler the necessity of reducing to
form, and which consists i'll the immediate re-
lease of the persons taken from on board the
Trent, and in sending explanations which
may take from this act its offensive character
toward the British flag. The federal govern
ment will he inspired by just and exalted
feeling in deierring to these requests. One
would search in vain to what end for what in
terest, it would hazard to provoke by a differ
ent attitude a rupture with Great Britain.
For ourselves we should see in that fact
deplOrable complication, in every respect, of
the difficulties with which the cabinet of
Washington has already to struggle, and
precedent of a nature seriously to disquet all
the powers which continue outside OF the eX-
listing contest We believe that we give evil
dence of loyal friendship for the cabinet of
Washington by not permitting it TO remain in
ignorance, in this condition of things, OF our
manner OF regarding it. | request you, there
fore, sir to seize the first occasion OF opening
yourself frankly to Mr.. Seward, and, it he
asks it, send him copy of this dispatch.
Receive, sir, the assurances or my high con
sideraion. THoUvENEL.