Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-01-03
SSgrreMdeg' or
MASON & SLIDELLl
New York, Dec. 23.-Messrs. Mason
and Slidell have been given up to Eng
land. The official correspondence will be
published Immediately.
SECOND DESPATCH.

ihNo' AHe OhOihi correspondence Whl w
published immediately.
SECOND DESPATCH.
New York, Dec 28.-The official cor.
respoudence between our Government
and Great Britain relative TO the seizure
Of tho traitors Slidell aud Mason is re
ceived. The FIRST is letter from Score
lary Seward 10 minister Adams, dated
Nov. Both, in which he compliments the
latter for wisely speaking aud acting at
the Lord Mayors dinner, and also states
that he told Lord Palmerston simply the
fact when informing him that the life Of
the insurrection was sustained by the
hopes Of its recognition by England and
France, and that II those hopes ceased
the insurrection would perish in 80 days.
| He refers in the same note to the fact Of
the arrest Of Slidell aud Mason by
Captain Wilkes as new and un-
forseen circumstance, which is 10 be met
by two Governments, If possible, in kind
ly spirits. Lord Lyons had said nothing
on the subject and no explanations were
furnished Minister Adams, it being deem
ed prudent that the ground taken by the
British Government should 6rst be known
here and discussion be had here; but Sec
retary Seward deems it proper to state
that Captain Wilkes acted without in
siruclions, and the subject therefore is
| free from embaTrassments which might
have eusued il the act had been specially
directed. Ho trusts the British Govern
meut will consider the subject in friend
ly temper, and it may expect the best
disposition on our part.
The next letter is from Earl Russell to
Lord Lyons, dated Nov. 30th, which de-
tails the Trent affair. He says: at thus
appears that certain individuals have been
forciply taken from British vessel, the
ship of a neutral power, on lawful and
innocent voyage--an act of violence
which was an affront to the British flag
and violation of International law. Her
Maiesty's Government are willing TO be-
lieve the act was without authority and
resulted from a misunderstanding, as the
Government Of the United States must be
fully aware that the British Government
would not allow such an affront TO the
national honor to pass without full repar-
alton, and the British Government is un-
willing to believe that the United States
deliberately intended unnecessarily to
force discussion Of SO grave question
between the two governments. Her
Majesty's Government trusts that the
Government Of the U. S. will Of its own
accord, offer such redress as alone could
satisfy them, viz: The liberation of the
four persons and their delivery to Lord
Lyons. that they may again be placed
under British authority, and a suitable
apology for the aggression committed, -
Should these terms not be offered by
Mr.. Seward. you will propose them to
him"
| Mr.. Seward replies to Lord Lyons, by
whom be was furnished copy Of Earl
Russell's letter, stating that the dispatch
has been submitted TO the President.
, Mr. Seward says the British Govern
ment rightly conjectures what is my dn-
ty to state, that Capt. Wilkes acted upon
his own suggestions Of duty. without any
direction or instructions, or even fore
knowledge OF it on the part Of this Gov
, ernment. No directions had been given
him or any other naval officer to arrest
t the four persons or any OF them on the
Trent or any other British vessel or any
neutral vessel there or elsewhere.
After discussing the subject al great
length in all its bearings, Mr.. Seward
) saws, al trust l have shown to the salts
faction of the British Government by a
very simple and natural statement Of facts
and analysis of law applicable to them,
| H.. tb;s Goyaropoant baua nathan madi-
tated nor practiced, nor approved any de-
liberate wrong in the transactions to
> which they have called its attention; and
on the contrary, that what has happened
has been simply an inadvertency, con-
,, ssling in departure by the naval officer
free from any wrongful motive from a
rule uncertainty established, and probably
by the several parties concerned either
imperfectly understood or entirely un-
known. For this error, the British Gov
ernment has right 10 expect the same
reparation that we, as an independent
State, should expect from Great Britain or
from any other friendly nation in similar
case"
81 have not been unaware that in exam
ming this question l have fallen into an
argument for what seems to be a British
side Of it against my own country; but
, am relieved from all embarrassment on that
subject. had hardly fallen into thai
: line OF argument, when | discovered thai
was really defending and maintaining,
not exclusively British interest, but an
old, honored and cherished American
cause-nol upon British authorities, but
upon principles that constitute large
portion Of the distinctive policy by which
the United States have developed the re-
sources Of continent, and thus become
considerable maratime power, and won
the respect and confidence Of many ma.
} tious. These principles were laid dowr
for us by James Madison. 10 1904, wher
Secretary Of State under jefferson, in hi'
7 instructions to James Monrne, our ther
(; Minister to England"
i Mr.. Seward says, after giving these in
+ struotions: 'If decide this case 10 favo
7 of my own Government, must disavOV
its most cherished principles. release aDC
a reverse aud forever abandon it's essentia
t policy. The country cannot afford th'
! sacrifice. II maintain these principles
: and adhere to that policy, must surren
;. der the case itself.
: II will be seen, therefore, that thi
II | 0nva.nr,anl oa,.ld mt danu she iustioa n