Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1862-01-02
THE TRENT AFFAIR.
THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENTS
Our Government and Grea, Britain.


pondcncc between our Government and Great
Britain relative to the seizure OF the Confeder,
ntc Commissioners SlidoiI and Mason is re-
ceved.
The first is Il letter from Secretary Seward
to Minister Adams, dated Nov. 30th lin which
he compliments the Iatior for SO wisely speaking
aud acting at the Lord Mayors dinner. and also
states that be told Lord l'almcr,;on the simple
fact when informing him thai the life Of the in
surrcetion would perish in 90 DAYS He refers
in the same note 10 the arrest OF S!idell aud Ma.
son by Capt, Wilkes as new and unforeseen
circumstance, which is to be met by the two
governments, if possible, in a kindly spirit.
Lord Lyons had said nothing on the subject,
Adams, it being deemed prudent that the ground
taken by the British Government should
first be made known here, and discussion 20 be
had here. But Mr.. Seward deemed it proper
to state that Capt, Wilkes acted without in
structions and the subject thcIelpre is free
from the embarrassments that might hive ensued
if the act had been specially directed. He
trusts that the British Government will consid-
der the subject in a friendly temper, and it may
expect the best disposition on our part,
The next letter is from Earl Russe'l to Lord
Lyons, dated Nov Both, which details the
Trent affair. He says lit thus appears that
certain individuals have been torcibly taken
from British vessel, the ship Of neutral pow.
CIR on lawful and innocent voyage; an act Of
violence which was an atfront to the British flag
and violation Of national law Her Majrsty's
Government are willing to believe the act was
without authority and resulted from miSunler-
Standing. As the Government Of the United
States must be fully aware that the British
Government will not allow such an uffrout to
its nationa honor to pass without due repara-
ton and the British Government are unwilling
to believe that the United States deliberately
intended unnecessarily to force discussion Of
so grave a question between the two Govern
mcnts. Her Naiesty'S Government trnsis that
the Government of the United States will, of
its own accord, offer such redress as alone could
satisfy them namely The liberation of the
four pcrs rs add their delivery to Lord Lyons;
that they may again be placed under British
protection and suitable apology tor the az
preston committed. Should these terms no,
be offered by Mr., Seward you will propose them
to him
Mr. Seward replies 10 Lord Lyons by whom
he wa, furnished copy Of Earl RuSseI's letter
stating that the dispatch has been submitted to
the President Mr.. Seward states that the
British Government rightly cou,"ctnrcd, which
it is now my duty to state that Captain
Wilkes acted upon his own Suggestions OF du'y
without any direction or Instructions or even
nrcknow edge of il on the part Of this govern
inert NJ directions bad been given HIM on any
other naval officer to arrest the four persons er
any of ,hcm on the Trent, or any othc British
vessel or any neutral vessel there or e'se%h9lr.
After discussing the whole question al great
length in all lis bearings Mr. : ward said -
: ! trust have shown to The satisfaction Of the
British Govcrrmc t, by very simple and nat
uraI stated cnt OF facts md analysis Of law ap
p'icabIe to them, that his Government has uo-
Their melitated or practicca or approved any
they have called its attention on the contrary,
what has happened has been simply an inaiycr-
teucy consisting IN departure by the naval
officer free from any wrongful mo'iYc, irom
rule uncertainty established aud probably by
the several parties concerned either lmpertcctIy
or entirely unknown. For this er-
ror the British Government has the right to en-
pect the same reparation that VIC, as an indie
pendent State, should expect from Great Britain
or from any friendly nation in similar case.
have not been unaware that in examining
this Question | have fallen into an argument
FIR what seems to be the Briii.h side of it
against my own country, tut sm relieved
from all embarrassment on that subject. La
hardly fallen into that line ofargnmcnt when |
found that was really defending and main.
tanning not an exclusively British interest, but
NO Old honored aud cherished American cause
not upon British authorities, but upon prlnci- |
pies that constitute "A large portion of the dis.
iuctiye policy by which the United States have
lie vcIopcd the resources of continent and thus
becoming considerable marimimc power have
won the respect and confidence Of many ma.
ions These principles were Land down 10y |
James Madison in 1904, when Secretary off
State under Jefferson, N instructions to James ,
Monroe our then Minister to EngIaui
Mr. Seward says, after outing these ins'ruc,
ions. aft decide this case in favor ofmy
,wn Government must disalow its most cher
she'd principles and reverse and forever aban.
lon its essential policy, The country cannot
llOIu VIC SdNIIIlCt, IL Hl1ln'dlh lU'su hl w
ipIes and adhere TO that policy, | must -urren.
Ter the case itself. 1t will be seen, therefore,
hat the Government could not deny the justice
# the claim presented.
We are asked 20 DO to the British nation
nst what we have always insisted all nations
ught to do to US. In coming to my conclu-
ion have not forgotten that ifthe safety Of.
his Union required the detention Of the cap
urel prisoners it would be the right and duty
{ this Governments; to de,aln them,
Bot the chtctual check and waning prepor-
ous the existing instruction, MS well as the
comparative unmportance Of the captured per.
ons themselves, when dspassiona'cIy weighed,
apply forbid mo from resoriiug to that deflncc
Ior am ! unaware that American citizens arc
OF in any case to he unnecessarily surrendered
'r any purpose, into the Keeping Of a foreign
tate, ,