The New York herald., 1862-01-31
dispatches had written to Lord Lyons on tho suoc, Of

told him that in private letter had directed iord
Lyons to talk the matter with Mr. Seward two days
before reading to him tho despatch. Mr. Adams asked
whether the direction to Lord Lyons 70 leave Washington
in seven days was in the despatch 10 be read said
not, and that in Mr.. Seward should ask what
would be the consequence OF refusal his part TO com
ply with conditions Lord Lyons to decline 70
answer that question: order not TO have the appear
ancc Of threat. said that thought the explanation
that the government had authorized the seizure wouo
stand in the place Of an apology.
But the essential condition was, that Mr. Mason ana
Mr. side should be given up to Lord Lyons Mr. Adams
said that il the matter was stated to Mr. Seward In the
manner had explained he hoped for an amcabls ter
mination of the difference; he thought that II the
government OF the United States insisted on maintain
ing the act Of Captain Wilkes, the unitod States
would be abandoning their doctrine and adopting ours.
Mr. Adams asked further question, which he said
might decline answer; 1t whether II Lord Lyons
came away, declaration Of would be tho immediate
consequence I told him nothing was decided that
point; should wait for the reply from America and
then decide upon Istated Mr.. Adams the
substance OF NJ Thouveners despatch to NJ Mercier
had heard II from NJ de Flahault. Mr.. Adams saidat
fhe French government had aoays been very comssent in
their mamteosoe Of the rights Of mesrals He added that
he could not pay government the compliment
said ooatd dispense Nth compliments II this mater could
be ausicabv arranged.
We parted very friendly terms. am, &C.,
RUSSELL
LORD LYONS TO EARL RUSSELL. (RECEIvED JAN. 9.)
WASHINGTON, Dec. q, 1861.
Mi LoRr-I have the honor to enclose copy OF note
which have this morning received from Mr.. Seward,
TO your !ordshps despatch of the 30h Of last
month, relative the removal OF Mr. Mason Mr. Sidsl,
Mr.. Mcfarland and Mr.. Eustis, from the British mail
packet Trent.
The note contains very long and very elaborate dis
sertaton the questions Of international law involved
the have time before the departure of the
messenger, to weigh tho arguments or to estimate pre-
cscly the force of the expressions used But Mr..
Seward admits that reparaon is due Great Britain,
and consents to deliver tho four prisoners con-
slider that the demands Of her Eaestys government
SO far substantially complied with, that is my duty, in
obedience to your lOrdshps commands, to report the
facts to her Majesty government for their consideration
and to remain at my post until receive further orders
have the honor to enclose copy Of the which
have made to Mr.. Stewards note. have confined myself
to stating that will forward copy Of it to her Mestys
government andthat will confer with Mr.. Seward per-
sonay the arrangements to be made for the delivery
Of the prisoners to me. have. &C., LYONS.
EARL RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Jan. II, 1852.
My LoRD-In my despatch to you Of tho 30th OF No
vember after informing you of the circumstances which
had occurred In relation 10 the capture of the four per-
taken from board the Trent stated you that
thus appeared that certain individuals had been orc
bly, taken from board British vessel--the ship Of
neutral Powcr-whe such weasel was pursuing lawful
and innocent voyage-an net of violence which
anront to the British flag and violation OF international
law. concluded by directing you, in case the rspara
on which her Maesys government expected to receive,
should be offered by Mr. Seward to propose to that
Minister make such redress alone would satisfy the
British nation-nameiy first tie liberation Of the four
gentlemen takon from board the Trent and their de-
livery TO your ordship, in order that they might again
be placed under British protection and secondly, suit
able apology for tho aggression which had been
mitted.
Ireceivcd yesterday your desi ach Of the 27th utmo
enclosing note to you Mr. Seward, which is In sub
stance the to my despatch OF tho Goth Novom
Der.
Proceeding at to the main points in discussion be-
tween u.s. her Macsty's government have carefully ex-
smned how far Mr.. Sewards note, and the conduct it
announces complies substantially with the two proposals
/ have recited.
With regard to the nrst-viz the liberation OF the phi
soners with view to their being again placed under
British pro,ectionI find that the by
ing tina. the prisoners will be cheerfuiy liberated
oy cailg upon your orusnip 10 Eu!cac time ana pace
for recciv ing them.
No ecnditon Of any lid Is col led ri ,he l5sraioa Of
the prisoners.
With regard to the suitable apology which the British
had right to expect find that the govern
nen Of the United States distinctly and uneluvocaly
declares that directions had been given to Captain
Wilkes any other naval officer, TO arrest the four
persons namo any OF them on the Trent or on any
other British vessel, or on any other neutral vessel at
the place where i, occurred or osew here
fad further that tho Secretary Of state expressly
for bears to justify the particular Of which her Ma
csty's government complained. II the United States
government alleged that although Captain Wilkes hld
no previous for that purpose he right
clpturing persons cf the four prisoners and in
moving them from the Trent board his vessel TO
be afterwards carried into port of the United sta.es
the government which had thus sanctioned the proceed
ing OF Capt Wilkes would have become responsible for
the original violence aud insult OF the act But hr Sew
ard contents himself With stating that what has
happened has been simply an nadvcrtency consisting in
departure by naval officer, free from any wrongful
motive from rule uncertainty established, and proba.
bly, by the several parties concerned either ipcrfeciy
understood entirely unknown. The Secretary o! State
goes on to affirm that for this The British govern.
ment right tc expect tho same -rcparation which
tho United States independent State should ex Get
a similar case.
Her Mejestys government having carefully taken into
their consideration tho liberation or the prisoners the
delivery Ct them into your hands aad tho expiinai,ns
to which just referred, hare arrived at ne cocp-
sion thot they csasttate 1e rpryoton whics her Ajsy
and Ae Bsiiish nation he'd right 10 erpeci.
Il gives her Bajestys government great Satisfaction
be enabled orse at oonc' ion fdrna,ls 20 as main
finance gf De most friendly rctions bceen ae o nc,ionE
ne ID not discuss the notifications my statement q
facts which Mr. Seward says he has derived frcm the
reports Of officers Of his government
cannot conclude however, without adyertng shortly
20 the discussions which Mr Seward has raised upon
points not prominently brought into question In my do
srach of the Goth OF November. there objected on Tho
part her Nsestys government, To that which Captain
wilkes had done Mr. Seward, In his answer points out
what he conccives Captain Wilkes might have done with
out violating the law Ct nations.
tlotT 7 chonll hora a