The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-02-13

the very great service rendered by Gen. SIgel, and
that Justice will be done him by creating him Gener-
al Of Division.
The roads in Virginia are very bad in consequence
OF the rains and snow.
\ Fortress Monroe despatch says the Norfolk Day
Book 81 Wednesday has news from GCldsborO, Of the
12tb, announcing that 100 vessels Of Burnside's ex-
petition are inside Of Pamlico Sound and 20 steamers
outside. No attack had been made, but the women
and children were leaving Newbern, where a hght is
expected TO take place. The people Of Norfolk and
GOldsb0ro were much excited.
Mr. Wilson, lately appointed Senator from Missou-
n. and Ar. Stark Of Oregon, have poor prospects Of
being admitted TO seats.
News from Mexico states that dissatisfaction exists
among the French and Spanish soldiers. Sickness
prevailed, and desertions were numerous. Commu-
nicaiions between Vera Cruz and the interior had
been cut OF by the Mexicans, thus depriving the city
Of all supplies from tue country. The Spanish citi-
Gems seem to be besieged, and fear an attack by
Nexicaus.
TX President Tyler died at richmond Friday
night. after a brief illness.
A despatch dated Wilmington, 18th January, says
that "a small Federal, steamers and IL sail vessels
were inside, and Z large steamers outside Of Hatteras.
More were expected at PamlicO Sound.
The Associated Press relegraphs a statement that
the rebels are leaving and that Manassas is deserted,
which is discreditei at headquarters. At last ac-
counts they were in statu quo. When Burnside and
Buell. Cooperate they may be forced out Of their en-
trenchments, but hardly before.
The State Department has received notice from the
Government Of Prussia and Russia touching the
Trent question.
The twelve month soldiers in the rebel service will
return home when their time expires.
The y. \. HeTGId's Washington despatch says
that recent letters received FROM IA British statesman
confirm The statement, made some time since, that
long before the Trent affair the French Minister had
endeayOred 10 get the British Government to unite
with France in breaking the blockade Of the Southern
ports Of the United States. VI. ThOnvenel distinctly
made such a proposition to Lord joan Russell, who
positively deciined-not because England was not
anxious TO open certain ports, but because the British
Government was unwilling 10 take sn active part in
provoking hOstilities with this Government, although
not ayerse to Frances taking n hand and the respon-
sibility of opening ports for their commOn benefit.
CHICAGO. January 24-Importan. correspondence
has transpired between Gen. Halleck and Gen. Price,
on the rights OF belligerents. Gen. Price claims for
his bridge burners, captured by the Federal troops,
the privileges conceded to prisoners of war. Gen.
Halleck will not concede this to prisoners, who, in
the garb Of peaceful citizens, penetrate his lines and
burn bridges, thus endangering the lives OF thou
sands. They would be arrested and shot, just as
spies would be; but If n regular military force is en-
gagged IN destroying railroads. and is captured, those
composing 1t will be treated as prisoners Of war. The
response of Gen. Halleck is in an amiable temper
and spirit.
The numerous assassinations of Federal troops by
lurking rebels in Northwestern Missouri, has induced
Col. Digler, commanding ut Lexington, to seize and
%imprisOn n number Of wealthy SecessiOnists as hos
tagss. They are 10 be shot in the proportion Of
fire TO one for ereTy Federal soldier murdered
FROM I0Tt INuyal we nave an apparently TeillDit
statement that Fort Pulaski, commanding the APP
proaches to Savannah, had been evacuated by the
rebels. They had no other alternative. as the fort
would soon have been completely invested by the
Federal naval and land forces.
Appearances indicate that Gen. McClellan's plan of
is something as follows As part Of our
forces in Kentucky shall advance in Tennessee, the
remainder with those ut Cairo, will operate against
Bowling Green. forcing the Confederates to abandon
their position: their retreat will be cut off, and their
will be precariOus. MEANWHILE, the Mis-
sissippi hOtilla will proceed upon its mission. If
the Burnside expedition shall obtain possession of the
North Carolina railroads, the rebels connection be-
tween Virginia and the cotton States will be cut off.
The army at Manassas thus isolated, must leave its
entrenchments either to attack Gen. Mcclellan, or
retreat
Reasons for snrrenderins Mason md
l give here n summary Of the leading points Of
Stewards letter concerning the surrender
of Mason and Slidell. Mr.. Seward replies to Lord
Lyons. by whom he was furnished a copy of Earl
letter, stating the dispatch had been sub
10 the President. Mr.. Seward states that
1.-The British Government rightly cOnjectures,
what il Is now my duty to state, that Capt. Wilkes
acted upon his own suggestions of duty, without any
directions or Instructions, or even foreknowledge of
On the part Of this Government. No directions had
been given him, or any other naval officer. TO arrest
the four persons, or any Of them, on the Trent, or
other British vessel, or any neutral vessel, there
Or elsewhere"
After discussing the whole question at great length,
in all its bearings, Mr.. Seward says:
a. trust | have shown to the satisfaction of the
British Government, by a very simple and rational
statement Of facts and analogies of law applicable TO
hem, that this Government has neither meditated,
nor approved any deliberate wrong in the transac-
lions 10 which they have called its attention.; and on
the contrary, that what has happened has been sim
ply an inadvertency, consisting in a departure by the
naval officer, free from any wrongful motive, from n
uncertainty established, and probably by the
several parties concerned, either imperfectly under
- ptira nulpown For this arrar tho
British Government has n right to expect the same
as we, as an independent State, should
expect from Great Britain, or any other friendly ma
in a similar case.
81 have not been unaware, that in determining
this question / have fallen into an argu nent for what
seems to be a British side If it, against my own coun-
try, but | am relieved from all embarrassment on
that %sutject. | had nearly fallen into that line OF ar
gument. when l discovered that I was really defend
ing and maintaining, not exclusively British interests,
an old. honored. and cherished American cause
not upon British authorities. but upon principles that
constitute a large portion of the distinctive policy by
which the United States have developed the resources
IF a continent, and thus become a Consider bic mari
power, and won the respect and confidence OF
many nations. These principles were laid down for
rs by James Madison, in 1904. when Secretary of
State under Jefferson, in his instructions TO James
Monroe. our then Minister to England
Mr. Seward says, after quoting these instructions:
elf | decide this case IN favor of my own Govern
ment, | must disavOw its most cherished principles
release and reverse, and forever abandon its essential
policy. which the country cannot afford to sacrifice.
II maintain these principles and adhere to that pol
| must surrender the case itself
IL will be seen, therefore, that this Government
could not deny the justice of the claim presented.
are asked TO do to the British nation Just what
We always insisted all other nations ought TO do to u.s.
In coming TO my conclusion, | have not forgotten
If the safety Of this Union required the detention
II the prisoners, il would be the right and duty Of
this Government TO deiain them. But the effectual
.heck and waning proportions of the existing insur-
rPcfiou- n well as the comparative uulmpOrtance OF
the captured persons themselves, when dispassiOnate-
y weighed, happily forbids us from re~orting to that
iefense; nor am | aware that American citizens are
IN any case to he unnecessarily surrendered for any
purpose into the keeping OF a foreign State. Only
he captured persons, however, or others who are in
,eresied in them. could justly raise a question on that