Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-04
N. TdoUvENEL TO " NERcIER. o
(rraasltuOa)


ADMINISTRATOR oF FORHlx AsFAEs,
Political Department, PaIiA December ., ls6l !
SlR: Toe arrest o. Messieurs Mason aud Slidel on
board the gish packe, Tent by an American cruiser
has produced in France il not the same emotions as IN
gland At least C1rems Asonishment and sensation.
Puzzle sentiment vas engrossed with the lawful
mss and couss qusce Of such set and the ipp.es
Jn which has resulted from this has not been for an
Instant doubtful ''
The fact has appeared so much of accordance With
The rules Of international Law, that it has chosen to
throw the responsibility for it exclusively the COM
m ,uder OF the San Jscluto IL "a not given to us 10
know whether this supposiion ia Nel founded and the
Government Of the Emperor has therefore, also bad 10
* ,mne the question raised by the taking away OF the
o passengers from the Trent The desire contribute
% prevent cocfc; perhaps; immineni, between two
powers for which it animated by sentiments eqiAly
hi ndly and the duty to uphold, for the purpose OF
d cirg the right o. It's oEa dag under shelter from any
attack certain principles esseltal to the security oi
ueutra have after mature rhectiOn, convinced it that
n could not under the circumstances, remain entirely
si'.ut
II to our deep regret, the Cabinet a. Washington
we're disposed 70 approve The conduct OF the Comuald
Of the San JacinIo would be either by considering
,ssr' Mason and Sldel eaeines, or as seeing in
them nothing bat ebs!s- IL the one a. IN the other
e there would be forgetfuuess extremely annoying,
prncipe upon which We have always found the Ui.ed
Saves in agreement with us
Bv What Ii ls 10 effect would the American cruiser, in
the first case have arrested Mason and Sidsly Tie
United States have admitted With IN the rea les con-
eldsd btEeen the two countries that the freedom OF
tle h.z extEd tell over the persons fuunu roard,
should they be enoe3 Of one Of the two parties unless
IN question is Of military people as'ualy in The service
VI he enemy. M,s,rs Mason aud Sdel therefore,
D virtue Of this principle, which have never found
any difficulty in Ding to Be Inserted in our treaties Of
s-islp and commerce, perfectly At liberty under the
neutral G-y Of Enslard
Doubtless i viii DO, be pretended that they could be
considered as cOn.raaand Of Tns; which consti-
ti,s coatrl5snd Of war il not yet it is true, exactly
sov6 The limitations not absolutely the same, for
al the powers be; in What relates - persons, the spe
cit spc .ious which are found IN the treaties concern
ing i ary people dS9e plainly ;he charger OF thosa
$40 ouy can DO sell - upon by begeren's; but thHe
IL TO reei % demonstrate that Aessrs Mason az Sdsh
-Dli no. be Essinlated persons II that catg CORY
Tacre remains therefore TO invoke in eXpllniiiou Of
their capture Only The peteHs that they the bea'
ers Of oil s2 Dispatches from The enemy hut this u tie
moment to recall circumstance which governs all this
Affair." and which readers the colduc. OF the American
cru scr u jGs'ihiele.
The Tr,nt wss not destined to point belonging TO
one OF the begerents. She was carrying - neutral
country her cargo and her PASSENGERS and moreover
was IN neutral port tina; they taken. II it were
admissible under such condnous, the Neutral hg dues
cot completely cover the persons and merchandise 1t
c,rrles s immunity would be nothing mora than m idle
word a, any moment the commerce aud the navigation
Of third powers would have to suffer rom Their nnocent
aad even their indirect reatiors with the one or the
her Of the belhgcreuts These last would no longer
ld themselves haviag only tie right TO exict from
he neutral entire nps-taliy and TO Hterdet all inter.
meddling bic part in acts Of hostility. They would
Impose on his freedom Of commerce and navigation re-
,ricons which modern international law has refused TO
admit as legitimate Aud we should, In word, fall
back upon vexaoas practices sglins, which, IN other
poeh power has earnestly protested than the
United States.
Ii the Cabinet at Washington would ouly look on the
tao yersoDs arrested as rsbea whom t IA always lawful
20 SEIZE the question 10 place il on other grounds,
could not be solved however in in favor Of the
commander Of tire San Jscnto There would be in such
elss spprshensons Of the principles which makes
vessel por,i1n Of the territory Of the nation wtole flag
i bears and violation of that immunity which prohibits
foreign sovereign BY consequence from the exercise
Of HE jurisdiction I certainly is no; necessary TO re-
csi 70 mind with what energy. urd'r every etcum-
sancs. the Governments Of the United a'es has main
tanned this immunity and the right Of asylum which is
the cocsgq lerca OF h. 81
No. ing TO enter upon more deep discussion OF
hs Qaesoa raised by the cap:ure Of Messs Mason aud
Slid u have said enough, think 10 setils the point