Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-01-03
Gbe Obio 6tatesr,ra,r
Important Documents.
THE CASE OF MASON AND sLIDELL,
Mr.. SEWARD TO MIR. ADAMS.
H ExTRAcT.l
80 DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
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DHPARThENT OF STATE, 1
WARRINGTON, Nov. 80, 1861.
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., etc.,:
Sir: Your confidential note of the 18th o
November, not marked as a dispatch, has beer
submitted TO the President, and hasten to re-
ply TO II In time for Wednesdays mail.
NO Minister ever spoke or acted more wisely
10 crlsis which excited deep public solicitude
than you did on the occasion Of the Lord May.
or's dinner. We are impressed very favorably
6y Lord Palmerston's conversation with you
You spoke the simple fact when you told him
that the lie OF this insurrecion is sustained by
its hopes OF recognition in Great Britain and In
France. 1t would perish in ninety days II those
hopes should cease. have never for a mo
ment believed that such a recognition could take
place without producing Immediately war be-
tween tho United States aud all the recoRnizipp
powers have not supposed it possible that
the British Government could fail to see this;
'apd at the same time have sincerely believed
the British Government must, In its inmost
heart, be as averse from such war as know
this Government 10.
am sure that this Government has carefully
avoided giving any cause OF offense or irritation
to Great Britain. Bot it has seemed TO me that
the British Government has been inattentiye to
the currents thu. seemed to be bringing the two
countries into collision.
/ infer from Lord Palmerstou's remark that
the British Government is now awake to the i'm.
pottance Of averting possible conflict, and dis
posed TO confer and act with earnestness to that
end. Ii so, we are disposed to meet them in the
same spirit, as nation chiefly Of British line
age, sentiments and sympathies--a civilized and
humane nation, o Christian people.
since that conversation was held Captain
Wilkpa. in tho ataa Ca, T. -
cd British colonial steamer and taken from
her deck two insurgents who were proceeding h
Europe on an errand Of treason against thei
own country. This Is new incident, unknown
to and unforeseen, at least in it's circumstances
by Lord PalmOrston. II Is to be met and dis
posed OF BY the two Governments, IL possible
| in the spirit to which have adyerted. Lori
Lyons has prudently refrained from opening thu
subject to me, as presume waiting instructions
from home. We have done nothing on the sub.
ject to anticipate the discussion; and We have
not fpEnished you with any explanations We
adhere to that course now, because We think IL
more prudent that the ground taken by the
British Government should fret be made known
to us here; and that the discussion, If there
must be one, shall be had here, 1t is proper,
however, that you should know one fact in the
case without indicating that we attach impor-
lance to IT, namely, that, in the capture of
Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board British
vessel, Capt. Wilkes having acted without any
instructions from the Government, the subject
Is therefore free from the embarrassment which
might have resulted il the act had been special
ly directed by US.
! trust that the British Government will con-
slider the subject in a friendly temper, and it
may expect the best disposition on the part of
this Government
Although this is a confidential note, l shall
not object to your reading it to Earl Russell and
Lord Palmerston If you deem itaexpedient.
l am, sir, your obedient servant,
I'd WILLIAM H. SEWARD.