Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-01-10
THE MlSOs AND sIIDELL CASE.
Letters Of the English Minister and
Secretary Seward.


Below viii be found the correspondence be-
tween the British Minister and Secretary Sew
ard from which it may be inferred that the
difficulty between this country and England
are amicably settled
EARL RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS.
FoRmaN OFFICE, Nov. so, 1861.
The Lord Lyons, K. c. b., &C., &C., &c.
.IIg intelligence of a very grave eas
ture has reached her Majssty's Government:
This intelligence was conveyed officially to
the knowledge of the Admiralty by Comman-
der Williams, agent for mails on beard the
contract steamer Trent.
Il appears from the letter Of Uemmander
Williams, dated "RoyaI Mail Contract Packet
Trent, al Sea, November g. that the Trent
left Havana oD the 7,h inst, With her Majes-
ty's mails for England, having en- board nu-
merous passengers. Commander Williams
states that shortly after noon on the 9Th
steamer having the appearance Of msn of
war, but not showing cslors, was observed
shead. On nearing her at |. Is P. u. she
fred q round shot FROM her pivot gun across
the bows of the Treat, aad showed American
colors. While the Yrent was approaching
hos slowly the American vessel discharged
she'll across she bows Of the Tent, exploding
half cables length ahead The Trent then
stopped, and an ofiaer with q large srmed
guard OF marines boarded her. The ofieeF
demanded list Of tie passengers; and, COM
plance with this dem&nd being retused, the
oiicer said be a4d orders to arrest Messrs. has
son, Shdell, Mac.arlaRd aud Eastis, and that
he had sure Information of their beiug pas
seugcrs in tie Trent. While some parley was
going on upon this matter Mr. Slidell stepped
f0rgard AID told the American ofieer that the
four persons he had named wele then standing
before bim. The CommaHer Of the Trent
aud Commander Williams protested against
abe act Of taking by force out Of the Trent
these four passengers, then under The profee-
ton Of tue British Tag. But the San Jaeins
10 was as that time only sse haadred yanes
from the Trent, Der ships company at quars
ters, hef ports open, aud tompions out Re-
sistanee was therefore out Of the question, and
the foar eeatl9aien before named were forei,
big taken ont Of the ship. A further demand
wss made tbatthe Commander Of the Trent
should proceed On board the San Jeei8tc, but
be said he would rot 20 unless foroibiy com,
pelIed likewise, and this demand was rot in
sisted upon.
II thas appears that certain Individuals hsve
keen foreibly taken from On beard British
vessel, the ship Of neutral Power, while
such vessel was pursuing lawful anI iano-
cent voyage--aa act Of violence which was an
nfront TO the British fas and violation OF
international law.
Her Mjesty's Government, bearing in mind
the friendly relations which have loug sabsistr
ed between Great Britain and toe United
States, are wiling to believe that tie United
States naval ofiicar who committed tbe agrees
sion was not acting 10 compIianee with an au-
thority from bis Government, or that If be
conceived himself to be SO authorized, he great
iy misunderstood the instructions which be
had received. For tbs Government Of 4he
United States Iust be fully aware that tho
British Government could not allow such an
afffoBt to the national honor to pass without
full reparation, and Her Majesty's Govern
luent are unwilling TO believe that il could be
the deliberate intention Of the Government Of
the United States unnecessarily to force into
discussion, between the two Governments, q
squestior Of SO grave character, and with re-
gard to which the whole British nation would
be sure to entertain such unanimiiy Of feel
iEg.
Her Msjesty's Government, therefore, trust
that Bheo this matter shall have been brought
nnder the confederation of the Government Of
tbe United States that Government will, of its
own accord, offer to the British Government
such redress as alone could satisfy tho British
nation, namely, the liberation of the four gem
tlemeu aud their delivery to your LorJship, ia
order that they may again be placed under
British protection, aud suitable apology for
tie aggression which has been committed.
shoeld these terms not be offered by Mr..
Seward you viii propose them to hin.
You are at Liberty to read this dispatch to
the Secretary of STATE, and, if he shall desire
il, you viii give him copy of it.
lam, &C., RUSSELL
MIR. SEWARD TO LORD LYONS.