Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-13

not the fixed resolve Of the whole nAtioto hold 70
the Imprisoned minister's should England threaten 70
avenge the outrage with her mighty power Bold enough
and base enough Is the nsfoh fhcon % assert hese
ness and subserve the Interests of historical truth we
reproduce some Of the utterances Of this huniated
people. N
Read Secretary weles' letter to Captain wilkes:
NAVY DrPAKrxrfr, Nov. 80, 1851.
Capt. Charles Wilkes, Commanding The u 5. Steamer
San Jaeinto;
Sal congratulate you on your safe arrival and es-
pecIally do congratulate you the great public 'r
ves you have rendered 10 the capture Of the Confede
rate emissaries Meesrs. Mason and Sidel have been
conspicuous in this conspiracy to dissolve the Union and
il Is well known that when seized by you they were
mission hostile TO the Government OF the country Your
conduct 10 seizing these public enemies marked by
intsiligsace ability dseisioa and rnsss, and has s
epaphatc approval Of is Department.. IL Is not
sary that should In this communclton-which Is in
tended to be one Of congratuation to yourself officers
and crew-expess opinion on the course pursued 10
emitting to capture the vessel which had these public
enemies on board further than 10 Say that the forbear
ance exercised 10 this instance must not be permitted TO
constitute precedent hereafter for infractons OF neu'
tra obligations .,, ID. .i- rrr ID
lam, respectfully, AZ aEt .Hh.
Your obedient servant. l.l-ft f..
r.-k Do 80 GIDEON WELLES.
In bis annual report to the President Mr.. Wees thus
speaks Of the seizare: .,..i Ill
The prompt and decisive action OF Capt Wilkes merit
ed and received the emphatic approval Of the Depart
ment and too generous iorbearance exhibited BY
him In not capturing the vessel which had these rebel
enemies on board may in of the special crcum
stances and of its patriotic motives be excused but
must by no means be permitted TO constitute prece
don't hereafter for the Of any OF similar
inraction Of neutral oblgaans by foreign vessels en-
gagged in commerce or the carrying trade. j..
The Lincoln Congress rs-eehoed the warm approval Of
the Secretary Of the Navy on the first day Of the pres
ent session.
House of Reprsssntdtipss Dec. 2
Mr. Lovejoy (Rep Of Ilnoi. offered join, resolution
rendering the thanks of Congress Capt Wilkes for his
arrest Of the traitors, Slidell and Mason. ~. a
Nc. Eigerton (Rep Of Ohio moved Is q substitute
that the President be requested to present. Capt Wke
gold medal with suitable emblems aud devices express.
i've Of the high OF conf encs entertained for him
by Congress in his prompt arrest of the rebels Sdel
ard Mason. a ttts. fut
TIE substitute was rejected and the original resolu.
ton adoped a.r .la G.. 81
The literary capital Of Lincondom shovered honors
upon the Captain of the San JaeiHlo The compliment
consisted of magnificent banquet, which was graced
by the eOqusnos and learning and wealth Of Boston,
The vanity Of the naval warrior Eas tcked by many fine
things. Thus spake John A. Andrew, the Governor Of
Massachusetts,: l'. .'- 80
Governor Andrew, on being introduced said he re
oiced be present on NJ occasion like this for the pur
pose Of paying the utmost honor 10 the uStrous
mAnder who the gust Of the evening. Epough had
been done during the past two weeks TO make the name
OF Wilkes history.
He had performed the lus.rious service that had
been rendered since the began 1t had happened
him Gov Az 10 be pseSnpt official business at the
War Department when telegram Announcing the cap
ture OF the Rebel Ministers was received. -
BE thought il but that the Secretary Of War
should lead in the cheers which followed but he begged
to assure the company he not behind the second
man raise his voice In loud acclaim, and he bad the
satisfaction Of knowing at very early hour that the
territory Of Massachusetts, would have tho opportunity
of furnishing prison to these unnatural aud Fspaeous
traitors
when be thought Of the contumely and ecorn our go.
rious New England had received from these men, once
Senator'S nov captves he felt than repaid 10
templting their present condition The Governor con.
cluded by proposing the health Of Lieut. FAIRFAX officers
and crew Of the San JGcnto. 1t vas received with great
applause.
When His Ercellcncysat down, Chief Justice BigelOw
opered his classical mouth aud spoke as follows
Chief Justice Bigelo. made fervid speech. There
we're occasions when man did not need TO look into
lay books or conpult COUNSEL His own nsnct. and his
Gated the act Of Captaa Wilkes as beiog in exact md
strict conformity wiki international Law. He
yenured TO say that England unless she fAses her
conduet the declarations Of her statesmen and the de-
cisions Of her judiciary, elnnot mske ssre With
the arrest OF Sds aud Mason. We need only refer
to the recorded Judgments Of her great urists to
that she can make just quarrel with the CUES.
ton.
Nothing could be more deplorable than war with
England but be trusted that II It did come we
prepared to meet /. lik, men, We needed peace with
all nations bu. should buy Il at the Of
own degradation. t.t ..ri.
BIZ Butler the hero Of Big Bethel and Hi.teras, who
is called by divers nicknamss was not present at the
banquet BE could let be spared iroR the field bu; be
is yaent with the pen and lie communicated hssent.
touching the exploit In the Of that cpse
the vaorvrs chieftaiu characterized the conduct Of
Captain Wilkes as eqaslug in importance aay one Of
oar naval records" Hs rated the achievement high.
Pity ii WAS oil fer nothing.
Let US see what their newspapers said abou. the arrest:
Ffrm the Nsv York World
But IL that demand y made 70 comprehend the
surrender OF Mason and Sdel to British protection, IL
can be met with nothing short Of point blank refusal
add IL England insists the settlement must be made
the lannon's mouth. r "a
But ii tho British Government not content with this
demands the restoration Of Mason and Sde 10 the
shadow Of British flag there must be absolute
fusa let the consequences be what they may. This
ton can submit no such humiliation surrenderng
her own citizens even though they be rebels TO foreign
authority. We no more make such surrender that
guilty CHI may be screened than we could that no-
cent citizens might be oppressed For no purpose can
We allow foreign Government to stand for an instant
between our Governmsnt and its citizens on lie oFn
soil. ...lH u.
From he NsV York Times.
Local sentiments and associations always pc:
tent than general convictions But making due allow.
Ance for ths We take na stand on the acknowledged
rectituds OF our position II popular passion ia to be
allowed to coltravene right in the Law OF nations, we
accept any ISSUE that may result OF course the statue
caupot be- rcstored-the Confederate emIsaries can
never be surrendered.
From tie Baltimore Amsriean.
1.-THE Government has no other alternative than to ad.
49, 10 tho nssition II has already assumed. In numer-