Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-09
The correspondence.

TO the Mason and Slidell affair, copied from the
Washington National IateHigencer of the 18th ult.-
We append synopsis. The correspondence is given
elsewhere in full:
The first letter in the series is from Mr. Seward to
Mr. Adams, o. S. Minister to England In this letter,
referring to the possibility of the recognition of the
Confederate States by England and France he says
have never for moment believed that such recognition
could take place without producing Immediately war
between the United States and all the recognizing pow
ers AS to the seizure made on board the lreh'' lie
deers the expression of any opinion in regard 10 IT, SIM
Div stating that as Captain Wilkes bad no INSTRUCTIONS
whatever to seize the Commissioners, the future discus
sion of the subject is relieved from any complications
with which such instructions might have surrounded It,
This letter is dated Nov. goth. The second letter IN
the series is from Earl Russell to Lord Lyons and by
strange coincidence bears date tie same day. Nov
Both, 1861.
Like nearly all English and Confederate diplomatic
and state papers, it is short and busnesske therein
contrasting strongly with the extreme longwndedness
which too generally marked those of the old govern
ment It simply states the circumstances OF the cap
ture on board the Trent given in the letter OF Com
mander Williams, Agent for Mails on board the Mall
contract steamer Trent These circumstances are al
ready familiar to our readers. After this statement,
Earl Russes letter says that "it thus appears that GER
tain individuals have thus been forcby taken IRON on
board British vessel the ship of neutra power while
such vessel was pursuing lawful aud innocent voyage
an act of violence which aront to the British
flag and a violation of international law" Earl Rus
sell expresses the trust that when these facts are brought
under the consideration of the United States govern.
ment that government will Of its accord offer such
redress as alone could satisfy British nation, namely
the liberation of the four gentlemen and their delivery
to Lord Lyons in order that they may again be placed
under British protection and suitable apology 1or tne
outrage which has been committed.
This letter of Earl Russels does not occupy over half
column. Mr. Stewards reply takes up four solid long
columns Of the Enquirer. We ind great difficulty IN
even attempting a synopsis of it, since it is literally I'M
possible to fix upon any point which can truly be said
to express its meaning with any defniteness We have
no idea that Mr. Seward wished to express any definite
meaning. His success consists in his obscurlty. Ills
letter is dated December 26th 1861. 1t must be read
to be appreciated. We do not say-to be understood,
for that is evidently not its Intention but we think 1t
will hardly be satisfactory to the British government.
AS near as we can see Seward asks at the outstart
five questions which he answers in the affirmative, viz
Were the parties arrested contraband? Might Captain
Wilkes lawfully stop and search the Trent for these con-
traband persons and dispatches Might he exercise
that right in a lawful and proper manner ? Having
found the suspected persons on board and in presumed
possession of the contraband dispatches had he right
to capture the persons Did he exercise the right OF
capture in the manner allowed and recognized by the
law of nations These questions and their answers are
brought forward to sustain the ground assumed III the
following paragraph, when after attempting to contro-
vert some part Of the statement of facts made by COM
mander Williams, he, Seward says :
our Lorlship will now perceive that the case be-
fore u.s. instead OF presenting merely Migrant act OF
violence on the part of Captain Wilkes, might well
be inferred from the incomplete statement OF 1t that
went up to the British Government was undertaken as
simple legal and beIigerent proceeding of Captain
Wilkes to arrest and capture neutral vessel engaged
in carrying conTaband of war, for the and benefit
OF the insurgents"
Mr.. Seward after assuming all this, goes into long
discussion upon the technical process of reaching
trabands like Mason and Sdel by the seizure and con-
demnaon Of the vessel carrying them, thus obtaining
moral verdict against them, or in what other way and
finds all unsatisfactory. He thinks that Captain
Wilkes might have seized the Trent and carried her in
to convenient port but aid not for reasons satisfactory
to his government and which justify his course in their
eyes, nevertheless although this satisfaction with Capt
Wilkes course is vowed all the results of that
are given up the demand of the English government
and the detained persons are surrendered His conclu
sion is -
The four persons are now held in custody at Fort
Warren, in the State of Massachusetts. They will be
Cheeriuly liberated Your Loldshp will please indic te
time and place for receiving them"
In the cOursn of his pnuthv rpnlv Mr. Seward cho0s
es to speak careessy about our "pretended" Ministers
President and so tOrth-about such "unimportant per-
sons as Messrs. Mason and Sldel, "the waning pro
portions" of "the rebellion" and so on the whole being
a strange compound of bombast and submissiveness.
Lord Lyons replies on the 9th, acknowledging thu
receipt OF Mr. Stewards letter. Of which he will prompt
ly forward copy to England, and without delay eone
personally about the delivery of the four gentlemen.
A significant document is letter from NJ Thouvenel
French Minister of Foreign Affairs, to NJ. MERCER
French Minister at Washington, in which equally hig
grounds taken by the British government, if
strong and direct personal concern is not expressed
1t appears evident that the French and English gov
eminent were prepared to act fully in concert and vii
be prepared to do SO hereafter in all matters relating t.
this country Mr.. Seward replies that be trusts his &C
ton in reply to the demands Of the British governmen
will also be satisfactory to that of France NJ. Thouve
nel's letter is dated 3rd December 1861 being thre
days later than that of Earl Russell.
DRowNED.-I'bis morning about o'clock MIR. A
B. Utey, whilst the wharf in the lower part of tn
town, fell over into TIE river and was drowned Hi
body was recovered in short time and every effor
made to resuscate life, but without effect Mr. Utley
we haliava was q nativa Of Chatham countv in th