Smyrna times., 1862-01-02
The Trent Affair Settled.


However much the loyal people may be cha.
s,ised at the giving up Of the traitors. Mason
ana Slidsll, there is a general satisfaction that
,bs question has been settled without a resort
a arms. and Engl nd lett wit@out pretext, at
aha present at least, to interfere in eur domes.
sle affairs; Tor il must be apparent to every one
tb.t we are not able to carry on two formidable
EARS al the same time without danger of ioosing
all ,ha, We are fighting for. The correspon.
deuce, which is quite lengthy, has been pub
lshed.
The Erst document is note from Mr. Sew
ard to Mr. Adams, in which the case is briefly
nsationsd, aud in which Mr.. Seward says that
tbe action of Capt. Wilkes was without any
instructions from the Government, and he trust.
Cd that the British Government would consider
ils subject in a friendly temper. Then follows
4 mole from Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. dated
November 80, reciiiug the English version of
ths esse-declaring that the act Of Captain
Wilkes was az affront ts the British flag, and
visitation OF international law; ; and announcing
that The Liberation of the four gentleman
named, and their delivery TO your lordship,"
together with a suitable apology for the ag-
g,ssslun, alone could satisfy the British nation.
10 this Mr.. Seward responds in a paper. ad.
ERASED 10 Lord Lyons, under date of the 26Ih
inst. 10 whlch he snslyzes at great length the
principles Of public law involved in the case,
aud eE:yes at the conclusion that the Govern
msaG Of The United SIates would be wrong in
refusing to comply with the British demand,
90 lar as relaies 10 the disposition that shall be
made Of the parsons captured. He cieses by
saying that the four persons in question" will
be eheerfally liberated and your lordship
will please indicass Iime and place for reeeiv.
ing thea" " No "apOlogy" however is offered,
because no offence was intended. To this Lord
Lyons responds by announcing that he will
harvard the communication 10 Her Majesty's
GsSernmsnt, and will Immediately make arr
rngs,nsRts 10 place the fcnr gentlemen
again "under the protection of the British Aag."
Besides these documents co the Trent case,
&srs ia a dispatch from NJ. Thouvenel, the
French Minister for Foreign Affairs, to M.
MeFeler, the " Minister OF tbs Emperor at
Washington" in which ThsuvsneI pronounces
the Conduct Of lhe American cruiser unjHslI6a-
bic. bat hopes tor pacific solution of the diff
Guilty. To this Mr. Seward responds 10 a note
TO NJ. Mercier. in which he correcls an error OF
The Mi1is:er Of Foreign Affairs, refers him TO
bis correspondence with the British Govern.
msnt. and exchanges assurances of friendship.
M. Seward Comes substs ntially TO the same
Conclusion as that Of the Crown Law Officers
Of Great BrEsin-that 10. that Capt. Wilkes
abandoned the advantages OF his irsI legal pre-.
esedIngs by not taking the vessel into port,
and having the courts of law decide as to her
character and that Of The persons she had on
board. IL is admitted by MIR. Seward that this
jad'ciai remedy sis imperfect, because CT the
want Ofs clear and properly defined interna.
IiOnsl rule which covers persons as we'll as
property in such csseS, but the principle con-
tended for by Great Britain is precisely that
which osr own Government has always main
ian'd, ia opposition to that Government, 10
regard to the rights of neutrals and impress
msui, and MIR. Seward, instead of abandoning
The cherished principles of international law as
Interpreted by American authorities, accepts
The British decision sc the acquiescence of that
Government in those principles.
Phs srgumest. as Mr.. Seward presents it, is
ingsaious and able. and the result OF the dsci-
son, while satisfactory to Gteat Britain, should
Fr"ye na less so to ourselves, for il establishes
i'reses, by Eugland's own action, a principle
oi 'a'eraational law for which our G ovsrnmeni
vest 10 war with her, and which has been de-
a'sd By her even since that war, as late as the
regulations between Mr.. Webster and Lord
A'hsarton, We can we'll afford to make the
sTehsage ef two rebels, harmless for any mis-
eaiefihsY csn do the Republic, for the sake OF
psinciPls which we have dssmed vital to ma.
hohal sovereignty, and which is law for all
time.
ks stated that the President and his Cabinet
Sers entirely unanimous in the opinion that
The demand of England, according to sur doc.
'nnss % the right of search. esuld cot be re-.
fused. A
This decision Of osr Govsrnrnsnt 10 also ip
seeOrdance with the views Of France and other
EarOpesn governments, who regard with seri-
Gus sisrm the power Of seizure aad impress
msntby American naval stficers. as sndsngsr-
lag the peace of all neutral nations.
Suspension Of Specie Payments by the
parks