The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-01-03
The Diplomatic Correspondence in Ref
erence to the Mason and Slidell Mat.

ter.
New YoRK, Dec. 25.-The official cor.
respondcnce between our Government
and Great Britain relative TO the seizure
Of the traitors S!idell and Mason, is re-
ceived. The irst is letter from Score.
tary Seward to Minister Adams, dated
Nov. sob, in which he compliments the
latter Tor wisely speaking and acting at
the Lord Mayors dinner, and also states
that he told Lord Pamerston simply the
fact, when informing him that the lie Of
The insurrection was sustained by the
hopes of its recognition by England and
France, and il those hopes ceased, the in
surrection would perish in ninety days
He refers in the same note 70 the fact OF
the arrest OF Slidel and Mason by Capt.
Wilkes rs new and unforeseen circum-
stance, which is to be met by the two
Governments, il possibe,i in kindly spirits.
Lord Lyons had said nothing on the sub.
ject, and no explanations were furnished
Minister Adams, il being deemed prudent
that the ground taken by the British Gov
ernment should be first made known here,
and discu ssion be had here. But Secre.
,ary Seward deemed il proper 10 state
that Capt Wilkes acted without insruc-
tions, and the subject therefore is fee
from embarrassments which might have
ensued if the act had been specially d.
recled.
He trusts the British Government will!
consider the subject in a friendly temper,
and it may expect the best disposition on
our part. The next letter is from Earl
Russell TO Lord Lyons, dated Nov. 3Oth.
which details the Trent affair. He says
it thus appears that certain individuals
have been GorCibly taken from British
vessel, the ship of neutral power, on
lawful and innocent voyage, an act Of VIZ
olence which was an atfront to the British
hag ard violation of international law
Her Majesty's Government were willing
to believe the act was without authority,
and resulted from misunderstanding, as
The Government OF tho United States
must be fully aware the British Govern
ment would not allow suoh an affront 20
the national honor to pass without full
reparation, and the British Government
is unwilling 10 believe that the United
States deliberately intended unnecessarily
to force discussion OF so grave ques.
ton between the Two Governments. Her
Maesly's Government trusts that the
! Government of the United States will OF
its own accord offer suoh redress as alone
could satisfy them, viz: the liberation
Of the four persons, and their delivery 10
Lord Lyons, that they may again be
placed under British authority, and a
suitable apology for the aggression com
mitied. Should these terms not be Of
fered by Mr.. Seward, you will propose
them to him.
Mr.. Seward replies to Lord Lyons. by
whom he was furnished copy Of Ear
RusselPs letter, stating that the dispatch
has been submitted TO the President
Mr.. Seward states that the British Gov
eminent rightly conjeclured what it Il
now my duty TO state. that Captain
Wilkes acted upon his own suggestions o
duty, without any direction or instruction
or even ioreknowledge Of it on the part o
this Government. No directions hat
been given him or any other naval Office
to arrest the four persons, or any OF them
on the Trent, or any other British vessel
or any neutral vessel there or else here
+ After discussing the subject at grea
length, In all its bearings. Mr.. Sewar
says: | trust ! have shown to the salts
a faction OF the British Government, by
very simple and natural statement Of fact
= and analysis Of law applicable 10 them
that this Government have neither medi
/ tated nor practiced nor approved any de
q liberale wrong in the transaction to whic
O they have called its attention on the con
h. trary, that what has happened has bee
D simply an insdvertency, consisting in
! departure. by the naval officer, free froI
any wrongful motive, from rule uncel
, ,ainly established, and probably by tn
/" several parties concerned either impel
' fectly understood or unknown. For th
n error The British Government has rigl
# to expect the same reparalion that We q
= an independent State should expect froI
: Great Britain or FROM any other iriendl
nation in similar case.
| have not beon unaware that in exarniI
# ing this question have fallen into an a
1 gument which seems TO be u British side
;, il, against my own country. but am n
Iicvod from all embarrass mont on that sui
!, jcct i had hardly fallen into that line
y argument when l discovered that I wi
y really defending and maintaining. not e,
a'usiveIy British interest. but an old. hon
ored AVID cherished American cause. n,
, upon British authorities, but upon prime
! plos that constitute large portion of a
o distinctive policy by which tho Unite
IS States havo developed the resources Of
continent, and thus become a considerab
70 maratime power and won tho respect az
N confidence of m my nations. These prime
D pies were laid down for us by James Mad
's son. in 1904. when Secretary OF State und
ir Jefferson, Ia his instructions TO James Mul
at roe, our then Minister 30 England.
10 Mr.. Seward ssys. af or quoting those /
struct;ons, that il decide this case in fav
"a of my own Government, must dissvnw i
OF most cherished principles. release, and +
10 Sise md forever abandon iis essential polio
The country cannot afford tho sacrifice.
" | maintain these principles and adhere
70 that policy. must surrender the case itse
O. 1t will be seen, Il erofoIo, that this Cover
70 ment could not deny tho Justice of the clai
~ presented. We arc asked TO do to the Br
'g ish nation just what We always insist
10 nations ought 10 do to US. In coming