Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-11
Secretary sswnrd's Diplomatic Cores


pOndence.
The published correspondence between
the State Department and our Minister at
Great Britain is very voluminous, and
even a faithful synopsis oft would be much
too lengthy for our crowded columns.
There is a decided belligerent tone to tbs
dispatches, which allows the country no oc
easion for rejoicing at the professed friend
chip Of the British Government For in
stance, in dispatch of August I'd, 1862,
Mr.. Seward discusses the question of the
advantages and disadvantages to England
ofa war with the United States, saying that
war Raged against US by Great Britain
could not fail to re-unite our people, when
every sacrifice that their Independence
could require would be cheerfully and in
stantly made, and every nerve and resource
which have hitherto been held in reserve in
civil war because the necessity for it was
not felt, would be brought into requisition.
> Again, on the 2Oth Of October, the Secretary
says that if the naval preparations are al
lowed to 20 on in British ports as in the
case Of the 900, the result will be, that
while Great Britain avows neutrality, her
subjects are practically allies Of the inter-
nal enemies Of the United States. On the
ID Of November he writes that the Presi-
dent is obliged to regard the destruction of
American vessels by the 29O as being made
BY British subjects, in violation Of the laws
Of nations, after repeated and ample notice,
warning and remonstrance had been made
by our Minister to the British Government
and adds that legal proofs in support of a
claim for indemnity will be collected and
transmitted to Mr.. Adams as speedily as
possible. Under date of July 18th, 1862,
Mr.. Seward writes that since the 0reto and
other gunboats were being received by the
insurgents from Europe to renew demon
strations on our national commerce, Con-
gress was about to authorize the issue of
letters Of marque and reprisal, and if it was
found neoes sary to suppress that piracy,
privateers would be brought into the SER
vice for that purpose, and, of course, for
that purpose only.
Aside from the questions Of danger of
foreign difficulty, the correspondence con-
tains some matters of home interest. In a
dispatch Of February last, Mr.. Seward as
sures Mr.. Adams that Secretary Cameron
was not superseded for his snti-slavery
opinions, as was reported, but because he
could be made useful in a diplomatic posi-
tion, while the gentleman appointed his
successor would, it was expected, be more
efficient in administration. On the I'd Of
june, he wrote that it was the purpose to
strengthen General Mcclellan, although
his army was already deemed adequate to
the capture Of Richmond In dispatch
Of March 7th, he explains the mission of
ThurlOw Weed and Archbishop Hughes
abroad TO be to counteract the representa-
tons of the social agents Of the rebels.
Another important fact is manifested in
these dispatches, and that is that Mr.. Sew
ard supports and approves of the Emanci-
patton Proclamation and speaks of it as an
accomplished fact. The friends of that |
measure may feel encouraged by this, it
being evident that, as other portions of the
correspondence Of the year relating to
matters not yet concluded is suppressed, so
this portion would havebeen, if the Presi-
dent entertained any doubt as to the
falflmeut Of the operation of the PrOcla-
nation Of September 22d.