Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-09
n. THOUvENEL TO ii. MERCER
(Translation.)
ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.


SIR The of Messeurs. Mason and Sde board
Of the English packet Trent by American cruiser has
produced IN FraEce net the same emotion as in England
at least establishment and Public
ment at engressed with the fitness and the
consequence OF auch act and the impression which
has resulted from this has not been for instant doubtful
The TACT has appeared much out of accordance with
the ordinary rules of International law that it has chosen
to throw the responsibility for it exclusively the
nander OF the San J8cno 1t is not yet given TO u to
know whether this supposton is well founded, and the
of the Emperor has, therefore, also had to
The question raised by the taking away of the
passengers from the Trent The desire to contribute pre-
vent conflict perhaps imminent between tw, powers for
which is animated by sentiments equally friendly and the
duty to uphold for the purpose of placing the right of its
flag under shelter from attack, certain principles
essential to the security of nsutals have,
Fiction convinced it that could not under the circun
| stances, remain entirely silent.
IT, to deep regret, the Cabinet Washington were
disposed approve the conduct of the Commander of the
san Jacno would be either By considering Messrs Ma
and Sde enemies seeing il them nothing but
rebels In the in the other there would be a
forgeuness extremely annoying of principles upon which
u.s.
By what title in effect would the American cruiser in the
first case have arrested Mason and Sdel? The United
States have admitted with in the treaties concluded be-
tween the countries that the freedom of the flag
tends itself the persons found board should they
be of of the two parties unless the question is
Of military people actually in thu service of the euemy-
princpe Which we have never found any euy in
ing to be inserted in treaties of friendship and
perfectly at liberty under the neutral flag of England.
Doubtless will be pretended that they could be coz
sdered of That which constu es
traband of war not yet is true exactly seed The
limitations are absolutely the same for sill the
but in what relates persons, the special spuations
which found in the treaties concerning military people
define plainly the character of these who only can be eiz
ed upon by beligerents but there need demon
strae that Msssrs. Mason and Sde could not be asim
lated to persons in that category There remains
pretext that they the bearers of official dispatches
from the eDemy but this is the moment to recall circum
which governs all this affair, which
conduct CT the American cruiser unjusifahle.
The Trent not destined to point belonging to
the begerents She was carrying to neutral country
her cargo and her passengers, and it was
neutral port that they taken If it admissa b
under such conditions the neutral flag does not COMPLETELY
cover tie persons and merchandise carries, its immunity
would be nothing more than idle werd at any momen
to suffer from their innocent and even their Indirect rea
tons with the the other of the belgeents. Thes
last would longer find themselves having only til
right to exact from the neutral entire impartaty, and
nteTdct all intermedding his part in of hos ily
They would impose his freedom of and nav
CATION restrictions which modern international law has
fused to admit as legitimate! And should, in word
fall back upon vexaous practices against which in otha
epocbs no power hiss more earnestly protested than tn
United States.
If the Cabinet at Washington would only look the tw
persons arrested as rebels whom it is always lawful
seize, the question place other ground could
be solved, however in favor of the commander
the San Jacinto There would be in such case misappre
tensions of the principles which makes vessel porto
the territory of the nation whose flag BEARS viola
bV Constituency from the exercise Of his iuTjsdetfon
certainly not to recall to mind with what
gy under circumstance the Government of the Tn
ted states has maintained this immunity and the right
o asylum which is the consequence of it.
Not wishing enter upon more deep discussion of tn
question raised by the capture of Aessr Mason and Sde
have said enough think to settle the point that tn
Cabinet at Washington could net without striking blO
at the principles which all neutral nations alike ntere
ted in holding in respect, without taking the atitud
OF contradiction of its to this time give
appreciation to the proceedings of the commander of h
Jacinto. In this state of things evidently shoud
according to views hesitate about the deermnato
& to be taken.
Lord Ly is already instructed to present the deman
satisfaction which the English Cabinet is under the
cessy of reducing to FORM and which consists in the in
release Of the persons taken board the Tren
and in sending explanations which may take from this
b its offensive character towards the British flag
The Federal Government will be inspired by just
exalted feeling in deferring to these requests One wou
search in vain to what end for what interest would h
zard provoke by different attitude rupture with Ores
: Britain.
For ourselves, should in that fact deplorab
complication in every respect of the difficulties with whc
the Cabinet at Washington has already to struggle and
precedent of seriouly to disquie all the powe
which continue outside of the existing contest We
eve that give evidence ofloya friendship for the Cab
net of Washington by not permitting to remain In ign
of this condition of things of of regar
ing it. request you, therefore, sir to seize the first
of opening yourself frankly to Mr. Seward and,
y he asks it, send him copy of this dispatch:
Receive, sir the assurance OF my high consideration
Vt THoUVENEL.