The New York herald., 1862-02-04
THE TONE OF OFFICIAL DEsP ArCHEs REGARDING OUR
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

THE TONE OF OFFICIAL DEsP ATCHEs REGARDING OUR
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
TIE feverishnese in reference foreign affairs that
was noticeable yesterday Saturday greatly abated
although tho impression still prevails that England
means mischief, and is only waiting opportunity to
engage ia some hostile demonstration towards this coun
try Whatever may be the tenor of the foreign journals
which are industrously prompted by secession infu-
epces the tone Of the official depatches reads entirely
diierent have been assured to-day, at the State
department, that at time since the COM
mencement Of this administration have the Official
dispatches been entirely friendly in their
character, the relations between this government
and the French and English Ministers here perfectly
cordial AZ at present the extracts published from
the English newspapers, indicating hostile spirit, re-
feet the temper OF the English people, they certainly do
not correspond with the official avowas OF the English
government. The Trent difficulty is absolutely con-
cudod and up this time thore has been ntimaton
whatever from official Of any other subject Of
Serious controversy between the two governments
One thing is certain IL England should be determined
70 force war upon the United States in the pre-
sent emergency, she can do SO only by committing
paipable wrong and outraging all the principles
Tor which she has hitherto contcnded and all the prece
dents che has herself established. The administration
intends that the United States shall do only right, and
whether peace be the issue, all the world will
know that We are in the right.
MORE ABOUT MR.. sEwARD's POLICY IN RELATION
TO THE CAPTURE OF MASON AND sLIDELL.
The article in today's HERALD, respecting the manner
in which both the people OF Great Britain and this
try deuded, in relation many points connected
with the diplomatic history of the Trent affair." attracts
much attention There intricate phases OF the
whole transaction however, that have yet be laid
fore the public The particulars Of the capture Of Messrs
Mason and sde were received in this city the 10th
or 18th Of November On the evening Of one Of these
two days. Mr.. Seward waited by at least one or
his colleagues in tho Cabinet who strongly urged the
legaty OF the seizure and suggested the propriey Of
the immediate surrender Of the two gentlemen. This
view of the was however, secuted by the Secretary
Of State The President would undoubtedly have also
preferred that they should be given up but conng
Mr. Sewards craftsmanship allowed him TO have his
way in the conduct Of che natter without the formaty
even Of Cabinet decision. few days later, two
prominent political personagcs from New York were
entertained at dinner by the head Of the State Depart
ment and the opinion unanimously pronounced that
the rebel ambassadors ought to be retained and that
people Of the loyal States would perm their being
renquished. BY the 30th Of November, however, Mr.
Seward seems 70 have begun TO entertain fears that
storm might be brewing in Europe Of which our citizens
could not in their then excited stats comprehend the
portent. He resorted, therefore, to q hodge" He
wrote the private and confidential letter to Mi
mister al the Court Of St. James, which, in Of dire
necessity might make his intentions the subject from
the very beginning appear peaceful than pro
bsbie they He trusted, however, that tho pub
cation Of that letter would be needed that
the prevalence of moderate coupses in the British Ca
bnet would leave him the glory Of sanctonng an act Of
great daring and transmit his nams connection with
it, to an admiring posterity.
The last stage Of the affair shows that Mr. Seward in
the surrender OF Messrs Mason and Sde was also at
variance with some Of the most sagacous and rsghted
Of his colleagues 1t strongly urged that as the false
step had been committed in opposition to tho better
judgment Of the Presdont OF not giving up the prisoners
at once the best way of repairing the mistake would DO
not to aclaiescs in the demaMd Of Eagiand b to yield
to The proper and friendly yemonsrdnces of France As
the notes Of Earl Russell and NJ Thouvenel WERE in fact
received almost simultaneously, it would have been
act Of graceful Difference TO old allies the French
people, with whom have always been IN perfect &C
cord the subject Of neutral vessels Mr. Seward TO
have expressed regret at departure from principles
that for over fifty years had guided the nations
and given up the prisoners at the Emperors generou
and unsolicited arbitration. note TO Lord Lyons could
have followed containing all Deedful apologies and ex
to act in opposition to the wishes Of the French govern
ment in important matter. Mr.. Seward chose
course, however, which not well calculated to
conciliate France.
On the 9th January Colonel Frank Blair introduced
tho following joint resolution in the House Of Representa-
tves in relation to the nterpositon Of the government
Of France in the mater OF the seizure Of the Trent and
the arrest of the four passengers which will probably be
reported on by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
fully discussed within few days. II includes the &C
acknowledgement from this country Napoleon ILL., for
his part IN the transaction
Whereas the government Of the Emperor Of tho French
through NJ Thouvenel, Minister Of Foreign Affairs bav
ing appealed to the Of the United States for
the late release OF the taken board
the Trent, and sending explanations which may take
from th act It's offensive character TOWARDS the British
Dag, asking IL Oh the ground of principles in which
Qhe French governmcnt) have always found the United
states III agrceme Il with it, adding, IN conclusion,
that the United states in taking different attitude,'
the French government would sec in that fact
dep.orable complication in every respect OF
The difficulties with which the Cabinet Of wash
ington has Already 10 struggle, and precedent
Of a nature seriously TO disquet all the Powers
which coirinuc outside the existing contest and
whereas, in this arbitIaton Ia advance Of tue issue
which was made by the l,itish government in form
precludlng all discustn but in which the French govern
melL makes its DEF son depend Oh principles heretofore
established between tr.ce and The United States in
treaties recognizing the law OF nations the government
Of France has only anticipated the wish OF the American
people and whereas the detention of the II ent, and
the icst of McssTs. Mason and Sdcl act
aycwedly based on British prccedents by the officer of
the american ship san Jacnto, the reclamation made by
third Power equally Interested in maintaining neutral
rights, was a ,. oper interrogation, consiloratey and
kindly maze, TO enable the government of the United
states to dc 10 Great Britain, for the sake q the in
tcrcsts and peace OF the world and especially demanded
by the existing eyigcnccs cf the United states them
soNes, what Great Britain had refused TO do under similar
circumstances, and could not. therefore, riphtiy de-
mLd this demand the part oI the French government
is evidence Of the deep which France still takes
in the honor ami prosperity of h republic ol the United
states tn cxcrce of which IL part of her glory
have buted ana this orewed manifestation OF her
solicitude for the maintenance of tho freedom the
seas o; which the creation o powerful navy clcnd
them from the sway ci an arbitrary trident gives
earnest, deserves and calls forth expression oi the
sentiments which the part the government Of the French
Emperor has taken Ia our late difficulty with Great Br
tain has inspired: therefore,
Ec Il resolved 10y tie senate aud House cf Representa-
tycs o the United States of America In Congress
bed That Congress and the people OF the United states
not nacls bic 10 the Kindness which has animated
the government Of France IN It's prompt aud inter
position arrest the danger impending from seizure