, 1862-01-01

commander who is thus restricted, and thus
rrsponsible in case Of mere property Of triv-
ial amount, should be permitted, without re-
curing to any tribunal whatever, to examine
the crew Of a neutta1 vessel, to decide the im-
portant question OF their respective allcgi-
aIce:, and to carry that decision into execa-
ton by forcing every. individual he may choose
into service abhorrent to his feelings, cut
exposing Lis mind and his person to the most
humlllatlDg discipline, and his life itself to
the greatest danger? Reason, justice, and hu-
manity unite in protesting against so extra
VACANT Il proceeding"
If I decide this case in favor Of my own
Government, I must disayow its most cller-
ished principles, and reverse and forever aban-
den its essential policy. The country cannot
afford the sacrifice. # I maintain those prln-
ciples and adhere to to that policy, I must sur
render the case itself 1t will be seen, there
fore. that this Government could not deny the
justice Of the claim presented to Us in this
respect upon its merits. We are asked to do
to the British nation just what ne have always
insisted all nations ought to do to u.s.
The claim OF the British Government is not
made in discourteous manner. This Goyern-
lnent, since its first organization, has never
used more Guarded language in similar case.
In coming to my conclusion have not for
gotten that, If the safety Of this Union re-
it would be the right and duty of this Govern
ment to detsin them. But the edectual1 check
:nd waning proportions Of the existing susur-
reetion, as weu Us the comparative un1npor-
tance Of the captured persons -themseiEes3
when dispassionately weighed, happily forbid
NE from rcsortins to that defence
Nor an I unaware that American citizens
arc not in any case to be unnecessarily s0rfen-
deIed for my purpose into the keeping OF .
foreign State. Only the captured persons,
however,oF others who are interested in them,
could Justly raise question on that ground
Nor have been tempted at all bJ sugSes-
tiors that cases might be found in history
where Great Britain refused to yield to other
ilat which is now before U.s.. Those cases
occurred when Great Britain, as well as the
United States, Was the home Of generations
which, with all their peculiar interests and
passions, have passed away. She could in no
other way so eHectnullF disaYow any such in
jury as We think she does BY assuming now Us
her oWn the ground upon which we then
stood It will tell little Tor our own claims to
the character Of a just and magnanimous peo-
pie, If we should so FIR consent to be guided
~ the lay Of retaliation as to Lift up buried
injuries from their graves to oppose against
What national consistency and the national
conscience compel us to rrgard is a claim in
trinsically right
Putting behind me al suggestions Of this
klnd. prefer to express my satisfaction that
~ tug adjustment OF the present case upon
principles confessedly American, and yet as
trust, mutually satisfactory to both of the
nations concerned, question is finally and
rightly settled between them, which, hereto
fore exhausting not only al form Of peaceful
discussion, but also the arbitra1ncnt Of war
itscli, for more tl1an half a century aIicuatcd
the two countries from each other, and per-
picked with fears and apprchensions I'LL other
nations.
The foarpersons in question are now held
in military custody at Fort Warren, in the
State Of MASSACHUSETTS, They Will be cheer
t11lly liberated. Your loraship will please in
dica'e time and place for receiving them.
avail myself Of this occasion to Offer to
your lordship renewed assurance Of InS very
high consideration. WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
= Bishop Hughes and ThuElow Weed
went over to London, Immediately following