Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-02-07
The official letters Of the English Minister

The official letters OF the Eng ~
concerning the Mason & slidell affair." are
interesting, especially when taken IN con-
nection with some other facts OF notorIety'
The ferocious clamor of the principal Ln-
slish papers previous to the adjustment oi
the business, is In noticeable contrast with
the language of the official letters Accord
ing to the London TInss, Posi, Herald ana |
others Of like spirit, there was but one !
course to be pursued. Bighwsyman like
John Bull was TO put loaded and cooked
pistol to the head Of Mis- Columbia with
the demand surrender and apologize In
stsntly, or blow your brains out. How
ever threatening the din Of warlike prepara-
ton might be-aud it is to be confessed that
In that respect the action of the British
Government called to mind the peculiar style
Of Dragging which Gil Bias relates among
his experiences-there is nothing Of menace
in the official dispatches. Ia fact special
care seems to have been taken 10 avoid
embarrassing the discussion between the
two governments by the introduction Of any
thing like threat on the part Of tbs
British Government. The Acknowledge
ment on It's part that the United States
Government has responded to It's claim IN q
most satisfactory way, Is also courteously
made. A review Of Mr.. Stewards argu-
ments was not necessary. and it is avoided,
with the remark that in some points there
is difference Of opinion between the two
governments, On which there may be con-
ference hereafter.
One thing, however, Is very remarkable.
Al the earliest day possible ouE minister Nj.
Adams, mace known to El-l Russell
the fact that Capt Wilkes had acted with
out adv instructions, that lis Government
was unc, 'mmittei, and was ready to Discus,
the ouestil ns which IL GIT arise from he act
in the most friendly way and with dcsr,
fora result sal. sActory to both Governments
No hint that suci a communication had beer
made TO the BRITISH Government was givel
to toe public. On 4. Re contrary, the Posi-
claiming to speak from uthority, asserte'
IN the most positive terms, 1. rat not worO
had been communicated from u. Adams o'
the subject. This falsshood had a poN sTiui eli
feet to increase the evaporation of Eo, 'u'i
feeling, when the truth would have done
great deal to soothe it. THIS suppression of G
fact Of so much consequences to the public
tranquility, and the allowance of a falsehood
of so psrnicIous a tendency to 90 une1rosad,
till the facts were made known from this
country. causes some severe comments in Eng
land.
The London Star knows Of but zone msn high
enough 10 otice, and low enough in oharaojs-. Co.
have in.pired the strUcOUs composition wuir.
for three weeks gave renewed strength 70 tie i
yer that has so wasted the national reEcu-crs a-3
disc sed the national mind. The Minister va.
mutilated the Afghan dispatches Is alone capable
of having suppressed, and denie5 the eu.c of
Mr.. Stewards message OF peace Inc former deed
of villainy was done to invent ex usez f. q
vsr az unnecessary az d sasti QUE; toe Latter &
have been perpetrated With the still Ino-s - lrv
purpose Of provoking still more enormou- ca-
lsmiiy The foolish eiemeDcy OF he Houtt %
Commons condoned the enc fence; will Lot i'ar
Lament and people unite IN the infection q pun
isnment for the other
As to the English press-that part oi ii
which was most violent in its abuse Of lur
people and government before the settlfm-n;
of the Trent affair to the satisfaction OF the
British governmental has from tie Necessity
OF the case, since that event, altered tie
particular form and lnnnncr Of it. lanEutce.
but Its malignant tone and spirit rems.u
substantially the sane. 1t i Hs hearu )
bent upon injurinS the cause Of 'hc Jni.I
as ever and s- eager, when oac cuuea a
offence Is taken DOT Of the wav. &, tnI
make one in slmethiug ei-r.