Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-01-08
The Case Of Mason and slidell.
MR. SEWARD TO MR.. ADAMs-Ertraei.
DEPARTMENT or STATE.
WnShinaioR. Ngr. 80. 1861.

DEPARTMENT or STATE,
UdSiiRgfoR, Nor. 80. 1861.
CHARLES FEANcIs ADAMS, Esq, &c, &c
SIR: Your confidential note of the ljtl
of November, not marked as dispatch
has been submitted to the President an(
1 hasten to reply to it in time for th(
Wednesdays mail
No Minister ever spoke or acted moro
wisely in a crisis which excited deep public
solicitude than you did on the occasion O.
the Lord Mayors dinner. We are i'm
pressed very favorable by Lord Palmers
tons conversation with you You spoke
the simple fact when you told him that
the life of this insurrection is sustained by
its hopes of recognition in Great Britain
and France. 1t would perish in ninety
days if those hopes should eeare, [ have
never for momont believed that such a
recognition could take place without pro-
ducing Immediately a war between the
United States and all the recognizin Pow
ers. l have not supposed it possible that
the British Government could fail to see
this; and at the same time | have sincerely
believed the British Government must
in its inmost heart. be as avcrse from such
war as l know this Government is.
I am sure that this Government has
carefully avoided given any cause of offence
OF irritation to Great Britain. But it has
seemed to me that the British Government
has been inatten:ivc TO the current that
seemed to be bringing the two Countries into
collision.
| infer from Lord Palmerston's remark
that the British Government is How awake
to the Importance Of averting possible con-
fict and disposed to confer and act with
earnestncsss to that end. IF so, we are
disposed to meet them in the same spirit,
as nation chiefly of British lineage, sen
timeats, and sympathies-a civilized and
humane nation, Christian people.
Since that conversation was held Cap
tain Wilkes, in the steamer San Jacinto,
has boarded . British c1lonial steamer aud
taksn from her deck two insurgents who
were preceding to Europe on an errand of
treason against their own country. This
is a new incident, unknown and uDfor-
seen, at least in its circumstances. by Lord
Palmerston. 1t is to be met and disposed
of by the two Governments, if possible, in
the spirit to which l have adyertcd.-
Lord Lyons has prudently refrained from
opening the subject to me, as 1 presume
waiting instructions from home.
We have done nothing on the subject to
anticipate the discussion and We have not
furnished you with any explanations
We adhere to that case now, because we
think it more prudent that the ground
taken by the British Government should,
be first made known to US here; and that
the discussion, if there must be one, shall
be had here. 1t is proper, however that
you should know one fact in the case with
out indicating that We attach Importance
to it, namely. that, in the capture OF Mason
and Siidell on board of a British vessel,
Captain Wilkes having acted without any
instructions from the Government, the sub
ject is therefore free from the cmbarrass-
ment which might have resulted if the act
had been specially directed by US.
l trust that the British Government
will consider the subject in a friendly
temper, and it may expect the best dispO-
sition on the pant of this Government
Although this is confidential note,
shall not object to your reading it to Eail
Russell and Lord PalmcrstOn if you deem
it expedient
l am sir your Obedient servant.
WI. Ii. SEWARD.