The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1862-01-02
MASON G SLIDELL
RELEASED.
The Correspondence Between Seward
and Lord Lyons.

and Lord Lyons.
New YORK, Dee. 28.-7rDme's
special says that Lord Lyons has
sent in the British demand for the
surrender of Mason and Slidell,
Time was given to Secretary Sew.
ard to reply.
WAsuINGToN, Dec. 28.-Mcssrs,
Mason and Slidell have been given
up to England. The official cor.
respondence between our Govern.
ment and Great Britain, relative to
the seizure of the traitors Mason
and Slidell is received.
The first is a letter from Secreta,
ry Seward to Minister Adams.
dated November 80, in which he
compliments the latter for wisely
speaking and acting at the Lord
Mayors dinner, and also states he
told Lord Palmerston simply the
fact when informing him the life
of the instruction was sustained
by the hopes Of its recognition by
England and France, and if these
hopes ceased theinsurrection would
perish in ninety days.
lie repeats in the same note the
fact of the arrest of Slidell and
Mason by Captain Wilkes as a
new and unforeseen circumstance,
which is to be met by the two Gov
ernments, if possible, in a kindly
spirit.
Lord Lyons had said nothing on
the subject, and no explanations
were furnished to Minister Adams,
it being deemed prudent that the
ground taken by the British Gov
ernmentshould first be made known
here, and discussion be had here;
but Secretary Seward deemed it
proper to state that Captain Wilkes
acted without instructions, and the
subject, therefore, is free from en-
barrassments which might have
ensued if the act had been specially
directed.
lie trusts the British Govern
ment will consider the subject in a
friendly temper, and it may expect
the best disposition on our part.
The next letter is from Earl Rus
sell to Lord Lyons, dated Novem,
Der 80, which details the Trent
affair.
lie says it thus appears that cer-
tain individuals have been forcibly
taken from a British vessel, the
ship of u neutral power, on a law.
full and innocent voyage. An act
of violence which was an affront to
the British flag, and a violation Of
international law.
Her Majesty's Government are
willing to believe the act was with.
out authority, and resulted from q
misunderstanding, as the Govern
ment of the United States must be
fully aware the British Government
would not allow such an %atfront tc
the national honor to pass without
full reparation and the British
Government is unwilling to believe
that the United States deliberately
intended unnecessarily to force 6
discussion of so grave u question
between the two Governments.
Her Majesty's Government trusts
that the Government of the UNITED
States will, of its own accord, Offer
such redress as alone could satisfy
them, viz: The liberation of thu
four persons, and their delivery tt
Lord Lyons, that they may agail
be placed under British authority
and a suitable apology for the ag
erosion committed. Should thes,
terms not be offered by Mr.. Sew
ard, you will propose them to him
Mr.. Seward replies to Lord Ly
ons, by whom he was furnished
copy of Earl Russell's letter, stain!
the dispatch has been submitted t.
the President. Mr.. Seward states
that the British Government right
" coniectured what's now my dut,
to state. that Captain Wilkes acteI
upon mis- own suggestions of duty
without any direction or instruc
! ton, or even foreknowledge of i
lou the part Of this Government.