Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-04
The Surrender of mes.r.. mason and sIideil.


The Surrender OF messrs. Mason and SlideiI.
We lay before the readers OF the Whig the official
correspondence growing Of tho Of Messs Ma
son and Sde aud ending the surrender OF those gen.
temeu, on the demand OF the British Government From
the uote of Seward Adams it is pretty evident that
though somewhat uneasy, he had conception OF the
storm that brewing. He desired Lord Russell to
know that the sez had been made without instruc
tons by the Government but prefers that he shall not
consider tia. the United States attach importance to that
circumstance Lord Russells note to Lord Lyons is
clear emphatic and concise. lie enters into 10 argu.
meat bu: says insult has been put upon the British
h.g, and demands prompt reparaton and ample apo
ogy. The reply osSeward is characteristc-sophstica
cunning. false and seli:contradctory he argues at
length and earnestly show that the was one to
which no inst exception could be aken that it right
and lawful but with the most Illogical ergo that ev
er forced into unnatural service concludes that II Is right
and proper to repudatet N, ThouvenePs note to n
Mercier among the least important Of these doeu
nenis il leaves very little to doubt that France
had determined to make common with England, in
ledressiOg her wrongs and indicating the rights Of
ual nations But object at present is TO indulge
single consideration with reference to Stewards letter
The demand Of the British Government was for a sur.
render Of the COMMISSIONER and the tender OF st
abe apology for the wrong and insult involved in their
arrest. Although the word apology" considered ety.
moogcaIy, may not imply 50 much we spprehend that
shat Lord Russell expected was such an expression Of
regret for the act % implied disclaimer of authority
conviction OF error, commlttn aggInss repe.
on II this his design, the letter Of Seward will
not prove satisfactory; for so far from acknowledging
error, Seward defends aud lsies the whole transac
,on so far az arrsting aud boarding the steamer and
bearing of her passengers concerned and these e;
the reader bear in mind are the very points in which
Lord Rassel pronopnces tbs wrong to consist and on
which he bases his demand for apology The point
in regard 10 which Seward makes quasi admission OF
error TO wit the failure of Capt Wilkes bring the
Trent into port is no. raised by Lord Russell at all
The gs of the British despatch is that passengers rav
cling under the British Ig shall be held free from mo-
cstaon The gst OF Stewards respoltc is tina: If those
passengers happen to b., "rebel" they are subject to
arrest provided the ship which they travelling
Is also arrested and brought into port for Judicial trial
and condemnation. Under the doctrine he lays down,
enforced too by the undsayowed letter Of Secretary
welles the offence OF Capt Wilkes might be repeated
tomorrow care being only taken TO aggravste by 'ez
ing the British ship aud g after ou:raging them We
cannot be mistaken in concluding that this is not what
Lord Russell meant to require when he instructed Lord
Lyous TO demand suitable apology" not for the fail
ure to bring the ship into port for legal proceedings but
for disregarding tho authority aud asylum Of the British
ag 1t does not appear that Lord Lyons drew the prop
err distinction but that gentleman is not celebrated for
o,k.u h,s Cd Iaarn
when the desprches reach England that the quicker
wits of the Ministry there will detect the evasion, and
renew their demand for such au "sp,logy as 10 its
disayowas will guarantee the flag Of the realm from
rendition of the insult We will warrant that the mat
tar does not elude the clear intellect and manly spirit of
Lord Derby and that he will require British honor ard
Beitish sersbties to be appeased, will raise such
storm around oil Palmerston as will sweep him from
place. Even the present Ministry ayerse as they may
b, to war will readily perceive that any additions! de-
mana may be made with safety for the valiant Yankees
will promptly coacede whatever is repaired, and chucke
at the though: of their own infamy.
I.m therefore, not certain that the hunis.on Of the
Yankees crushing Il is is yet COMPLETED that the
disgrace they have incarred from pusiRnmi.y will
them from the danger they Dreaded, like dastards -
England may not desire any adjustment She wants the
blockade raised-she wants Southern cotton. She may
be constrained accept infamous and unconditional
apology but she will pick the first opportunity for az
other larre she may choose to accompany the &C.
ccptauee Of the reparon with stpuatons for the reno
val Of the blockade and the recognition Of Southern it.
dependence. A brave nation herslf abe will feel the.
intensest for the cowsrdy Yankees They in thtr
turn after all their base trucking feeling and knowing
themselves to bs the contempt Of the civilized world
viii have no alternative but aequescehce in all the de-
grading demands that may be made upon them. They
will be the cornsrpos. for all the vagabond dogs of
Chrisendom.
History makes frequent mention Of individuals pining
away or putting an end to their lives through shame
This always implies the existence Of sentiment of hon.
or for without thai the degradation would be unfelt
We have no record Of entire nation Of oowards-un-
less the Chinese furnish instarce. There always
enough ndviduas in every community, however degra.
ded, to feel national disgrace and communicate their
feelings to others The majority may prefer disgrscs
and ease to glory and danger We think Ii highly prob
able that this is the case with the Yankee Government
and the Yankee people The manner in which they
treated and spoke of their shameful covardice at
the Blll Run ic'p, prepared US to believe his hut
there are some men at the NORTH who will feel dsaonor
acutey They may DO po~eress 70 turn aside the dis
grace Of their sections but they will be enough to make
the dshonor rankle in the aide Of Yankeedom. An in
suited degraded and cowardy nation Ike an individual