Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-01-08
Her Maiesty's Government. bearing in

mind the friendly relations which have
long subsisted between Great Britain and
the United States, arc willing to believe
that the United States naval officers who
committed the aggression was not acting in
compliance with any authority from his
Government, or that if he conceived him
self to be authorized he greatly misundcr-
stood the instructions which he received
For the Government of the United States
must be fully aware that the British Gov
erumeDt could not allow such an affrOnt to
the national honor to pass without full
reparatiOn, and her Majesty's Government
are unwilling to believe that it could be
the deliberate intention Of the Government
OF the United States unnecessarily to force
into discussion, between the two Govern
ments, question of 50 grave character,
and with regard to which the whole British
notion would be sure to entertain such IN
animity Of feeling.
/ Her Majesty's Government, therefore,
trust that when this matter shall have
bsen brought under the consideration Of
the Government of the United States that
that Government will. of its own accord, /
offer to the British Government such re-
dress as alone could satisfy the British ma
tiOn, namely, the liberation of the four
gentlemen and their delivery to your lord I
ship, in order that they may again be .
placed under. tie protection, and u suitable
apology for the aggression which has been
committed.
Should these terms not be offered by Mr. .
Seward you will propose them to him
You are at liberty to read this dispatch .
to the Secretary of State, and if he shall
desire it, you will give him a copy of it. .
l am, &c.
.... RUSSELL ]
MR. SEWARD TO lord LYONS.
The following is the closing portion of
Mr.. Stewards reply to the British Minis
ter.
If decide this case in favor of my own
Government, L must disavow its most cher
ished principles, and reverse and forever
abandon its essential policy. The country
cannot afford the sacrifice. If | maintain
those principles and adhere to that policy.
lmust surrender the case itself 1t will
be seen, therefore, 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 We have always insisted
all nations ought to do to US.
The claim of the British Government is
not made in discourteous manner. This
Government, since Its first organization,
has never used more guarded language in
similar case.
In coming to my conclusion l have not
forgotten that, if the safety Of this Union
required the detention of the captured per-
sons it would be the right and duty of
this government to detain them. But the
efectual check and waning proportions Of
the existing insurrection. as well as the
comparative unimportance of the captured
persons themselves. when dispassionately
weighed, happily forbid me from resorting
to that defense.
Nor am ] unaware that American citi-
Zens are not In any case to be unnecessari-
ly surrendered for any purpose into the
keeping of foreign State Only the cap
tured persons, however. or others who are
interested in them, could justly raise a
question on that ground.
Nor have been tempted at all by sug-
gestions that case might be found in histo-
ry where Great Britain refused to yield to
other nations, and even to ourselves, claims
liks that which is now beforv U.s. These
cases occurred when Great Britain, as well
as the United States, was the home of gen
erations, which, with all their peculiar ia
terests and passions, have passed away
She could in 10 other way so cffcctually
disayOw any such injury as we think she
docs by assuming now as her own the
ground upon which VIC then stood. 1t
would tell little for cur own claims to the
character of just aud magnaniraous peO-
pie if we should o.far consent to be guild
cd by law of retaliation as to lift up bur
led injuries from their graves to oppose a.
gainst what national consistency and the
national conscience compel US to regard as
a claim intrins;cally right
Putting behind me all suggestions Of
this kind, / prefer to express my satisiae
ton that by thcadjustment of the present
case upon principles confeseediy American,
and yet. as | trust, mutually satisfactory
to both of the nati,ns concerned, a ques-
tion is finally and rightly settled between
them, which, heretofore cxhausting not on
ly all forms of peaceful discussion, but al
SO the arbitrament of war itself for mere
than half a century alicnatcd the two coun-
tries from each other, and perplexcd with
fears and apprehensions all other nations.
The four persons in question are now held
in military cusody at Fort Warren in the
State of Massachusetts. They will be cheer
fully liberated. Your lordship will please
indicate time and place for receiving
them. avail myself of this occasion to
offer to your lor,lship renewed assurance
of my very high consideration
WILLIAM Ii. SEWARD