Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-03
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ON THE
sLIDBIls AND MASON AFFAIR.

NEW YORK, Dcc. 20
The oslarial correspondence between our
ac,ernmett and Great Britain, relative to
~ seisoto of the Confederate Commissioners,
slidellaWd Mason, is received.
Mn. SEWARD TO Mr. ADAMS.
TIE Frst Il letter from Secretary Seward 10 Min
lister Adams dated Nov 80 in which he compliments the
Interior wisely speaking and acting At the Lord May
orr Sinner, and also states that he told LORD
tom the simple fact when informing him that tho ne OF
the instruction Is sustained by the hopes Of tecogh
ton Of the Southern Confederacy by Engsnd sna
and u those hopes ceased, the insurr''0" "o'u
He refers in the same note tho te Of the arrest Of
shdel and Mason by Capt MEnes as new anu
ments, II possible IL kindly spirit. Lord Lyons had
said nothingcn the sngect and no explanations were
Furnished Minister Adams, Il being deemed prudent
that che ground taken by the British government should
be hrst made known here, and diseussor TO be had
here.
But Mr. Seward deemed It proper 70 state that Capt
wilkes acted without instructions and the subject there
fore, is free from the endorsements that might have
ensued Il the act hal been specially directed lie trusts
that the British government will consider the subject In
friendly temper, and it may expect the best disposition
AArL RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS.
The next letter is from Bari Russell to Lord Lyons
dated Nov. 30, which details the Trent Affair." He says
cit thus appears that certain individuals have been for
chilly taken from British vessel, the ship n neutral
power lawful and innocent voyage, act Of violence
which was an afront to the British flag and violation
Her Msjestys Government are willing to believe the
act was without authority and resulted from msunder-
Standing as the Government Of the United States must
be fully aware that the British Government will not al
low such nont to It's national honor TO pass without
due reparaion and the British Government are unwilling
70 believe that the United States deliberately intended
unnecessarily 20 force discussion Of grave question
between the two Governments.
Her Majesty's Government trust that the Government
Of the United States will, Of It's accord, offer such
rfdfess alone could satisfy them, namely. the liberia
non o. me four persons and iheu delivery TO Lord Lyons
that they may again be placed unier British protection,
and suitable apology for the aggression committed
should these terms not be offered by Mr. Seward you
will propose them 10 him.
Mr.. SEWARD TO LORD LYONS.
Mr.. Seward replies to Lord LYONS by whom he was
furnished a copy Of Earl Blsselrs letter, stating that
the dispatch has been submitted 10 the President MI
Seward states that the British Government rightly
jectured what It is my dut, 20 state, that Captain
Wilkes acted upon his own suggestions Of duty without
any direction instruction. even foreknowledee Of !,
on the part Of this government
No directions had been given him any other naval
officer TO arrest the four persons any Of them the
Trent any other British vessel any neutral vessel
there elsewhere Amer discussing the whole question
at great length in all ts bearings Mr. Seward said
trust have shown to the satsia ton Of the British Gov
eminent by very simple and natural statement Of
and analys Of law applicable them that this govern
ment has neither meditated practsed approved
any deliberate wrong in the transa ion which they
have called its tcnon. and the contrary. that what
has happened has simply been nadvertency consist
ing in departure by the naval officer, free from any
wrongful motive from rule uncertainty established. and
probably by the several parties concerned either mper
feotly Understood or entirely unknown For his Gro,
the British Government has right expect the same
PREPARATION that independent state should
from Grea, Britain or from any friendly in SINH
lar case.
have not been that in examining this cues
ton have fallen into argument Tor what be-
INC BRUSH side Of i against my own country but an
relieved from all embarrassment on that subject.
had hardly fallen into that line Of argument when
discovered that was really defending and maintaining
not an exclusively British interest but old honored
and cherished American cause. upon British author
ties but upon principles that constitute large portion OF
the distinctive policy by which the United States haye
a and hua
ing considerable maritime power, have the respect
and confidence Of many nations
These principles laid down for us by James Mad
ison in 1901 when Secretary OF State under Jefferson
England"
Mr.. Seward says. after quoting these instructions, II
decide this case in favor Of my government must
dsallow It's most cherished principles and and
forever abandon its cherished policy. must surrender
the itself 1t will be seen therefore, that this gov
ed We asked DO To ne British nation list VIA,
we have always insisted all nrtons ought TO do 10 US In
coming 70 ny conclusion have not forgotten that II the
tnree Prisoners would be the right and duty Of this
government to detain them.
But the eeeual check and waning proportions of tho
existing insurreetion, well the comparative unin
por'ahce Of the captured persons themselves when dis
passionatey weighed, happily forbid me from regorng
to that defense Nor am unaware that Arnerican ci,
Gems are not in any be unnecessarily
for any purpose into the keeping of Sreign STATE
ohY the captured persons howevo others who are
interested in them, could Justly raise question ON
that ground It would tell little for own claims TO
tne character OF Just and mngnanmous people, IL we
should so far consent TO be guided by the law Of reta
non as to lit up buried injuries against national con.
all suggestions OF this kind, prefer 10 express nv
satisfaction that by the adjustment OF the present case
upon principles confessedy American, and yet trust
mutually satisfactory to both nations concerned, a
question is finally and rghuy settled between them,
which heretofore exhAustng not only all forms Of peace
full discussion but also the arbramcnt Of itself for
more than half century alienated the two countries
from each other and perpleKed with fears and Apprehen
sions all other nations
The four persons question are now held in military
custody al Fort Warren in the State Of Massachusetts
They will be oheerfuly liberated Your Lordshn will
please Indicate time and place for receiving them
renew my assurance Of my very high consideration.
(signed) VIM II. SEWARD.
LYONS TO Mr.. SEWARD
The following is from Lord Lyons to Mr..
Seward:
WASHINGTON, Dec. q.
The Hon. W. II. Seward, &c, Sir have this morn
ms seceved the note which you did me the honor TO ad
dress to me yesterday in answer TO Earl Russes dis
patch OF Nov &c. relative the removal Of Mr. Mason
Mr. Slidell, Mr.; Mcfarland and Mr.. Eustis from the
will without loss of time forward to her Maiesty's
Government copy Of the important communication
a. 1917 ~ nave made to me- l will also without delay
the sSelS~ SR 4RS Pss5 s 3a gen
uemen TO me, in order that they may be again placed
under the protection q the British Dag f'-N'1
have the honor 70 be &c.
(Sgned) LYONS"
N. rHouyRHAL's OPINION
A dispatch from NJ Thouvenal to Mr. MERCER French
Minister TO our government also contained in the cor
a
ual nag from neutral to another neutral port covers
the persons and merchandise 1t carries and adopts the
Pi,hS'Ple lad down in the dspa,h Of Earl RUSSELL to
which Mr.. Seward appropriately replies
The Worlds Washington dispatch SAYS
the manner in which Mason and Slidell are to
be given up has been left 10 Lord Lyons, who
will doubtless have it done in a manner least
offensive to this government
The rebel commissioners and their secreta-
RES are expected to embark for Europe on
Wednesday week, when the Niagara sails
nom Boston. They did not receive the news
that they were to be released until Sunday.
Mr.. Mason read the official correspondence
with smile of satisfaction.
FROM MISSOURI
On Saturday, Gen. Prentiss. with $50 men.
encountered and dispersed 900 rebels under
Col: Dorsey, at Mt. Sion, Boone County.
kliling and wounding $50 and capturing IS
prisoners, 95 horses aud 100 guns. Our loss
was only killed and / wounded.