Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-06-16
A Bit OF History.
HOW AND WHY MASON WAS sNUBBED BY EARL
RUSSELL.

now AND WHY MASON WAS sNUBBED BY EARL
RUSSELL.
The Atlanta (Ga.) Mteniyemcer makes a
curious statement concerning the Rebel
agent Mason aud Earl Russell, as follows
cit is said that after Mr. Mason had ad-
dressed several diplomatic notes to Lord
Palmerston or Earl Russell Eve do not re-
member which, he was formally notified
that on certain day he would be received
in his diplomatic character, and an audi
ence granted him in London. Two days
in advance of the day named for his recep-
ton, Mr.. Mason repaired to London to
await the summons of the British Minister
to the appointed conference.
''The day passed. however. and no usher
appeared to introduce or TO convey Mr.. Ma
son to the British Minister'S presence
Another passed, and he was still n eglected;
and yet another, with the same Notifying
result. Annoyed at this treatment, Mr..
Mason, who had many personal friends sat
Court" made it known to them, and they,
it is said, expostulated with the British
Minister at his cavalier treatment aud neg-
lect of gentleman who had been invited
to London in an official card and on official
business. Where upon the following, in
substance, was rendered as an apology for
the treatment, by an official Of the govern
ment:
"That the invitation given Mr. Mason to
visit London and have an interview with the
minister, and at the time specified. was
given in good faith, but on the day prece-
ding. deputation, representing the united
cotton manufacturing interests of Great
Britain. had been granted an audience, du-
ring which they protested against any rec
ignition of the Southern ConfederacY by
that government, then or in the future
That then England was upon the verge Of
general bankruptcy. owing to the vast ac-
cumulation of manufactured goods Of every
description, and stored awy in every ware
house almost in the kingdom, amounting to
supply more than sufficient for two years.
demand, besides enough of the raw meteri.
al on hand to last them for at least two years
more.
"That if the war continued, England
would be saved from general bankruptcy,
and nothing else could save her. That
even if the South were conquered, slavery
abolished, and the labor to grow the staple
Withdrawn from it entirely, it would be bet
ter for England and for its manufacturing
interests. The former could vigorously en-
courage the growth ofthe staple in her East
India possessions, and the latter could have
time to get off their accumulated stock OF
goods, to manufacture their raw material
then on hand, and to prepare their machine
ry for the manufacture in future of the
coarscr East India staple. The facts and
the argument prevailed. The British min
lister was sorry, very sorry, but Mr.. Mason
could not be received, and tho Southern
Confoderacy must take care of itself.
1.-the InteUiyencer asks why this intelli-
gence was withheld from the people at the
time 1t was communicated to the Confeder-
ate Senate, and adds j: Had the delusion
then been removed from the peoples mind
of cotton being king, or of foreign recogni-
ton, the war might have closed two years
ago, with less advantage to Great Britain
aud more to the South and the United States
than at this late, day. But elimination
| ohN NORTHUMBERLAND otO INV VUt Va paw
Cotton is not, and never can be king
This, like some theories Of our government
to which the South has given credence, anc
long maintained-such as are embraced II
the doctrine on State rights and State rem
edies->are henceforth to be and must be
considered baseless political fabrics. ON
people, one government, united for the gen
eral welfare, at peace, if it will let US, will
all the world, but united against it when
ever assailed. And SO we 60 for new
and, We trust, peaceful and prosperou
future"
4 Brig. Gen. Sam. Jones, of Virginia, am
| Commodore Hunter and Captain Lewis
lately in the Confederate States naval ser
vice, have arrived at Fortress Monroe fror
the Soath.