Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-24
The Late Lord PalmersfOn Hostile TO
the United Stafes-Death OF Prince
Albert Prevented a War with Eng
v,I
a the Cleveland fON Herald

From the Cleveland (0.) Herald
We had reason to suspect the British Min
lister was hostile to the United States from
the first breaking out of the rebellion, and
only sought plausible pretepse to declare
war but were not prepared for such duplIcity
as there is evidence was practiced by the late
Premier.
A gentleman who spent the last season in
Europe, who enjoyed unusual facilities for
information. was informed by high official
in London, that the Trent affair was greedily
seized upon by Lord palmerston to settle old
scores with our Government. During the
many wears his Lordship had been Minister
of Foreign Affairs, and at the head of the
Government. several important questions
had been disposed of and treaties made with
our Government, the Northeastern boundary,
the Oregon boundary, etc, settled. Palmer
stcn was strongly impressed that he had been
overreached in negotiation, and was bldlng
his time for an opportunity to accomplish by
war what he had failed to by diplomacy.
The taking of Mason and Slidell from I'M
der the cross of st. George was G0dsend TO
PalmerstOn-an opportunity to help tde
rebels under the guise of national insult, and
to paw an old debt A Cabinet council was
called, the Premier was for letting slip the
dogs of war;" but, upon the suggestion OF a
peaceful member of the Cabinet, the question
was referred to the principal law member to
examine and report at subsequent meeting
of the Cabinet. Lord Palmerston, at the
next Cabinet meeting, with copy OF Mr..
seward's dispatch in his pocket, admitting
the illegality of the act of Commodore
Wilkes, and the decision of our Government
to return Mason and Slidell under the Brit
ish flag. found the law-member to whom the
question was referred. in meditative mood,
with his hands under his coat-tails. "Well,"
says Paimerston, "have you examined that
question % Yes, my Lord, but wish to
make further examination before / report
-" 1t is needless" says Palmerston,
" mn mind is made up" ave will have a
shy at them" Forthwith troops were dis
patched to the American Colories, and great
activity in the dock-yards and arsenals pre-
vailed.
1t will be remembered that Prince Albert
died short time previous, and the Queen
was laboring under great depression OF
spirits The Prince possessed great infiu-
ence with the Queen, was friendly TO our
country, and had deprecated a war with US
as one of the greatest calamities that could
befall England. The warlike demonstra-
tions of her Ministry alarmed and excited
the Queen, and her physicians, knowing
that insanity was hereditary in her family,
represented to Lord Palmerston and the
Ministry that a war with America would de.
throne reason and make lunatic of their
sovereign. This, and this alone, caused the
ministry to pause. -,
The official referred to is high-toned
Christian, and believes
"Theresa divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will"
and the death of Prince Albert, though
nearly a crushing blow. to the Queen, was
vet an event in the Providence Of God to
save England and America from the calam-
ities Of war.