Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-08
RICHMOND WHIG.
THURSDAY MoRNING....J JUNE 8, 1866.
A BIT OF HISTORY.
HOW AND WHY MASON WAS sNUBBED BY EAR



HOW AND WHY MASON WAS sYUBBED BY EARL
RUSSELL.
The Atlanta (Ga.) Inteuigencer makes a
curious statement concerning the Rebel
agent Mason and Earl Russell, as follows:
"It is said that after Mr.. Mason had ad-
dressed several diplomatic notes to Lord
Palmerston or Earl Russell 1--WE do not re-
member which), he was formally notified that
on certain day he would be received in his
diplomatic character, and an audience grant,
ed him in London. Two days in advance Of
the day named for his reception, Mr.. Mason
repaired to London to await the summons of
the British Minister to the appointed con-
ference.
"The day passed, however, and no usher
appeared to introduce or to convey Mr.. Ma
son to the British Minister'S presence. An
other passed, and he was still neglected; and
vet another, with the same mortifying re-
suit. 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 and neglect of q gentle
man who had been invited to London in an
official card and on official business. Where
upon the following, in substance, was ten
dered as IN apology for the treatment, by an
official OF the government:
"ThGt 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 preceding, a
deputatiOn, representing the united cotton
manufacturing interests of Great Britain,
had been granted an audience, during which
they protested against any recognition 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 accumulation Of manufac-
tured goods of every description, and stored
away in every warehouse almost in the king
dom, amounting to supply more than suili-
cient for two years dema:d, besides enough
of the raw material on hand to last them for
at least two years more.
sThat if the war continued, England would
be saved from general bankruptcy, and moth
ing else could save her. That even If the
South were conquered, slavery abolished,
and the labor to grow the staple withdrawn
from IL entirely, it would be better for Eng
land and for its manufacturing interests
The former could vigorously encourage the
growth Of the staple in her East India pos
sessions, 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 machinery for the manu-
f4cture il fu ure OF ,he coarser East India
aple. TIE facts and the argument pre-
ileI. TIE British minister = as sorry, very
sorry, but Ar. Mason cOu.d not lie received,
I'd the Southern Co"IeIeracy must take
cure Of itself.
1.-THE IateNigeEcer asks why this intelli-
gence was wItnnelL from the people at the
time il was contaminated to he Contede
late Senate, ard adds: Had the deluson
then been removed tom the leope's mind of
cotton being King, Or vi iOreIgu recognition,
the war might have closed Two years ago,
with less advantage To- Great Britain and
more to the South ard tue United States
than at this late day. But elimination and
rectiminatiOn are now Out of place. Cotton
is uoi k,Dg, Has not, and never can be king.
This, Ike SOME theories VI Uur government to
which the South has given credence, and
long northumberland as are embraced in
the doctrines vi STATE rights aud State reme-
dies--arc henceioTth TO he and must be con-
sidered baseless political fabrics. One pco-
pie, one govei nment, united for the general
welfare, at peace, if it will let us, with all
the world, hut united against it whenever
assailed. And SO we go for a new, anu, We
trust, peaceful and prosperous future"