New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-28
MORE OF THE TRENT AFFAIR.

A BtrFAIO MAN THINKS EX-JUDGE DAILY HAS
DONE AN INJUSTICE TO SECRETARY SEWARD.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your paper of the 18th inst. contains an IN
terview with the Hon. Charles F. DAILY. OF Newton
in which Is narrated in a very interesting manner
the part taken by him in the adjustment or the
Trent controversy with Great Britain IN looi-o-
The venerable Judge says in effect. that the SEIZURE
by Captain Wilkes of Mason and S.idell was very
generally approved by Lincolns Cabinet ana that
he Judge Day. at the earnest request OF Secretary
Chase looked I'D the law bearing upon the case and
impaired the result of his studies to Secretary OF
State Seward. He then refers to Secretary seward
letter Lord Lyons) releasing the captives, ana
says the Secretary substantially took the grouhu
that the ENJOYS were unlmportant men any way;
that the Rebellion It's way TO speedy suppress
sion and that the United States recognized the
neces slty of not creating any i-feeling between
England and ourselves. I greatly disappointed
the language OF Mr. Seward but not at his law
nor the result OF his studies. There could be no
other course"
In my opinion, the learned jurist has done serious
injustice to the memory OF great statesman "A
careful reading of Mr. Stewards letter shows that
he fully appreciated the gravity Of the situation ana
the feeling Of the English people.
He commences by rehearsing at length the cir
cumstances Of the stoppage OF the steamer Trent
and shows wherein that jealous but laundering
tons bringing out with perfect cearness American
traditions as to the rights OF neutras. quoting
letter written 10 the representative of the British
Government ir 1904 by James Madison, then Secre-
tary of State in Thomas Jeffersons Cabinet, IN
which Mr.. Madison shows conc.usively the great
wrong committed by Great Britain In stopping mer-
chant ships of the United States and searching
them under the pretence Of looking for British sail
ors who had deserted from the British Navy.
Mr.. Seward then says IF | decide this case In
favor of my own Government l must dsavow It's
most cherished principles and reverse and forever
abandon It's essential policy. The country cannot
afford the sacrifice. II maintain those principles
and adhere to that policy. must surrender the case
itself II will be seem therefore, that this Govern
ment could not deny the justice OF the claim pre-
sentel TO US IN TINS respect upon us merits ; we
We nave always insisted all nations ought to DO
To Us
in coming TO my conclusion. have not forgotten
that II the safety of this Union required the de-
right and duty of this Government to detain them:
But the enectual check and waning proportions OF
unimportance OF the captured persons themselves
when d.spas sonately weighed. happily forbid me
Nor have I been tempted at all by suggestions
that cases might be found In history where Great
to ourselves. claims Ike that which is now before
Us These cases occurred when Great Britain as
ions WHICH, win all their PECULIAR % @ anq
way so efYectualIy disavow any such injury. as we
think she does. by assuming now as her own the
ground upon which then stood II would tell
little for our claims 10 the character OF just
and magnanlmOus people, II we should so far con-
10 be guided by the law OF retaliation to lift
up buried injuries from their graves to appear
against what National consistency and the National
conscience compel us to regard claim intrin-
sica.ly right.
Putting behind me all suggestions OF this kind.
prefer TO express satisfaction that by the ADJUST
ment Of the present upon principles confessedly
American. and yet. as trust. mutually satisfactory
to both OF the nations concerned. question Is finally
and rightly settled between them which, heretofore
exhausng not only all forms OF peaceful discussion.
but also the arbltramen of Itself for more than
half century, alienated the two countries from
each other and perplexed with fears and apprehen-
sions all other nations"
do not find In Mr. Stewards exhaustive argument
the undignlfed and hlppant IDEAS TO which Judge
| DAILY alludes. and believe that they there,
I some British statesman would have strongly pro-
tested Every citizen OF the State OF New York
should be- jealous for the fame OF great states
man. William II. Seward. and hope The Tribune
Will publish this attempt to prevent be:ittIng OF
one OF his greatest achievements. 4. 5. CUTLER.
Buffalo. March ~. 1896.