The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-11-03
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In the third volume OF this work the most
interesting chapter il the last. in which
references are made to the civil war in
America. In May OF 1851 Lord John Rus
sell announced that the British Government
would recognize the South as a belllgerent
Power, and a proclamation of neutrality
was issued. In November Of the same year
Great Britain was nearly involved in war
with the Washington Government by the
seizure Of Messrs. Slidell and Mason. the
ENJOYS accredited by the Confederate States
TO Great Britain inc France. The public
mind Of Great Britain was greatly excited
in consequences OF this incident; but ventu-
ally the ENJOYS were transferred To a British
ship Of war and were conveyed to Great
Britain, not. however. until. in view Of a
threatened aggression on British North
America. troops had been despatched from
England to strengthen the Canadian garri-
sons on the frontier. The despatch sent by
Lord Russell TO the Washington Govern
ment, which led to a pacific result. had been
revised by Prince Albert for the purpose Of
leaving open to that Government an honor
able retreat from the attitude they had
originally taken Up.
On November 70, 1861, Lord Palmerston,
the Prime Minister. informed the Queen in
q letter here reproduced that the Cabinet
tina afternoon had considered the forcible
capture Of the Southern envoys on board
the steamer Trent, and the result of the
discussion was that it. appeared to the
Cabinet that a gross outrage and violation
Of international law had been committed
and that her Majesty should be advised
to demand reparation and redress. He
went on to say that by ? o'clock on Novem-
Der 30 Lord Russell, Secretary for Foreign
Affairs. would rave prepared an instruc-
ton to the British Minister at Wash
inkton. for the consideration Of the Cabinet
and for submission afterward to the sOver-
eign. The instruction as framed and laid
before the Queen directed Lord Lyons to
demand the release Of Messrs. Mason and
SIidell and OF their two companions, to-
gether with an apology. In case these re-
quirements should be refused Lord Lyons
was to ask for his passports. This draft
reached Windsor OF the evening OF Novem-
Der 20. and in spite Of his weak and suffer-
ing state--hs had but about three weeks
to Hve-the Prince COnsort prepared the
draft OF the letter to be penned by the
Queen early on the following morning.
The letter has been printed in fac-simile
by Sir Theodore Martin, who adds that
It has especial value as representing the
last Of the political documents written
by the Prince. while IL was &c the same
time inferior to none OF them in the inn
portance OF It's results. The Queens letter
TO Earl Russell runs as follows: The Queen
r~eturrfs these important drafts. which
upon the whole she approves. but she
cannot help feeling that the main draft.
that intended for communication to the
American Government. 10 somewhat meagre.
She would have liked TO see the expression
OF a hope that the American Captain did
not act under instructions. or. II he did.
that he misapprehended thcm-that the
United States Government must he fully
aware that the British Government could
not allow It's flag to be insulted and the
security Of It's mail communications placed
In jeopardy. and her hajesty's Govern
ment are unwilling TO believe that the
United States Gov crnment intended wan
tonly to put al insult upon this country.
and TO add to their many distressing com
plications by forcing a question Of dispute
upon U.S." The despatch as rewritten by
Prince Albert and the Queen ended with
the declaration OF a belief that upon a
FUN consideration Of tho circumstance