Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
England's
Demand.

England's in the relations between
n.s the United States and
@~' England at this time half
a century ago The Star OF December %
1851, said:
Yesterday for tho first time the cabinet
had under consideration the communica-
lions from the British government recent
ly made through Lord Lyons relative to
the seizure of Mason and Slidell. Up to
yesterday morning the contents Of these
important papers were known only to the
President and tho Secretary OF State and
Lord Lyons himself Tuesday evening
last the business had gotten into such a
shape that 1t could properly be made the
subject Of cabinet consultation. and the
council was called to assemble at 10 am.
yesterday. The conference occupied but
two hours ana a half.
with reference to the character of
Lord Palmerston's demands. We may add
with certainty that no one here. except
the officials indicated above. Is aware Of
1t; though every attache of every distant
newspaper seems to profess to be post
ed in the premises. Hundreds here. how
ever, do know from the clearly ascertain
ed views and positions Of this government
that there is no possibility that war with
England will grow out Of the affair, I'M
less 1t shall prove to be the positive de-
termination OF England to make 1t .
mere pretense or excuse for the Inaugural
ton of war with the United States, to the
end Of aiding the rebel cause with Brit
aims naval and military power. If that
be the purpose Of her maJesty's govern
ment, rather than the simple vfndication
Of England's national rights and honor, as
a matter Of course it makes no practical
difference what reply this government
may make to the communication. Not
being able to bring our mind to tho con-
cluston that Britain proposes to go to
war with the United States. in the hope
of thus concentrating the permanent de-
anticipate war with her as the result of
the affair Of the Trent"
Washington celebrated Christmas in
1861 in gloomy circumstances. The coun-
try was at war and
Cele brating there was no immediate
cl-A prospect of its early
OAA1StnaS' termination. The fol-
lowing paragraph Is printed in The Star
of December %:
Yesterday was in many respects the
quietest and most orderly Christmas day
known for years here. In consequence of
the distracted state Of the country the
dispensation Of open house hospitality
was not as general as on some previous
anniversaries Of the day, and to this fact
may be attributed in some measure the
lesser number of accidents and of watch
house cases occurring this year., The
provost guard and police were vtgtlant
and active throughout the day keeping
L lrr,ks fk.a "
able influx of floating population here the
day passed off with singular quietude.
At the various camps the day was oo-
served with more or less emphasis, the
middle states soldiers and those OF Tor
eign BIRTH of course making more of 1t
than those of the New England states.
with whom Christmas day is not SO much
of speciality.
There being practically no recent prece-
dents in the matter of the exchange of
prisoners between h e
Exchanging northern and southern
n armies, some difficulty
1IASVAeiS. was experienced in the
early part of the war in getting matters
arranged to this effect. In Tae Star of
December q, 1851. is the following:
I'm consequence Of the hesitation ex-
hibited oy the federal administration to
sanction a formal exchange of prisoners.
lest by SO doing they should in some way
embarrass their position and action In
crushing the rebellion, committee was
recently appointed by the Massachusetts
Historical Society to inquire into and re-
port to what extent an exchange or pr1s-
oners was effected during the American
revolution, and especially to ascertain and
report if by such exchanges the rights of
sovereignty claimed by the crown were
supposed in England to have been In any
way impaired or set aside From the re-
port Of the committee 1t appeared that
from the battle Of Lexington to the close
of the revolutionary war exchanges con-
stantly took place, and often in consider
able numbers, although the British gov
eminent steadily and cautiously avoided
recognizing the independence Of the colo
MES or making any political admissions
whatsoever.
In The Star of December -, 1861, is
an account of destructive ire at the
government corral. located on
Corral the square bounded by d. E.
Dist and 22d streets northwest
cIe. just east Of the Naval Observa-
tory. Here had been erected ten sheds
of pine, each several hundred feet IN
length. ranging north and south. About
the middle of the square were two dwell
ings, one Of frame and the other of brick.
while five sheds on the east side OF the
square accommodated team horses, the
main stables housing horses held for cav
airy and artillery purposes. The hre
started between and o'clock in the
evening and spread with such rapidity
that many animals were destroyed. There
were about 800 horses in the corral at
the time, and about 1000 of these. being
freed by the officers and soldiers In
charge, went scampering over the city In
all directions in many cases pursued Dy
excited crowds. A signal gun was fired
shortly after the flames were discovered
and several companies of regulars re-
sponded to act as guards and to tight the
fire. Nothing could be done save to keep
the flames in the original premises. About
200 horses were lost in the fire. and some
were quietly slipped out Of town.
Il +
The Star Of December %, 1851, contains
an announcement Of the settlement. as
far as this government is
England concerned. Of the contro-
versy with England over
Answered. the Trent affair. the cor
respondence in the caste having been
made public late the day before. The
Star, commenting on this situation. says
In conclusions:
"a lack of space forbids us from pub
fishing the correspondence at length
Elsewhere the reader will find an abstract
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