sufficient provocation, as well as abstract right, on our part.

Let us, if possible, postpone our quarrel, if we cannot avoid it. Let us not strike a blow at a sufferiug enemy because he boasts of a strength we know to be vain against our strength. But we believe, if this quarrel is postponed, it will be altogether avoided. The blood of the Americans is thicker than water. In days to come they will remember our forbearance with advantage to ourselves. May the people of England, discarding all anger and passion, act justly, and even magnanimously, may we accept the only reparation the Federal Government can offer for an informality for which regret will be expressed. We shall never be reproached by posterity for such moderation, and for, in spite of national and natural irritation, preserving the blessings of peace between England and a kindred people.

Diprose & Bateman Printers, 16 & 17, Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields

شما

CASE

OF

THE SEIZURE

OF THE

SOUTHERN ENVOYS.

REPRINTED, WITH ADDITIONS,

FROM THE "SATURDAY REVIEW."

"Turno tempus erit, magno cum optaverit emptum.
"Intactum Pallanta, et cum spolia ista diemque.
"Oderit."

LONDON:

JAMES RIDGWAY, PICCADILLY, W.

A CRISIS has arrived-a little sooner than was expected—which raises questions of public policy and public law of the gravest character. The facts which have led to this result are now known to every newspaper reader in both hemispheres, and may be stated in a few words. A screw-steamer of war, the San Jacinto, belonging to the North American States, waylaid the English Royal West India Mail steamer in the Bahama Channel (whether in Spanish waters or not is uncertain), on the 8th of November, and brought her to by firing a round shot across her bows. A lieutenant from the San Jacinto boarded her, and afterwards, aided by a large force of sailors with drawn cutlasses, forcibly took possession of Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell, Envoys supposed to be accredited by the Southern States to Great Britain and to France, and of their two secretaries, with certain papers and baggage. The officer in charge of the mail-bags,

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