Daily Alta California, Volume 16, Number 5156, 14 April 1864 — SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY, APRIL 14. Even at Last. [ARTICLE]

SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY, APRIL 14.

Even at Last.

On the 8th of November, 1861, while the British mail steamer Trent, under the command of Captain Moir. was in the narrow passage of the Old Bahama Channel, opposite the Panador Grande Light, on her regular voyage from Havana to St. Thomas, a steamer was observed ahead, apparently waiting, but showing no colors. On approaching her, Captain Moir hoisted the British ensign, which met with no response, until the vessels were vithin a furlong of each other, when the stranger fired a shot across the Trent* bows, and hoisted the American tap. The packet was still holding on her way, when a shell was fired from a long pivot gun oa the American's deck forward, which burst about one hundred yards from her bow. Captain Moir immediately stopped, as the American had her broadside of guns ran oat, and men at quarters, ready to ore. The American proved to be the United States frigate -San Jadido, under the command of Commodore Wilkes. She was on her return home from the Mediterranean station, where Buchanan had sent her to lie up in ordinary while the rebels of the South were doing Uieir will upon the National Government- The object of the stoppage of the Trent was to arrest Messrs. Mason and Slide'], who, in the capacity of agent* for Jeff, Davis to France and England, Commodore Wilkes was informed, were on board. The information proved to be correct. Mason and Slidell, with their Secretaries, were passengers on the Trent, and were forcibly transferred to the San Jacinto, conveyed to Boston, and incarcerated in Fort Warren.

The loyal people of the United States were wild with excitement when the news of thi» capture was spread abroad. The general impression was that the arrest of these wort Lies by Commodore Wilkes was sanctioned by international law. The books were searched, and authority for such a proceeding in abundance was found. Mr. Welles, the Secretary of the Navy, wrote a letter to Commodore Wilkes, endorsing the course he had pursued, acd adding that he would have been justified in seizing the Trent too, and bringing her into port as a prize. The Lower House of Congress followed in the same path, and passed a vote of thanks to Commodore Wilkes.

- Then came the diplomatic correspondence. Lord Russell at once demanded the surrender of Mason and Slidell, and a " suitable apology for the aggression which had been committed." In a private note to Lord .Lyons he said: '• Should Mr. Sewardask for " delay in order that this grave aud painful " matter should be deliberately considered, " you will consent to a delay not exceeding " seven days. If at the end of that time no "answer is given, or if any other answer is "given except that of a compliance with "the demands of Her Majesty's Govern- " ment, your Lordship is instructed to leave " Washington with all the members cf your " Legation, bringing with you the archives of " the Legation, and to repair immediately to " London/

The alternative plainly was surrender and apology, or war. We were not in a condition at that time to enter into a struggle with c foreign nation for a punctilio. It was not very manly, perhaps, for the British Government to act in so peremptory a manner at a time when we were so distracted and weak. There was no help for it however. Our Government " backed down." The apology was made and Mason and Slidell were borne in triumph to England.

We recall this incident in our history only for the purpose of pointing out the truth of the maxim that "time makes all things "even." When Earl Russell bullied us in ISCI profound peace prevailed throughout Europe. Since then the Poles have risen in rebellion, and Germany and Denmark are by the ears. The Hungarians are restive. There i* trouble also brewing in Italy, and mayhap in Ireland. There is danger of a general and bloody war in Europe at this time, while we are gradually emerging from the fires of our sore trials, stronger and more powerful than ever.

It was in this condition of affairs that the

construction of two powerful rams was commenced in England for the rebels for the purpose of attacking Boston or some of the Northern Atlantic cities. Mr. Adams, our Minister, called the attention of the British Government in a mild and argumentative way to this fresh outrage. Earl Russell, however, never yields to anything but menaces. In reply to Mr. Adams, he said: " Under these circumstances, and having " regard to the entire insufficiency of the " depositions to prove any infraction of the 44 law, Her Majesty's Government are ad- " vised that they cannot interfere in any way " with these vessels." >»> fa On receipt of this letter our Minister evidently came to the conclusion that our. time for returning a " Roland for the Oliver" in the shape of the Trent demand, forced upon us in 1 6C1, had arrived. Accordingly we find him addressing, under date of the 6th of September, 18C3, a very tart note to the Foreign offise on the subject of the rams. " H vould be superfluous, wrote Mr. Adams. "tasju to point out to four Lonkkip that " this is tear. No matter what may be the " theory adopted of neutrality in a struggle " when this process is carried on in the man- ■ ncr indicated, from a territory and with " the aid of the subjects of a third party, "that third party to all intents and purposes " etate* to be neutral. Neither is it neces- " aary to show that any Government which " suffers it to be done fails in enforcing the " essential conditions of international amity " toward the country against whom the hos- " tility is directed. Jit my belief it is impoi- " sibU Ikat any nation, retaining a proper "degre* «f self-retpttt, enuld tamely submit "to a continuance of relations so utterly de-

"ftdent in reciprocity. I hate no idea that " Grtnt Britain would do so for a moment." This was plain enough. Now mark the reply. It was written three days afterwards, and was in the word* which follow: " Lord " Russell presents his compliments to Mr. " Adams, and has the honor to inform him " that instructions hare bern issued tchirh •' ertW pretent the departure of the tro iron"dad vessels from Liverpool" Upon this, comment is unnecessary. We have now an offset for the Trent affair. The United State* are even with England at last.