The Pattie publishes the following, under the head of "
Latest Intelligence" :
" It is stated (ors assure) that the despatch addressed by the British Cabinet to Lord Lyons, to be communicated to President Lincoln, is based exclusively on legal considerations. This docu- ment, it is said, establishes that the commander of the San Jacinto, by acting as lie has done, has committed a flagrant breach of mari- time law and insulted the English flag ; that the only right that officer possessed was to compel the Trent to go to some American port, where the case could have been brought before the proper authorities in presence of the English consul. That if, in thia search, despatches had been found establishing that MM. Slidell and Mason were on a mission directly or indirectly connected with military operations, the commander would have been justified in seizing these despatches and arresting the envoys, sending in a detailed report of the transaction, with such notes and observa- tions as the English consul might think fit to annex. These forma- lities not having been fulfilled, no charge could be established against the two persons arrested; their arrest must be regarded as mel and nos avenue; that the Trent being the victim of an arbitrary act, con- trary to every principle, England, acting in a conciliatory and friendly point of view, has asked as only reparation of this grave act the liberation of MM. Slidell and Mason ; but that, if she does not obtain it, Lord Lyons would leave Washington with all the members of the Legation.
"We are assured that the despatch is drawn up with great mode- ration—that it carefully avoids any hurtful expression—but that it is firm in its conclusion. From the information we have received up to the present we do not think it likely that Mr. Lincoln will give up the prisoners."
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