The Mason and Slidell Affair.
Lord Lyons Contends that Mason and Slidell must be returned to England — the Spanish Minister Indignant--Opinions of the English papers, &c. Washington, Nov. 19.
--Lord Lyons has not behaved like a diplomatist since the news of the capture of Messrs. Mason and Slidell.--Unofficially he is almost impertinent, and in conversation he assumes that the United States must yield the point in controversy, disavow the act of Capt. Wilkes, and return Messrs. Mason and Slidell to England.
The Spanish Minister has openly declared that if Messrs. Mason and Slidell had been taken from a Spanish ship, he would have immediately demanded his passports.
Lord Lyons is said to have assumed a menacing tone, and to have declared that Messrs. Mason and Slidell must be given up, or ample reparation made for the offence offered to the British crown.
Nothing of this kind has been officially intimated, but in ordinary intercourse these expressions of hostility and disapprobation have been unguardedly made.
The special Washington correspondent of the New York Times, of the 19th inst., says ‘there is increasing confidence in the entire correctness of the conduct of Capt. Wilkes in taking Messrs. Slidell and Mason; and I am informed that Secretary Chase has expressed his regret that Commander Wilkes did not at the same time seize the British mall vessel.
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The special Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, of the 16th inst., says ‘that all are delighted at the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and their Secretaries, Eustis and McFarland, except the diplomatists, who growl over the event.
It is said that Lord Lyons is especially angry, and it is even reported that he has denanded his passports.
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The special Washington correspondent of the Lothsville Journal, of the 19th inst., says ‘that although there appears to be plenty of law to sustain Com. Wilkes, Lord Lyons is very noisy, and while being compelled to remain officially silent, he is unofficially impudent in all his conversations, and assumes that there will be no question between his Government and the Government of the United States, because the latter will apologize, and return Mason and Slidell.
Many diplom tists, including some friendly to the Feneral Government, express the opinion, unreservedly, that there will be war with England.
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Acronto Nov. 18.--The Globe and Leader have severe articles on the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell.
The Globe says it will and to the strength and dignity or the American Government if the captives are liberated without the remonstrance of Great Britain.
The Leader says it is an insult to which the meanest Government on earth would not submit. 