From Washington.
Nashville, Dec. 12.
--We have intelligence from Washington up to the 6th inst. The latest dispatch from Secretary Seward to Minister Adams, is dated Washington, Nov. 11th. It shows the diplomatic relations between England and the United States at that time.
Mr. Seward says: ‘"The case in regard to the rights claimed by insurgents in England substantially stands thus: Every moral power, every commercial power, except one' practically excluded them from these ports, except when distressed; and they are not allowed to land or visit the other ports for any longer time than 24 hours for coaling, and then only for 24 hours consumption.--Great Britain, as we are given to understand by the audience of Earl Russell, allows these pirates to visit English ports and stay at their own pleasure, and receive supplies without restraint.
We find it difficult to believe that the Government of Great Britain will continue this exceptionable course after full deliberation of its objectionable character.
I intimated in a previous dispatch the hope that the subject might be reconsidered before it was rendered necessary for the United States to consider what remedies it should adopt to protect and prohibit the evils which must result to our commerce by the policy thus indicated by Great Britain. ’
"I have consulted on the subject with Lord Lyons, and he, perhaps, will communicate with his Government.
In the meantime, I am directed by the President to instruct you to recall the attention of her Majesty's Government to the question, under the influence of a spirit of peace and friendship, with a desire to preserve what remains of commerce, and which is mutually important to both countries."
A rather sharp correspondence has taken place between Minister Pike and the Government of the Hague, touching the reception of the privateer Sumter at Curacoa, and which resulted in the order forbidding either Confederate or Federal vessels from staying more than twenty-four hours at the Dutch ports.
To this the Federal Government expressed qualified gratification, as being the best arrangement practicable.
At one point of the discussion, before the Dutch Government arrived at this conclusion, Secretary Seward wrote to Minister Pike, that unless the conduct of the Governor General of Curacoa was placed in a light, it would become necessary to consider what means the Federal Government will take to protect its national rights in the ports of the Netherlands, and which cannot be surrendered or compromised.
A special dispatch to the New York Post, dated Washington, Dec. 6th, says that the President avows his purpose to adhere to a cautious and prudent policy in relation to foreign affairs, and there need be no apprehension of the occurrence of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain, unless the British Government seeks a pretext for war. There is no ground for a serious difficulty, and the Government feels no anxiety on this subject, believing that a temperate policy will allay all excited feeling, and tend to cement friendly relations between the two countries.
Com. Poor Brooklyn, who was tried by court martial, for allowing the Sumter to escape from New Orleans, has been acquitted, and the finding of the Court has been approved by the President.
Gen. Patterson has made official application for a court of inquiry into that portion of the spring campaign with which he was connected.
A caucus of Republican members was called to meet on the 7th inst. for the purpose of agreeing upon a line of policy to be adopted in reference to the slavery question. 