The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-28 00:00:00

AUSTRIAN BRUTALITIES 1N ITALY,

The atrocious murder of a helpless postmaster at
Velletri by Austrian officers has too promptly been
followed by another atrocity of a like nature as will
be seen by the subjoined from Venice :
" From our Italian newspapers you will have
learnt the violent deeds the Austrian soldiery are
permitted to commit in our unfortunate provinces.
To those atrocious acts I beg you will add the fol-
lowing, the truth of which I guarantee. I wish
the civilised world could knaw the sort of laurels the
valiant soldiers of the ex-Duke of Modena most
glory in winning. On the evening of Oct. 17, in the
town of Crespano, in the province of Treviso, Signor
G. Rossi, the father of three children, and a most
respectable person, happened to be at a cafe in com-
pany with some friends and guests. In thesame room
were seated the officers of the Ist battalion of Grena-
diers in the service of the ex-Duke, all enjoying the
music of the band of the same regiment, which was
playing in the square. Rossi and his friends, wish-
ing to go home to supper and to escape from a spot
contaminated by the presence of the powerful in-
stigators and sustainers of our troubles, went away
from the cafe, but without uttering one word that
could give occasion for offence or altercation. The
wretched officers had, however, recognised in Rossi
one of the defenders of his country in 1848, and
chose to attach an intention of making a political
demonstration of his leaving the cafe with his
friends. They followed him, overtook him, and
dragged him behind the church contiguous to the
cafe, ordering their troops, who were listening to
the band, to follow his friends and prevent a rescue.
The major (Cigolini) accost( d Rossi with these
words, ' It is time to put an end to these demon-
strations,' drew his sword and dealt him a blow on
the head, which prostrated him half dead. One of
the lieutenants and the Marquis Malaspina, not con-
tent with such infamous conduct, following the
example of their superior officer, kicked the prostrate
man, and only desisted on Rossi exclaiming, Then
you would murder me, cowards There were some
20 officers in the pay of the ex-Duke present,
among whom I may further name Messrs. Conti,
the brothers Tatcoli (relations of Prince Giovanelli),
Borsari, and Clinuri. Nobles and soldiers, they did
not proffer one word to prevent their comrades'
cowardly deed. Although 24 hours afterwards the
doctors declared the wound very serious, but not
mortal, the post that has just come has brought the
news that poor Rossi is dying, and has sent for his
children, that he may give them his blessing from
his death-bed--all he can leave them, perhaps, in
this world. The dcspair of his poor wife can be better
imagined than described. The general indignation
is too great for words. What indemnity shall we
receive, or the family of poor Rossi, from a Govern-
ment that congratulates itself on having such desir-
able guests as these degenerate Italians, these
cowardly, ruffianly soldiers ? Perhaps these officers
will receive from their Prince and commander
(a worthy leader of such a rabble) the reward
their valour merits. It is a fact that he has not
been afraid or ashamed of stimulating his depen-
dents to similar deeds, for he rewarded a soldier of
the same regiment with 20f. for cutting down a
man in Bassano for saying in a cafe that he had
" named his, child-Vietex Emmanuel."

1 THE WEST INDIA MAIL

STEAMER BOARDED

BY AN

AMERICAN WAR-SHIP.

CAPTURE OF CONFEDERATES

SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.

Ths following are the details of the capture of the
Confederate Commissioners, while on their voyage
from Havana to St. Thomas in the English mail

steamer Trent.

The steamer Theodora; with the commissioners
on board, ran the blockade at Charleston on the 18th
October last.

Mr. Slidell was accompanied by his wife and
three daughters.
They left Havana on board the Trent on the 7th
inst., at noon. At noon, on the Bth inst., as the
Trent was approaching the narrow passage between
the reefs opposite the Paradon Grande Lighthouse,
Old Bahama Channel, a large war vessel was ob-
served waiting ahead, and showing no colours. On
coming nearer, the Trent hoisted her ensign, which
met with a response from the war vessel.
When within about an eighth of a mile the
stranger, it is said, fired a round shot across the
Trent's bows, at the same time hoisting the Ame-
rican flag. Immediately afterwards, it is reported,
she fired a shell from a long pivot gun on her fore-
castle, which burst about 100 yards to leeward of
the Trent. Capt. Moir, of the Trent, thereupon
hailed the captain of the other vessel, asking what
he meant by stopping his ship. He replied that he
wished to send a boat on board. At the same time
one was lowered, containing two officers and 10 men,
and sent alongside the Trent. The officers boarded
the Trent, and demanded her list of passengers,
which was refused. Lieut. Fairfax, the officer in
command of the party from the war steamer, which
proved to be the San Jacinto, then said that Capt.
Wilks, his commander, had received reliable in-
formation that Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Eustace,
and McFarland were on board the Trent, and de-
manded that they should be given up. This was
most peremptorily refused both by Captain Moir
and Commander Williams, R.N., the naval agent in
charge of her Majesty's mails, the former stoutly
denying the right of the Federal vessel to take any
person from under the English flag.
The commissioners were standing near and boldly
declared that they were all present, but being on
board a British ship, claimed the protection of the
flag.

The lieutenant then said he would take charge
of the steamer, and waved his hand to the San
Jacinto, when three more boats were sent along-
side, in which were 30 marines and about 60
sailors.

Commander Williams thereupon made the fol-

lowing protest :
"In this ship I am the representative of her
Majesty's Government, and I call upon the officers
of the ship and passengers generally to mark my
words when, in the name of the British Govern-
ment and in distinct language, I denounce this as
an illegal act, an act in violation of international
law, an act indeed of wanton piracy, which had we
the means of defence you would not dare to at-
tempt."

The men in the boats then boarded, and came on

tho ~ a_
the commissioners were forthwith arrested and
forced into the boats. Mr. Slidell said he hoped
the case would be fully represented.
,pt.- -itnericans stated that they wero short of
provisions, and asked for a supply to maintain the
prisoners. Captain Moir furnished them with sup-
plies, but in so doing stated distinctly that they
were for the exclusive use of the four gentlemen.
The American lieutenant afterwards said his
orders were to take Captain Moir and his papers
on board the San Jacinto, and that the Trent was
to be moored nearer. Capt. Moir replied, " You
will find me on the quarter-deck. If you want me,
you will have to come there for me ;" and imme-
diately afterwards walked on deck.
The lieutenant, however, called his men together
and ordered them into the boat, finally telling Capt.
M.oir he wanted nothing further.
The boats then returned to the San Jacinto, and
the Trent proceeded on her voyage.
The despatches of the Commissioners did not fall
into the hands of the Americans, but have arrived
in England in La Plata.
The indignation on board the Trent was so great
that every person was willing to take part in the
defence of the ship, had an order been given. This
was, however, out of the question in presence of
such fearful odds.

The La Plata, with the above mails, brings 102
passengers, 2,251,209 dole. in specie, and 1,672
packages of cargo.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.
The Royal Mail steamship La Plata has arrived
here from the West Indies.
The Royal Mail steamer Trent was on her way
to St. Thomas with the Mexican, Havannah, and
Jamaica mails, when, within a short distance of St.
Thomas, she was met by the Federal man-of war
San Jacinto. The latter fired first a shot and then
a shell across the bows of the Trent. The captain
of the San Jacinto ordered Captain Moir, the
commander of the Trent, to go on board
the San Jacinto with his papers. This was
refused. The captain of the latter then boarded
the Trent, and demanded to see the pas-
senger list. This was also refused. The commander
of the San Jacinto then said, " It is no use mincing
the matter ; we have evidence that you have per-
sons on board that we want, and you must give
them up." Captain Moir refused to do so. The
Federal commander then waived his hand to the
San Jacinto, and several boats pushed off filled
with armed men. They took Messrs. Slidell and
Mason, with their two secretaries, Mr. Eustace and
another, out of the Trent, and took them on board
the Jacinto prisoners of war. This proceeding was
protested against by Captain Moir and Comman-
der Williams, R.N., the Admiralty agent of the
Trent.
The Sumter has not been captured. Sho was at
Martinique on the 11th instant, landing prisoners.
The Federal man-of-war Iroquois left St. Thomas
in pursuit of her.
The despatches of which Messrs. Mason and
Slidell were in charge, were overlooked by the
commander of the San Jacinto, and have come
home in La Plata.
Commander Williams, RN,, the Admiralty agent
on board the Trent, who was present when the
Trent was boarded, goes to London immediately to
report to the Admiralty.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT•
SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.
By the arrival here this morning of the West
India mail steamer La Plata, Capt. Weller, most
important intelligence has been received, involving
questions affecting the relations existing between
this country and the Federal Government of Ame-
rica. The mail steamer Trent, Capt. Moir, was in.

tercepted by the American steamer San Jacinto,
commanded by Capt. Wilks, while on her passage
from Havannah to St. Thomas, and under force of
aims the accredited Commissioners to Europe from
the Southern Confederacy, Messrs. Mason and
Slidell, were taken prisoners, and forcibly removed
from the Trent to the San Jacinto. This act was
committed in defiance of the joint remonstrances of
the Commissioners, Capt. Moir, and Commander
Williams, the naval officer in charge of ►he mails on
board the Trent.

The San Jacinto is a first-class steam sloop of
war, 1,446 tons, and carrying 13 guns. She was
refitted at this port in the year 1854.
It appears from the statements which we have re-
ceived that the San Jacinto, Capt. Wilks, arrived at
Havannah on or about the 2d of Nov., from the
Coast of Africa, bound to New York. She coaled
and sailed again on the 4th inst. At this time it
was well known at Havannah that Messrs. Mason
and Slidell, with their suites, were at that place,
having arrived there in the steamer Theodora,which
vessel ran the blockade at Charleston. These gen-
tlemen had not kept their presence a secret, as from
the moment of their landing at Havannah they
were unquestionably under the protection of the
Spanish flag. Passages to Southampton were
booked for them by the British Royal Mailsteamer
which was to sail from Havannah for St. Thomas on
the 7th inst., on which day they duly embarked on
board the Trent as follows :

Mr. Sidell, accredited Commissioner from the Con-
federate States to France, accompanied by his wife,
son, and three daughters.
Mr. Mason, accredited Commissioner from the
Confederate States to England.
Mr. Eustace, secretary to Mr. Slidell, accompanied
by his wife.
Mr. M‘Farland, secretary to Mr. Mason.

The Trent sailed from Havannah at 8 o'clock on
the morning of the 7th, and nothing occurred s orthy
of notice till about noon on the Bth, when, in the
narrow passage of the old Bahama Channel, opposite
the Paradon Grande lighthouse, a steamer was ob-
served ahead, apparently waiting, but showing no
colours. On approaching her, Capt. Moir, of the
Trent, hoisted the British ensign, which met with
no response until the two vessels were within about
a furlong of each other, when the stranger fired a
shot across the Trent's bow, and hoisted the Ameri-
can flag. This proceeding was quite contrary to all
acknowledged law, as when a vessel of war wishes
another vessel to stop it is customary to fire first a
blank cartridge. The Trent was still holding on
her way, when a shell was fired from a long pivot
gun on the American's deck forward, which burst
about 100 yards from the Trent's bow. Captain
Meir immediately stopped the Trent, as the Ame-
rican had her broadside of guns run out, and men
at quarters ready to fire. Captain Moir then hailed
her,and the American captain replied that he wished
to send a boat on board. A boat, containing two
officers and about 20 men, armed with muskets,
pistols, and cutlasses, shoved off and boarded the
Trent, and demanded a list of the passengers,which
the captain refused to give. The officer command-
ing the boat stated that the name of the frigate was
the San Jacinto, of which he was the first lieuten-
ant, and further that they had received most posi-
tive information that certain passengers were on
board, whom he would take out. This was also re-
fused. Commander Williams, R.N., the naval agent
in charge of her Majesty's mails, with Capt. Moir,
positively objected to their being taken, denying
their right to take any person whatever from under
the English flag.
The lieutenant then called out the names of the
before-mentioned Commissioners and secretaries,
and said that those were the persons he sought,
and that he would take them at all hazards. The

four gentlemen, who were standing near, answered

to their names, and requested to know what was
wanted of them. The lieutenant stated that he
wished to take them on board the man-of-war, to
which they replied that they would not go until
they were taken by rarer,. ars& r.rtain
Moir, Mr. Slidell said, " We claim the protection of
-Rritish flag." On the captain's again refusing
to give up th© passengers, the he
should take charge of the ship. Commander Wil-
liams, R.N., then spoke as follows—viz., " In this
ship I am the representative of her Majesty's Go-
vernment, and I call upon the officers of the ship
and the passengers generally to mark my words
when, in the name of that Government, and in dis-
tinct language, I denounce this as an illegal act—
an act in violation of international law—an act,
indeed, of wanton piracy, which, had we the means
of defence, you would not dare to attempt." The
lieutenant then beckoned to the frigate, and three
boats, containing 30 marines and about 60
sailors, officered and heavily armed, came along-
side. The men at once leaped on deck, sword in
hand. After some more parleying. Messrs. Slidell,
Mason, Eustace, and M'Farland were taken and
forced into the boat. The Americans went back
to the cabins and took possession of the baggage,
and sent it with their prisoners on board the San
Jacinto. Mr. Slidell said, as tie boat shoved off,
that he expected redress from the British Govern-
ment for this outrage while under the protection of
its flag, and called upon the English captain to re-
present the case properly. The lieutenant stopped
on board, having ordered the boat to return. lie
then stated that he had orders to take Capt. Moir
and his papers on board the San Jacinto, and that
the Trent was to be moved nearer. Capt. Moir re-
plied, " You will find me on my quarter deck ; if
you want me, you will have to come there for me,"
and he immediately walked on deck.
The lieutenant, however, went into one of the
boats, and told Capt. Moir that he could proceed.
The boat pulled for the San Jacinto, and the Trent
steamed ahead for St. Thomas.
The indignation felt on board the Trent by every
person, of whatever nation, can be better imagined
than described. A considerable number of foreigners
of different nations were among the passengers, and
it is affirmed that every man would have fought if
called upon to do so; but, with such an opposing
force, and the unarmed condition of the Trent, it
was deemed impossible to make any defence.
The officers of the San Jacinto asked for provi-
sions to maintain the prisoners, as they stated they
were short of stores. Capt. Moir told the four gen-
tlemen that at their request he would supply what
was needed, and they having expressed a wish that
he should do so, all the necessaries were supplied.
The despatches of the Confederate Emissaries
escaped the vigilance of the boarding officers, and
they have all arrived safely here per La Plata:
The families of Mr. Slidell and of Mr. Eustis were
urged by the first lieutenant of the San Jacinto to
accompany them, but, being informed on inquiry
that it was probable they would be separated from

them on their arrival at New York, they declined

the offer, and have arrived in the Plata. On the
arrival of the steamer in the dock the whole of the
party went on board the Nashville, which is now
lying near the entrance of the graving dock, where
they were received with every attention and kind-
ness, and left for London by the 5 o'clock train.
One of the gentlemen of the party has the des-
patches in his possession, which he, of course, keeps
in close custody till his arrival in London.
Besides the mails and a large quantity of pas-
sengers, the Trent had a large amount of specie on
board from Mexico for England, as well as a very
valuable cargo of general merchandise.
It is stated by the friends of Messrs. Slidell and
Mason, who have come home, that the lieutenant
of the San Jacinto said this was the most painful
act he had ever been called upon to perform, but
he was compelled to do it, acting under orders.
Immediately La Plata was announced at the
Needles this morning, Captain Pegram, of the
Nashville, Confederate steamer, proceeded in a
steam-tug to meet La Plata in the river for the
purpose of receiving Slidell and Mason, the
Southern Commissioinrs. Captain Pegram was
not at all surprised to find that they had been
forcibly taken from the British mail steamer, hav-
ing before mentioned that he was aware that it was
the intention of the United States Government to
do so. Captain Pcgram took charge of Mrs. Sli-
dell and family, also of Mrs. Eustacc, and, after
having entertained them on board the Nashville,
saw them safely off by the three o'clock train for
London.
It is stated that the Americans, while on board

the ruail•steamer Trent, behaved in a very violent
manner. No authentic information has, however,
been received to confirm this statement, which
more particularly mentions that while Mr. Slidell
was in his cabin with Mrs. Slidell, arranging his
private papers, etc., the first lieutenant of the
San Sancinto endeavoured to force the cabin door.
Miss Slidell was at the cabin door, protecting any
intrusion upon her father, and Lieutenant Fairfax
then endeavoured to forcibly remove here, where-
upon Miss Slidell slapped him in the face. Lieu-
, tenant Fairfax then ordered one of the marines to
• charge her with open bayonet, which command
was immediately obeyed, and would have no doubt
resulted seriously to Miss Slidell, had not Com-
mander Williams struck the marine and his bayonet
to the ground, and protected the young lady.
Mr. Slidell, on taking leave of his family on
board the Trent, is reported to have said, " It is
true that I may suffer great personal inconvenience;
but, thank God, it is the best thing that could
happen for my country."