The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-27 00:00:00

THIRD E

ITION.

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

THE WEST INDIA MAIL

STEAMER BOARDED

BY AN

AMERICAN WAR-SHIP.

CAPTURE OF CONFEDERATES

SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.

Tics 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
:hree 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. Fairfiax, 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 Farland 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-

:owing 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 mime 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
the deck of the Trent, with bare cutlasses; and
the commissioners were forthwith arrested and
forced into the boats. Mr. Slidell said he hoped
the case would be fully represented.
The Americans stated that they were 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.
Moir 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 dols. in specie, and 1,672
packages of cargo.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.
The Royal Mail steamship La Plata has arrived
here from the Wrest 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-
sena list. This was also refused. The commander
of the Sari Jacinto then said, " It is n,o 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 tha
San Jacinto, and several boats pushed off fi11,,,a
with armed men. They took Messrs. Slidell and
Mason, with their two secretaries, Mr. Eustarle and
another, out of the Trent, and took them rAi board
the Jacinto prisoners of war. This proceedingwas
protested aguin.t by Captain Moir and Comman-
der Williams, R.N., the Admiralty agent of the
Trent.

The Sumter has not been captured. She was at
Martinique on the 11th instant, landing prisoners.
The Federal man-of-war Iroquois left St. Thomas

in pursuit of ber.
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, R.N., the Admiralty
agent
on board the Trent, who was present when the
Trent was boarded, goes to London immediately to
report to the Admiralty.