Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

| government, which will be more likely to
express its grateful appreciation of the
forbearance displayed by that officer in
not capturing the vessel found engaged iu
'favoring the offensive projects OF the en-.
emy." If the British legisis recognize the
right Of one bclligerent nation to capture
on the high seas the ambassador Of anoth
er belligerent nation, a tortiori must they
acknowledge the right of sovereign bel,
/ llgerent government to seize, under sini~
lar circumstances, the ENJOYS of faction
10 which, in the present case, they have
conceded the rights, and therefore the
responsibilities, of belligerent.
1T may be proper to add that it makes
no difference in the law of the case wheth-
er the master Of vessel be ignorant or
not Of the character of the service in which
he is engaged. In the present case, how.
eyer, the master of the Trent must have
been well aware of the character borne by
Mcssrs. Mason and Slidell, and therefore
knew that in doing service to the Con.
tederate belligerenrs by forwarding their
ENJOYS to Europe, he was doing an injury
to the government of the United States"
Tie Boston Traveller (rep.) takes diff
j ferent view, 1t says:
at is not probable that our government
would allow British war vessel to take
an Irish rebel out of on American vessel
in which he had taken passage from New
York to San Francisco. Without time to
look up any precedents, we are inclined
TO believe that according TO the laws Of
nations, the prisoners must be given up,
and the act of the commander OF the San
Jacinto dsavowed. But may not the case
OF the Caroline be applicable to this case? {?
The English then actually invaded our
territory, and cut out an American steam
boat, causing her destruction and the
deaths Of some persons, because she had
been engaged in aiding the rebels in Cans
ada; and the British steamship that was
taking Slidell and Mason to Europe, was
engaged in helping the Southern rebels.
Where is the difference? The act was a
bold one on TIE part of the commander of
the San Jacinto, and we cannot help ad,
miring his pluck, while rcgretting that he
had not more prudence"
Speaking of the incidents that transpr
&c, when the arrests were made, the
Washington correspondent Of the Ihila-
delphia Press writes:
when about forty miles off Masanzns,
the old Bahama channel the Trent hove
in sight, and the two vessels were soon
within hailing distance. Commodore
Wilkes sent a shot across the bows of tho
Trent! 70 this no attention was paid
when another was directed near the bow
| This brought the steamer to. Lieutenant
Fairfax, to whom both of the Confederate
passengers was personally known, was
sent on beard in a boat, supported with
two more boats filed with marines. Lieut..
| Fairfax went on deck and called for MesS
SIS. Mason and Slidell, who soon appear
ed. Lieut.. Fairfax politely informed tnem
of the objects of his mission, and asked
them TO 20 OH board his boat To this
| they objected, Mason remarking that they
had paid their passage to Europe, to the
British Consul at Havana, (who acts as
agent for the mail steamship line and
he would not leave without force. Lieut.
Fairfax, pointing to his marines drawn up
on the decks of the British steamer, said {:
~ on see, sir, have the force, if that is
what yOu require !" "Then you must use
it," replied Mason With this Lieutcn,
ant Fairfax placed his hand upon the Sen,
ator's shoulder and pressed him to the
gargway. Atthis juncture the passengers
rushed forward, somewhat excited, and
attempted to interfere. The marines i'm
mediately showed their bayonets, and
Mason consented to the decision of Lieut..
Fairfax, asking that he might 10 permits
ted to make his protest in writing Just
then n fine specimen of an BnglishmaA
rushed on deck in military or naval uni
form (the officer in command ofthe mails,
probably and demanded why passengers
on board that ship were molested Lieut.
| Fairfax informed him that he had stated
to Capt. Noir, Of the packet, why he ar.
rested two OF his passengers, and further
than hat he had no explanations to make
Protests were then drawn up, and Mason
and Slidell, With their Secretaries, Eustis
and Mcfarland, wont into the boats of
the San Jncinto."
MILITARY PUNIsHMENT.--The military
regulations of the United States laws pre-
scribe the following punishment for mill
tary offences, all of which are applicable
TO volunteers who have been sworn into
the United States service
.N,tnw.--"Any officer or soldier who
shall begin, excite, cause or join in any
muliny or seditlon in any troops or com
pupy in the service Of the United States,
or in any party, post, detachment or
guard shall suffer death, or such punish
ment as by court-martial shall be in
hicted." ..
Dcseriioa. --"All officers and soldiers who
have received pay or have been duly en-
listed in the service of the United States
and shall be convicted Of having deserted
the same, shall suffer death, or such other
punishment as by the sentence of a court
mart ial shall be inflicted " .
Abseacc ,CRhost kcaUe on the part of non
commissioned officer or soldier, upon be-
ing convicted thereof, shall be punished
according to the nature of his offence at
the discretion of a courtsmartial.
A4Uistng 10 desert is punished with death,
or such other punishment as shall be in
hicted by court-martlal. .
D,zakouiess on the part Of soldier is
punishable by such corporal punishment
! -. p.