New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-11
L. S. STEAMER san JAcfNTo, }
At Sea, nov. IS, 1867. !

L. s STEAMER SAY JAciNTOl
At Sea nov. IS, 1861.
/ SIR: In my dispatch by Commander Taylor,
cor fined mysef 10 the reports Of the movements OF
this snip and the facts connected with the capture OF
of Messrrs. Mason Slidell, Eustis, and Mscialand,
as intended TO write you particularly relative 10
the reasons which induced my action in making these
prisoners. ,
When heard at Cienfuegos, on the south side OF
Cuba, of these Commissioners having landed on the
Island OF Cuba, and that they were at Havana, aud
would depart in the English steamer OF the 1th OF
November determined 10 intercept them, sud care
fully examined all the authorities on international
law to which had access, viz: Kent, Wheaton,
Vattel beside various decisions Of Sir Wm. Scott,
aud other Judges Of the Admiralty Court OF Great
Britain, which bore upon the rights OF neutEals and
their responsibilities.
The Governments Of Great Britain. France, and
Spain, having issued proclamations that the Confed
crate States were viewed considered, and treated
as belgcc nts, and knowing that the ports OF Great
Britain France. Spain, aud Holland, in the West
Indies were open 10 their vessels and that they
admitted to all the courteses and protection which
vessels of the United States received, every aid and
attention being given them proved clearly that they
acted upon this view and decision, and brought them
within the international law Of search and under
the responsibilities. therefore felt no hesitation
in boarding and searching all vessels Of whatever
nation ! fell in with, and have done 90.
The question arose IN my mind whether bad the
right TO capture the persons Of these Commissioners
whether Hey Were amenable 10 capture. There
was no doubt had the right to capture vessels with
icreR Gispatehesthey are expressly referred TO III
all authorities subjectng the vessel TO seizure aud
condemnation il the captain Of the vessel had the
knowledge Of their being on board. But these gem
tlemen were not dispatches in the literal sense and
did not seem TO under that designation, and no.
where could find q case In point.
That they were Commissioners had ample proof
from their own ayowa ard bent OH mischevous and
tratorous errands against orr countryto overthrow
Its institutions and enter into treaties and alliances
with foreign states expressly forbidden by the Con-
stitution.
They had been presented 10 the CAPTAIN Geseral
of Cuba by II. B. NJ. Consul-Generil, but the Cap
ain-General told me he had not received them in
that capacity, but as distinguished gentlemen and
strangers.
then considered them az the embodiment of dis
patches, and they had openly declared themselves
as charged with all authority from the Confederate
Government to form treaties and alliances tending TO
the establishment of their independence, became
satisfied that their mission was adverse and criminal
to the Union, and il therefore became my duty to
arrest their progress and capture them if they had
no passports or papers from the Federal Govern.
ment provided for under the law OF nations, viz.
|" That foreign ministers OF Il belligcrent on board
OF neutral ships are required TO possess papers from
the other bels erent 70 permit them TO pass Free"
Report and assumption gave them tie title OF Min
listers TO France aud England, bnt inasmuch they
had not been received by either OF these powers
did Lot conceive they had immunity attached to their
persons and We're but escaped conspirators plotipg
aud contriving to overthrow the Government of the
United States aud they therefore not to be con.
sdered AZ having any claim to aoy immunities
attached to the character they thought fit TO as
sume
IA respects the steamer in which they embarked,
aseertained in the Havana tina, she was merchant
vessel plying between Vera Cruz, the Havana, and
81. Thomas, carrying the mail by contract.
The agent of the vessel the soa of the British
consul al Havana, was well aware Of The character
of these persons that they engaged their passage,
and did embark ia the vessel. His father had WIS.,
tied them, and introduced them as Ministers of the
Confederate States on their way to England and
France.
They wen. in the steamer With the knowledge