Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-13
SEIZURE OF MASON AND sLIDELL.

Capt. Wilkes report is published He says
that the governments of Great Britain, France
and Spain having issued proclamations that
the Confederate States were viewed, consid-
cred and treated as belligerents, and knowing
that the ports Of Great Britain, France, Spain
and Holland in the West Indies we're open to
their vessels, and that they we're admitted to
all the courtesies and protection that the u
nted States received, and every old and at
tention 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 rcsponsibilities-I
therefore felt no hesitation in boarding and
searching all vessels Of whatever nation fell
in with, and have done so.
The question arises in my mind whether
had the right to capture the persons Of these
Commissioners, and whether they are amcna-
bic to capture. There was no doubt had
the right 20 capture vessel with written
dispatches, as they are expressly referred 10
in all authorities subiecting the vessel to
seizure and condemnation, if the Captain Of
the vessel had knowledge Of their being on
board. But these gentlemen were not dis
patches in the literal sense and did not seem
to come under that designation, and nowhere
conld find case in point. That they were
Commissioners ! had ample proof from their
own avowal, and that they we're bent on mis-
chevous and traitorcus errands against our
government
/ then considered them az the embodiment
Of dispatches, and it therefore became my
duty TO arrest their progress and capture them
If they had no passports or papers from tho
Federal Government. as provided for under
the law of nations, viz that foreign minis
ters Of beligerent on board Of neutral ships
are required TO possess papers from the other
bclligcrent to permit them TO pass free As
regards the Trent. the agent Of the vessel,
the son Of the British Consul at Havana was
well aware Of the character Of these persons
His father had visited them and introduced
them as ministers Of the Confederate States
on theii way TO England and France. They
went in the steamer with the knowledge and
consent Of the Captain. who endeayored af-
terwaId 10 conceal them by refusing 10 exhi-
bit the passenger list and papers Of the vcs-
sci. There can be no doubt he knew that they
were carrying important dispatches, and woro
endowed with Instructions inimicAl to the
United States
This rendered his vessel. a neutral. good
prize, and | determined to take possession Of
her and send her TO Key West for adiudica-
ton, where, | am we'll satisfied, she would
have been condemned for carrying these per
sons and for resisting TO be searched The
cargo was also liable AS all the shippers were
knowing to the embarkation Of these live dis
patches and their tratorous motives and ao-
uons to the Union Of the United States
iorbore to seize her, however. in conse-
quence Of my being so reduced in officers and
crew, and the arrangement it would cause in
nocent persons, who would have been put
to great loss and Inconvenience as we'll rs
disappointment from interruption it would
have caused in not being able TO join the
steamer from St Thomas for Europe
therefore concluded TO sacrifice the interests
Of my officers and crew in the prize, and suf-
iered the steamer 20 proceed. considering
had Obtained the important end / had in view.