The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-11-29
The Rebel Ambassadors, Mason and
Slidell.
now THEY ESCAPED FROM cnARLEsroN.

For somo time past, says the Chsriesto on
Mercury Of Nov ID. tho papers Of the nte.
ror have boen indulgiBg in sly hints a. TO the
whercsbouts of Messrs. Mason and Slidell
We have hitherto made no allusion to thoir
movements; but, the causes which induced
our reticenco being removed. we may now.
without moderation, narrate the facts OF
their embarkation. The Commissioners
having resolved to make tho venture Of run.
Mig the blockade Of Charleston, after ma
ture determination. selected for the expori-
meDt the staunch and swift little steamer
TheodOrd, which was. therefore, got read y
for sea with all dispatch. The preparations
having been completed, they embarked .
little before midnight on Friday. Oct. llth
The party Of passengers who we're starting
on the very unusual and sOmeWhat hazard
Gus trip consisted OF the following persons
Hon J. NJ Mason, of Virginia Mr.. McFar.
land. Secretary to Mr.. Mason; Hon. John
Slidoll, of Louisiana; Mrs Slidell. Miss
Mathilde Slidell. Miss Rosaline Slidell. Mrs.
Eustis, who is daughter to Mr.. Corcoran,
the Washington banker. now in Fort Layfay-
cite; Col. Le Matt.of Louisiana. the inventor
of tho grapeshOt revolver. and two or three
other gentlemen, whom it will be best. for
tho present, not TO name. The night was
pitch dark, and about mi might a light rain
began falling which rendered the chances
of being detected by tho blockaders ex.
tremoly slim. At one o'clock on Saturday
morning. the hasty good byes" aud God
speed v0us" having been said. the cablos OF
the TheOdord were ioOsened. and she glided
down tho harbor on her important mission.
As the steamer passed. Fort Sumter every
light on board was extinguished. and away
sho went, right through the fingers of tho
blOckaders. tar out at sea. On the evoning
of the lltb, she reached Nassau in safety,
whero, had tho opportunity been favorable
ono. the Commissioners would have disem-
5arked; but, on inquirirg, they ascertaincd
that tho English steamer connecting with
that point touched at Now York. However
gratifying sight OF New York might have
been under othor circumstances, the Com.
missioners determined in this instance TO
ioregO tho pleasure.
So tho I'heoiora left Nassau and steamed
towards Cuba. On tho 10th inst, she ar.
rived At Cardenas. whore the mmissionors
landed. Tho news that d Southern steamer
had arrived with Messrs. Mason and Slidell
on board. which was telegraphed from Car.
donas to Havana, was scarcely credited at
the lattor place. But when. on the 17th
inst, the TheodOrd came up the harbor of
Havana, displaying tho Confederate flag.
tho quays were Immediately thronged with
thousands of spectators, and u most cordial
and enthusiastic reception was given TO the
adventurous little craft. The Yankees in
Havana we're, as a matter Of course. much
disgusted at the welcome given to the I'heo-
dora. But on tho other hand, tho ladies OF
Havana prepared splendid Confederate
flag for tho steamer, which was presented to
the Captain with appropriate ceremonies.
The ladies Of Matansas also took advantage
of the chance to send hither splendid flag
for the Hampton Legion.
The steamship Columbia. formerly a
Charleston vessel, but now in the armed
service of the Yankees, was at the time in
tho harbor of Havana. Luckily, however,
she was not ready TO put to sea. Her con
sort. the keystone State, had gone to New
York with Southern vessel, loaded with d
valuable freight of arms and munitions, aud
which. unfortunately. lad been captured
while endeavOring to make tho run TO Tampa
Florida.
So the Theodore left the friendly port OF
Havana unmOlestod, and with freight OF
coffee, sugar. saltpe:re. sulphur. acids, lead,
iron, shot, block Tin, &C.. ran quietly in -
We won say woeTe, oriuRhg huWoor VI
Charlest onians. who had reached Havana
from Southampton. about the time the
IheodorG made her appearance. 1t is as
cortained that the Yankees kept fast yacht
constantly plying between Key West and
Havana, simply Tor tho purpose OF gaming
intelligence OF our naval movements. The
TheodorG is private vessel and unarmed
PARTICULARS OF THE ARREST.
Commodore Wilkes. whilo returning from
the coast of Africa. in the San Jacinto
stoned at Havana for coal. and while there
learned that Mossrs Mason and Slidell were
to leave on tho 7th. on the British Mai
Steamer front, for England. While stoam
ing through the Bahama Channel he en-
couptered tho Trent. and brought her to by
firing Two shots across her how. Lieut.
Eairfax of the San Jacipto. was immediatel,
sent on board with a boats crow and
marines. and asked the master of the Trepl
To see his passenper list. This was denied
and Lieut. Fairfax then stated that his
purpose was 10 take into custody Messrs
Mason and SIidel, whom bo knew 10 be
aboard and those who accoinpunied them
The rebel enyoys were soon recognized, and
,hev refused Lieut. Fairfax's demand tba,
they shou,d nroceed aboard the San Jacin:o
and im1mediately went below 10 their state
rooms They were followed. and Lieut.
| Fairfax told them that if thew refused to 20
neaceablv be should be compelled to use
forco Tbey still refused. when the marine.
s,cnn;no forward and taxing them by I'll,