Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-13


"army officers who were hostile to Fremont !;
men like adjutant general Thomas who tray-
eed in Missouri and wrote that very remark
able report" Gen. Halleck is said to be a
very able man, although new 10 the public.
Let us wait nth pfteuce and forbearance to
see what he will do.
The Protest of Mason and siiden-Their
Account of the Capture-Capt. WiIkes'
Reply.
Secretary Welles has transmitted to congress,
among other important documents, the pro
test Of Messrs SideIl and Mason together
with their account of the arrest. Having
stated the circumstances OF their departure
from Havana, the protestauts say -
When the San Jacinto was first observed,
| several miles distant the Trent was pursuing
the usual course of her voyage along the old
| Bahama or Nicholas channel The San Jacinto
then lying stationary, Or nearly so, about the
| middle OF the channel, and where it as some
| fifteen miles wide, The nationality of the ship
being then unknown. When the Trent had
approached near enough Tor her flag to be
distinguished, it was liOisted at the peak and
at the main, and SO remained for a time. No
flag was shown by the San Jacinto. When
| the Trent had approached within a mile of the
San Jacinto, still pursuing the due course OF
her voyage, shOtted gun was fred from the
latter ship across the course OF the Trent, and
the United States flag at tie same time dis
played at the peak. The BRUSH flag was
again Immediately hoisted, as before, by the
Trent, aud so remained. When the Trent
had approached, still on her course, within
from TWO to three hundred yards of the San
Jacinto, second shotied gun was fired from
your ship, again across the course OF the Trent
When the Trent got within hailing distance
her captain inquired what they wanted. The
reply was understood to be, "lhey would send
a boat" Both vessels were then stationary
with steam shut off. "A boat was soon put Off
from your ship, followed Immediately by two
other bOals, with tdl crews and armed with
muskets aud side arms. A lieutenant in the
naval Uniform Of the United States navy, and
with side arms, boarded tie Trent, and in tie
presence OF most OF the passengers, then as.
sembled IN the upper deck, said to Capt Moir
that he came with orders to demand his pas.
senger list. The captain refused to pro
duce it, and he also formally protest
ed against any right to visit bis ship
for the purpose indicated. After some
renewed protests on the part Of the captain
and the officer of the San Jacinto that lie had
only 10 execute his orders, the latter said
Mason, were known to be on board, as also
two other gentlemen, naming Mr.. Eustis and
MacEarland, and that his orders were 10 take
and carry Them on board the San Jacnto"
The four gentlemen thus named being present,
the lieutenant addressed Mr.. Slidell, and
aiterward Mr.. Mason, repeating that his orders
were to take them, together with Eustis and
MacFarand, and carry them on board his ship
Messrs. Sideil and Mason in reply, protested
III the presence OF the captain Of the Trent
his officers and passengers, against such
threatened violation OF their persons and
their rights, and informed the lieutenant that
they would not leave the snip they were in
unless compelled by the employment of actual
force greater than they could resist and Nh
Eustis and Aactarland united with them in
expressing like purpose. That officer stated
that he hoped lie would not be compelled to re.
sort to the use OF force, but if it would become
necessary TO employ il in order TO execute
his orders, lie was prepared to do so. He was
answered by the undersigned that they would
submit to such force alone. The lieutenant
then went TO the gangway. where his boats
were, the Undersigned going at the same time
to their state rooms on the deck next below,
, followed by Capt. MOir and by the other pas
sengers. The lieutenant returned with part
of his men, portion OF whom were armed
with side arms, and others appearing to be a
squad OF marines having muskets and bavo-
nets. Mr.. Slidell was in his state room imme.
diately by, and IN full view. The lieutenant
then said to Mr.. Mason, that having his force
now present, he hoped to be relieved from the
necessity of calling il into actual use That
gentleman again answered that he would only
submit to actual force greater than he could
overcome, when the lieutenant, and several of
his men by his order, took hold of him, and in
manner and in numbers sufficient to make
resistance iruitless; and Mr.. Slidell Joining
! the group at the same time, one or more of the
armed party took like hold of him, and those
gentlemen at once went into the boat During
tins scene, many OF the passengers became
hlghly exasperated, and gave vent 10 the
| strongest expressions of indignation, seeming
to indicate purpose of resistance on their
part, when squad armed with muskets, with
Oayonets liked, made a sensible advance of
one or Two PAGES, with their arms at a charge.
The protest closed with the request that
Captain Wilkes would cause copy of it to be
forwarded to the government of the United
States together with his own report of the
transaction. The following is a copy Captain
Wilkes reply:
U. S. STEAMER SAN JAcINTo,
Ar SEA, Nov 13, 1861
Gentlemen: Your letter dated the 9th inst
was handed 10 me yesterday. | shall trans
NIT it, agreeably to your request, to the Hon
secretary of the navy, with my report of the
transaction TO which il refers In reply &c
your wish TO have any inaccuracies it may
contain pointed out, l deem it my duty TO say
the facts differ materially in respect to tie
time and circumstances The facts in my
possession are derived from the log book 1.-THE
Official record Of the ship, and from the re-