Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-11-19
THE ARRRsT OF MASON AND Sill
syVhat is Thought about 1t Mt wash
n ingt0n--The Spanish Minister In.
diRanfs aud the Rest OF the People
OelEhted.

II y sara mat the State Department re-
ieeiyed several days ago Information from
the United States Consul at Havana that
Mason and Slidell and their Secretaries
were there, and that he was watching an
Opportunity and dsyising means to have
them arrested. The San Jaciuto was re-
I turning from the African station, aud had
been ordered-to cruise for the privateer
Sumter. Happening 10 bein the neighbour
hh0od of Havana at the Nick of time, our
! Consul conveyed 70 her commander the in
Formation of the sailing of the rebel ennis
sAries on the British steamer Trent but is
5sued no orders for their arrest. Captain
wilkes, upon his responsibility, overhaul
ted them within tWenty-fours' sail from
port. and arrested them.
When Mr.. Russell, the London Times
correspondent, heard OF the arrest of Mason
aud Slidell, he remarked. Wonld like to
have seen poor Slideirs face when he was
arrested, surely 1t must have looked very
funny Mr.. Russell said nothing about
the oVerhauling of-the Trent.
No special Instructions had been given
n Capt Wilkes in reference TO the arrestof
Mason and Slidall and their secretaries on
board of any foreign vessell; but general
orders for their aTTesa emanating from the
Navy Department, had been issued to the
officers of our naval vessels. These orders
were based upon the Information that the
rebel emmissaries had sailed in the steam
l.er Theodore. They contemplated their ar
rest upon that vessel; but as their orders
were 70 arrest the parties, and information
had been conveyed to Capt. Wilkes that
they had sailed from HAVANA, he only did
his duty as loyal American officer in
bringing them back to the country they
were endeavoring TO betray. His assump-
1 ton of responsibility in the premises will
be applauded by the whole people of the
/ loyal States.
There is authority for saying that it is
matter Of very little moment at present
whether the passenger steamer upon which
they were found was an American or for
eign vessel. They were fugitiyes from JUS
tice. They were endeavoring to escape
from the country in violation of the pro"la-
nation of our government forbidding any
one-eitizen or foreiguer-to leave the
Fcountry without tho permission of the
State Department. There is no question
T as TO the manner of the arrest before either
the government or the country. II there
are any circumstances attending it re-
quiring governmental action, that can be
had hereafter. The great fact of import
ance now is, the custody of the parties.
The country will be rejoired-that their es-
cape has been prevented, i and that they are
now prisoners.
No action has yet been taken by Lord
Lyons on the subject of the arrest of Ma
| son and Slidell on board of British ves-
sci. He has no official information to act
upon yet.
/ 1t is stated that the Spanish Minister
was quite indignant when he heard of the
/ arrest of the arch traitors, and is reported
to have expressed the hope that the vessel
i from which they were taken was aSpanish
I ship, in which event Spain would immedi-
/ ately declare war againstthe United States,
The President is quite elated over the
capture Of Slidell and Mason and their Sec
retAries, rs are the members of the Cabinet.
The proposition now -. u England de-
mRnds satisfaction, to disaVoW the act, as
sert that Capt Wilkes made the arrest up
on his own responsibility, apologize If ne
cessary, aud in a few months promote
iCRpt. Wilkes TO be an Admiral, which
Office Congress will sheerfully create
/. This programme may be ynried slightly by
discussing the matter for year or two,
and then settle 1t.
The prisoners of State brought by the
San Jacinto are to be Immediately furnish-
ed with quarters at Fort Washington, Bos-
ton harbOr.
Mr. Mason's return to Boston as State
prisoner,xill revive recollections of his
declaration when last in that city, that he
did not expect to return thither until he
/ should come in an official capacity as the
/, Representative of Southern confederacy.
He is fitreprcseutatiye of the beleaguer-
ed rebel States, and will meet an appropri-
ate reception.