Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-12-30
THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE IN
THE TRENT CASE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. % -llason and Sldell
have been given up, at the demand OF the
British government.
The following is the diplomatic correspond
MIR. SEWARD TO MIR. ADAMS.
No. 1856. Extract.
DETACHMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, November 30, 1861. J
Charles Francis adams, Esq, &c, &C., &C.
Sir: Your confidential note OF the 10th of
November, not markld as Il dispatch, has been
submitted to the president, aud hasten 10 re-
ply 20 it in fine for the Wednesday mail
No minister ever spoke Or acted more wise
ly in crisis which excited deep public solicit
tude than you did Oh the occasion OF the lord
mayors dinner.
We are impressed very favorably by Lord
Pamerstons conversation with you. You
spoke The simple fact when you told him that
the life OF this Instruction is sustained by its
hopes Of recognition in Great BrtGHn aud
France. 1t would perish in ninety days If
those hopes should cease. | have never tor
a moment believed that such a recognition
could take place without producing lmnledl-
ately war between the United States and all
the recognizing powers.
| have not supposed it possible that the
British government could fail 10 see this, and
i
British government must, in its inmost heart,
be as averse from such war know this
government ia.
am sure that this government has carefully
avoided giving any cause OF offence or lrrta
ton to Great Britain. But it has seemed 10
me that the British government has been IN
attentive to the currents that seemed 10 be
bringing the two countries into collision
y X
| infer from Lord Pamersion's remarks
that the British government is now awake to
the importance of averting possible conflict,
and disposed to confer and act with earnest
ness to that end. Ii SO, We are disposed to
meet them in the Same spirit, as a nation chief
ly of British lineage, sentiments and sympa-
thies, Il civilized and humane nation, CHRIS
tan people
Since that conversation was held, Captain
Wilkes In the steamer San Jacinto, has board
ed British colonial steamer and taken from
her deck two insurgents who were proceeding
to Europe on an eIrand of treason against
their own country This is new incident,
unknown TO and unforeseen, at least in its
cir, umstances, by Lord Palmerston. 1t is to
be met and disposed of by the two govern
ments, if possible, in the spirit TO which
have adverted.
Lord Lyons has prudently refrained from
ing instructions from home. We have done
nothing on the subject to anticipate the dis
CUSTOM and we have not furnished you with
any explanations. We adhere to that course
now, because we think it more prudent that
the ground taken by the British government
should be first made known to us here, and
that the discussion, if there must be one shall
be had here.
1t is proper, however, thar you should know
one fact in the case without indicating that we
attach importance to it, namely, that in the
capture Of Messrs. Mason and Side, on board
British vessel, Captain Wilkes having acted
without any instructions from the govern
ment, the subject is, therefore, free from the
embarrassment which might have resulted if
the act had been specially directed by us.
trust that the British government will con-
slider the SUBJECT in friendly temper and it
may expect the best dispositions on the part of
this government.
Although this is confidential note l shall
not object to your reading it to Earl Russell
and Lord Palmerston, if you deem it expedi
ent. am, sir, your obedent servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
EARL RUSSELL TO LORD LYoNs-TuE DEMAND
OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
FoREIGN OFFICE,
November 80, 1861.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ture has reached her Majesty's government.
This intelligence was conveyed officially to
the know ledge of the admiralty by commander
Williams, agent for mails, on board the con-
tract steamer Trent.
1t appears from the letter of Commander
Williams, dated Royal Mail Contract Packet
Trent, at sea, November 9th, that the Trent
left Havana on the 7th instant with her Males
tvs mails for England, having on board nu'
nerous passengers. Commander Williams
states that shortly after noon On the .Pth
steamer having the appearance of man OF.
war, but not showing colors, was observed
ahead. On nearing her at a quarter past one
p Nj, she fired round shot from her pivot
gun across the Trent and showed American
colors.
While the Trent was approaching her SLOW
ly the American vessel discharged a shell
across the bows OF the Trent, exploding half
cables length ahead of her. The Trent
then stopped, and an officer with large armed
guard OF marines boarded her. The officer
demanded list OF the passengers, and com.
pliance with this demand being refused, the
officer said he had orders to arrest Messrs. Ma
son, Slidel, Mcfarland, and Eustis, and that
he had sure information of their being passen-
gers in the Trent. While some parley was
going on upon this matter, Mr. Slidell stepped
four persons he had named were then standing
before him.
The commander of the Trent and Com
mander Williams protested against the act OF
taking by force, out of the Trent, these four
passengers then under the protection Of the
British flag. But the San Jacinto was at that
time only two hundred yards from the Trent,
her ships company at quarters, her ports open
and tompions out. Resistance was therefore
out of the question, and the four gentlemen
before named were iorcibly taken out of the
ship. further demand was made that the
commander of the Trent should proceed on
board the San Jacinto, but he said he would
not 60 unless torcibly compelled likewise, and
this demand was not insisted upon.
1t thus appears that certain individuals have
been forcibly taken from on board British,
vessel, the ship of a neutral power, while such
vessel was pursuing a lawful aud innocent
voyage, an act OF violence which was an af.
front to the British flag aud violation of in
ternational law.
Her Majesty's government having in mind
the friendly relations which have long sub
sisted between Great Britain and the United
States, are willing TO believe that the United
States naval officer who committed tins ag-
erosion was not acting in compliance with any
authority from his government, or that ii he
conceived himself to be so authorized, he
greatly misunderstood tho Instructions which
| he had received.
For the government of the United States
must be fully aware that the British govern
ment could not allow such an atfront 10 the
national honor to pass without full PREPARATION,
ami her MsJestys government are unwilling
to believe that it could be the deliberate intet-
| ton of the government OF the United States