New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-11

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and consent Of the captain, who endeavored sf,.,
ward TO conceal them by refusing to exhibit 4.
passenger list, and the papers of the vessel IN
can be no Doubt he knew they were carving biTk,
important dispatches, and were endowed with ~
structious inimical 10 the United States. M.
rendered the vessel Ia neutraD good prize; ana \
determined to take possession of her. and as ~
TONED in my report, send her TO Key West for a.
ludication, where am well satisfied she wonh hs~.
been condemned for carrying these persons. and s
resisting TO be searched; the cargo was also 6sn
as all the shippers were knowing to the embsyIss
ton Of these tire dispatches, and their rato,o,s
motives and actions TO the Union of the Unile1
States.
for60re TO seize her, horerer, in conseorenc, -
my bclng so reduced an c6fcers and cree and IA, d
yGHgfmegt IL 1o0uid Cause innocent persons ,be..
being large number Of passengers, who would IsyS
been pat to great loss and inconvenience az wall ~
di,appointment from the interruption il would 80
caused them in not being able TO join tie steaoer
from Sc. Thomas for Europe. therefore eonel,dsd
to sacrifice the interests of my officers ana crew in
the prze and suffered the steamer 20 proceed sf,s,
the necessary detention 10 effect the transfer Of NE "A
COMMISSIONERS considering bad obtained the inc
Dortant end had in view, and which affected nd
interests OF country, and interrupted the aciiou
OF that of the COnfederates.
would add that the conduct OF H.. b. Ms sub.
ects. both official and others, showed but little 70,
gard or obedience TO her proclamation. by aiding aa}
abetting the views, and eDdeavorlng TO conceal 10
persons of the Commissioners.
/ have pointed ont sufficient reasons TO showFN
that my action in this case was derived from In
conviction that 1t became my duty 10 make thtx
parties prisoners, and to bring them TO the CDa2
States.
Although in my giving up this valuable prize,
have deprived the officers and crew OF elleaItS
reward am assured they quite content TO fusst
any advantages which might have accrued to thte
under the circumstances.
L NAV add that having assumed the responsbE,.
am willing to abide the result.
Ism very respectfully { g,R f1seV w Ike
Hon GIDEON wsLLEs, Secretary OF the Navy.
THE ORDERS FOR THE ARREST or MASON AND
sLIDELL.
Tie following is copy Of the orders is0edby
Can't. Wilkes, of the San Jacinto to Lieut.. Fsir'aI
executive officer Of that vessel, for tie ares, a
Messrs. Mason & Slidell:
U. S. STEAMER SAY JicSro
AT SEA, Nov & 1861
SIR: You will have the second and thi.d cu,,en
Of this shin fully manned ana armed, and b, ia a
respects prepared 10 board the steamer lrenI nov
hove 10 under our guna.
On boarding her you viii demand the paper Of
the steamer her clearance from Havana, with sb
| list of passengers and crew.
/ Should ar. Mason, Mr.. Slidell, Mr.. Eustis nd
Nh Macfarland he on board, yOI will MAKE them
prisoners and send them Oh board this ship nueR
ately. and take potssssiOn Of her as a prize
! DO not deem it will be necesss 10 use force
that the prisoners will have the good sense TO avid
any necessity for uung it; but, ii they should Icy
must be made 70 understand that /, Is their OWE kuls
/ YLeU must BE- brought on board
All trunks, cases. packages, and bags bllngIgto
theu you Will take possession OF aud send board
this ship. ANY dispatches found on the persoIs a
the prisoners in possession Of those on board hs
steamer, viii be taken possession Of also eJskHea,
aud retained if necessary.
| have understood that the families Of these GENTS.
men may be with them; If 50, l beg yoa viii oaa
some of them, in my name passage IN this ship .
/ the United States; and that all tie attention and
comforts we can command are rendered them and
will be placed at their service.
In tie event of their acceptance, should there b
anything which the captain Of the steamer can spsr
10 increase the comforts in the way Of necessnesa
stores of which war-yessel IL deficient, you VII
please to procure them; the amount viii be paddy
the Paymaster.
Lent. James A. Greer will take charge cf' as
third cutter which accompanies YOU and wiii ASK
you in these dntles.
trust that all those under your command, IN ex-
ecutng this important ana delicate duty, WIN co.
Duct themselves with all tie delicacy and kindnes
which becomes the character OF our naval service.
| am, very respectfully. your obedien, servant,
(SisueG CHARLES WILKES, CapsNn-
Lieut. D. NJ FAIRFAx, Z. >. Navy.
Executive Officer, San Jacinto.