Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-11-21
THE CAPTURE OF MASON
AND SLIDELL.
FULL PARTICULARS.
The Scene on Board the British Vessel.
How the News was Received in Wash
ington.

The Scene on Board the British Vessel.
How the News was Received in WASH
ington.
WASHINGTON, Nov. II.
The Navy Department prefers not to pub
lish, at present, the official reports made by
the officers of the war steamer San Jacinto.
IN reference to the cap ure of Mason and Sli-
dell, The general facts are these: Com
mander Wilkes, evidently man of grit, !"
was sent out to bring home the San Jseinto
from the coast of Africa on his return he
touched at Cienfuegos. where he ascertained
that Mason and Slidell bad run the block
ade, and were en- route to Europe, probably
by he way of Cuba. He sailed up and welt
into port at HavanDa. There he ascertain
ed that the Confederate commissioners had
gone but few hours, having sailed in the
British mail steamship Trent, the evening
before, (7tn November lie Immediately
put 10 sea- directing his course so as to inter-
cep5 ths vessel. When about forty miles off
Matanzas, in the old Bahama Channel, the
Trent ho7s in sighs, ard the Two vessels were
soon within hailing distance. Commodore
Wilkes sent shol across the bows Of the
Tent. 10 Ibis ~ attention was paid, when
another was directed near the bow. This
brought the steamer to- Lieutenant Fairfax
to whom both of the Confederate passengers
were personally known, was sent on board
in a boat, supported with two more boats,
lied with marines. Lieut.. Fairfax went on
deck and called tor Messrs Mason and Sill
dell, whn soon appeared. Lieut., Fairfax pc
htey informed them of the object of bis mis-
sion and asked them to go board bis boat
To this they objected, Mason remarking that
they had paid their passage to Europe, to
the British Consul at Havana, (who acts as
agent for the mail steamship line. and he
would not leave without force. Lieut.. Fair
fax, pointing to his marines drawn up on the
decks of the British steamer. said: f" You
see, sir, have the force. il that is what you
require - I" Then you must use it" replied
Mason. With this Lieut.. Fairfax placed bis
hand upon the Senator'S shoulder and press
ed him to the gan way. At this juncture
the passengers rushed forward, somewhat ex-
cited, ard tempted TO interfere. The ma
rines Immediately showed their bayonets, and
Mason consented to the decision of Liuten-
ant Fairfax, asking that he might be permit
ted 10 make protest in writing. Just then a
fine spscmen of an Englishman rushed on
deck in military or naval uniform 1.-THE officer
in command of the mails, probsbly.) and de-
manded why passengers on board that snip
were moles,ed. Lieut.. Fairfax informed him
that he bad stated to Capt. Moir, of the pack
et why he arrested two of his passengers,
and further than that be had no explanations
to make. Protests were then drawn up, and
Mason and Stidei, with their sec etarss
Eustis and Mcfarland went into the boats
of the San Jacinto. Com, Wilkes sent h
message TO the ladies that his best cabin was
at their service if they desired 10 accompany
the prisoners back to the United States
They however, declined, and proceeded on
the voyage. The arrest was made 90 the 9th,
and the San Jacinto arrived with the prison
ers at Fortress Monroe on Friday. Lieuten-
ant Taylor was despatched to Washington
with the official papers, and the San Jaclnto
was ordered to New York, whence the Pris-
oners will be forwarded to Fort Warren, in
Boston harbor.
The Trent is not, as has been supposen, an
intereolonial steamer, plying between the
West India Islands She is a British Inter
NATIONAL packet, carrying the British mails,
and plying between Southampton, England,
back TO Southampton.
Lieut. 1ayior arriVeu mere ~ nnou' YES
teiday. and the news If the arrest created
profound sensation, and very general and
almost unbounded rejoicing. The act is,
ou'side Of the departments, very generally
approved, though there are various opinions
expresse in the speculalions as to the light
iu which England will view the transaction.
One thing is evident, England has always
favored the right Of search and it is bad
law, or rule, that will not work equally well
both ways. Capt. Wilkes was disposed to
seize the packet. under the charge of favor-
ing the enemies of our country, and bring
her to Key West; but. finding that it would
seriously disappoint large number of pas
sengers, he abandoned his purpose,