New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-12-23
.I82L Is I.Lm.1E - - - - - -
MORNING. DECEMBER 2s 1861

addressed Mr.. Slidell, and afterwards Mr. Mason,
repeating that his orders were to take them to-
gether with Eustis and Maefarand, and carry them
on board his ship, Messrs- Sliden and Mason, ia
reply, protested in the presence of the captain o.
the Trent his officers and passengers, against such
threateneds violation of their persons and their
rights, and informed the lieutenant that they would
not leave the ship they were in unless compelled
by the employment Of actual force greater than
they could resist, and Messrs. Eustis and Macfar-
land united with them in expressing like purpose.
That officer stated that he hoped he wonid not be
compelled to resort to the use of force, but, II 1T
would become necessary TO employ II, IN order TO
execute his orders, he was prepared to do so. \
He was answered by the undersigned that they
would submit to such a force alone The lieutenant
then went to the gaugway where his boats we're
the undersigned going at the same time to their
state-rooms on the next deck below, followed by
Captain Moir, and by the other passengers. The
lieutenant returned with party OF his men, por.
ton of whom were armed with side arms and
others appearing to be squad of marines having
muskets and bayonets.f Mr.. Slidell was in bis
state-room Immediately by and in full view. Ihe
lieutenant then said to Mr.. Mason that having his
force now present he hoped to be relieved from
the necessity of calling it into actual use. The
gentleman again answered thath would only sub
init to actual force greater than he could over
come, when the lieutenant, and severalof his men
by his order, took hold of him. and in a manner
and in numbers sufficient to make resistance fruit
less !; and Mr. Slide joining the group at the same
time, one or more of the armed party took hold of
him, and those gentlemen at once went into the
boat.
During thias scene many of the passengers became
highly exasperated, and gave vent to the strongest
expressions OF Indignation, seeming to Indicate q
purpose of resistance on their part, when squad
armed with muskets, with bayOnets fixed, made
| sensible advance of one or two PAGES with their
| arms at charge. 1t must be added here, omitted
| in the course of the narration, that before the
party left the upper deck, otheer of the TreSt,
| named Williams, in the naval uniform of Great
Britain, and known to the passengers as having
charge Of the mails and accompanying them to
| England said to the lieutenant that, as the only
person representing bis Government, he felt called
upon, in language as strong and emphatic as he
| could express, to deHounce the whole proceeding
| as piratcal act.
Mr.. sIden and Mr.. Mason together with Messrs.
Eustis and Macfarand, against whom force in like
| manner had been used, were taken to the san
Jacnto as soon as they entered the boat When
they reached your ship you received them near
| the gangway, announcing yourself as Capt. Wilkes
commander of the ship, and conducted them to
your cabin, which you placed at their disposal
| When the undersigned came aboard they found
the men at their quarters and guns bearing on the
Trent. After some time occupied in bringing or
| board our baggage and effects, the San Jac!ntc
proceeded to the northward through the Southern
Channel, the Trent having been detained from
| three to four hours. .a- 80
The foregoing is believed to be a correct nara
tive, in substance, of the facts and circumstances
attending our arrest and transfer from the British
mail steamer to the ship Gnder your command ant
| Wnlcn, we douDt noI, Will De corroDOrhted py tnt
lieutenant present, as well as by all who witnessed
them.
The incidents here given in detail may not havi
been witnessed by each one of the undersigned in
dvidually, but they were by one or more of them
As, for the most part, they did not pass under you
notice, we have deemed it proper to present then
in this form before you, expressing the wish,
considered incorrect in any part, the inaecuracie
may be pointed out, with respectful request tha
you will transmit a copy of the paper to the Gov
eFnment of the United States. together with YOU
report of the transaction, % facilitate which, cop
il herewith enclosed.
We have the honor to be, very respectfully,
J our obedi mt servants,
(SigDed) JOHN SLTDEI.I,
J. A. MASON,
| T.-" fihORGE EHSTIS.
/, Z. MAtFARLA Nd.