Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-11-20
The Arrest of Mason and slidell.

publish, at present, the official reports made
by the officers OF the war steamer San Ja-
einto, in reference to the capture of Mason
and Shdell The general facts are these !;
Commander Wilkes, evidently a man Of
:. grit" was sent out to bring home the
San Jacinto from the coast of Africa on
his return he touched at Cienfueges, where
he ascertainod that Mason aud Stideil had
run the blockade; and were ca route to
Europe, probably by the way of Cuba.-
He sailed up aud ent into port at Havana
There he asccrtained that the Confederate
commissioners had been gone but few
hours, having sailsd in the British mail
steamship Trent, the evening before, 9th
November) lie Immediately put to sea,
directing his course 50 as TO intercept the
vessel. When about forty miles of Mat
anzas, in the old Bahaml Channel, the
Trent hove 10 sight, and the ts0 vessels
were soon within haiiiug distance Com
modore Wilkes sent shot across the bows
Of the Trent To this no attention was
paid, and another was directed near the
bow. This brought the steamer to
Lieut.. Fairfax, to whom both Of the Con
tederate passengers were personally known,
was sent on board in boat, supported
with two more boats, filled with marines
Lieut., Fairfax went on deck and called on
Messrs. Mason and Slidell, who soon APP
peared. Lieut.. Fairfax politely Informed
them Of the objects of his mission, and
asked them to 90 on board his 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.
Fairfax, pointing to his marines drawn up
on the decks of the British steamer said :
You see, sir, have force, if that is what
you require - "Then you must use it,
replied Mason With this Lieut. Fairfax
placed his hand upon the Senator'S shoul-
der and pressed him to the gangway. At
this juncture the passengers rushed for
ward, somewhat excited, and attempted to
interfere The marines Immediately show
ed their bayonets, and Mason consented to
the decision of Lieut. Fairfax, asking that
he might he permitted to make his pro-
test in writing. just then fine speci-
men of an Englshman rushed on deck in
military or naval uaiform fhe officer in
command of the mails, probably. and de-
manded why passengers on board that shin
were molested Licnt Fairfax informed
him that he had stated to Capt. Moir, Of
the nacket. wbv he arrested two ofbis pas-
senders and further than that he had no
explanations to make Protests we're then
drawn mn. and Mason and SIidel. with
their secretaries. Eustis and Mcfarland
went into the boats Of the San .Jac nto.-
| Com. Wilkes sent 4 message to the ladies
that his best cabin was at their service If
they desired to accompany the prisoners
back to the United States. They, howev
or. declined and proceeded OH the yoyaae.
The arrest was made np the 9Th and the
San Jacipto arrived with tho prisoners at
Fortress Monroe on Fr;lav Lieut.. Tavlor
was desnatcbed to WASHINGTON with the
official uauers. and th, San .Jacinto was or
| dered to New York. whence the prisoners
will he forwarded t. Fort Warren. in Bos-
ton harLor
\ skjrmish occurrcd in L,ou!on county.
| Va opposite the Point Of Rocks. os Thurs
Jav, COL Geary hal received information
Of an attempt Of The rebels 70 erect ior;i-
cations in that neieLborhool. He crossed
tbe river with Can't. Chapman. and twenty
five picked men Of the Twenty ishth Reg
iment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and re.
/ connoitered the vicinity. lie discovered
force of the rebels, upon whom he quiet
| " closed. and surprised them with volley
1 of shots. After firing two or three voIleys,
the rebels we're routed, leaving three men
and one horse dead upon the field.
A foragine party went out from Gen.
Wadsworth's brigade Oh the 18th, and hav-
inc procured LARGE supply of corn, they
started back in the afternoon. Five of the