Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-13
sIIdeiI and gnson saTcIy Gagged.

tuOihinS lObOMlIBs Ou fUuhYy iTOtu tuo
severity fthe weather, she was forced to
put into Holmes Hole. The rebel Com
missioners remained ia the cabin nearly all
the time, although they were allowed the
freedom Of the vessel. Mason came out on
deck three or four times during the trip,
but Slidell did not make his appearance
outside the cabin.
The prisoners were not at all t1lktive
with any one except themselves and their
Secretaries, Eustice and McFarlaue, and
the only amusement they seemed to have
was an occasional game Of backgammon.
When they we're first taken on board, after
their capture from the British steamer,
Capt. Wilkes told them that he should en-
deavor to make them as comfortable as his
means would permit, but he wished it dis
tinctly understood that they were on a Uni
ted States Government vessel, and there
must be no political talk on board. They
messed with Capt. Wilkes during the trip,
and were made as comfortable as the bois-
ferrous voyage would permit. They arrived
off Fort Warren early Sunday morning last
and at o'clock the Marshal and Captain
Wilkes left the ship and went to the Fort
to make arrangements with the command
ant, Col. Dimmick, for the receptions of the
prisoners. Everything being prepared the
debarkation took place at IL ocl ok. Ma
son first came out of the cabin, dressed in
Virginia homespun, and as he walked up
to the gangway, on either side of which
stood Capt. Wilkes and Marshal Murray,
he is represented as the most forlorn picture
of chopfallen chivalry ever witnessed. The
look of mingled fear and despair depictated
on his countenance, the Topping of his un-
der jaw, which the Marshal likens to the
movement Of pump handle, and utter
want Of heart and manliness with which he
bore his situation-so different from the
supercillious, defiant and domineering airs
which he used TO assume in the United
States Senate-were calculated to inspire |
only derision and contempt in the minds Of
the spectators. After him came Slidell, |
with somewhat less timid air, but still his
knees ever now and then betraying by their
shaky motions the trepidation which their
owner strove to conceal. Their Secretaries,
Eustace and McFarlane, brought up the
rear, and showed far more pluck than their
employers-being aware probably, that
their comparative insignificance would tell
in their favor when the day Of reckoning
came. On leaving the vessel tho party
bowed to Capt. Wilkes, who remained be-
hind, and embarking on board steamtug
which was sent from the fort for the pnr-
pose, were conveyed with their luggage to
the dock leading to the fort, which is about
a quarter of mile in length. After land
ing upon the dock, they were escorted 10
Fort Warren in the following order:
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
Marshal Murry and Ambassador Slidell,
Lieut.. Fairfax and Ambassador Mason.
Secretary Deputy Marshal Secretary
Officers from the Fort:
Police from the Fort.
In charge ofthe following "raps" belonging to the Com
mssioners which were conveyed in two carts: six
eight trunks, six valises, several cases Of
brandies, wines or liquors, dozen
more boxes of cigars, two eAsks(pints ss
and quarts) ofbottled Scotch ale.
On arriving at the Fort, they were intro
duced to Col. Dimmick, who said: "Gen-
tleman, am most happy TO receive you in
Fort Warren" The Marshal here inform.
ed the prisoners that he would be under the
necessity of searching their baggage, and
requested them TO hand over their keys
They complied, and a thorough search was
made, but no papers and dispatchesof any
kind were found. The Marshal then re-
turned the keys, and the prisoners were
shown to their quarters.
The probability is that all their official
papers were deposited in tho mail bag Of
tho Trent, or they might have been trans.
ferred to the ladies who accompanied them,
as there was ample time for that purpose
before they we're taken from the Trent
1t has been generally supposed that Capt.
Wilkes acted on sudden impulse in seiz-
ing the commissioners. Such was not the
case. He understood well what he was
about and bad informed himself as far as
he was able on international law before the
capture. While in Havana be procured
the best authorities on the question be could
find, and these in addition to the works on
international law which he previously had
on board, confirmed him in the conviction
that he would be thoroughly justified in the
seizure. 1t was his original intention to
seize the vessel as well as Slidell and Ma
son; but finding large number Of passen-
gers on board, who would be greatly dis
Oommoded by such procedure, he finely
concluded to let her continue her journey
After capturing bis prisoners, lie steered
the San Janciuto toward Port Royal, in
hopes that he would be in time to take a
hand in the fight at that place, but he was
little too late. T.- sa4