Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-12-21
THE SEIZURE oF MASON AND sL,DELL.
Repor, OF Lituirnaut Fairfax.

y. >. STEAKER SAN JACINTO, I
Al SEQ, Nov. Il, 1861. !
Sir:--At !. 20 f. NJ. on the Sth irst | re.
paired alongside the British mail packet in on
armed cutter, accompanied hy Mr. llonston,
Second Assistant Engineer, aud Mr. Grace,
the Boatswau. ] went on board the Trent
alone. leaving the two officers 10 the boat
with orders TO await until il became necessary
to show some force. ! was shown up by The
first officer to the quarterback, where ! met
The Captain, and Informed bin who was,
asking TO see his passenger.isl lie declined
letting me see 1t. | then told him that had
nirrmation OF Sir. Mason, Mr.. Shdeli, Mr.
Eusts, and Nj. Mcfarland having taken
their passage at Havana il the packet TO st.
Tbomus, aud would satisfy myself whether
they were Oh board before GLOWING his steam.
or 10 proceed.
Mr. Sldell, evidently heariog his name
mentioned, came pp 10 me aud aCked me Il
wanted 30 see bin Mir Mason soon Joined
U.s. aud then Mr.. Enslls and MIR. Mcfarland,
when made known The object oi my visit
The Captain Of the Trent opposed any thing
Ike Il search Of bis vessel. nor would he con-
sent TO show papers or passenger list. The
-four gentlemen above mentioned protested ai.
50 against my arresling and sending them TO
the Uuited Ststes steamer near by. There
was considerable noise among the passengers
iGst abont that time. and that led Mr.. lious-
ton aud MIR Grace to repair Oh board WITH
some six or eight men, all armed. After sew.
erul uDsucceesiul efforts 10 persuade MIR. Ma.
son and Mr. Slidell to go with ne peaceably,
I called on Mr. Houston, and ordered him TO
return to the ship with the information that
the four gentlemen named in your order OF the
Sih inst were On board and force luust be ep-
] q a ,l., r. al.
About three minutes etter there wss still
greater excite nent on The quarter deck, which
| brought Mr.. Grace with his armed party. !,
! however deemed the presence Of un armed
force unnecessary, and only calculated TO
uia'm tho ladies present, anl directed Mr.
| Grace 10 return to the lower Gsc';, wasre be
! had been siuce first coming On board. 1t must
hnve beeu less than huf an hour after ] board.
ed the Trent when the second ermed cutter,
under Liaut. Greer, came alongside ionly two
armed boats being used He b:Ucght in Lhe
cutter eight marines aud four mGchinlsta, in
addition TO a crew Of some twelve men. When
| the marines aud come armed men had been
! formed Just outside o! the msn deck cabin,
where these fuur gentlemen bau gone 10 pack
up their baggage, | renewed my Uho!ls To in.
cuce them 10 accompany me on board. Siiil
refusing To accompany me unless force was
applied, ] called in To nv assistance four or
! five officers and first taking hold Of MIR. Ma.
sons shoulder, with another officer on the op.
prsite side, went as far ns the gangway Of
| the steamer aud delivered him over 10 Lieut.
! Greer, to he placed in the boat. then 70
turned for Nr. Siidpll, who insisted that |
must use considerable force 10 get hin 20 90
! with ne; calling in al least three officers, he
also was taken IN charge and handed over to
| Mir. Greer.
! Mr.. Mcfarland and Nr Eusts, eiter pro.
| testing, went quietly into The boat They had
/ been permitted to collect their baggage. but
| were sent in udvaUce Of il, urder Lieut. Greer
| gave NY personal attention 10 the luggage,
saw II pat 10 Loat, end sent 10 charge Of Ut
| officer 10 the San JaciGto,
! When Mr. Shdu.i was taken prisoner, u
! great deal Of rolse was made by sore os the
! passrugers, Which caused Lieutenant Greer 10
! send the marines into the cabin. They were
| Immediately ordered to their former position
! outside. ! carried out NY purpose without
using any force beyond what appears 10 this
report.
The mail agent, who is a retired command.
:r 10 the Brush navy. seemed to have great
deal to say as to the propyiety Of my course
! bot purposely avoided Gll official intercourse
with him. When was finally leaving the
| steamer lie made some apology Tor his rude
conduct, aud expressed, personally. his appro.
/ val Of the manner 10 which ] carried ont my
orders. We parted company with the Trent
at 320 7. NJ.
Very respectfully, your ob't servant,
(Sgled) d. NJ. FAIsFax.
Lieutenant and Executive Ofiicer.
Capt. Cba's Wilkes, u ;. n,
Commanding San Jacn,o.