New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-19
and sliae will electrify the country Commander ST


of the other officers of the San Jacinto. Commander
Wilkes has for many years resided in Washington,
is an officer Of distinction is famed for his connection
y itl the South Sea Exploring Expedition, and is
gentleman of wealth and social position. He was lately
ordered ont to bring the San JacintO home from the
station on the coast of Africa. Reaching Havana on
his return lie learned from the American Consul that
Mason and Slide had run the blockade in the Iheo-
dora. and had or were about 10 embark at that port
in the English Mail steamer for England on their
mission of treason. He determined in his own mind
to block the business and left for the Bahama Chan
mel, where he cruised four or five days during which
time he to the other officers
They all unhesiatngly gave therasaent. Shortly after
the British steamer was sigltedand sgnaled. Lieut..
Fairfax, of the best Virginia blood, and personally
acquainted with the Rebel Ministers, with boats
crew, went alongside. On gaining the deck Of the
steamer. Lieut.. f. informed the commander that the
purpose of his visit was to take look among his
passengers, of whom there were large number.
Seeing and nearing Mason and SIdell, be informed
tbose gentlemen that the commander Of the San Ja-
cinto. then living In provokingy significant position
at convenient distance, desired their presence on
board. About this time the English mail agent, with
pistol in hand, made his appearance and began to
talk considerably about the odd Yankee pirates
whereupon Lieut Fairfax advised the English cap
tain 10 remove the excited individual or he would be
compelled to resort 10 unpleasant measures. This
advice was needed. Allowing them few moments
to prepare for the visit, the nature OF which they
fully comprehended, Lieut.. Fairfax explaining that
he wished TO detain the steamer that had 30 obilg
ingly stopped rs short time az possible. Mason
and Slide were assisted to the gangwayb by Lieut., T.
and bic men, Just enough TO overcome the resistance
more technical than real shown to the removal.
These gentlemen being seated in Tie boat, Lieut..
FART, x returned on board the English steamer and
politely informed the two secretaries Of Mason aud
Siidell thst lie desired to avoid any unnecessary
separation, they were invited TO accompany the
aforesaid gentlemen; in fact, and briefly, IL was
Necessary that they should DO so, and that they would
take seats with them in the same boat. The PER-
snasiou was irresistible and a ready compliance was
the Consequence. And so, politely thanking the cap
tain Of the British Mail steamer for bis eourtesies,
and apoogzng for the necessity in the case for stop
ping bin even for go short time, and hoping hin
spccdy and sate a.fage, Lieut.. Fairfax entered his
own boat and the as.onished, writhlnl Eugllshmgn
went on HE way. Mason aud Sidell were politely
received on board the Sar Jacinto by Capt Wiihes,
to whom they were not strangers, and who briefly
informed them that lie felt it Ills duty TO take them
somewhat out of the accustomed route To England,
,ybirher he knew tbey were proceeding to further
tie plo, for destroy ing the country and Government
of which he WAS an officer, and to which lie believed
he wa. rendering good service by aresting them
where he could find them, as he should al other
traitors.
On tie British mail steamer were the families Of
the rebel Ministers, who kept On their eourse 10
England Commander Wilkes did not search or III
any manaer int, ,fere with their baggage, and they
were allowed to make such dspositionin tina: respect
rs they chose.
As good accommodations as the Son Jacinto could
furnish were given 10 her Distinguished prsoneTs
| undersand that Commander Wilkes ran lear
enough TO Charleston to oilord bis pilgrims an oPpor-
tunity Of once more behod.ng the towers Ugh and
baulements gray Of that sacred city-tleir starting
place hot Gf,een days before. While | write, the
San Jacinto IL anchored almost within gun-shot OF
tho rebel batteries, at which the rebel Ministers are
permitted to gaze, and contemplate with what sat.
isfaclion they their present situation Mr.. Mason
for consolation. Mr.. Slidol expends lis blsndish.
ments on the cook and steward, while everybody
beside, on ship and on shore, congratulates every
body else, coupled with praises for Wilkes, and the
expression Of the hope that Lis spirit of enterprise
and ieaiessness may have thousand imitaors.
" The Captain was bound to have the traitors any
way said n San Jacinto officer, "wihout asking /
Or, that know Of caring, what England might say.
She could be taken care Of aflerward'
Commander Wilkes, Immediately on his arrival,
called on Gen. Wool, from whom he received the
warmest congratulations. Subsequently he called on
flag-Oficer Goldsborough. Ii was his intention TO
cave for New.iork last evening, but lie was delayed
N coelpg.
twill be recolleced tha. when Mason and Slidel
reached Havana, the British Consul received them
With all the honors. learn the interesting fact that
in consequence of those attentions to
he Rebels the Caplain.General declined further in.
ercourse with The British Consul. !;
Orr last adyicos through Rebel sources, were that
be village of Beaufort had not yet been occupied by
len. Sherman. Gen. Robert Lee has been appointed
o COMMAND The Rebel forces in that quarter and lie
) said to have commenced terrifying the village.
In less than five days after lIattcras was taken,
yhen the State of North Carolina was at our feet II
be Rebels had 5000 men and Il battery OF 10 guns
n Roanoke Island. We failed to follow up the i'm.
crtant advantage, and within one months time we
we're oil the defensive at Iaitcras. This piece Of ex.
crience makes one FESTIVE at any apparen. delay in
improving advantages at Beaufort or elsewhere. / \
resume that il will turn out that Gen. Sherman did
ct find himself at the head of troops that warranted
I'M in pushing ahead as fast rs, at this distance,
would seem desirable.