The national Republican., 1861-12-14
THE sEARoH OF THE TRENT.
NARRATIVE OF THE PRocEEDIsG FROM BRIT
ISL wTTNEss-srATEMENT OF THE PURsER
OF TEE TRENT.


OF TIE TRENT.
To The Hdisor Of the London 7sSsss .-s'',,r.'''''
hasten TO forward you some particulars Of
the Epglish dag by the United States steam.
sloop San Jacinto, Capt. wilkes. You have
probably heard how, some three weeks ago, the
title steamer Theodors, having on board the
Of America to London and Paris, ran the block
sde at Charleston, arriving asfely in Havana.
Once arrived there, they, of course, imagined
that on neutral territory they were perfectly
FREQ and safe from all moleststion, and, there.
fore, made no attempt to conceal their names,
position, and intended movements. Mr.. Slidell
the Commissioner for Paris, was accompanied
by his wife, son, and three daughters, and also
by his secretary, Mr.. 9. Eusti', with his wife;
Mr.. Mason, the Commissioner for England,
being accompanied by his secretary, Mr.. Nc.
Farland. 1t was well known In Havana that
berths we're booked for the whole party to pro.
oeed by this steamer to st. Thomas, there to
join the homeward West India mail steamship
for Southampton. They accordingly embarked
yesterday morning, trusting to receive the
same protection under the English flag which
they had already received from that of Spain.
We left Havana yesterday morning at 8. This
morning, about haltpast II, we observed a
large steamship ahead, and on nearer approach,
found her hove to, evidently awaiting us. We
were then in the nsrrowest part Of the Bahama
channel abreast of Paredon Grande lighthouse.
As soon rs we we're well within range, we had
the first intimation of her nationality and in.
tentions by a round shot being fred across our
bows, and at the same moment by her showing
American colors. We we're now sufficiently
near to observe that all her ports we're open
guns run out, and crew at their stations. On q
still nearer approach, she fired shell from a
swivel.gun of large oalibre on her forecastle
which passed within few yards of the ship
bursting about a hundred yards to leeward.
We were now within hail, whom Capt. Mor
commanding this ship, asked the American
what he meant by stopping bis ship, and why
no did so by firing shotted guns, contrary to
the usual custom. The reply was, that he
wished TO send boat on board Of us. This
was mediately followed by a boat putting of
from the side Of the San Jaointo, containing
bstween twenty and thirty men, heavily arm.
ed under the command of the first lieutenant
who came upon the quarter deck, and, after
asking for Capt. Moir, demanded u list Of pas.
sengers. As his right of search twas denied
the information required was, Of course, per.
emptorily refused. He then stated that he had
information that Messrs. Slidel Mason, Euslis,
and Mcfarland, were on board, and demanded
that they should be given up. This also being in
dignantIy refused, Mr.. Slidell himself came for.
ward, and said that the four gentlemen name d
were then before him, but appealed to the
British flag. under which they were sailing, for
protection.
The Lieutenant said that his orders we're 10
take them on board tho San Jacinto by force
If they would not surrender. He then walked
TO the side Of the ship and waved his hand
pushed of and surrounded the ship, and the par.
ty Of marines who came In the first boat came
up and took possession of the quarter deck ;
these, however, he ordered down on the main.
deck to take charge of the gaDgway ports.
Captain Williams, r. N, the naval agent In
charge of the mails, who was, of course, pres.
emit during this interview, then, In the name Of
Her Majesty, he being the only person on board
directly representing her, made n vehement
protestation against this piratical act. During
the whole Of this time the San JaCintO was
about two hundred yards distant from us on
the port beam, her broadsde guns, which were
full manned, directly bearing upon us. Any
open resistance to such force was, Of course,
hopeless, although, from the loud and repeated
plaudits which followed Captain Williams pro.
HESITATION. and which were Joined In by every
one, without exception, of the passengers con.
gregated on the quarter. deck, men Of all ma
lions, and from the manifested desire of some
to resist to the last have no doubt but that
every person would have joined heart and soul
IN the struggle had our commander but given
the order. Such an order he could not, under
such adverse circumstance consoientiOus,y
give, and 1t was therefore considered sufficient
that party of marines, with bayonets fixed
should iorc;by lay hands on the gentlemen
named.
This was done, and the gentlemen retired to
their cabins to arrange some few changes Of
clothing. A most heartrending scene now took
place between Mr.. Slidell, his eldest daughter
"a noble girl, devoted to her fa,her-and the
Lieutenant. 1t would require far more able
pen than mine to describe how, with flashing
eyes and quvering lips, she threw herself in
the doorway of the cabin where her father was
resolved to defend him with her life, TILL on the
order being given to the marines to advance,
which they did with bayonets pointed at this
poor defenceless girl, her father ended the
painful scene by escaping from the cabin by
window, when he was Immediately seized by
the marines and hurried into the boat, call ng
out to Captain Moir, as he left, that he held
him and his Government responsible for this
outrage.
If further proof were required of the mean
ness and cowardly bullying in the line of con.
duct pursued by the Captain of the San Jacinto,
may remark, first, that on being asked II they
would have committed this outrage II we had
been man.of war, they replied, Certainly
mott" and secondly, that Captain Wilkes sent
an order for Captain Mor to 90 on board his
ship, and a second for Captain NOR to move
the Trent closer to the San Jacinto. OF course
moi the slightest notice was taken of either
order, nor did they attempt to enforce them.
am, sir, your Obedient servant,
THE PURsER OF THE TRENT.
ROYAL MAIL STEAMSHIP TRENT,
AT SEA, Nov. 8.