The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-11-28

Government The signatures attached to
the document were evidently written un-
der feeling of trepidation, and they
approximate to the irregularity OF that OF
Stephen Hopkins, of 1776.
On the San Jacinto the prisoners were
treated with marked kindness by Commo-
dore Wilkes and his officers. They con-
verseG freely upon various subjects, but
politics were not alluded to-
The San Jacinto arrived at Fortress
Monroe on Friday, 18th inst, and sailed
for New York the next day. On arriving
at this latter port, she was boarded by
U. S. Marshal Murray and Deputy Samp
son, who presented their dispatches to
Commodore Wilkes, and the prisoners
were handed over into their custody. The
frigate then put to sea again, and pro-
ceeded to Fort Warren, Boston harbor,
where the arch-traitors, Mason and Sli-
dell, together with their respective Secre-
taries, are now luxuriating.
OF course everybody is rejoiced that
these magnates of Secessionism are in
custody, but the circumstances connected
with their arrest have created some appre-
tensions as to consequences. The right
of search has always been asserted by
Great Britain, and denied by the United
States England and France have not
recognized the Rebel States as nation,
but have recognized Them as bellIgerents,
and the point is now presented of an IN
surgent claiming to be diplomatic envoy
from State not yet recognized, arrested
while travelling, on the vessel of the ma
ton to whom he is accredited, and taken
from it by a vessel of the nation against
whom he is in rebellion, and which still
claims him as subject. Members of the
Cabinet think that the case presents an
opportunity to test the point whether the
British Government will accept its own
doctrines when the American Bull goads
the British Ok, and the general feeling
seems to be that the most that will be re-
auired will be that the United States
Government apologize for the act, which
it will do and-hoid ON to the prisoners.
1t seems to be conceded on all hands
that Commodore Wilkes acted in the mat
ter without instructions, but, be this as it
may, his energy and decision has secured
a substantial triumph to the country.
CAPTAIN CHARLES WILKES.
Captain Charles Wilkes, the captain of
the San Jacinto at the time when she
ovcrhauled the Trent. is native of New
York, Of which State he is a citizen, and
from which he was appointed to the navy.
He was born about the year 1900. and at
the early age Of thirteen entered the naval
service, his original entry therein bearing
date January /, 1878. He stands, accor-
ding to the navy list, No. 5i on the list
Of captains, his present commission bear
ing date September Il, 1850. His sea
service under his present commission has
been of short duration, his total sea service
being about ten years. He has been on
shore and other duty about twenty-seven
years, and has been unemployed about
seven years, thus making his whole service
under the Government OF the United
States about forty-four years. Previous to
his present service, his last duty at sea
was in June, 1912. His principal employ
ment from that time till ordered upon the
San Jacinto was upon special duty at
Washington. Captain Wilkes is also noted
as the great explorer and navigator, having
in consequence of his well-tested scientific
ability, been appointed by the Government
upon the command Of the naval expedition
gotten up for the purpose of exploring the
countries bordering on the Pacific and
Southern oceans
At this time his command consisted o1
brig, two war sloops, and two smaller
vessels, as tenders, Charles Wilkes having
charge of the whole. Starting from New
York, he pursued his route, via Cape
Horn, toward Australia and the neighbor
inc islands. He visited Singapore, Borneo
the Sandwich Islands and the upper par
of Oregon, &C., and returned to New orl
during the year 1912. This expedition
lasted four years, having been commence:
in 1888. For the interesting discoveries
made by the explorer, the learned Geo
graphical Society of London presented hin
with gold medal, as a memento of thei
appreciation of his labors Captain Wilke
has published several works on geograph
| ical research, the one on Western Americ;
being very valuable as volume for refer
ence, the statistics, maps and drawing
| being of the highest order. Capt. Wilke
has, by his present action, addcI anothe
triumph to his list of glories.
JAMES MURRAY MASON.
J. VI. Mason, late Senator Of tn
United States, but now prisoner for treas
on, was born in Virginia, on Analostol
Island, Fairfax Co., on the Sd day of No
vember, 1898. He is degenerate sol
! of one Of the most distinguished families