The New York herald., 1861-12-30


fHx LORD LYoss, X G. g., &c.:-
Nh IoRD-intelgence Of a very grave nature has
reached her Maiestys government.
This intelligence was conveyed officially to the know
ledge Of the Admiralty by Commander Williams agent fol
mails on board tho contract steamer Trent.
appears from the letter OF Commsnde williams
dated "Royal Mail Contract Packet 'front.' at Sea- Novem
bers." that the Tron LEFT Havana on the 7h inst with
her Majesys mails for England having on board nu,ne
roas passengers. Com Williams states that shortly ate,
noon the Sth, steamer having the appearance Of
war but not showing colors, observed ahead
On nearing hor, ~ hftocn minutes past II, M she
fred round shot from her pivot gun he bows Of
the Trent and showed American coors whils the Trent
approaching her slowly the American vessel dis.
charged shell the bows OF the Treut exploiting
bali cables length ahead Of her. The Trent then stop
pod, and an ohcor viii large armed guard Of marines
boArtcd her. The officer demanded list Of the passen-
gers and, compliance with this deman ocig refused
tho officer said he bad orders tos arrest Messrs
he had sure information Of their beng pas
songers in tho Trent. While some parey was
going on upon this matter Mr. slidel stepped forward
and told the American officer that the persons he
had named were then standing before bin The com.
mandor Of the Trent and Commander Williams protested
against the act OF taking by osce OF the these
-four passengers then under the protection OF the British
flag But the San Jacinto that time only tw9 hun
dred yards from the Trent he's ships com any at o0ar
tcrs her ports open and tompons out Res stsre VAS
therefore out OF the question, and the Gentlemen
before named were forcbly taken out Of the sAr fur
should proceed on board the san Jacinto bu he aid III
would not so unless forcby compelled likewise this
demand was not insisted upon.
II thus appears tha, certain individuals lave boon
forciby taken from on board British vsssa' the ship
q neutral Powor, while such vessel Iufsung lau-
full and innocent voyage-an act q violence which
aront 70 the British flag an6 violation OF nternA
tiona law,
Her Maiesty's government beas ing in ninl the friend
y relations which havo long subsis;od between Great
Britain and the United States, willing TO believe that
the United States naval officer who committed the az
gresson not acting in compliance with any
authority from his government, that, If he con
ceved himself TO bs so authorized he greatly
misunderstood tho instructions which he had re
coyed. For the government Of The United States must
be fully aware that the British government could al
low such aront to tho national honor pass without
full reparaton, and her Maestys government unw
ing believe that it couli the deliberate ia ulvn Of
the government Of the United States 5s3rIy 10
force into discussion between the governments
question of SO grave character, and with regard to
which the who British on would be to enter
ment, therefore, trust that when this matcr shall have
been brough. under ths consideration cf the
Of the United States that government vii o its own
cord, ofer TO the British government such redress
alone could satisfy the British nation, namely
The liberation OF the iyaY gentlemen and their delivery
TO your ordshp in order ths they may again be placed
under British protection and suitable apology for tho
aggression which has boon committed
Should these terms not be offered by Af Seward, you
viii propose them TO him.
You ubrty read this despatch 10 the Secre-
tary Of state and ho shall desire you will give MIN
copy Of u. ] am, &c, RUSSELL