The New York herald., 1861-12-29

having on board numerous passengers. Com
mander Williams states that shortly after noon on
the 9Th, steamer, having the appearance OF a
man-ofwar but not showing colors, was observed
ahead. On nearing her, at fifteen minutes
past one 7. NJ, she fired round shot from her
pivot gun across the bows of the Trent, and
showed American colors. While the Trent was
approaching her slowly the American vessel dis
charged shell across the bows of the Trent,
exploding half cables length ahead of her. The
Treat then stopped and an officer with O large
armed guard Of marines boarded her. The
oficcr demanded list of the passengers;
and, compliance with this demand being re-
fused, the officer said he had orders to
arrest Messrs. Mason, Slidell, MacFarland and Eus-
tis and that he had sure information of their being
passengers in the Trent. While some parley was
going on upon this matter Mr.. Slidell stepped for
ward and told the American officer that the four
rersons he had named were then standing before
him. The commander of the Trent and Comman-
der Williams protested against the act of taking
by force out of the Trent these four passengers,
then under the protection of the British flag But
the San Jacinto was at that time only two hun
dred yards from the Trent her ships company Mt
quarters, her ports open and tompions out. Re-
sistancc was therefore ont of the question,
and the four gentlemen before named were
forcibiy taken out of the ship. fur
ther demand was made that the commander
of the Trent should proceed on board the San ia
cinto but he said he would not go unless forcibly
compelled likewise, and this demand was not in
sisted upon.
1t thus appears that certain individuals have
the ship Of neutral Power, while such vessel was
pursuing lawful and innocent voyage-an act of
violence which was an affront to the British flag
and violation of international law
Her Majesty's government, bearing in mind the
friendly relations which have long subssted be-
tween Great Britain and the United States are
willing to believe that the United States naval off,
Ger who committed the aggression was not
acting in compliance with any authority from
his government, or that, if he conceived him
self to be so authorized, he greatly misun
derstood the instructions which he had received.
For the government Of the United States must
be fully aware that the British government could
not allow such an afront to tie national honor to
pass without full reparation, and her Majes.y's
government are unwilling to believe that it could
be the deliberate intention of the government Of
the United States unnecessarily to force into dis
cnssion between the Two governments question
of SO grave a character, and with regard to
which the whole British nation would be
sure to entertain such unanimity Of feeling.
Her Majesty's government, therefore, trust that,
when this matter shall have been brought under
the consideration Of the government of the United
States, that government will, Of its own accord,
offer to the British government such redress as
alone could satisfy the British nation, namely
The liberation of the four gentlemen and their
delivery to your lordship, in order that they may
again be placed under British protection, and
suitable apology for the aggression which has been
committed.
Should these terms not be offered by Mr.. Seward,
you will propose them to him.
You arc at liberty TO read this despatch to the
Secretary of State and If he shalt desire it you will
give him copy Of it. am, &c, RUSSELL.