The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-05
DEPARTURE OF MEsSRs MASON AND
SLIDELL.
Row they reached Cuba, &c.

From the Charleston Mercury of Oct 3lst.
For some time past, the papers of the interior
have been indulging in sly hints as to the where
abouts of Messrs. Mason and Slidel, the Southern
Commissioners to England and France. We have
hitherto made no alluson to their movements; but
the causes which induced our reticence being re-
moved we may now, without indscretion, narrate
the facts of their embarkation.
The Commissioners having resolved to make
the venture of running the blockade of Charleston,
after mature elaboration, selected for the expert
ment the staunch and swift little steamer Theodore
which was therefore got ready for sea with all dis
patch. The preparations having been comp leted
they embarked little before midnight Friday
October 11th. The party of passengers who W ere
starting on this very unusual and somewhat
hazardous trip, consisted of the following persons
Hon. j. NJ. Mason, Of Va, Mr. Macfarland Sec
retary to Mr. Mason) Hon. John Slidell, of La
Mrs Slidell, Miss Mathilde Siidell, Miss Rosine
Slidell, Mr. Eustis, (Secretary to Nh Slidel) Mrs
Eustis who is a daughter of Mr. Corcoran, the
Washington banker, now in Fort lafayette, Col
LIE Mat of La, the inventor Of the grape-shot
revolver, and two or three other gentlemen, whom
it will be best, for the present, not to name
The night was pitch dark, and about midnight
light rain began falling, which rendered the
chances of being detected by the blockaders ex-
ceedngly slim.
good-byes and God-spced-you's having been said,
the cables of the Theodore were loosened, and she
glided down the harbor on her important mission.
AS the steamer passed Fort Sumter, every light
board was extinguisheG, and away she went, right
through the fingers Of the bockaders far out at sea-
On the evening of the 18th, she reached Mas
sau in safety, where, had the opportunity been
favorable one, the Commissioners would have dis
embarked; but, enquiring, they ascertaned
IL. Ii IL.
point touched at New York. However crafty
ing sight of New York might have been under
other circumstances, the Commissioners determin-
ed in this instance to foregO the pleasure.
So the Theodore left Nassau and steamed away
towards Cuba. On the 10Th ult., she arrived at
Cardenas where the Commissioners landed. The
news that Southern steamer had arrived, with
Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board, which was
telegraphed from Cardenas to Havana, was scarce
ly credited at the latter place. But when on the
18th, the Theodore came up to the harbor of
Havana, displaying the Confederate flag, the
quays were Immediately thronced with thousands
of wondering spectators, and most cordial ard
enthusiastic reception given to the adventur-
Gus little craft. The Yankees in Havana were,
matter of course, much disgruntled at the
welcome given to the Theodore. But, on the
other hand, the ladies Of Havana prepared splen-
did Confederate flag for the steamer, which was
presented to the captain with appropriate cere
monies. The ladies of Matanzas Also took ad-
vantage Of the chance to send hither splendid
flag for the Hampton Legion.
The steamship Columbia, formerly Charleston
vessel now in the armed service of the Yankees,
was, at the time in the harbor of Havana. Lucki-
ly, however, she was not ready to put to Her
consort, the Keystone State, had gone to New
York with a Southern steamer, loaded with
valuable freight Of arms and munitions and which,
unfortunately, had been captured while endeavor-
ing to make the to Tampa, Florida.
So the Theodore left the friendly port OF Havana
unmolested, and with freight of coffee, sugar,
satpetre, sulphur acids lead iron, shot, block TIM
&c, ran quietly in I'VE won't say where
bringing number of Charlestonians, who had
reached Havana from Southampton about tn
same time the Theodore made her appearance.
1t is ascertained that the Yankees keep fast
yacht constantly plying between Key West and
Havana, simply for the purpose of gaining intel
hsence Of our naval movements.
The Theodore is private vessel, and is unarned.