Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27


ground for reclamation by the British
government, which will be more likely to
express its grateful appreciation OF the
forbearance displayed 10y that officer in
not capturing the vessel found engaged IN
"favoring the offensive projects OF the en-.
emy." If the British legists recognize the
right of one belligerent nation to capture
on tine high seas the ambassador of anoth-
er belligerent nation, a torhOri must they
acllnewledge the right Of a sovereign bel-
ligerent government 10 seize, under simi"
lar circumstances, the ENJOYS of a faction
to which, in the present case, they have
conceded the rights, and therefore the
sponsiblities, of belligerent.
1T may be proper to add that it makes
no difference in the law of the case wheth-
er the master Of a vessel be ignorant or
not oil the character of the service in which
he is engaged. In the present case, how
ever, the master of the Trent must have
been well aware of the character borne by
Messrs. Mason and Slidell, ard therefore
knew that in doing service to the Con
!ederate belligerents by forwarding their
ENJOYS to Europe, he was doing an injury
to the government of the United States"
Tie Boston Traveller (rep.) takes diff
fer9nt view, 1t says;
at is not probable that our government
would allow British war vessel to take
an Irish rebel out of an American vessel
in which he had taken passage from New
York TO San Francisco. Without time to
look up any precederts, we are inclined
to believe that, according to the laws Of
nations, the prisoners must be given up,
and the act of the commander of the San
Jacinto disayowed. But may not the case
OF the Caroline be applicable TO thi, case?
The English then actually invaded our
territory, and cut out an American steam
boat, causing her destruction and the
deaths Of some persons, because she had
been engaged in aiding the rebels in Cans
ada; and the British steamship that was
taking Slidell and Mason to Europe, was
engaged in helping the Southern rebels
Where is the difference? The net was a
bold one on TIE part Of the commander of
the San Jacinto, and we cannot help ad.
mirins his pluck, while regretting that he
had not more prudence"
Speaking Of the incidents that transpir,
&c, when the arrests were made. the
Washington correspondent of the Thila-
ueIp pllla / feSS writes.
when about forty miles off Masanzas,
the old Bahama channel, the Trent hove
in sight, and the two vessels were soon
within hailing distance. Commodore
Wilkes sent a shot across the bows Of tho
Trent TO this no attention was paid
when another was directed near the bow.
This brought the steamer to. Lieutenant
Fairfax, to whom both of the Confederate
passengers was personally known, was
sent on beard in a boat, supported with
two more boats, filed with marines. Lieut.
Fairfax went on deck and called for Mess
SIS. Mason and Slidell, who soon appear
ed. Lieut.. Fairfax politely informed them
of the objects of his mission, and asked
them to 90 on board his boat. To this
they objected, Mason rcmarking that they
bad paid their passage to Europe, to the
British Consul at Havana, (who acts as
agent for the mail steamship line,) and
he would not leave without force. Lieut.
Fairfax, pointing to his marines drawn up
on the decks of the British steamer said
"You see, sir, ! have the force, if that is
what yOu require !" "Then you must use
it," replied Mason. With this Lieuten-
ant Fairfax placed his hand upon the Sen,
ator's shoulder and pressed him to the
gangway. Atthis junoture the passengers
rushed forward, somewhat excited, and
attempted to interfere. The marines i'm
mediately showed their bayonets, and
Mason consented to the decision of Lieut..
Fairfax, asking that he might lie permit,
ted to make his protest in writing. Just
then fine specimen of an Bnglishman
rushed on deck in military or naval uni
form (the officer in command Ofthe mails,
probably,) and demanded why passengers
on board that ship were molested. Lieut..
Fairfax informed him that he had stated
to Capt. Noir, Of the packet, why he ar
rested two OF his passengers, and further
than :hat he had no explanations to make.
Protests were then drawn up, and Mason
and Sldell, With their Secretaries, Eustis
and Mcfarland, won't into the boats of
the San Jacinto."