The weekly Butte record., 1861-12-21
The Capture of Mason and slidell.

ton correspondent give the particulars of the
capture, with various interesting incidents at
tending it:
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Nov. l6th.-Com.
nodore Wilkes, while returning from the coast
of Africa in the San Jacinto, stopped in Hava-
ma to take In coal, and while there, learned that
Messrs. Mason and Slidell were to leave on the
7th, on the British mail steamer Trent, for
England. Capt. Wilkes heard about the same
time that the Sumter was off Laguyara, and he
determined to capture her if possible. While
steaming through the Bahama Channel he en-
countered the Trent. and brought her to by
firing two shots across our bow. Lieut.. Fair
fax of the San Jacinto was Immediately sent
on board with boats crew and marines, and
asked Of the master of the Trent to see his
passenger list. This was denied, and Leuten-
ant Fairfax stated that his purpose was to
take into custody Messrs. Slidell and Mason,
whom he knew to be on board, and those who
accompanied them. The rebel ENJOYS were
soon recognized, and they refused Lieutenant
Fairfax's demand that they should proceed on
board the San Jacinto, and Immediately went
below to their state rooms. They were follow
ed, and Lieut.. Fairfax told them that if they
refused to go peaceably, he should be compel
led to use force. They still refused, when the
marines, stepping forward and taking them by
the shoulder, they made no further opposition.
EustiS and Mcfarland the secretaries of the
rebel ENJOYS, were also arrested. Slidell and
Eustis had their families on board the Trent,
and the prospect of separation occasioned an
affecting scene. Commodore Wilkes subse-
quently offered to allow their families to ac-
company them but the ladies refused prefer
ring the voyage 70 England and a protracted
separation from their husbands, rather than
the risk of an Imprisonment in the North =
Slidell's family consisted of his wife, four chill
dren and two servants EuSts' of his wife. two
children and servant The baggage of the
prisoners was transferred to the San Jacinto.
and it is said that it contains important docu-
ments, and among them their instructions from
Jetf. Daviss Government. Any mail matter
which had been intrusted to them, had proba-
bly, been transferred to the English mails
No opposition was offered by the officers of
the Trent to the arrest, other than a verbal
protest, though one man who has charge of
the mails on board INDUCED in some gasconade
about the outrage committed. and was loud in
his assertions that the blockade would be rails
ed within a month after the news reached
Enga land. fter their transfer to the San Ja-
cintO, the prisoners united in drawing up a
statement of the facts connected with the ar
rest, which they addressed to Commodore
Wilkes, and accompanied it by a request that
it be forwarded to the United States Govern
ment. 1t does not materially differ from the
narration | have given above. The signatures
attached to the document were evidently writ
ten while under feeling of trepidation, and
they approximate to the irregularity of that of
Stephen Hopkins of l776.
Slidel and Mason are well known. Eustis
was formerly member of Congress from
Louisiana. He married daughter of Corco-
ran, the Washington banker, who, it is said,
has betrayed much uneasiness to-day in refer
ence to the arrest. Mcfarland is a son or
nephew of William H. Mcfarland, a bank
President in Richmond, strong Union man,
and one of the last to succumb to the pressure
of the rebellion He is bachelor
On the San Jacinto the prisoners were treat
ed with marked kindness by Com. Wilkes and
his officers. They conversed freely upon va
rious subjects, but politics were not alluded to.
When they arrive in New FORK they will be
transferred to Fort Warren.
On reaching Hampton Roads, Capt. Taylor,
Of the United States sloop oi~war Saratoga,
was landed at Fortress Monroe, to convey dis
patches to the Government
WASHINGTON, Sunday, November THE
papers found in the possession of Slidell and
Mason have been rccved and are now in pos
session of the State Department. When Lieut.
Fairfax of the San Jacnto reached the deck
of the Trent, he met the captain and inquired
if he had Mason and Sljdell on board He
hestated in answering when Fairfax discover
cd of Il li-to Cd II
the captain stated that they were on board
and Fairfax approached the rebel envoy, and
inquired if he was not Mason Mason arose
and stated that he was, when Fairfax announc-
ed that he had orders for his arrest Mason
turned to the captain and asked if he intended
to allow this outrage to be committed upon
his flag The captain made some response
which was inaudbIe to my informant Sdel
at that moment came up from the cabin, and
he also was Informed by Fairfax that he had
orders for his arrest
The ladies of the suite coming up at the mo-
ment, a conversation in an under tone was
commenced which was followed by very af
fectiug scene, as it became apparent that they
were TO be separated They expressed them
selves confidently that they would never see
Slde or Mason again, and when the offer was
objected, and asked that they continue the
voyage. in private conversation it is sup
posed that they gave to Eustis and Mcfarland
instructions what to do when they reached
Europe, and were much astonished to learn
that they were also to be transferred. Their
baggage was brought up and examined, and
various papers which were supposed to be of
service to the Government were taken possess
ion Of A considerable amount of money was
found. Their wearing apparel was transferred
to the boats and soon the prisoners were on
board the San Jacinto. Mason was very
naughty in his manner for time after reach
ing the vessel, but Slidel was pleasant and ca
sy in his manner.
Lieutenant Fairfax is by birth Yirginian,
and is one of the family of that name IN the
Eastern part of the State. General Fairfax, q
rebel Virginian, who played prominent part
in the effort to bring Northwestern Virginia
into the rebellion, is member of the same
family. The Lieutenant entered the naval
service from North Carolina and it is said
that he is a distant relation of Mason, whose
arrest he made. Those who know him speak
in high terms of his loyalty and integrity.
SOME of our citizens, of the " secesh" per
suasiou, are in trouble aud grievously afflicted
consideration is visible on their counteuan-
ces They were, it seems foolish enough to
disregard the Act of Congress and the Presi-
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