New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-18

ness to-day IT, reference 10 the arrest. Mcfarland is
son or nephew of VIM. Mcfarland, q bank President
in RicMnond, strong Union man, and eof the last
to sue cumb to the pressure of the rebellion. He is
bachelor.
On the San Jacnto the prisoners were treated
with marked kindness by Commodore Wilkes and
his officers. They conversed freely upon various
subjects, but politics were not alluded to. When
they arrive in NewYork, they will be transferred to
Fort Warren.
On reaching Hampton Roads, Capt. Taylor Of the
United States sloop-ofwsr Saratoga was landed at
Fortress Monroe to convey dispatches to the Gov
eminent.
OF course everybody is reioiced that the arch
Rebels are in custody, but the circumstances con-
nected with their srest have created some apprehen-
sons of consequences. The right of search has al
ways been asserted by Great Britain, and has been
deniedby the United States. England aud France have
not recognized the Rebel States as nation but have
recognized them as begerents and the point is now
presented of an nsurgent claiming to be diplomatic
envoy from State not yet recognized, arrested whie
travelling, on a vessel Of the nation to whom he 10
accredited, and taken from ii by vessel of the ma
claims him as its subject. 1t seems to be conceded
that Commodore Wilkesacted in the matter without
Instructions, and whatever instructions may have
been given to the Atlantic fleet to effect their cap
ture in the Theodore, it was hardly contemplated
that they should be taken in a British vessel
In view of the intricate question Of international
law likely to be raised, there is casting about for
preoedens and in the streets even Grotius, Pnhen-
dorf Vattel, and Wheaton are learnedly appealed
to for justification. ] am informed that the Seces-
sionsts Of Baltimore called upon the Britisb Consul
to-day. and asked what Great Britain would do in
the matter, and he expressed the opinion that the
act did not interfere with any law Of nationsi aud
that, in view of all the facts, probably no notice
would be taken Of it. Members of the Cabinet
think that the presents an opportunity to test
the point whether the British Government will &C.
cept it, own doctrines when the American Bull goa1s
the British Ok, and the general feeling seems to be,
that the most that will be required will be, that the
United States Government apologize for the act,
which it will do aid hold on to The prisoners.
Cart. Taylor reports that when the San Jacinto
stopped at CeDfuegos the escape Of Sdell and Mason
was ascorained. Proceeding thence to Havana, 1t
was understood they had taken passage on the 9TH
INST on the British mail steamship Trent, plying be-
tween Vera Cruz, by way Of Havana, and st.
Thomas and Southampton. While the San Jaeinto
was in the narrowest part Of the Bahama Channel.
about "a miles 10 tie westward size met the packet.
and as usual in such fired IL shot across her
bovs. and brought her 10. Two boats sent TO
her. under the command of Lieut.. Fairfax, who,
boarding the packet, arrested Mcssrs. Mason and
Slidell, who were personally known 10 him. They
at first objected to being removed without the en-
ploymeut Of force for that purpose. However, they
were soon after removed without further trouble,
and conveyed TO the San Jacinto. Their respective
Secretaries Eustis aud Mcfarland, were ALTO brought
on board, and are now on their way to New-iork
The packet had no other save her own flag.
The remainder Of the passengers, including the
ladies connected with the Slell and Mason party,
were not moleeted, and were therefore left free t.
pur ne their journey.
The official dispatches voluuinous. aud include
several accounts Of the capture together with the
protest Of Mason and Slidol aganst being taken from
a British ship.
II il said that the State Department received
several DAYS ago information from che United States
Consul ut Havana that Mason and siideil and Their
secretaries were there and that lie was watching hn
opportunity and deyising means TO have them
arrested The San Jacnto was returning hom tie
African station, and had been ordered 10 cruise for
tho privateer Sumter. Happening to be IN The
neighborhood Of Havana al the nick Of time, our
Consul conveyed to her commander tie Information
of the sailing of the rebel emissares on the British
steamer Trent, bu, issued order for their arrest
Capt. Wilkes, upon his own responsibility, over
hauled them within "a houIs s4i from port, and
arrested them