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


FoRTIRss MONROE, Saturday. Nov. l6. laGI
The San Jacinto sailed for New-York to-day.
WAsHiSGrOS Saturday Nov Is, 1861
Tie city was made joyful to-day by rumor which
gained currency about noon, TO the effect that Sen
ators Mason and Sldell the ENJOYS of jeff Davis TO
England and France, respectively, had been taken
at sea- and were now prisoners on board Uni'ed
States vessel Of war. An hour later Capt. Alfred
Taylor. of the navy arrived by special train from
Baltimore. bearing dispatches to the Government.
from Commodore Wilkes. These official documents,
numbering near a dozen, give full particulars of the
capure and are at present in the hands Of the Gov
eminent TO he folly examined before publication.
The General facts connected with the arrest are
follows:
Commodore Wilkes, while returning from the
Coast Of Afca, in the San Jacnto, stopped at lla-
vana to lake in coal, and while here, learned that
Messrs Mason and Slidel were to leave on the 'th,
Oh the British Mail steamer Trent, for England.
Can. Wilkes heard, about tho came time, that the
Sumter was of Laguayra, and he determined to cap
ture her if possible.
While steaning through the Bahama Channel be
encountered the Trent, and brought her TO by firing
two sho;s across her bow. Lieut. Fairfax Of the
San Jacinlo, was Immediately sent on board with
boats crew and marines, and asked Of the master Of
the Trent to zee bis passenger list. This was de-
nied and Lieut.. Fairfax then stated that his purpose
wa. 10 take into custody Messrs. Sldell and Mason,
whom he knew 10 be on board, and those who &C.
CONTAINED them. The rebel ENJOYS were soon rcoog-
pzed and they refused Lieut.. Farfaxs demand that
they should proceed aboard the San Jacnto, and i'm
mediatelv went below 20 their state-rooms. They
were followed and Lieut.. Fairfax told them that II
they refused 10 20 peaceably he should be compelled
10 nse force. They still refused, when the marines
stepping forward and taking them by the shoulder,
they made no further opposition
NIessrs. Eustis and Mcfarland, the Secretaries Of
the rebel Envoys, were also arrested. Slidell and
Fustis had their families on board the Trent, and
the prospect Of separation occasioned an affecting
scene. Com Wilkes subsequently offered to allow
their families TO accompany them but the ladies'
refused, prefening the voyage to England and
protracted separation from their husbands, rather
than the risk OF an imprisonment In the North.
Sdels family consisted Of his wife, four children
and two servants; Eustiss Of his wife, two child
ren and servant The baggage OF the prisoners
was transferred 10 the San Jacnto, and 1t 10 SAID
that il contains important documents, and among
them their instructions from jeff. Davis's Govern
ment. ANY mail matter which had been intrusted
TO them had probably been transferred to the English
mail.
No opposition was offered by the officers Of the
Trent 10 the arrest, other than verbal protest.
though one man who has charge of the mails on
hoard INDUCED in some gasconade about the outrage
committed, and was loud in his assertions that the
blockade would be- raised within month after the
nexs reached England. . q, ;.,
x,er their transfer to the San Jacnto, the PRISON
ers united in drawing up statemant OF tho facts
connected with their arrest which they addressed to
Commodore Wilkes, and accompanied 1t oy request
that Il be forwarded to the United States Govern
mept. II does not materially differ from the nara
ton have given above. The signatures attached 70
the document were evidently written while under
feeling of trepidaton, and they approximate 70 inc
irreguarty Of that of Stephen Hopkins Of ITO
slideil and Mason are well known Eusts was
formerly a member Of Congress from Louisiana. ne
married daughter Of Mr.. Gorcoran, the WaSh'he
ton banker, who, it is said ~ betrayed much uueasl-