Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-11-28

The Arrest of Mason and Slidell--In-
teresting Details.

Il
The Arrest of Mason and slidell-In-
teresting Details.
The Washington correspondent OF the
Philadelphia Press writes:
The Navy Department prefsrs not to. pub
ish at present the official reports made by
the officers of the war steamer San Jacinto,
in reference to the, capture Of Mason and
Slidell, The general facts are these Com.
Wilkes, evidently man Of grit" was
sent out to bring home the San Jacinto from
the coast Of Africa on his return he touch
ed at Cienfuegos, where he ascertaned that
Mason and Slidell had run the blockade,
and were en- rorto to Europe, probably by
the vay of Cuba. He sailed up and went
into mort Al Havana. There he ascertainedi
that the Confederate commissioners had
bcen gone bat few hours, having sailed
In the British mail steamship Trent, the
evening before, 9th Noyenber.l He i'm
mediately put to sea, directing his course 20
as to intercept the vessel. When about
forty miles off Matansas, in the old BAHIA.
ma Channel the Trent hove in sight, and
the two vessels were soon within hailing dis
tance. Commodore Wilkes sent a shot
across the bows Of the Trent. To this no
attention was paid, when another was di-
rec,ed near the bow. This brought the
steamer to. Lieutenant Fairfax, to whom
both. the Confederate passengers were per
sonally known, was sent on board in q boat
supported with two more boats filed witt
marines Lieutenant Fnrfax went on decl
md called for Messrs. Mason and Slidell
who soon appeared. Lieutenant fairfax po
litely informed them of the object Of hi
mission, and asked them to go on board hi
boat. To this they objected, Mason remark
ing that they had paid their passage to Eu
rope, to the British Consul at Havana, (wh
acts as agent for the mail steamship line
and he would notleave without force. Lieu
tenant Fairfax, pointing TO his marine
drawn up on the decks OF the British steam
er, said "You see, sir, | have the forc'
ifthat is what you require " Then 80
must use it," replied Mason. With th
Lieut.. Fairfax placed his hand upon II
Senator'S shoulder and pressed him to ii
Rangway, At this juncture the pas,enge
rushed forward. somewhat excited, and a
tempted TO interfere. The marines imm
diately showed their bayoncts, and MasC
consented to the decision OF Lieut.. Fairfa,
asking that he might be permitted to NAL
his protest in writing. Just then iii
specimen ofan Enslisbman rushed on de-
in military or naval uniform the officer
command of the mails, probably and d
mandcd why passengers on board that sh
were molcsted. LIT. Fairfax informed hi
that he had stated to Captain Moir, of d
packet, why he had arrested two OF his pa
sengers, and further than that he had no G
planatiops TO make Protests were thu
drawn up, and Mason and Slidell, with the
Secretaries, Eustis and Mcfarland, we
into the boats of the San Jacinto. Coz
Wilkess sent q message to the ladies that b
best cabin was at their service II they des'r
to accompany the prisoners back. to d
United States. They, however, decline
and proceeded on the voyage. The ARE
was made on the Sth, and the San Jacin
arrived with the prisoners at Fortress Mo
roe on Friday. Lieut.. Taylor " ;s dis iatc
ed to Washington with the official Eapei
and the San Jacinto was ordered 10 M
York, whence the prisoners will le iprwar
cd TO Fort Warren, in Boston harfH".
The Trent, is not, as has been suppose
IN inter.colonial steamer, plying between d
West India Islands. She is British int
national packet carrying the British mai
and plying between Southampton, Englan
Vera Cruz, Havana, st. Thomas, and then
back to Southampton.
Lieutenant Taylor arrived mere at noe
yesterday, and the news Of the arrest Great
sprofound sensation, and very general a
almost unbounded rejoicing. The act
outside OF the departments, very genera
approved, tho there arc various oplnlo
Expressed in the speculations as to the lie
in which England will view. the transacti'
One thing is evident England has alw,
fayored-the right of search and it Is a b
law, or rule that will not work equally "
both ways. Captain Wilkes was dispo'
TO seize the packet, under the charge of
yoring the enemies Of our country, and bri
her 10 Kew West but finding that il wo,
serioualy disappoint large number Of p
sengers. he abandoned bis purpose.
Mason as ali our readers probably knc
ian Virginian. about 63 years of age. |
grandfather aud great grandfather were
inent Offices for years though excessiv
stupid. Slidell is a man of much more