Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-09
Nh. SEWARD 70 LORD LYONS.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.


DEPARTME OF STATE
WASHINGTON, December 26, 1861. {
The Right honorable Lord Lyons, &C., &C.
Ny oro-Eal Russelfs spatch of Nov. 3Oth, copy of
witch you have left with me at request of the follow
ing effect,
That letter OF Commander Williams, dated Royal Mail
contract boat Trent Nov states that that yes
sci left Havana on tie 7h OF November with her Maiesys
mails Tor England, having board PASSENGERS
Snofty AFTER Do"n on the 6th of November, the Uned
States war steamer San Jacino, Capt Wilkes not showing
coloss was observed ahead The steamer, upon heipg
neared by the Trent at LIS in tie afternoon fred round
shot from pivot gun her bows and showed Amer
can coiors While the Trent approaching slowly to-
wards the San Jacnto she discharged shell across the
Irents bows which exploded half cables length be-
fore her The Trent then stopped, and an officer with
large armed guard of marines, boarded her The officer
said he had orders to essrs Mason Sdel NcFar
lane and Eusts and had sure information that thew
passengers in the Trent While some parey was going on
upon this matter Mr.. Gde stepped forward and sad to
the American officer the four persons he had named
were standing before him. The commander the Ire Mt
and Commander Williams protested against the act of tax
ing those four passengers out of the Trent they being
protection of the British flag But the san Jacnto was
at this time only two hundred yards off, her ships company
quarters ports open and tompons out and so resia
lance out Of the question The persons before
named then Crcby taken of the ship. further
demand was made that the commander of Trent sbonS
proceed board the San Jacnto but he said he would
not go unless orcby compelled likewise, and this demand
was not insisted upon.
Upon this statement Earl Russell remarks that it thus
appears that individuals have been forciby taken
from on board British vessel the ship of neutral power,
whle that vessel pursuing lawful and innocent voy
aRe an act Of violence which aront to the British
lag and violation Of international law.
Earl Russell says that Her Majesty government
bearing in mind the friendly relations which have long sub
sisted between Great Britain ard the United States will
ling to believe that the naval officer who committed az.
gresson was not acting IN compliance with any authority
from his gO7ernmed that he conceived himself to be
so he greatly misunderstood the instructions he
had received.
Earl Russell argues that the United States must be fully
assured that the British government could allow such
aont the national honor to pass without fnI renal
ation and that they willing believe that it coud not
be the deliberate intention of the United States
W to force into discussion between the two
qnesuon OF so grave character, with regard to
Wnch the Wboe British nation would be sure to enertn
such unanimity of feeling.
Earl RUSSELL resting upon the statement and the arcu
ent winch have recited, closed with saving that FER
govern ment trust that when this matter shall have
under the consideration of the of
Gne united States 1T WILL of It's accord Offer to the
BRUSH government such redress could alore satisfy the
bsh naton VIZ the beration|of the four prisoners ia,
Ken from the Trent and their delivery your Lordhp in
ofder mat they may again be placed British protec
Lon ana suitable apology for the aggression which
peen committed Earl Russell finally insructs you pro-
pose those terms me- if should not first offer them on
the part of the Government.
bis dispatch has been submitted to the President
Inc British Government has rightly ccnjectured
now my duty to state that Captain Wilkes in conceying
ana executing the proceedings question: acted upon
own suggestions of duty without direction instrue-
uon or even of it the of this Govern
men No direction had been given to him any other
val ocer to arrest the four persons named any hem
On the Trent other British vessel
neutral vessel at the place where it occurred elsewhere
The British Government will Justly infer these facts
that the United States not only have had purpose bnt