Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-01-03
EARL RussHLL TO LORD LYONS,


FoREIsN oFRIcE; Nov. 80, 1861. :
The Lord Lyons, X. @. B. etc. -e
My LORD; Intelligence of very grave ma
ture has resched her Majesty's Government.
This intelligence was conveyed officially to
the knowledge of the Admiralty by Commander
Williams, agent for mails on board the contract
steamer "Trent."
II appears from the letter of Commander
Williams, dated "Royal Mail Contract Packet
.Trent,' at Sea, November g." that the "Trent''
left Havana on the 7th inst, with her numer-
Qua passengers Commander Williams states
that shortly after noon on the 9th q steamer,
having the appearance of man-of.war, but
not showing colors, was observed ahead. On
nearing her at lis P. NJ, she fired a round
shot from her pivot gun across the bows of the
"Trent," and showed American colors. While
the "Trent was approaching her slowly the
American vessel discharged shell across the
bows of the Trent, exploding half cables
length ahead of her. The Trent then stopped,
and an officer, with large armed guard OF
marines, boarded her. The officer demanded q
list OF the passengers and, compliance with
this demand being refused, the oil0er said he
had orders to arrest Messrs, Mason, SiideIl,
McFarane and Eustis, and that he had sure in
formation of their being passengers in the
Trent. While some parley was going on upon
this matter, Mr.. Slidell stepped forward and
told the American officer that the four persons
he had named were then standing before him.
The commander of the Trent and Commander
Williams protested against the act of taking
by force out of the Trent these four passengers,
then under the protection of the British flag.
But the San Jacinto was at that time only two
hundred yards from the Trent, her ships com
pany at quarters, her ports open, and tompions
out. Resistance was therefore out Of the ques-
tion, and the four gentlemen before named were
forcibly taken out Of the ship. A further de-
mand was made that the commander of the
Trent should proceed on board the San Jaointo,
but he said he would not 30 unless forcibly COM
PEELED likewise, and this demand was not insist
ed upon. 'A- d au
1t thus appears that certain individuals have
been forcibly taken from on board British
vessel, the ship Of o neutral power, while such
vessel was pursuing lawful and innocent voy-
AEGEAN act of violence which was an affront
to the British flag, and violation Of interna-
tional law. f.'so q
Her Majesty's Government, bearing in mind
the friendly relations which have long subsisted
between Great Britain and the United States,
are willing to believe that the United States
naval officer who committed the aggression,
was not acting in compliance with any authori
ty from his Government, or that, If he oonceiv.
ed himself so authorized, he greatly misunder
stood the instructions which he had received -
For the Government Of the United States mus
be fully aware that the British Governmen
could not allow such an affront TO the nationa
honor to pass without full reparation, and he
Majesty's Government are unwilling to believ,
that it could be the deliberate intention of th
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