Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-08
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WILLIAM II. SEWARD
EARL RUSSELL TO LORD Lyons.

Tia Lord LvOns, Il. c. B., &C, etc, &C.
MY LORD: Intelligence Ct a very grave nature has
rescued her majesty government
Tie inteiieencs was conveyed ofhciaiy 10 he knowE
.due Of the admiralty BY Commander Williams, agent for
mails on board the contract steamer Trent
It appears from the letter Of C9nmander Williams
dated sRoval Nal Contract Packet Trent, At sea,
November 9h,n that the Trent left Havana on the IN
instant with her msiestys MALE for England having on
board numerous passengers Coi5manoef Nnlals
states that shortly after noon on the sth, a steamer, hay-
inc the appearance Of q man-ofwaTs bun showing nc col
ors. WIS observed ahead. On nearing her az l:l5 2. NJ.
she fred a round shot from her pivot gun across me bows
Of the Trent, and showed American col0rs While the
Trent was approaching her slowly, the Aulencsn vessel
discharged a shell across the bows OF tie Trent exploding
half e cables length ahead Of her. The Trent then
stopped and an officer with a large armed guard OF ma
rines boarded her. The officer demanded a list OF the
passengers and compliance with this demand being re-
fused, the officer said he had orders 20 arrest Messrs
Mason, SHden, Aacfarlsne and Eustisi and that be had
sure information Of their being passengers in tie Trent
While some parley was going on aPen TINS matter Ar.
Sidel stepped forward and told the American officer
that the four persons he hsd named were then standing
before him. The commander Of the Trent and Comman-
der Williams protested against the act OF taking ty force
out Of the Trent those four Passengers, then under the
protection Of the British flag. But the San Jaeinte was
At that time only Ewoh hundred yards FROM the Trent, her
shsps company at quart r. her ports open, and tomplonh
out Resistance was, therefore, Out Of the question.
and the four gelflemen, before named, were forcibly
taken out OF the ship A further deInandwas made that
the commander Of the Trent should proceed on board
the San Jacinto. but he said he wOHd not 50, unless
forcibly compel ed likewise, and this demand was not IN
sisted upon
II thus appears that certain individuals have been
forcihiy taken from on board q British vessel, the ship Of
Il neutral lower. while such a vessel was pursuing a law
fnl and innocent voyage, an act Of violence which Was
an a1fronf 10 tie Brtsh flag, and a violation Of nterna-
tional law.
Her maieEfy ruFerImGuf bezuiuE IN miud ne hlene
~ relations which have long subssted between the United
States AID Great Britain, are willing TO believe that ~
E-uited Sistes officer who committed the aggression, Ras
not acting IN compliance with any authority from his
government or that, if re conceived himself 20 be 50
rufhorfzed. he greatly misunderstood the instructions
which be had received- Fer the government Of he
United Siafes must b. fully aware that the British govern
1nenf could moi allow such an shront 70 the national
hsHor 10 pass without fnl reparaion- and her majesiyi
eOgssnlnent are unwilling % believe that . could Be the
deliberate intention Of TIE government q the United
Ststes Hunecesauly to force into deeuSlon between ne
1--WE governments q question Of 50 grave = character and
with uegsrd 70 Rhicn the whole British nation would b
sure % entertain sucn unsuimity Of feeling
Her majeztys government trust therefore, that when
rhfs matter shall have been brought under fhe e0nadena
zion Of the government Of the United State, that GOV
e-nmeut WHi Of its own accord offer 20 the British gov
eminent sreh ndres IS alone could EsafY a Bnflst
nation, mandy. fh- Liberation q the f0ur gentlemen, anf
their deliver 70 yuur l0rdsnips in order that they mag
again be plzoaf under British protection. and q suitable
apology Tor fhe ayr ssisn which has been committed
S5o1Ha thes tcIns not be ohsued BY Mr. Seward, yor
will prop - them 70 him
you are At liberty 10 rad this dispatch % The Secretary
II gLste. and if be shall desire It, you vii Civ linn
COPY Of il. lam, etc, RUSSELL.