Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-01-08
THE MASON AND sLIDELL CASE.
....r. ,ha rroI;sb Munster and Sec. Seward


Below will be found the correspondence be-
tween tbeRritish Minister and Secretary Seward
,ron, which II NAV be inferred that the difficulty
hstweent this country and Eng land are smicably
Earl Russell to Lord Lyons.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. 80, 1861.
The Lord LYONS, K. c. b., &C., &C., &c.
My Lord-Intelligence of very grave ma
ture has reached Her Majesty's Government:
This Intelligence was conveyed officially to
the knowledge of the Admiralty by Commsu-
der Williams, agent for mails on board the
contract steamer Trent.
1t appears from the letter of Commander
Williams, dated "Royal Mail Contract Packet
Trent, at Sea, November 90 that the Trent
left Havana on the 9TH instant, with her Ma
jesty's malls for England, having on board
numerous passengers. Commander Williams
states that shortly after noon on the 9Th a
steamer having the appearance of man of
war, but not showing colors, was observed a.
head. On nearing her at 10 z. NJ. she fred
a round shot from her pivot gun across the
bows of the Trent, and showed American col
ors While the Trent was approaching her
slowly the American vessel discharged a shell
across the bows <f the Trent, exploding ha IL
a cables length ahead. The Trent then stop
ped, aud an officer with large armed guard of
marines boarded her. The officer demanded
a list OF the passengers; and, compliance with
this demand being refused, the officer said he
had orders to arrest Messrs. Mason, SlideH,
Macfarlans and Eustis, and that he had sure
information 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
be had named were then standing before him.
The Commander OF the Trent and Commander
Williams protested against the act of taking
by torce out of the Trent these four passcn-
gers, 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 company at quarters, her ports open, land
iompions out. Resistance was therefore out
of the question, and the four gentlemen before
named were forcbly taken out of the ship.
"A further demand was made that the Comman-
der OF tide Trent should proceed on board the
San JacfH1e, but he said ne would not go un-
sless forcibly compelled likewise, and this de-
smand was not Insisted upon.
1t thus appears that certain individ ua Is have
Iheen forcibly taken from on board a British
vessel, the ship OF a neutral Power while such
vessels was pursuing lawful and innocent
voyage-an act of violence which was an af-
front to the British flag and violation of in
ternational law.
Her Majesty's Government, bearing in mind
the friendly relations which have long subsis-
ted between Great Britain and the United
States, are willing to believe that the United
sion was not acting in compliance with any
authority from his Government, or that if he
conceived himself to be so authorized, he
greatly misunderstood the instructions which
he had received. For the Government of the
United States must be fully aware that the
British Government could not allow such an
afront to the national honor to pass without
full reparation, and Her Majesty's Government
are unwilling to believe that it could be the
deliberate intention of the Government of the
United States unnecessarily to force into dis
cussion between the two Governments, ques
tion of so grave a character, and with regard
10 which the whole British nation would be
sure TO entertain such unanimity of feeling.
Her Majesty's Government, therefore, trust
that when this matter shall have been brought
under the consideration of the Government of
the United States that Government will, of
its own accord, offer to the British Govern
ment such redress as alone could satisfy the
British nation, namely, the liberation of the
tour genile lemen and their delivery to your
Lordship, in order that they may again be
placed under British protection, ,and a suitable
apology for the aggression which has been
committed.
Should these terms not be offered by Mr..
Seward you will propose them to him.
ou are at liberty TO read this dispatch to
the Secretary of State, and, il he shall desire
hyou will give him copy of it.
l am, &c, RUSSELL.
Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, !
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 1861. {
The Right Honorable Lord Lyons, &C., &C., &C.
My Lord-Earl Russel's despatch of Novem-
Der the both, copy of which you have left
=.