Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1862-01-10
It appears from the letter of Comman-
i

-derzN llllaHnSs sQaleQ FssEe0ydlsVhdfiS S9i :
tract Packet Trent, at Sea- November
70, that the Trept ieft Havana on the
7th inst with her Majesty's mails for
England, having on board numerous
passengers. Commander llians
states that shortly afternoon on the 9Th
a steamer, having the appearance Of a
man of.war, but not showing colors.
was observed ahead. On nearing her
at 1 rs F. NJ, she fred round shot
from her pivot gun across the bows OF
the Trent and showed American coiors.
While the 7reaa was approaching her
slowly the American aiseh hasged
Ia she'll across the b6ws oi the Trent, e15
ploding half cables length ahead Of
her. The Trent then stopped, and an
officer, with large armed guard OF ma :
rines boarded her. The officer deman-
ded list of the passengers; and COM
pliance with this demand being refused
the officer said he had orders to arrest
Messrs. Mason, Slidell, McFarlane and
Eustis, and that he had sure informa-
tion 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 Comman-
der Williams protested against the act
OF taking by force out of the Trent these
four passengers, then under the protec
tion of the British flag. But the San
Jdcinto was at that time only two hun
dred yards from the Trent, her ship 5
company at quarters, her ports open,
and tompions out. Resistance was
therefore out of the question, and the
four gentlemen before named were forci-
bly, taken out of the ship. A further
demand was made that the Commander
of the Trent should proceed on board
the San Jacinto, but lie said he would
not go unless forcibly compelled like
wise, and this demand was not insisted
upon.
1t thus appears that certain individ-
uals have been forcibly taken from on
board British vessel, the ship of a
neutral power. while such vessel was
pursuing lawful and innocent voyage
AN act of violence which was an aff.ront
to the British flag, and violation Of in
ternational law.
Her Majesty's Government, bearing
in mind the friendly relations which
have long subsisted between Great
Britain and the United States, are will
ing to believe that the United States
naval officer who committed the aggres-
sion, was not acting in pliance with
any authority from his Government, or
that if he conceived himself to be sc
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 net allow such an af-
front to the national honorto pass with
tout 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
| unueccssa lily to force into discussion
between tie two Governments, ques
ton Of SO grave character. and with
regard to which the whole British ma
ton would be sure to entertain such unan-
unity of feeling.
Her Msjesty's Government, there
fore. trust that when this matter shall
have been brought under the consider
ton OF the Government of the United
States that Government will, Of its OWL
accord, offer to the British Government
such redress as alone could satisfy The
British nation, namely: the liberation Of
the four gentlemen and their delivery
to your lordship, in order that they m y
again be placed under British protec
ton, and suitable apology for the ag
gression which has been committed.
Should these terms not be offered by
Mr.. Seward, you will propose them te
him.
You are at liberty to read this dis
patch to the Secretary of State, and, i
he shall desire it, you will give him {
copy of it.
| am, &c. RUSSELL
| sa