Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-01-09
The Mason and SideIl Case
,yr,rps OF THE ENGLISH MINISTER AND
AN' SECRETARY SEWARD.

D-,,r v;u be found the correspondence be-
soon tbe British Minister and Secretary sew
"a from which it may be lnIerreu lnat tDe
J;scrItv between this country ana hugIanu
are smicahly settled -
EARL RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS.
FoRsrGy OFFICE Nov. 80, 1861.
TN. Eo,,Z Lions, n o b., DC, dc, DE
Nv LoRp-InreIligerce of very grave ma
,,rs has reached her MaieSty'S Government.
This intelligence was conveyed officially TO
tho knowledge of the Admiralty by Comman
~. Williams agent for mails on board the
contract steamer Trent
Il anptars from the letter Of Commander
Williams. dated Royal Mail Contract Pack
ot Trent. at Sea, November g." that the Trent
I.ft Havana on the 7th inst, with her Maies-
~, mails for England, having on board M.
merons passengers Commander Williams
states that shortly after noon on the Sth
steamer having the appearance OF man.of-
war, bat not showing colors, was observed
ahead. On nearing her at |. Is 7. NJ. she
ired a round shot from her PIVOT gun across
,ba bows of the Treat, aud showed American
soIIrS While the Trent was approaching her
sIOgIy the American vessel discharged a shell
scross the bows of the Trent. exploding half
.r,hIe's length ahead The Trent then stop,
ned aud an officer with large armed guard
Of marines boarded her The officer demand
ed hist of the passengers aud, compliance
VITA tas demand being refused the officer said
he had orders TO arrest MeSsrs. Mason and
Sripll MacfarIand and EuStiS. and that be
had sure Information of their being passengers
in the Trent While some parley was going
On upon this matter Mr. ShdelI stepped for
ward and told the American officer that the
four persons he had named were then standing
bsfor. him The Commander of the Trent
and Commander Williams protested against
the net OF taking 10y force out of the Trent
these four passengers, then under the prorec-
ton Of the British flag But the San Jacinto
was At that time only two hundred yards from
TIE Trent, BE- ships company at quarters, her
ports open, aud tumpions out Resistance was
therefore cut of the question, and the four
gentlemen before named were forcibly taken
oul Of the ship. A further demand was made
thst the Commander Of the Trent should pro-
ceed on BOARD the San JaeintO, but he said he
would not go unless forcibly compelled like
FiSe, aud this demand was not insisted upon
Ii thus happens that certain individuals
nave been forcibly taken from on hoard q Brit
81 vessel, the ship of a neutral Power, while
such vessel was pursuing lawful and innocent
voyage-aE act of violance which was an af.
front to the British flag aud violation of in
ternatioHal law.
Her Majrsty'S Government, bearing in mind
the friendly relations which have long subSist-
ted between Great Britain land the United
States are willing to believe that the United
States naval officer who committed the aggres-
SION was not acting in compliance Eth any su-
l50-r'y from bis Government, or that if be
conceived himself to be so authorized he great
iy misunderstood the instructions which he had
reeslved For the Government Of the Unired
Safes must he fully aware that the British
Government could not allow surh an atfrOut
10 the national honor to pass without full re-
psraton. and Her Majesty'S Government are
unwilling to believe that it could be the deHb-
erste intention of the Government of the Unit
ed States unnecessarily TO force into discussion
between the two Governments, a question of
so grave a character. and With regard to which
the whole British nation would be sure 20 en-
.ertsln Snch unanimity of feeling.
Her Male>tyS Government, therefore, trust
that when the matter shall have been brought
nader the consideration of the Government of
the United States tha; Government will, Of its
oEO accord, offer to the British Government
'7ch redress as alone could satisfy the British
nsnou, namely, the liberation of the four gen
a-nen and their delivery to your Lordship, 10
order that they again be placed uuder Brit
80 protection, and suitable apology for the
aggression which has been committed
Should these terms not be offered by Mr.
SeE,ri you will propose them 10 him
loa are at liberty to read this dispatch TO
We Secretary Of State, and, if he shall desire
IT, !oo sj' give him q copy Of it.
an, &c, Russell