The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-04
Earl Russell TO Lard Lysns.
FOREIGN OEr1cs. NOV. 81

FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. so, 1861.
The Lord Lyoas. &. C. b F, &C., SO !, sc. .@
My Lord Intelligence ofs very grave ma :
ture has reached Her Majesty's Govern.
ment. -.-sEs
The Intelligence was conveyed officially 10
the knowledge OF the Admiralty by Com
mander Wilisams, agent for mails on board
the contract steamer Trent.
II aprAars from the letter CT Commander
Williams, dated 'Royalhiail Con tract Packet
Trent" at sea, Nov. 9th," that the Trent"
left Hayara on the h instant with Her Ma
jesty's nails for England, having on board
liams states that shortly after noon on the
Sth, steamer, having the appearance OF 3
man -of-w war, brt showing nocoiors, was OBJ
served ahead. On nearing her, at LIS f.
IL sh e fired a round shot from her pivot gun
across the bows of the Trent, ana showed
American eOlors. While the Trent WAS ap-
preaching hor aiowiy, the American vessel
discharged she'll across the bows Of the
Trent, exploding half a cable. lengts ahead
of her. The Trent then stopped, and an OH.
Ger with g large armed guard OF marinps
boarded her. The ofiicer demanded list OF
the passengers, and compliance with this
demand being refused, the officer said no
had orders to arrest Messrs. Mason, Slidell,
MeFarlane and Eus'is, and that he had
sure information OF their being passan-
gers in the Trent. While some par
ley was going on upon this mater, MIR.
Slidell stepped for ward and told the Ameri-
can officer that the four persons he h I'd
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 those four pa ssen-
gers, then under the protection OF the British
hag. But the San Jacinto was at that time
only two hundred yards from the Trent her
ships company at quarters, her ports o pen
and toulpions out kesistarc ce was, therefore,
out Of the question, and the four gsntIemen
before named. were forcibly taken out Of the
ship. A further demand was made that the
IN n
board the San Jacinto, but he said he would
not go, unless forcibiy compelled likewise,
and this dem and was not insisted upon.
1t thus appears that certain individuals
have been forc!bly taken from On board q
British vessel, the ship Of a neutral power
while such vessel was pursuing a lawful and
innocent voyage, an act OF violence which
was an affront TO the British dag, and VIC.
lation of in International law.
Her MaJesty's Government bearing Ia mind
the friendly relations which have long SUBJ
sisted between the United States and Grea.
Britain. are willing 10 believe that the United
States officer who committed the aggres: ion
was not acting in ccmpiilncs with any au.
thority from his govern ment, or that, If he
conceived himself to be so authorized, be
greatly misundersto TODD the instrSc lions which
he had received. For the government Of The
Uni cd Sta.es must be fully awar. that the
British Government could not allow such an
affront to the national honor to pas without
full reparatioa, and Her Majsssy's Govern
L lnbut are 70 O0teSS In3t IL Could
be the deliberate intention Of the government,
OF the United States unnecessarily TO force
into discussion between the two goYerament Il
q question of so grave character, and viii
regard Ia which the whole British nation
would be sure to entsrts in such unanimi,y Of
feeling. 4 -~, -sz .ss. 5s
Her Majesty's Government trust, there.
fore, that W hen this matter shall have beer
brought un1er the consideration Of the gov
egnment OF the United States, that govern
ment will Of its own accord offer to the Brit
ish Government such redress % alone could
satisfy a British ation (, namely, the liberia.
tion OF the four gentleman. aud their deliv.
cry to seur lordship, in order that they may
again be placed under British protection, anc
4 suita BILE apasoEy for the aggression which
has been committed. 2*
Should these rerfns not b3 offered By Mr.
Seward, you will propose them 70 him
I Yan are ut liberty to reSd this dispatch Il
the Secretary OF State. and il no shalt dss
it. you will give him copy Of 1t
am, Ae., ss RussSIL.
Mr.. Ssrayd 70 lord sLyoss.
DEPAarxxsr or SrArR,
Washington, Dec. Is. 1851.
IAe Right Haaers1le Lsvl Lyoas, DC. &C.. s-
My Lord. Earl Rnsssll's Dispatch Of No
vsmber 3ath, = copy Of which ron have lef
,s,F Ah..~