The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-01-04
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
BETWEEN SECRETARY SEWARD
and the BRITISH MINISTER.
EARL RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS

EARL RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. 80, 1861.
The LORD LYONS, X. G. b., &c. &c.
My Lord Intelligence of u very grave
nature has reached her Majesty's govern
mcnt.
This in diligence was conveyed official
ly to the knowledge Of the Admiralty by
commander Williams, agent for mails on
board the contract steamer " Trent.
1t appears from the lie ter of Comman-
der Williams, dated " Royal Mail Con-
rae. Packet Trent at Sea, Nov. o."
that the q" Trent" left Havana Oh the
7tE instant, with her Majosty's mails
for England, having on board numerous
passengers. Commander Williams states
that shortly after noon on the Sth a
steamer having the appearance Of Il man
of-war, but not showing colors was OBJ
served ahead. On nearing her at |. 10
p. NJ, she fired round shot from her
pivot gun across the bows of the 'Trcut,'
and showed American colors. While
.lhe 'Trent' was approaching her slowly
the American vessel discharged shell
across the bows Of the Trent, exploding
half a cables length ahead Of her. The
Trent then stopped, and an officer with
large armed guard Of marines boarded
her. The officer demanded list of the
passengers and compliance with this
demand being refused, the officer said he
had orders to arrest Mcssrs. Mason,
Slidell, Mcfarland and Eustis, and tina.
he had sure informa' ion Of their being
passengers in the Trent. While some
parley was going on upon this matter,
Mr.. Slidcll stepped forward and iold the
American officer the four persons he had
named were then standing before him.
The Commander of the Trent and Com
mander Williams protested against the
aet of taking by force out of the Trent
these four passengers, then under the
pro ection of the Rri ish flag. But the
San Jacinto was at the time only two
hundred yards from the Tren-, her shi 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 Jacin,o, but he said he would
not 90 unless forcibly compelled like
wise, and this demand was not insisted
upon.
1t thus appears that certain individu-
ais hayc been forcibly taken from OH
board a British vessel, the ship of a neu-
trail Power, while such vessel was pur-
suing lawful and innocent voyagc-ar
act of violence which was an atiront to
the British flag and violation Of inter-
national law.
Her Majcsty's Government, bearing
in mind the friendly relations which have
long subsisted between Great Bri air
, and the United States, are willing tc
believe that the United States naval
officer who commi ted the aggression was
not acting in compliance wi h any au-
thority from his Government, or that
If he conceived himself to be SO author
lied he greatly misunderstood the in
structions which he haG received. Fol-
the Government of the United States
must be fully aware that the British
Government could not allow such AT
aifront to the national honor to pass
without full repara ion; and her Males,
tvs Government are unwilling to believe
that it could be the deliberate intention
of the Government of the United States
unnecessarily to force mo discussion
between the two Governments, qucs
lion of so grave charac er, and will
regard to which the whole British nation
would be sure TO entertain such unanl
nifty of feeling.
Her Majesty's Government, therefore
trust that when his matter shall have
been brought under the consideration o
the Government of the United Sta es
that Government will, of is own accord
offer to the British Goyornncnt sus!
redress as alone conld satisfy the Dri isl