Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-01-09
CORRESPONDENTS In THE TRENT
AFFAIR.
EARL RUSSELL To LORD LYONS.


TIE Lord Lyons. K.'C. b.. dc. dc dc.
MY LoED: Intelligence of very grave
nature has reached her MajSiy's Govern
ment. =
| This intelligence 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 letter of Comman-
der Williams, dated Royal Mail Con-
tract Packet Trent at Sea. November
9th," that the Trent left Havana on The
9TH ,st. with her Maiesty's mails for Eng
land. having on board numerous passen-
gers. Commander Williams states that
shortly after noon on the 9Th. steamer,
having the appearance Of a man of war.
but not showing colors. was observed a
head. On nearing at 1:l5 p NJ. she 6rcd
a round shot from her pivot gun across the
bows of the Trent. and showed American
colors. While the Trent was approach
ing her slowly, the American vessel dis
charged a shell across the bows OF the
Trent. exploding half a cables length a.
head of her. The Trent then stopped.
and an officer, with a large armed guard
/ of marines, boarded her. The officer de-
manded list OF the passengers; and COM
pliance with this demand being refused.
the officer said he had orders to arrest
Messrs. Mason. Slidell, Mcfarland and
Eustis, and that he had sure information
OF their being passengers in the Trent
While some parey was going on about
this matter, NT. 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
aud Commander Williams protested a
ganst the act of taking hy force out OF
the Trent these four passengers, then I'M
der the protection of the British flag
Bat the San Jacinto was at the time only
two hnnlred yards from the Trent. her
ships company at quarters. her ports open.
anil tomplons ont Resistance was there
re out of the q e>tion. and the four gen.
l.lemen before named were foIcibly taken
ont Of the ship. a further demand wa.
made that the Commander Of the Trent
should pr, cced on board the San Jacinto
but he SAID he would not go unless forci-
bly, compelled likewise. and this demand
was not insisted upon.
1t thus appears that certain indiviluals
have been lorcibly taken from on board a
British vessel. the ship Of neutral power.
while such vessel was pursuing a lawful
and innocent voyage-an act of violence
which was sn affront to the British flag.
and a violation Of international law.
Her Majesty's Government. bearing in
mind the frien.lly relations which have
long subsistcd between Great Britain and
the United States. are willing to believe
that the United States naval officer who
committed the aggression was not acting
in compliance with any authority from his
Government, or that it he conceived him.
self, To be SO authorized he greatly mis-
understood the. instructions which he had
received. For the Government Of the
United States must be fully aware that the
|. British Government could not allow sucl
$ affront to the national honor to pas.
/. withoat full reparation, and her Majesty
Government are rnwilling to believe tha
ii could be the deliberate intention of th,
: Government of the United States unnaeccs
sarily to force into disrns,s,ilo between tn
two Governments, question of so grave
Character. and with regard to which tn
whole British nation would lie sure to en-
; tertain such unanimity of feeling.
, Her Majestys Government, therefore
trust that when this matter shall hav
: Seen brought under the consideration o
the Government of the United States tha
Government will. of its own accord. offe
to the B,itish Government such redress o.
alone could satisfy the British nation
namely. the liberation of the four gentle
men and their delivery to your lorlship. il
order that they may again be placed under
British protection. and a suitable apolog,
for the aggression which has been com
United.
i Should these terms not be offered b!
Mr. Seward you will propose them to him
You arc at liberty to read this dispatcl
to the Secretary Of State. and if lie shal
= desire il. you will give him copy of it.
III | am, &c. RUssELL.
Mr.. Seward. after recapitulating tn
!, contents of Earl Russell's letter. proceed
as follows: o. utta g ~ aii4
. This dispatch has been submitted to tn
: P'es.dent. =. "
u The British Government has rightly con
J. iectured what it is now my duty to state
: that Capt. Wilkes in conceiving and exc
cutting the proceeding in. question, scte'
upon his own suggestions Of duty, wi,hou
any direction or Instructions, or even fore
knowledge Of it on the part Of this Gov
lernment. No directions had been given t,
. him or any other naval officer. TO arresl tn