The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-01

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ahead, apparently waiting. and showing no
colors. The surroundings looked supiclous,
end for the first time on the trip began to
inoubste imaginary evils until they Matched out
q whole brood of mseries. The nearer We ap-
preached the mysterious steamer the more
distinctly did We discern trouble at hand. A
few minutes later we heard drums ommonsly
beating to quarters; then the stars and stripes
slowly ran to the masthead. and, with the aid
Of glass, we saw through the, open ports the
agly mouths Of whole broadside OF guns
bearing upon us. Directly shot was fired
across our bow, followed by shell. Both COM
missioners were on deck, and rightly OWNED
the purpose Of the interruption; both were
seli!possessed, but thought discovered the
label of the prander manhood written across
the naughty and almost disdainful brow OF the
Virginian.
Manassas plain man, in citizens dress, 1n-
attached to any command-vlth his hunting
rife fighting like hero everywhere, anywhere
that bullet could do it's work. knew that
the hot blood winch could carry q gentleman
ternd veins, and that true courage was not
wanting in the distinguished ambassador who
trod tha$Bntish deck.
When within speaking distance, Captain
Moir hailed the American, and inquired what
was wanted. The reply was 1--WE viii send
steam shut eff. A boat very soon left the ship:
followed Immediately by two Others with full
Crews and side-arms. Lieutenant Fairfax then
boarded the Trent, and announced himself to
the captain as an officer OF tho United States
steamer San Jaeinto, Captain Wilkes, stating,
in the presence Of most ofth4 passengers as
sembled on the upper deck, tHt he was order
John Bull, urcaptaIn stood dp for his rights.
and not only refused to obey She demand, but
formally protested against any attempt to visit
his ship for the purpose Hdicated. Both
Messrs. Mason and Sidell wee now recognlz-
ed, and requested to 60 on bokrd the San ia
yield to force: Mr.. shdell observing that it
would REQUIRE o considerable amount
OF it to take him on board United
States vessel. Nessrs. Etstis and Nc
FarIand united in expressing a like
purpose. Matters began to Aok very equally,
especially when squad OF marines with mus.
kets and bayonets clambereu up the sides OF
the steamers and took they etat1on at both
gangvaye. Meanwhile, the commissioners,
after consultation, retired to their respective
state rooms. The lieutenant then said to Mr.
Mason, that having his force now present he
hoped to be reheyed Of the necessity Of calling
it into actual use. The Vlreinian again an
swered like hero: apply your force sir,
will not yield" Several OF the men. BY order,
now seized Mr.. Mason in 3 manner which made
resistance fruitless, and the legal point being
thus established, he was conveyed to the boat.
On approaching Mr.. Slidell. his eldest daugh-
ter, q noble glrl devoted to her father, threw
herself in the doorway Of the cabin, and, with
flashing eyes, defed tue lieutenant and his
men-aye, she used some gentle epithets with
that needle-hke point which woman 80 we'll
knows bow to give TO language; but without
avail. The order was given 70 the marines 70
advance, which they did with bayonets pointed
~ 40 aefanceless girl; the slight barrier was
broken down, anu Ill hecame prison.
er Of war. The Secretaries wefe nv..-I
aud the entire party transferred to tue San Ja-
eral prison. The ladies declined to accept the
preferred Inequalities, and st hslf-past three
the painful interview wac ended, and tie two
ships were steaming on to their destinations.
It is needless to Say that every man on board
the Trent Immediately thereafter held per-
sonal Indignation meeting IN his oWn oreast.
and continued to do go for the remainder OF
forum, where all the changes we're rung on
neutral rights, national honor and information
al law, while the forecastle echoed with the
conversational grape and canister OF the Sail
srs.s.yrs Io.a 20. - 1I5 eneisnT va
Everybody on that steamer was ripe for de-
caration Of war.
How Lord John Russell, in behalf Of the
British people, demanded the release Of the
commissioners and their secretaries, and o
suitable apology for the aggression committed,
and how the United States yielded thereto,
sending the four Confederates in an English
steamer to St. Thomas, where they resumed
their passage to England, are matters OF his-
tory. -,
My own trials in running the blockade, for
the nonce, at least, we're ended. My dispatches
we're safe in the heels of my boots, where I
had fitted them before leaving Richmond, and
I had only to fulfil the important, mission be-
fore me. Before parting, more than one pas
sepger on board the Trent took occasion to
thank the British Captain for his noble firm
ness in refusing to exhibit his passenger list,
for names were written there which would have
consigned to the "donjon keep" men who had
already cost the Federal Government millions
of dollars, and were on their way to inaugurate
war upon the seas, which, in captured ships
and a worried navy, was destined to increase
the debt by millions more.