The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-04-24
WHOLE NO. 824
THE TRENT" AFFAIR.
One Of the Incidents Connected with the
Late Unplsasantness.

Late UnpIoaSAntness.
rs. s. Cox's 'Three Decades."l
Being upon the foreign affairs committee
Of the house Of representatives when the
Trent affair occurred, the writer attended a
dinner given by the secretary at his then
happy home. This was at time when men
held t! cir breaths in trepidation lest Great
Britain and the powers Of Europe might
make the Trent matter the pretext
to consummate their recognition of
southern Independence. Some feared that
disparted republic would have to give way
before the jealous encroachments Of those
who sought to divide our country rs they
endeavored to imperial Mexico. On the
right Of Mr.. Seward was seated burly Eng
lish heartiness incarnated in Mr.. Anthony
Trollope, the novelist. His presence was al
most surprise, IL not a satire ON the occa-
the table sat John j. Crittenden. He was
then chairman Of foreign affairs in the
house. The author was ON his right, as he
was nearer by sympathy to him than others
on the committee. The dinner progressed.
One incident led to another, until Mr.. Sew
ard, with a brusqueness entirely prepense
upon his part but surprising to us, drew the
attention Of all by saying:
country to whom / allowed unrestricted
communication with Jefferson Davis since
the war. never asked him what he wrote
to Mr. Davis. trusted his honor and 10y
atty. He Is here. drink the health of Mr..
Crittendenl"
Mr. Crittenden throwing back his shoul-
ders, as was his custom when pleased or ex-
cited, said:
"Mr. Secretary, never told you what
wrote to jeff Davis. will tell you now,
sir. l have two sons in the war-one Is q
Union and the other Confederate general
They are both, OF course, dear to my heart.
l wrote Mr.. Davis: For Gods sake, sir,
since you have the gallantry Of one Of my
boys on your side, don't send him to or
against old Kentucky"
This little by-play sent out gleam OF
pleasure that sparkled around the board 1t
was intended by Mr.. Seward to placate Mr..
Crittenden for what was to follow, and it
did Then Mr.. Seward with his exquisite
diplomatic savoirfsire, said, looking around
the board:
~ think / must now trust my guests, as
trusted Mr.. Crittendsn. l will divulge to
you secret To-day the order was issued
to release Mason and Slidell."
A dead pause ensuedl All awaited the re-
sponse Of the venerable and patriotic chair
man Of foreign affairs He was known not
to be partial to England. He was not en-
tirely cordial with the Confederate embassa-
dors. With puzzled look Of anger and
chagrin, the great Kentuckian hesitated for
moment. He seemed held back by the
hand of courtesy. He then brought down
his dainty glass of sherry with sudden
crash upon the table. The little fragments
few about his plate. The golden contents
bejewsled the writer's investments. Then
pausing another moment, half ironically
and half jocosely, he exclaimed.
"A good radiance, sirl You sent them
away none too soon, sirl They were doing
much mischief here;" and regardless Of the
occasion, little murky cloud Of profanity
dimmed the atmosphere about the table.
Never, since the days of Uncle Toby, wal
emphasis more excusable.