The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-01
SECRETS OF THE TRENT AFFAIR.
The Dinner at Which the Release of Mason
and SlidelI Was Announced.

and Slidell Was Announced.
s. s. Cox's 'Three Decades of Federal Legislation"
Being upon the foreign affairs committee of
the House of Representatives when the Trent af
talr occurred, the writer attended a. dinner given
by the Secretary at his then happy home This
was at a time when men held their breaths in
trepldation, lest Great Britain and the powers of
Europe might make the Trent matter the pre-
text to consummate their recognition Of South
ern independence. Some feared that disparted
republic would have to give way before the jeal-
Gus ercroachments of those who sought TO divide
our country, as they erdeavored to imperialize
Mexico. On the right of Mr.. Seward
was seated burlv English heartiness incarnated
in Mr.. Anthony Trollope, the novelist. His
presence was almost a. surprise, if not satire
on the OCCASION, as it concluded At the other
end OF 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 the commit
tee. The dinner progressed One incident led
to another, until Mr.. Seward, with a brusque-
ness entirely prepense upon his part but sur
prlslng to u.s. drew the attention of all by saying
Gentlemen, there is only one man III this
country to whom 1 allowed unrestricted COM
maaication with Jefferson Davis since the war
l never asked him what he wrote to Mr.. Davis
l trusted his honor and loyalty He is here. /
drink the health of Mr.. Cfittenden!'
Mr. Crittenden, throwing back his shoulders,
as was his custom when pleased or excited, said:
Mr.. Secretary, never told you what wrote
to jeff Davis. will tell you now, sir. have
two SONS in the war-one is Union and the
other is a confederate general They are both,
of course, dear to my heart. I wrote Mr. Davis:
FOR Gods sake, sir, since you have the .gallan-
try of one of my boys on your SIDE don't send
him to or against old kentucky"
This little by play sent out CLEAN of pleasure
that sparkled around the board. 1t was intended
by Mi. Seward to placate Mr. Crittenden for
what was to follow, and it did. Then Mr..
Seward. with his exquisite diplomatic SAVIOR
faire, said, looking around the board:
Il think must now trust my guests, as
trusted Mr. Crittenden. will divulge to you
secret To-day the order was issued to release
Mason and Slidell"
spouse OF the venerable and. patriotic chairman
Of foreign affairs. He was known not to be par
tial to England. He was not entirely cordial
with the confederate ambassadors. With
puzzled look of anger and chagrin, the great
Kentuckian hesltated for moment He seemed
held back by the hand of courtesy. He then
brought down his dainty glass Of sherry with a
sudden crash upon the table. The little frag
ments flew about his, plate. The golden contents
bejeweled the writer's investments. Then paus-
ing another moment, half ironically and half
loosely, he replied:
"a good radiance, sir! You sent them away
none too soon Sir! They were doing much mis-
chief hefe" and, regardless of the occasion, a
little liittky cloud of profanity dmmed the at
Inosphere about the table. Never since the
days Of good old Uncle Toby, was emphasis more
excuSable.
1t was not until nine days after the release of
the prisoners that the public were brought to
realize what great diplomatic victory Mr.. Sew
ard had won The demand Of the British gov
eminent had no foundation in international law.
1t was against British precedent. 1t harmonized
only with distinctively American doctrine It
would have come well from our government had
Great Britain been the aggressor. Mr.. Sumner,
than whom none was better qualified to discuss
the true merits of Mr.. Stewards course, deliv-
cred a mastery speech in the Senate on the 9th
of January, 1862. 1t set the public mind at ease
ing trouble not only with honor but by putting
England in position which neither former di-
plomacy. nor, as Secretary Seward said, 1.-The ar
bitrament of war" itself had placed her.