The record-union., 1895-08-03

search and carrying these passengers.
whose character and objects were we'll
known to the Captain, but the reduced
large mum Der of passengers on board
bound for Europe, who would be put to
great inconvenience, decided me to allow
them TO proceed.
Finding the families of Messrs. Slidell
and Eustis on board, | tondered them
the offer of my cabin for their accomoda-
ton to accompany their husbands. This
they declined, however, and proceeded in
the Trent.
Before closing this dispatch / would
bring your attention to the notorious aC-
ton OF her Britannia majesty's subjects,
the Consult General of Cuba, and those on
board the Trent, in doing everything to
aid and abet the escape of these four per-
sons and endeayoring to
CONCEAL THEIR PERSONS
On board. No passports or papers of
any description were in possession Of
them from The Federal Government, and
for This and other reasons which will
readily occur 10 you l made them my
prisoners, and shall retain them on board
here until [ hear from you what DISPOSE
ton Is TO be made OF them"
The report of Lieutenant Fairfax to
culties no encountered in making Slidell
and Mason prisoners. 1t is as follows:
Il went on board the Trent alone, leav-
ing two officers in the boat, with orders
10 wait until ii became necessary to show
some force. | was shown up by the First
officer TO the quarterback, whore | met
the Captain. and informed him who |
was, asking him to see his passenger list.
He declined letting me see it. l then told
IL lat l..a.. =. of ht
Mason and Mr.. SlidelI, Mr.. Eustis and
Mr.. Macfarland having taken passage at
Havana i'll the packet for ST. Thomas,
and would satisfy myself whether they
were on board before allowing the
steamer 10 proceed. Mr.. Slidell, evil
IDENTIFY hearing his name mentioned, came
up 10 me- asking if | wanted TO see him.
Mr.. Mason soon Joined US, and then Mr..
Eustis anu MIR. mcfarland. When l
made known the object of my visit the
Captain of the Trent opposed anything
like search OF his vessel, nor would he
consent to show his papers or passenger
list. The four gentlemen above men,
toned protested also against my arresting
and sending them 10 the United States
steamer near by.
FORCE WAS USED.
There was considerable noise among
the passengers just about this time, and
that led Mr.. II custom and Mr.. Grace to
repair on board with some six or eight
men, all armed. After several unsuc-
cesstul efforts 10 persuade Mr.. Mason and
MIR. Slidell to go peacefully, called to
Mr. Houston anu ordered him to return
to the ship, with the Information that the
four gentlemen ntmed in your order of
the Sth were on board. and force must be
used TO take them out OF the packet.
About three minutes after there was
still great excitement on the quarter
deck, which brought Mr.. Grace with his
armed party. l, however, deemed the
presence of armed men unnecessary and
only calculated TO alarm the ladies pres
ent, and directed Mr.. Grace to return to
the lower deck. where he lad been since
coming on board. II must have been less
than half an hour alter l boarded the
Trent when the second cutter, under
Lieutenant Greer, came alongside (only
two armed boats being used. He brought
i'll the boat eight marines and four ma
chlnlSts, IN addition TO crew of twelve
men. W hen the marines and some armed
men had been formed just outside the
main deck cabin, where these four men
had gone To pack up their baggage, l re-
newed my efforts to induce them to &C
company me on board. Still refusing to
accompany me unless force was applied,
GERS. and first taking hold OF Mr.. Mason's
shoulder. with another officer on the
other side, | went as far as the gangway
of the steamer, and delivered him over
TO Lieutenant Greer 10 be placed in the
boat.
Il then returned for Mr.. Slidell, who
inslsi ted that L must apply cOnsidera Die
force TO get him to go along with me.
Calling in at least three officers, he also
was
TAKEN IN CHARGE,
And handed over to Mr.. Greer, Mr..
Maciarland and AIR. Eustis, after protest
ing, went quietly into the boat. They had
been permitted to collect their baggage,
but were sent i'll advance of it under
charge Of Lieutenant Greer.
IL gave my personal attention to the
luggage; saw it put in boat and sent IN
charge of au officer to the San JaciEto.
When Mr.. Slidell was taken prisoner
great deal OF noise was made by some of
the passengers. which caused Lieutenant
Greer TO send the marines into the cabin.
They were Immediately ordered to return
to their former position outside. l carried
out my purpose without using any force
beyond what appeared necessary. The
mail agent, who is a retired commander
in the British service, seemed to have
great deal TO say as to the propriety of
my course, but l purposely avoided all
official intercourse with him. When |
was finally leaving the steamer he made
some apology for his rude manner, and
ex pressed personally his approval of the
manner | had carried out my ORDERS"
Lieutenant Greer, who was senior Off
Ger of the present navy until recently,
when he retired from active service,
in report cOrrobOrates what Lieutenant
Fairfax had 10 say, but adds the follow
ing comments, which are characteristic
OF him:
when 1 first went on board with ma
rines, and at intervals during my stay,
the officers of The steamer made a great
many Irritating remarks to each other
and the passengers. which were evidently
intended for our benefit. Among other
things said were: 'Dld you ever hear of
such an 1utrage?' Marines on board
Why. this looks devilish like mutiny.'
These Yankees will have to pay well for
this This is the
BEST THING IN THE WORLD
For the South England will open the
blockade we will have good chance
at them now Did you ever hear of
such piratical act?' why, this is per-
iect Bull Run They would not have
dared to have done il if an English man
o'-war had been in sight
The mail agent, a man in the uniform
of comuiander in the royal navy, was
very indignant and laxative, aud tried
several times to get me into discussion
OF the matter. / told him l was not there
for that purpose. He was very bitter.
He told me that the English squadron
would raise the blockade in twenty DAYS
after the report of the outrage got home;
that the Northerners might rs well give
it up now, etc. Most all of the officers of
the vessel showed an undissuised hatred
for the Northern people and a sympathy
for the Con tederates."
The San Jaclnto then proceeded to
Ham pton Roads, and after taking aboard
coal and reporting to the Navy Depart
ment, continued to Boston and handed
over her prisoners to the commandant of