New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-21
THE TRENT AFFAIR.
Mr. MORRISON TALKS FURTHER OF En-
JUDGE DALY'S RELATION TO IT

HE SAYS THAT THURLOw WEED TOLD HIM THAT
THE Ex-JUDGE HAD FIRST ADVISED THE
RELEASE OF MASON AND sILDELL.
Henry Morrison. who first launched at puohc
gathering the controversy as to where was uue
the chief credit for the opportune setting d.
liberty of Mason and Slidel in the dark days OIL
the Civil War, seen last evening at MS nome
in West Seventy eighth-st. Mr.. Morrison is
retired lawyer concerned in the management
of large properties and particularly active III
phianthropic work.
Yes" he said to the reporter. land l Wouiu
swear II with my dying breath as being the
truth of history, to Charles p. Daily IS 10 De
ascribed the honor OF having first formulated the
legal position Of this Government upon when the
Administration Of Mr.. Lincoln thereafter acted
In releasing Mason and Slidell"
"And what is your proofY
well let me tell you what first led up to this
historic revelation-not a secret. as the papers
have put It. for never betrayed confidence In
my lie While sitting as director OF the l"'iu
Avenue Railroad Company / came frequently
in contact with Thurlow Weed. whom previous
to a close acquaintanceship and friendship had
estimated as an adroit and cunning pohtlci"h
without any particular soul. 1t was not long
before 7 was forced to change my Views radically
7 found that we agreed on literary and polticai
matters and generally discussed public matters
in entire accord. In fact. we became Ne'!
.chummy' Then IT happened that when my
friends were urging my nomination for posi-
ton on the bench, Thurlow Weed was IN III!
favor. and among others discussed as frendiy
70 me was the then Chief Justice DAILY. OF the
Common Pleas Before him had been prac-
titoner for many years.
TH1'RLOW WEEDS STATEMENT
eft was at this time that Thurlow Weed de-
cIared that Judge DAILY should have the credit
IN history for taking the initiative in compelling
the release OF Mason and Sliden
WHO told you 500 | asked.
"Thurlow Weed replied, Why. Mr.. Seward
himself in most emphatic terms.
"You may recall" went on Mr. Morrison that
Thurlow Weed had always been Mr. Stewards
politicaI mentor and right bower. that ne was
selected TO represent the United States in Europe
with Archbishop Hughes and Bishop Mciivaihe
as a sort Of rowing embassy to turn the European
tide Of sympathy in favor Of the North. wheh a"
was gloom and disaster north OF the Potomac.
"Rut Mr. Chlttenden states in The Tribune UNIV
from the very first moment he heard 81 H. MT
lincoln declared It a blunder. Why should Cap
tain Wilkes make an admiralty court Oh "''
quarterback" he asked" ~
"Re that as II may" rejoned Mr. Morrison
how was it that the San Jacinto arrived Al
Fortress Monroe with Mason and Slidell on p'arh
on November 49, and just two weeks aiterwar1
December 2-Consress passed vote OF THANKS
To Captain Wilkes for his act on the high seas
Would Congress have been so rasn AT sucn
time If the Administration had decided 10 ENe
up the Confederate envoysY VINO wouIi pe-
leve 1t? -.
NO YOU rely upon II Judge )aly drove INC
entering wedge that saved us from disastrous
war with England when We were beset on every
eide and nothing could have been the result
lad other counsels prevailed. than the com
plete destruction Of the Union. Finally. had inc
limited States Government given Judge DdIy
81 600 900 Cor his advice It would have been
a cheap fee at that
A TALK WITH Mr.. EvARTs
William NJ. Evarts received the reporter at his
cecond-ave. home yesterday. and said that he
had little recollection OF the facts stated. and
that he had never himself advised Mr.. Seward
q. 70 the disposition Of Mason and Slidell. lie
was in New-York wnen the capture VAS made
However" he said Il have a very high respect
for Charles T. DAILY and his assertions touching
that period are worthy OF every creuehIe.
Ex-Judge DAILY saf last night in relation -
the Interview In Wednesday mornings Tribune
that one point had not been made clear ana that
OF very important character. "hen ne III ~.
presented his legal opinion on the s1a,us Oh NC
capiives that their release was demanded Dy the
American law as to the rights OF heuuals' Mi.
Seward rejoined that the law might ne -, pSt
that the proper way t. do would be 10 satisfy
Great Britain that the Trent should repair u
the waters where she was intercepted "heh
Captain Wilkes would put the envoy. on Doatu'
and the Trent would be towcd into one OF our Al
lantjc ports to be adjudicatcd upon by com
petent tribunal 1T was then, SAID eS-Ju'sc
Dalv that said 70 Mr. Seward. do you suppose
the English VIII stand any sucn i,,nh hsrs
that in the light Of our own Jaw, although heTs
be directly the contrary? II she does theh shc
will do what she has never before done III "e'
history"