The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-04-21
THE TRENT AFFAIR.
Paper Prepared by Request and Read
at a -Ieeting of Vance Chapter of
the Daughters of The Confedefacy,
April Is. 1908.
BY THOMAS NJ. pITTMAN.

Bl THOMAS VI. I'll IMAM
On August %, 1861, President Davis
nominated j. NJ. Mason, OF Virginia, and
} John >lidell. of Louisiana, Commission
er- to England aud France respectively
and they We're duly confirmed on Aug
ust 30. These gentlemen had previous
to the secession represented their re-
f-spective States in the Senate of the
United States. Their instructions, given
September %, charged them with the
duty OF securing recognition OF the IN
dependence of the Confederate States,
and when this should be accomplished
to represent the Confederate States as
ENJOYS Extraordinary and Minister'S
PIenipotentia and to negotiate such
treaties as might be required.
Al this time the United States had de-
clared a blockade Of all Southern ports,
and Messrs Mason and Slidel sought an
opportunity Of running the blockade for
some neutral port where they m ght take
passage for England. Finally, at /
o clock Il. IN. of October II when it was
very dark with heavy ram, they escaped
the vigilance OF the large bOckading
squadron and left Charleston, 5. e., III
the steam packet Gordon, chartered for
that purpose at II cost of $1,000 ac-
cOmpanied by their Secretaries Mcfarland
and Eusts, by he family of Mr.. Slidell
and by Mrs. Eustis.
They landed at Cardenas, Cuba, being
guided into port by Spanish war yes
sci, and went thence by land to Havana,
where they took passage in the English
mail boat Trent for st. Thomas on their
way to England In the Bahama chan
ne on the morning Of November 8, the
Trent was intercepted by the United
States Steamer San .Jacinto under the
command ofCapt. Charles Wilkes. Messrs.
Mason and Slidell with their Seeretarie,
We're taken fOrcibly from the Trent, car
ried to the United States andimprsOned
at Fort Warren in Boston harbor.
Capt. Wilkes was one of the most dis
tinguished officers of the United States
navy. He had commanded the Expedi-
ton which in 1898, made discovery and
explored the shores of the antarctic con-
tinent, and was the author of several
books chiefly OF scientific value. On this
occasion he acted upon his cwn authOrl-
ty and justified his course by an able
argument which the United States
Government would gladly have sus-
tanned but for prudential considerations
which could not be ignored. His treat
ment of his prisoners was such that be-
a note in acknOw ledgment OF uniformly
'great courtesy and attention.
1t is doubtful if any event of the civil
war appealed more strongly topublc SEN
timent, or occasioned more embarrass-
ment to those charged with the diplomatic
rela tions of the United States. The Sec
rotary Of the navy wrote Capt. Wilkes:
"1Our conduct in Selling the public enc
mics was marked by intelligence, ability,
decision and tirmness and has the en-
phatic approval of this department.
The House of Representatives OF the
United States. Resolved, THAT the Presl-
"dent of the United States be requested
''to present to Capt. Charles Wilkes
"gOld medal with suitable emblems and
"devices in testimony of the high sense
'entertained by Congress of his good
"cOnduct in promptly arrestlng the rebel
Ambassadors james NJ Mason and
John Slidell."
The President, the Secretary of State
and apparently the Senate, quickly real
lied that most embarrassing situation
had been thrust upon them. Already
warm and powerful friends of the South
were urging European recognition OF
Southern Independence. The right OF
search of neutral vessels had been denied
by the United States, and asserted by
England early in this century, resulting
in the war of 1912. The treaty of peace
between the two nations did not settle
the contention, but England had since
that time refrained from any assertion OF
that right against American vessels. by
the act ofCapt. Wilkes thesenatiOns SEEM
ed to change sides of the controversy,
now to be re-Opened.
81,
Secretary and Lord Lyons the English
Minister at Washington. In the United
States the diplomats waited to hear
from the English foreign office. Lord
Lyons wrote to Earl RUSSELL Il feel that
the only proper and prudent course is to
wait for the orders which your lordship
will give with a complete knowledge of
the whole case"
Secretary Seward wrote Charles
Francis Adams, United States Minister
| at London, ''Lord Lyons has iudiciously
| refrancd from all Communication with me
! on the subject and thought it equally
wise to reserve ourselves until We hear
,, what the British Government may have
to say on the subject"
They had not long to wait. Upon the
| arrival of the Trent in England Com
| mnnder Richard Williams, who was ad-
| mlraty agent in charge of mails on
board the Trent, made report of the
| matter to the Lords Commissioners of
| the Admiralty which was promptly
forwarded to Earl Russell This was
November 81. On November 80 Earl
Russell communicated the facts to Lord
| Lyons, and added: "Her Maiesty's Gov
eminent therefore trust that when this
matter shall have been brought under
! the consideration of the Government of
| the United States that Government will
| OF its own accord offer the British Gov
| eminent such redress as alone could
| satisfy the British nation, namely, me
| liberation of the four gentlemen and
| their delivery to your lOrdship in order
that they may again be placed under
| British protection, and suitable apology
| for the aggression which has been COM
United. Should these terms not be offer
ed by Mr. Seward you will propose them
to him With this dispatch, which was
intended for Mr.. Stewards eye as well as
Lord Lyons. there were two Others with
more minute instructions, from each of
which ] give an extract SHOULD Mr..
Seward ask for delay in order that this
grave and painful matter should be de-
liberately considered, you will consent
to delay not exceeding s. ven days. If
at the end of that time no answer is
given, or If any other answer is given ex-
cept that Of compliance with the de-
mands of Her Mujesty's Government
your iOrdship is instructed to leave
Washington with all the members of
Your legation and to repair Immediately
to London In Il private letter he says:
The dispatches which were agreed to at
the cabinet yesterday and which have
signed this morning impose upon you
disagresable task. NY wish would be
that at Your first interview with Mr..
Seward YOU would not take my dispatch
with You but should prepare him for it
and ask him to settle with the President
and cabinet what course they would
propose. The next time You should
bring my dispatch and read it to him
f1lIy Ii 10 IL. u.Lnt ~ Ill no tho cnnSo