Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-11-24
MaSon-Slidell Arrest ar Sea.
Seizure Of Con federate Commissioners
From British Ship Followed
by Complications

most important international incident
of the Civil var, known in history as
"the capture Of Masoc ard Slideil y
an incident that was to bring England
and the United states to the verge {
war.
The scene was the blue sea Off the
north coast of Cuba; the principal
actors, Messrs. James M Mason Of
Virginia and John SlideIl of Louisiana
en- route to Europe a. cor miasioners
from the Confederate states; and officer
of the United States steamship San
Jacinto, Captain Charles Wilkes. The
climax was the removal of the Con-
federate commissioners from the steam
er, at time when they believed the
perils of their departure from their
home shores were over, to the deck of
the United States war vessel as pris.
oners of the federal government.
Accompanying the commissioner s
were their secretaries, with Sidell WIS
bis wife and his two young daughters,
| Mathidle and Rosine.
The royal mall steamer Trent touch
ed at Havana November and took on
board the Confederate commission ers
and patty.
AT noon, November s, the Trent was
steaming along the Cuban coast, hay-
ing made 240 miles on her voyage.
Captain Moir was keeping sharp
lookout, when his attention was arrest
ed by speck on his course. After
studying it carefully through his bin
oculars, NOR expressed the opinion
that it was war steamer.
The Trent continued on her course
with undiminished speed, as her cap
tain had no reason to fear the war
vessels of any uation, England then
being at peace with the world
MAIL STEAMER WAS HELD UP
AS. the Trent drew near the war
vessel she hoisted the British flag. A
United states flag was seen 10 go up to
the main peak Of the war steamer,
puff of smoke appeared at her side and
shot passed across the course Of the
mail steamer. No attention was paid
10 this by the captain of the Trent, end
presently shell crossed his course
much nearer than the shot and explod-
ed short distance away.
Speed was now slackened on the
1rert, and as she came within hailing
distance of the war steamer Captain
Nor shouted, "What do you want?"
Then answer came back 1--WE will
send boat aboard"
In alfew minutes boat, filled with
men appeared around the stern of the
war vessel and was rowed rapidly in
the direction of the Trent.
At this point the captain of the Trent
sought out Mason and told him that
he thought the war vessel meant mis-
chief toward him and SlidelI. Mason
at once gathered up his public papers,
credentials, instruction etc, and,
putting them into bag, with those of
Slidell in another, gave them to the
British mail agent on board, Com.
mander Williams of the royal navy,
with request that he lock them up in
mailroom.
whatever their OBJECT may be-"
said the mail agent, indicating the
boat full of men, "they must pass over
my body before they car enter that
room.' Mason informed him that the
bags contained public papers anG that
in the event of the com issioncrs
being separated from them thew we've
TO be delivered to some representative
Oh the Confederacy IN London. The
mail agent promised to deliver them.
by this time the armed boat was
alongside, An officer 10 the uniform
OF the United States navy, and wearing
his side! arms, soon appeared on the
u9per deck.
CAPTAIN REFUSED TO SHOW LIST
Captain NOR met him and demand
ed his business.
VI am Lieutenant Fairfax of the
Uulted States Steamship San Jacinto,p
SAID the officer, land my orders re-
CURE me to ask TO see your passenger
list"
The English captain refused perempt.
orily to produce it.
Fai fax next stated that he had posi-.
tive information that the Confederate
commissioners and their secretaries
came on board the ship at Havana
and that he must satisfy himself that
they were still ON board before he could
allow the Trent to proceed.
Lieutenant Fairfax, native of Vir-
ginla and the great grandson of BRYAN
eighth Baron Fairfax, friend of Wash.
lHg'on, explained his position and his