FEDERAL ATTACK ON THE ENGLISH MAIL STEAMER TRENT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1708, 18 March 1862, Page 5

FEDERAL ATTACK ON THE ENGLISH MAIL STEAMER TRENT.

Capture of the two Confederate Commissioners to England and France. Southampton, Wednesday. The La Plata has arrived. She brings news that Messrs. Sliddell and Masou, Confederate Commissioners were forcibly taken out' of the Royal Mail Company's steamer Trent, whilst on her passage from Havannah to St. Thomas, by the American war ship San Jacinto. The steamer Theodora, with the Commissioners on board, ran the blockade of Charleston on thd 18th of October last. Mr. Sliddell was accompanied by his wife and three daughters. They left Havanuah on board the Trent, on the 7th inst., aud on the Bth, as she was approaching a narrow passage between the reef opposiste the Paradon Brande Lighthouse, Old Bahama Channel, a large war vessel was observed waiting ahead, aud showing no ol oars. On coming nearer, the Trent hoisted her ensign which met with a response from the war vessel. When within about an eight of a mile, the stranger, it is said, fired a round shot across the Trent's bows, at the same time hoisting the American flag. Immediately afterwards, it is reported, she fired a shell from a long pivot gun ou her forecastle, which burst about a hundred yards to leeward of the Trent. Captain Moir, of the Trent, thereupon hailed the captain of the other ship. He replied he wished to send a boat on board ; at the same lime one was lowered, containing two officers and teu men, who boarded the Trent and demanded her list of passengers, which was refused. Lieutenant Fairfax the officer in command of the party from the war steamer, which proved to be the San Jaoinlo, then said that Capt. Wilkes, his commander, had received reliable information that Messrs. Sliddel, Mason, Eustaoe, and Farland were on board the Trent, and demanded that they should be given up. This was peremptorily refused, both by Captain Moir and Commauder Williams, R.N., the naval agent iv charge of her Majesty's mails ; the former stoutly denying the right of the Federal vessel to take any person from under the English flag. The commissioners were standing near, and boldly

declared that they were all present, but being on board a British ship claimed protection of the flag. The lieutenant then said he would take charge of the steamer, and waved his hand to the San Jacinto, when three more boats were sent alongside, in which were 30 marines and 60 sailors. Commander Williams there- \ upon made the following protest: — In this ship I am the representative of Her Majesty's Government, and I call upon the officers of the ship, and passengers generally, to mark ray words, when, in the name of the British Government, and in distinct language, I denounce this as an illegal act, in violation of international law, and an act of wanton piracy, which, had we the means of defence, yo& would not dare to attempt." The men iv the boats Ihen boarded and came on deck of the Trent, wilh bare cutlasses, and the Commissioners were forthwith arrested and forced into the boats. Mr. Siddell said he hoped the case would be fully represented. The Americans stated that they were short of provisions, and asked for a supply to maintain their prisoners. Captain Moir complied with the request, but said they were for the exclusive use the four gentlemen. The American lieutenant afterwards said his orders were to take Captain Moir and his papers on board the San Jacinto and the Trent, was to be moored nearer. Captain Moir replied— "You will find me on the quarter deck ; if you want me you will have to come there for me," and immediately afterwards walked .on deck. The lieutenant however, oalled his men together and ordered them into the boats, finally telling Captain Moir he wanted nothing further. The boats then returned to San Jacinto, and the Trent proceeded on her voyoge. The despatches of the commissioners did not fall into the the hands of the Americans, and have arrived in the La Plato. The indignation on board the Trent was so great that every person was willing to take part in the defence of the ship, had an order been given ; this was, however, out of the question in the presence of such fearful odds. The two other persons taken were the secretaries of the commissioners. The Admiralty agent has gone up to London by special train.