Speaking of the incidents that transpired when the arrests were made, the
Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia
Press writes:
‘
When about forty miles off
Matanzas, in the old Bahama channel, the
Trent hove in sight, and the two vessels were soon within hailing distance.
Commodore Wilkes sent a shot across the bows of the
Trent.
To this no attention was paid, when another was directed near the bow. This brought the steamer to
Lieut. Fairfax, to whom both of the
Confederate passengers were personally known, was sent on board the boat, supported with two more boats, filled with marines.
Lieut. Fairfax went on deck and called for
Messrs. Slidell and
Mason, who soon appeared.
Lieut. Fairfax politely informed them of the objects of his mission and asked them to go on board his boat.
To this they objected,
Mason remarking that they had paid their passage to
Europe, to the
British Consul at
Havana (who acts as agent for the mail steamship line) and he would not leave without force.
Lieut. Fairfax, pointing to his marines drawn up on the decks of the British steamer, said: ‘"You see, sir, I have the force, if that is what you require." Then you must use it," ’ replied
Mason.
With this
Lieut Fairfax placed his hand upon the
Senator's shoulder and pressed him to the gangway.
At this juncture the passengers rushed forward, somewhat excited, and attempted to interfere.
The marines immediately showed their bayonets, and
Mason consented to the decision of
Lieut. Fairfax, asking that he might be permitted to make his protest in writing.
Just at this time a fine specimen of an Englishman rushed on deck in military or naval uniform, (the officer in command of the mails, probably,) and demanded why passengers on board that ship were molested.--
Lieut. Fairfax informed him that he had stated to
Capt. Moir, of the packet, why he had arrested two of his passengers, and further than that he had no explanations to make Protests were then drawn up, and
Mason and
Slidell, with their
Secretaries,
Eustis and
McFarland, went into the boats of the
San Jacinto.
’