November 22, 1861 – The Capture of Our Ministers to France and England
We are still without full details of this capture of our Ministers, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, but are able to supply a few additional particulars:
The vessel from which they were taken, is the British mail steamer Trent. This steamer when only one day out from Havana, on her voyage to England, was arrested by the U. S. Screw Frigate, San Jacinto. The particular circumstances of the removal of Messrs. Mason and Slidell from her decks, we do not know, save that it was by exhibition of force against protest. These gentlemen and their attaches were then brought to Fortress Monroe, which place they reached on the 16th.—The next day they were started to New York, which city they probably reached on Monday last.