Lincoln and Seward-- Part 3: The Trent Affair

The Trent Affair really almost turned ugly against the United States when the USS San Jacinto stopped the British ship RMS Trent and took off and arrested Confederate commissioners Mason and Slidell.  England was mortified and this probably came the closest that they ever got to taking overt operations against the country.  Britain demanded the immediate release of Mason and Slidell and an apology.

A break came when British Prince Albert talked Russell's demands down.

Seward's stance was that since the Trent wasn't taken to a prize court.  The British refused to allow Confederate privateers from bringing prizes into a prize court and could not call the Union's blockade ineffective (which it was).

They appointed Charles Francis Adams as ambassador to England which appeased the British somewhat. He was the son of a president and grandson of another and aristocratic, which helped appease the British.

Later, Lincoln quietly released Mason and Slidell.  John Slidell went to France and Mason to England where he was a bad choice and not liked much by the British aristocracy because of his manners.  One thing he did that offended them was chew tobacco and then, worse, spit on the floor.

--Old Secesh

Outrage on the British Flag-- Part 2

On November 30, 1861, a letter was sent to Great Britain's minister to the US, Lord Lyons, from the British Foreign Secretary, Lord John Russell, expressing extreme displeasure at the seizure of Mason and Slidell.

The Royal Navy was put on alert but under orders to avoid hostilities with the United States.

Lord Lyons was instructed to be ready to leave Washington, DC, soon if there was no redress of "The Trent Affair."

What was the Lincoln administration to do?

Things Are Heating Up. --Old B-R'er

150th Anniversary of the Trent Incident

I've covered this event since Confederate commissioners Jim Mason and John Slidell slipping out of Charleston in October. Today marks the 150th anniversary of Captain Wilkes in the USS San Jacinto stopping the British mail steamer Trent in the Old Bahama Channel off Cuba and removing the two Confederates and sparking an international incident, straining British-US relations.

As a pro-Confederate, I'd have to say the capture of the two was illegal, coming as it did off a vessel belonging to a neutral country.

But, the North and Lincoln's administration saw it differently.

Who Was Right. --Old B-Runner

In the Meantime, Looking for the Confederate Commissioners

When Confederate commissioners Slidell and Mason arrived in Havana, the USS San Jacinto, commanded by Captain Charles Wilkes, put into the Cuban town of Cienfuegos while searching for the Confederate cruiser Sumter.

When he learned of the Theodora's arrival, he hurried around Cuba to capture the ship, but arrived a day after the ship left. But, Slidell and Mason were still there and awaiting transportation to England on the Trent.

His wait paid off and he stopped the Trent and seized the two on November 8th, setting off quite an international incident.

Not Nice of Wilkes. --Old B-R'er