'Dispatch from John Russell to Richard B. Pemell, Lord Lyons, Saturday, November 30, 1861'
Dublin Core
Title
'Dispatch from John Russell to Richard B. Pemell, Lord Lyons, Saturday, November 30, 1861'
Subject
A copied dispatch from British foreign secretary John Russell to Richard Pemell, the British minister to the United States, presented to Sec. of State William Seward in the immediate aftermath of the Trent Affair
Description
Accompanying the formal British response to the Trent Affair, which was edited and toned down by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, Foreign Minister Earl Russell included additional instructions for Lord Lyons. Desiring an explanation from Seward and including a deadline ultimatum to begin with the formal delivery of the message to the Secretary of State, Russell's directives reflect the confusion and frustration over the Affair. Lyons delayed the formal delivery of the ultimatum at Seward's behest, giving the Lincoln Administration time to form an appropriate response. In the meantime, Russell's stance was eased by a message from Seward disavowing the actions of Union Captain Wilkes in the Affair, though it fell short of a desired formal apology and the release of the arrested diplomats.
Creator
John Russell
Source
Library of Congress - Abraham Lincoln papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833-1916
Date
November 30, 1861
Contributor
Transcription by Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois.
Rights
Public Domain
Language
English
Type
Text
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Foreign Office
November 30, 1861
My Lord,
Intelligence of a very grave nature has reached Her Majesty's Government.
This intelligence was conveyed officially to the knowledge of the Admiralty by Commander Williams, Agent for mails on board the contract steamer “Trent.”
It appears from the letter of Commander Williams dated “Royal Mail Contract Packet “Trent,” at sea, November 9,” that the “Trent” left Havannah on the 7th instant, with Her Majesty's mails for England, having on board numerous passengers. Commander Williams states that, shortly after noon on the 8th a steamer having the appearance of a man of war, but not showing colours, was observed a-head On nearing her at 1.15 p.m. she fired a round shot from her pivot gun across the bow of the “Trent”, and showed American colours. While the “Trent” was approaching her slowly the American vessel discharged a shell across the bow of the “Trent,” exploding half a cable's length a-head of her. The “Trent” then stopped and an officer, with a large armed guard of marines boarded her. The officer demanded a list of the passengers, and compliance with this demand being refused, the officer said he had orders to arrest Messrs Mason, Slidell, McFarlane, and Eustis, and that he had sure information of their being passengers in the “Trent.” While some parley was going on, upon this matter, Mr Slidell stepped forward and told the American officer that the four persons he had named were then standing before him. The commander of the “Trent” and Commander Williams protested against the act of taking by force out of the “Trent” these four passengers, then under the protection of the British flag. But the “San Jacinto” was at that time only two hundred yards from the “Trent”, her ship's company at quarters, her ports open and tompions out. Resistance was therefore out of the question and the four gentlemen before named were forcibly taken out of the ship. A further demand was made that the commander of the “Trent” should proceed on board the “San Jacinto,” but he said he would not go unless forcibly compelled likewise, and this demand was not insisted upon.
It thus appears that certain individuals have been forcible taken from on board a British vessel, the ship of a neutral Power, while such vessel was pursuing a lawful and innocent voyage, an act of violence which was an affront to the British flag and a violation of international law.
Her Majesty's Government bearing in mind the friendly relations which have long subsisted between Great Britain and the United States are willing to believe that the United States naval officer who committed this aggression, was not acting in compliance with any authority from his Government, or that if he conceived himself to be so authorized, he greatly misunderstood the instructions which he had received.
For the Government of the United States must be fully aware that the British Government could not allow such an affront to the national honour to pass without full reparation, and Her Majesty's Government are unwilling to believe that it could be the deliberate intention of the Government of the United States unnecessarily to force into discussion between the two Governments a question of so grave a character, and with regard to which the whole British nation would be sure to entertain such unanimity of feeling.
Her Majesty's Government, therefore, trust that when this matter shall have been brought under the consideration of the Government of the United States, that Government will of its own accord offer to the British Government such redress as alone could satisfy the British nation, namely the liberation of the four gentlemen and their delivery to Your Lordship in order that they may again be placed under British protection, and a suitable apology for the aggression which has been committed.
Should these terms not be offered by Mr Seward, you will propose them to him.
You are at liberty to read this dispatch to the Secretary of State, and, if he shall desire it, you will give him a copy of it.
I am &c.
/signed/ Russell
November 30, 1861
My Lord,
Intelligence of a very grave nature has reached Her Majesty's Government.
This intelligence was conveyed officially to the knowledge of the Admiralty by Commander Williams, Agent for mails on board the contract steamer “Trent.”
It appears from the letter of Commander Williams dated “Royal Mail Contract Packet “Trent,” at sea, November 9,” that the “Trent” left Havannah on the 7th instant, with Her Majesty's mails for England, having on board numerous passengers. Commander Williams states that, shortly after noon on the 8th a steamer having the appearance of a man of war, but not showing colours, was observed a-head On nearing her at 1.15 p.m. she fired a round shot from her pivot gun across the bow of the “Trent”, and showed American colours. While the “Trent” was approaching her slowly the American vessel discharged a shell across the bow of the “Trent,” exploding half a cable's length a-head of her. The “Trent” then stopped and an officer, with a large armed guard of marines boarded her. The officer demanded a list of the passengers, and compliance with this demand being refused, the officer said he had orders to arrest Messrs Mason, Slidell, McFarlane, and Eustis, and that he had sure information of their being passengers in the “Trent.” While some parley was going on, upon this matter, Mr Slidell stepped forward and told the American officer that the four persons he had named were then standing before him. The commander of the “Trent” and Commander Williams protested against the act of taking by force out of the “Trent” these four passengers, then under the protection of the British flag. But the “San Jacinto” was at that time only two hundred yards from the “Trent”, her ship's company at quarters, her ports open and tompions out. Resistance was therefore out of the question and the four gentlemen before named were forcibly taken out of the ship. A further demand was made that the commander of the “Trent” should proceed on board the “San Jacinto,” but he said he would not go unless forcibly compelled likewise, and this demand was not insisted upon.
It thus appears that certain individuals have been forcible taken from on board a British vessel, the ship of a neutral Power, while such vessel was pursuing a lawful and innocent voyage, an act of violence which was an affront to the British flag and a violation of international law.
Her Majesty's Government bearing in mind the friendly relations which have long subsisted between Great Britain and the United States are willing to believe that the United States naval officer who committed this aggression, was not acting in compliance with any authority from his Government, or that if he conceived himself to be so authorized, he greatly misunderstood the instructions which he had received.
For the Government of the United States must be fully aware that the British Government could not allow such an affront to the national honour to pass without full reparation, and Her Majesty's Government are unwilling to believe that it could be the deliberate intention of the Government of the United States unnecessarily to force into discussion between the two Governments a question of so grave a character, and with regard to which the whole British nation would be sure to entertain such unanimity of feeling.
Her Majesty's Government, therefore, trust that when this matter shall have been brought under the consideration of the Government of the United States, that Government will of its own accord offer to the British Government such redress as alone could satisfy the British nation, namely the liberation of the four gentlemen and their delivery to Your Lordship in order that they may again be placed under British protection, and a suitable apology for the aggression which has been committed.
Should these terms not be offered by Mr Seward, you will propose them to him.
You are at liberty to read this dispatch to the Secretary of State, and, if he shall desire it, you will give him a copy of it.
I am &c.
/signed/ Russell
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
John Russell, “'Dispatch from John Russell to Richard B. Pemell, Lord Lyons, Saturday, November 30, 1861',” A Study of England in the American Civil War, accessed July 2, 2024, https://johnathanseitz.com/items/show/17.