fully aware that the British Government could not allow such an affront to the national honor 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 sat

isfy 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.

Later, on the same day, Lord John Russell addressed another note to Lord Lyons, of a private nature, as follows:

In my previous despatch of this date I have instructed you, by command of her Majesty, to make certain demands of the Government of the United

States.

Should Mr. Seward ask for delay in order that this grave and painful matter should be deliberately considered, you will consent to a delay not exceeding seven days. If, at the end of that time, no answer is given, or if any other answer is given except that of a compliance with the demands of her Majesty's Government, your lordship is instructed to leave Washington with all the members of your legation, bringing with you the archives of the legation, and to repair immediately to London.

If, however, you should be of opinion that the requirements of her Majesty's Government are substantially complied with, you may report the facts to her Majesty's Government for their consideration, and remain at your post till you receive further orders.

A copy of the first despatch was sent to Mr. Seward by Lord Lyons, who gave him a reply on the 26th of December. After stating the facts in the case, Mr. Seward proceeds thus:

Your lordship will now perceive that the case before us, instead of presenting a merely flagrant act of violence on the part of Capt. Wilkes, as might well be inferred from the incomplete statement of it that went up to the British Government, was undertaken as a simple legal and customary belligerent proceeding by Capt. Wilkes to arrest and capture a neutral vessel engaged in carrying contraband of war for the use and benefit of the insurgents.

The question before us is, whether this proceeding was authorized by, and conducted according to the law of nations. It involves the following inquiries: 1st. Were the persons named and their supposed despatches contraband of war?

2d. Might Capt. Wilkes lawfully stop and search the Trent for these contraband persons and despatches?

3d. Did he exercise that right in a lawful and proper manner?

4th. Having found the contraband persons on board and in presumed possession of the contraband despatches, had he a right to capture the persons? 5th. Did he exercise that right of capture in the manner allowed and recognized by the law of nations?

If all these inquiries shall be resolved in the affirmative, the British Government will have no claim for reparation.

The first four questions are briefly answered

by himself in the affirmative, and only the fifth remained for consideration.

Other nations besides Great Britain took a lively interest in this seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell. On the 10th of December, the Minister of France for Foreign Affairs writes to the representative of that court at Washington that "the arrest had produced in France, if not the same emotion as in England, at least extreme astonishment and sensation. Public sentiment was at once engrossed with the unlawfulness and the consequences of such an act.” Again he says:

The desire to contribute to prevent a conflict, perhaps imminent, between two powers for which the French Government is animated by sentiments equally friendly, and the duty to uphold, for the purpose of placing the right of its own flag under shelter from any attack, certain principles, essential to the security of neutrals, have, after mature reflection, convinced it that it could not, under the circumstances, remain entirely sileht.

After examining the reasons which might be urged to justify the arrest of Mason and Slidell, if the United States approved of the act, he pro

ceeds to show the disastrous effects which their detention would have on the principles governing neutral rights.

There remains, therefore, to invoke, in explanation of their capture, only the pretext that they were the bearers of official despatches from the enemy; but this is the moment to recall a circumstance which

governs all this affair, and which renders the conduct of the American cruiser unjustifiable.

The Trent was not destined to a point belonging to one of the belligerents. She was carrying to a neutral country her cargo and her passengers; and, moreover, it was in a neutral port that they were taken.

The Cabinet of Washington could not, without striking a blow at the principles which all neutral nations are alike interested in holding in respect, nor without taking the attitude of contradiction of its own course up to this time, give its approbation to the proceedings of the commander of the San Jacinto. In this state of things it evidently should not, according to our views, hesitate about the determination to

be taken.

A vote of thanks to Captain Wilkes passed the House of Representatives of Congress, but the authorities at Washington sent instructions to the commandant at Fort Warren to deliver the Confederate commissioners to the representatives of the British Government. They were, therefore, quietly placed on board of a small steamer and taken to an English steam vessel at Boston. In her they were conveyed to the anchor near Provincetown, some distance from island of St. Thomas, and thence by the line of steam packets took passage to England, where they safely arrived, and were landed without any special official attention.

Next in the order of events was the occupation of Virginia, east of the Chesapeake Bay. It is a peninsula, having the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and the bay above mentioned on the west. It was understood, near the close of the year, that a body of secessionists, who were chiefly residents, were in arms and exercising a hostile control over the inhabitants of these two counties. Gen. Dix, then in command of

that Department, with his head-quarters at Baltimore, despatched a body of troops to restore the Federal authority. At the same time he issued a proclamation, stating the objects of the expedition, which produced the happiest results. The troops as they advanced met with no opposition. The people declared their intention to submit to the authority of the United States before the arrival of the military force. On the night of November 15 a force of Confederate troops, in Accomac County, mostly drafted militia, disbanded. They gave as reasons that they were satisfied with the proclamation, and they believed they could not withstand the military force. In Northampton County the secessionists, to the number of 1,800, laid down their arms, and the Union troops held peaceful possession of the entire county. The following was the proclamation of Gen.

Dix:

HEADQUARTERS, Baltimore, Nov. 18, 1861. To the People of Accomac and Northampton Countia, Va.:

The military forces of the United States are about to enter your counties as a part of the Union. They will go among you as friends, and with the earnest hope that they may not by your own acts be compelled to become your enemies. They will invade no right of person or property. On the contrary, your laws, your institutions, your usages, will be scrupulously respected. There need be no fear that the quietude of any firesides will be disturbed, unless the disturbance is caused by yourselves. Special directions have been given not to interfere with the condition of any person held to domestic servitude; and, in order that there may be no ground for mistake or pretext for misrepresentation, commanders of regiments or corps have been instructed not to permit such persons to come within their lines.

The command of the expedition is intrusted to Brig. Gen. Henry H. Lockwood, of Delaware-a State identical in some of the distinctive features of its social organization with your own. Portions of his force come from counties in Maryland bordering on one of yours. From him and from them you may be assured of the sympathy of near neighbors, as well as friends, if you do not repel it by hostile resistance

or attack.

This mission is to assert the authority of the United States, to reopen your intercourse with the loyal States, and especially with Maryland, which has just proclaimed her devotion to the Union by the most triumphant vote in her political annals to restore to commerce its accustomed guides, by reëstablishing the lights on your coast; to afford you a free export for the produce of your labor, a free ingress for the necessaries and comforts of life which you require in exchange, and in a word, to put an end to the embarrassments and restrictions brought upon you by a causeless and unjustifiable rebellion.

If the calamities of intestine war which are desolating other districts of Virginia, and have already crimsoned her lands with fraternal blood, fall also upon you, it will not be the fault of the Government. It asks only that its authority may be recognized. It sends among you a force too strong to be successfally opposed-a force which cannot be resisted in any other spirit than that of wantonness and malig nity. If there are any among you, who, rejecting all overtures of friendship, thus provoke retaliation and draw down upon themselves consequences which the Government is most anxious to avert, to their account must be laid the blood which may be shed, and the desolation which may be brought upon peaceful homes. On all who are thus reckless of the obligations of humanity and duty, and all who are found

in arms, the severest punishment warranted by the laws of war will be visited.

domestic occupations, the public authorities assure To those who remain in the quiet pursuit of their that they can give peace, freedom from annoyance, protection from foreign and internal enemies, a guarantee of all constitutional and legal rights, and the blessings of a just and parental Government. JOHN A. DIX, Major-General Commanding.

The importance of a stringent blockade of the harbor of Charleston was early apparent. This had been maintained during the temperate months of the year; but on the approach of winter the Government resorted to another method to stop the trade. The attempt was made to seal up the channels with sunken ships. The Secretary of the Navy thus states the plan:

"One method of blockading the ports of the insurgent States, and interdicting communication, as well as to prevent the egress of privateers which sought to depredate on our commerce, has been that of sinking in the channels vessels laden with stone. The first movement in this direction was on the North Carolina coast, where there are numerous inlets to Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, and other interior waters, which afforded facilities for eluding the blockade, and also to the privateers. For this purpose a class of small vessels were purchased in Baltimore, some of which have been placed in Ocracoke Inlet.

"Another and larger description of vessels were bought in the eastern market, most of them such as were formerly employed in the whale fisheries. These were sent to obstruct the channels of Charleston harbor and the Sa

vannnh River; and this, if effectually done, will prove the most economical and satisfactory method of interdicting commerce at those points."

sea.

Two fleets of vessels were obtained for the blockade of Charleston and Savannah. The first consisted of twenty-five vessels; the second of twenty. The largest number of these vessels had been used in the whale fisheries and in the trade to India. They were ships and barks of a burden between two and five hundred tons, which had become too old to encounter any longer the hazards of a long voyage at They were purchased by the Government at about ten dollars per ton, principally in the seaports of New Bedford and New London. The vessels, although old, were substantial and generally double-deckers. They were stripped of their copper and other fittings not necessary for so short a voyage, and loaded with picked stone as deeply as was safe. At light-water mark in each vessel one or more holes were bored through the sides, into, which a lead pipe was carefully inserted, the ends of which were nailed down on each side of the vessel, a plug was driven in from the outside and another from within, and both secured by a rod passing through them, and fastened within by a nut and screw. Each fleet carried about six thousand tons of stone. The vessels were each manned

now under

"To Captain -, Sir: The your command, having been purchased by the Navy Department for service on the Southern coast of the United States, the following are your orders for your proposed voyage:

of

the

You will proceed from this port on instant, or with the first fair wind, and when clear of the land make a direct passage to the port and there deliver your ship to the commanding officer of the blockading fleet off said port, taking his receipt for her return to me. After the delivery of your vessel, yourself and crew will be provided with passages to the port of New York, by the Navy Department, and on your arrival there you will call on who will furnish you with funds

to return to this port. "On the voyage down it would be well, as far as practicable, to keep in company of your consorts, to exhibit lights by night and sound horns or bells in case of fog near the coast.

safe.

"You will also examine daily the pipe in the quarter of your ship under water, to see that it remains "The only service required of you is the safe delivery of your vessel; and as she is old and heavily laden, you will use special care that she sustains no damage from unskilful seamanship or want of prudence and care.

"On a close approach to your port of destination, begin to put between-decks cargo into lower hold, and, before anchoring permanently, have your second anchor and chain (if you have one) secured on deck. On leaving your vessel, unless otherwise ordered, you will bring away papers, chronometer, charts, compasses, spy-glass, and any other valuable port able articles not required by the commander of the blockading fleet there, and return them safely to me.. "In case of disaster, to preclude going on, you can call at Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads, to repair damages, reporting to the flag-officer there. "Wishing you a safe and speedy passage, "I am yours, respectfully,

""

The effect of sunken vessels upon the channels of a harbor, if uninfluenced by winds and currents, is to stop the navigation. These old hulks become points for the accumulation of alluvials which the rivers bear down, and of the sands which the tides carry back. Becoming thoroughly imbedded in the sand, they cause the accumulations to increase with time, forming unconquerable obstacles to reopening the channels. The strong westerly winds which prevail at Charleston tend to sweep out the channels of its harbor by the increased force of the ebb tide. Two or three hulks which were sunk by the State authorities before the bombardment of Fort Sumter were soon afterwards swept out in this manner. In some instances obstructions of this kind have caused the water to cut out new channels. On the 21st of December seventeen of these vessels were sunk across the principal entrance to Charleston by orders from the Navy Department at Washington. They were placed in three or four rows across the channel, not in uniform, but in a chequered order.

The occupation of Beaufort by the Federal troops with an immense fleet of transports excited great apprehensions at Charleston. An increased military force was gathered; the de

readiness to resist an attack.

On Dec. 20th an affair occurred at Dranes

ville, in Virginia, near Washington, which was so favorable to the Federal side that it was regarded with much gratification. A brigade of Gen. McCall's division, under the command of Gen. E. O. C. Ord, having been ordered to advance in the direction of Dranesville, for the purpose of obtaining a quantity of forage known to be in the possession of secessionists, they marched from camp about six o'clock in the morning. Apprehending that they might be attacked, Gen. McCall ordered another brigade, under Gen. Reynolds, to follow at eight o'clock. Meantime Gen. Ord's brigade, having advanced nearly to Dranesville, were assailed by a Confederate force in ambush. A spirited engagement ensued, which lasted nearly an hour, when the enemy's force fled in the direction of Fairfax Court House, abandoning on the field a number of their killed and wounded, besides arms, clothing, and other articles. The force under Gen. Reynolds did not come up until the action was over. The Union force, after reinaining at Dranesville till near sundown, returned to their camp, which they reached between nine and ten o'clock at night, bringing with them fifty wagon loads of forage, and the prisoners and abandoned articles.

The enemy's force was composed of the 1st and 11th Kentucky regiments, and the 10th Alabama, with a regiment of cavalry and a battery of cannon, all under the command of Col. John H. Forney, acting Brigadier-General. They left on the field ninety dead bodies and ten of their wounded. Eight of their number, unhurt, were taken prisoners.

On the Union side, about seven were killed and sixty-three wounded.

The position which had thus far been taken by the Federal Government relative to the Confederate States, was to regard them still as a part of the United States, whose inhabitants were in a condition of insurrection against the Government. Those carrying on active hostilities were to be subdued by military force. When all vestiges of military power on the part of the insurgents were destroyed, it was expected that the good sense of the people of those States would convince them of the great blessings of the Union, and induce their hearty return to its support. From the outset the Government was confident of its ultimate success. This was founded upon the peculiar character of the insurgent people, being that of masters rather than laborers, and upon their commercial inability to sustain a long war. The policy of the Government, therefore, was to blockade all the ports, and thereby shut out all foreign manufactures and all foreign aid from a people exclusively devoted to agriculture, and almost entirely dependent upon other States or nations for their market, and for all the comforts and luxuries of life. The military conquest was expected to be very easy and ravid, until the dis

aster at Bull Run taught the Government that success would result only from the most extensive, careful, and thoroughly organized military preparations.

On the other hand the people of the insurroctionary States had, at first, looked upon secession as hopeless, if it should be powerfully opposed by the Federal Government and Northern people; but within a short period they had become convinced that the North would not fight, and therefore flattered. themselves that certain success was within their grasp. Their amazement at the valor, bravery, and vigor of the Northern troops has been inexpressible, and with the loss of all hope of foreign assistance, they have seen their prospects of success fading away.

The course of the Government relative to the slave property in the Confederate States was designed to be in strict conformity with its views of the Constitution and laws. But as the Southern States were in insurrection, there was no obligation to return fugitive slaves to them; consequently all slaves who came within the army lines were treated as freemen.

As to prisoners captured by either side there was no recourse but to exchange, according to the laws of war. This the Federal Government hesitated to do, for the reason that it might be construed into acknowledging belligerent rights on the part of the Confederates. The necessity of exchange became urgent, and the friends of prisoners were clamorous that something should be done for their relief. The Administration practically ignored the question, being impress ed with the idea that it would derogate from the dignity of its position to accept any interchange of courtesy. By exchanging prisoners, nothing is conceded or admitted except what is patent to the world-that actual war exists. Previous to the battle of Bull Run the number of prisoners on either side was not large. By that disaster the Southerners captured about 1,400 northern troops. They released numbers at different points on parole, and the matter was compromised in various ways. In September an exchange took place between Gen. Pillow and Col. Wallace, of the Federal army.

On the 1st of November Gen. Fremont made a treaty with Gen. Price, of Missouri, among the provisions of which was one for the exchange of prisoners. Certain parties named are authorized, whenever applied to for the purpose, to negotiate for the exchange of any and all persons who may hereafter be taken prisoners of war and released on parole; such exchanges to be made upon the plan heretofore approved and acted upon, to wit: "grade for grade, or two officers of lower grade, as an equivalent in rank for one of a higher grade, as shall be thought just and equitable." This was signed by both parties. Gen. Hunter, having succeeded Gen. Fremont on the 7th of Nov., repudiated this treaty.

At the close of the year three commissioners

were appointed by the Federal Government to proceed to the Confederate States and examine the condition of the Union prisoners there. They were refused admission within the Confederate territory, and thus the fate of prison ers was left to the discretion of each commander, who exchanged them at his will. But, while such were the terms on which exchanges were effected for those taken as prisoners on either side upon land, only an informal regulation had been established respecting the persons detained on a charge of piracy, because found waging war against Federal commerce on the high seas, and in retaliation for whose treatment the Confederate authorities imprisoned in the common jail a corresponding number of United States officers.

In his message to Congress on the 20th of July, Mr. Davis refers to a despatch sent to Washington, as before stated, and after stating the reasons upon which it was sent, thus proceeds: "To this end I despatched an officer under a flag of truce to President Lincoln, and informed him of my resolute purpose to check all barbarities on prisoners of war by such severity of retaliation on prisoners held by us as should secure the abandonment of the practice. This communication was received and read by an officer in command of the United States forces, and a message was brought from him by the bearer of my communication that a reply would be returned by President Lincoln as soon as possible. I earnestly hope this promised reply (which has not yet been received) will convey the assurance that prisoners of war will be treated in this unhappy contest with that regard for humanity which has made such conspicuous progress in modern warfare. As measures of precaution, however, and until this promised reply is received, I shall retain in close custody some officers captured from the enemy, whom it had been my pleasure previously to set at large on parole, and whose fate must necessarily depend on that of prisoners held by the enemy.”

The foreign policy of the Government was conducted on the principle that the troubles of the country formed a domestic affair of its own, and the interference of foreign nations was neither desired nor would be allowed. The prompt manner in which the Confederate States were acknowledged as belligerents by France and England is a proof that not a doubt was entertained by the Governments of those nations of the ultimate independence of the new Confederacy.

After the adjournment of the extra session of Congress in July, the plan of the Government was to make the most ample and perfect preparations to recover and repossess the strongholds in the Confederate States. In its progress due regard was had to the will of Congress, and the requirements of the emergency. a surprising unanimity among the people, its measures were steadily sustained.

With

The army around Washington was reorgan

ized, greatly increased in numbers, and brought up to the highest state of discipline. In its front the camps of the flower of the Southern States were spread, and the year closed with the two armies watching each other. The one

was growing more formidable and better prepared for the approaching strife, while the other was growing weaker by the overstrained effort to maintain a position which it finally yielded without a single blow.

WHEN the new year began, the anticipations of the two antagonists were materially changed. The South, rendered exultant and hopeful by the successes at Bull Run and Leesburg or Ball's Bluff, believed that foreign interference was certain, and that the war would be short. Under these influences a serious state of apathy was beginning to prevail. The enlistment of troops was for the short period of twelve months, and the naval preparations for defence were on a limited scale.

Meanwhile the North had begun to realize the gigantic nature of the contest in which it was engaged, and to put forth corresponding efforts of preparation. Besides the organization of vast armies, naval preparations were commenced on an immense scale, and embracing every variety of improvement. The Federal Government also, in order to strengthen itself, had resorted to the imprisonment of all persons who by words or actions manifested a strong sympathy for the Southern cause. At the same time many newspapers whose general spirit was hostile to the Government, were suppressed, and their circulation forbidden.

The Secretary of the Navy, in his report of July 4th, 1861, presented the following statement of the vessels at that time in service:

"Of the 69 vessels, carrying 1,346 guns, mentioned as available for service on the 4th of March last, the sloop Levant has been given up as lost in the Pacific; the steamer Fulton was seized at Pensacola; and one frigate, two sloops, and one brig were burnt at Norfolk. These vessels carried 172 guns. The other vessels destroyed at Norfolk were considered worthless, and are not included in the list of available vessels.

"These losses left at the disposal of the department 62 vessels, carrying 1,174 guns, all of which are now, or soon will be, in commission, with the exception of the

Vermont, ship-of-line.....

Brandywine, frigate..
Decatur, sloop, at San Francisco..

Guns.

84

50

16

3

John Hancock, steam tender at San Francisco............ "There have been recently added to the navy, by purchase, 12 steamers, carrying from 2 to 9 guns each, and 3 sailing vessels. There have

"The squadron on the Atlantic coast, under the command of Flag-officer S. H. Stringham, consists of 22 vessels, 296 guns, and 3,300 men.

"The squadron in the Gulf, under the command of Flag-officer William Mervine, consists of 21 vessels, 282 guns, and 3,500 men.

"Additions have been made to each of the squadrons, of two or three small vessels that have been captured and taken into the service. The steamers Pawnee and Pocahontas, and the flotilla under the late Commander Ward, with several steamboats in charge of naval officers, have been employed on the Potomac River, to prevent communication with that portion of Virginia which is in insurrection. Great service has been rendered by this armed force, which has been vigilant in intercepting supplies, and in protecting transports and supply vessels in their passage up and down the Potomac.

"The squadron in the Pacific, under the command of Flag-officer John B. Montgomery, consists of six vessels, 82 guns, and 1,000 men.

"The West India squadron is under the command of Flag-officer G. J. Pendergrast, who has been temporarily on duty, with his flag-ship, the Cumberland, at Norfolk and Hampton Roads, since the 23d of March. He will, at an early day, transfer his flag to the steam-frigate Roanoke, and proceed southward, having in charge our interests on the Mexican and central American coasts, and in the West India Islands.

"The East India, Mediterranean, Brazil, and African squadrons, excepting one vessel of each of the two latter, have been recalled.

"The return of these vessels will add to the force for service in the Gulf and on the Atlantis coast, about 200 guns and 2,500 men."