Memorandum made by Commander Williams at the Admiralty on November 27, 1861, relative to the forcible seizure of Messrs. Slidell and Mason and their secretaries from on board the _Trent_. On Mr. Slidell’s announcing that the four persons inquired for were then standing before Lieutenant Fairfax under British protection, and that if taken on board the _San Jacinto_ they must be taken _vi et armis_, I addressed that officer in the following terms: “In this ship I am the Representative of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government, and, in the name of that Government I protest against this illegal act--this violation of international law--this act of piracy, which you would not dare to attempt on a ship capable of resisting such aggression.” It was then that Lieutenant Fairfax waved his hand towards the _San Jacinto_, and additional force was sent. The marines were drawn up at the entry-port--bayonets fixed; and on Miss Slidell’s uttering an hysterical scream on being separated from her father--that is, on his breaking the window of his cabin, and thrusting his body through to escape from the distressing scene of forcible separation from his family, they rushed into the passage at the charge. There were upwards of sixty armed men in all, and the aforesaid gentlemen were then taken out of the ship, an armed guard on either side of each seizing them by the collar of the coat. Every inducement was held out, so far as importunate persuasion would go, to prevail on Mrs. Slidell and Mrs. Eustis to accompany their husbands, but as they did not wish their wives to be subjected to imprisonment (Lieutenant Fairfax having replied to Mrs. Slidell’s inquiry as to their disposal, if they did accompany them, that they would be sent to Washington), they remained on board the _Trent_, and came on to England in _La Plata_. The ships getting somewhat farther apart than when the affair commenced, a boat came from the _San Jacinto_ to request us to approach nearer; to which I replied that they had the same power as ourselves, and if they wished to be nearer to us they had their own remedy. THE AFFAIR OF THE “TRENT” (1861). =Source.=--_Punch_, December 14, 1861. (Reprinted by special permission of the proprietors of _Punch_.) WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. 1. Britannia waits an answer, sad and stern, Her weapons ready, but unsheathed they lie; In her deep eye, suppressed, the lightnings burn, Still the war-signal waits her word to fly. 2. Wrong has been done that flag whose stainless folds Have carried freedom wheresoe’er they flew: She knows sharp words fit slaves and shrewish scolds, She but bids those who can, that wrong undo. 3. She has been patient; will be patient still. Who more than she knows war, its curse and woe? Harsh words, scant courtesy, loud-mouthed ill-will, She meets as rocks meet ocean’s fretful flow. 4.