Boston. Massachusetts.1861.
Boston welcomes the San Jacinto
“Fairfax…Fairfax…Look at this man! Just look at that! The whole of Boston is out to welcome us. I can smell promotion from here…And you…Bah! You and your doubts thinking it was ill judgment to detain that English ship, enough to give a man the pox!”
Captain Wilkes was as giddy as a child sneaking peak late Christmas eve, gazing upon a mound of presents and gifts labelled his, soon to be received, slapping Fairfax on the back and with no friendly pat…As the USS San Jacinto slid triumphally into her berth at the Port of Boston.
A crowd had gathered in hundreds, if not thousands, giving welcoming cheer, hearty roar! The stars and bars fluttered above many heads, while a extended ensemble played Dixie and other rousing tunes of war to inspire patriotism and forget the list of reported dead increasing every day more.
“It would appear so…Sir! It would appear so!”
Fairfax was, he had to admit quite surprised, and not just a bit, having been at fret nearing voyage end fearing a welcome committee from the Master-at-arms, ready to put cuffs on hands and thrown in the clink with a almighty slam!…Not the many and more of Boston fighting to press his palm, kiss cheek, flowers thrown and enough free grog to get the entire crew plastered all week.
For Boston the optimism of a short war, had died of late, those Confederates hicks winning every major battle to date. The casualty list of blue blood spilt grew longer everyday as Lincoln floundered and flayed upon his own bad judgments and costly mistakes, forcing the offense, insisting haste, ignoring the Commanding General…That old fuss and feathers…Winfield Scott insistence of caution, planning, less do or die and more build up supply…Something Lincoln in truth could not deny, but wanting speedy victory, lacking patience little for protracted war, he sent those young Yankee boys into the meat grinder of battle to return home no more.
Then it is very fair to say and quite true, Boston and indeed the whole nation was in need of a victory, a celebration and anything would do, so by chance Wilkes walked down the gangway onto Boston Shore a hero of the Union giving a much needed triumph for the North.
Following behind Mason and Slidell were escorted by burly Marines in full parade dress down the plank, cuffed as prisoners of war, jeered and cursed while Wilkes received Massachusetts love and thanks…
“Knaves!”
“Snobs!”
“Cowards!”
The crowd jeered as Mason and Slidell were marched away to nearby Fort Warren, traitors to be locked away, internment to forever stay.
They held there head up high as spittle and rotten fruit and veg was let fly, there cause was right and just, they were prepared for martyrdom if they must, the right of good honest freeman to keep slaves, is something worth to fight for, even to take to grave.
The following night a great banquet was held for Wilkes at Boston’s opulent Revere House hosted by those of prestige and clout. The Governor toasting his…
“Manly and heroic success, exulting our pure blue American hearts, when he so bravely fired shots across the bows of the ship that bore a British lion at its head, and in common with all loyal men of the North, having myself personally sighted the last six months of late, saying to himself…I will take the responsibility, I will lead this day…And what’s more…We have just received a message from Congress who have unanimously passed a resolution thanking our dear Captain Wilkes…For his brave, adroit and patriotic conduct in the arrest and detention of those traitors…The vile James Mason and John Slidell…And what’s more Congress proposes that he receives a gold medal with suitable emblems and devices, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his good conduct.”
The toast was met of course by a most thunderous applause, the many fighting for chance to shake the Captains hand, pump his arm, a hero of the Nation to befriend, now was the chance.
Fairfax also at the celebration, quietly watched the jubilation, with thoughts kept silently to himself, he would not rock the boat with his opinion just yet, he would let that ship steer itself.
Mason’s night at Fort Warren, was not quite as grand a affair, separated from his companion, stripped of possession and homed in a small cold cell, bare.
The guards and soldiers of the Fort had made much rejoice at his misfortune, his bad choice in testing the resolve of the mighty North.
The commander of the Fort, Colonel Dimick was a christen man and expected no malice untowards, or heavy hand, but that did not stop the rank and file, putting the odd boot in, or sharing harsh words every once awhile.
A gathered troop of men from the 12th Massachusetts, stood every night outside his window, after a belly full of grog, hemp and tobacco, to serenade Mason and remind him and his not to forget, your ours now no freedom let…
“John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in the grave.”
“John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in the grave.”
“John Brown’s body lies a mouldering in the grave.”
“His soul’s marching on!”
“Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally, Hallelujah!”
“His soul is marching on!”
“He’s gone to be a solider in the army of the Lord.”
“He’s gone to be a solider in the army of the Lord.”
“He’s gone to be a solider in the army of the Lord.”
“His soul’s marching on!”
“Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally, Hallelujah!”
“His soul is marching on!”
“They will hang Jeff Davis to a tree.”
“They will hang Jeff Davis to a tree.”
“They will hang Jeff Davis to a tree.”
“As they march along.”
There voices would cease any pretense of harmony at the end, special delight at singing lynching Davis brought no end of joy to them, loudest heard the battle went.
One particular guard had it in for Mason, a young Boston lad who had barely started shaving, lost a older brother already in the war one of the Minutemen of 1861 he said, and he had a personal score.
He would spit in the gruel, or chuck dinner on the floor, piss on the mattress, cursing and banging when passing cell door.
It was not until the Colonel got wind, with stern reprimand dished out on the young lad, before Mason could settle in to a prisoners mindless routine and begin in earnest this internment hell.
Lincoln is pleased with the victory
Lincoln sixteenth President of the United States liked to portray he was straight, not bent, even when war reached Washington’s door, devil sent, little drink passed lips, nor smoke fouling air, never words spoken haste or coarse, nor outward sign of fret or care, while he held steely course returning the south to the north, bothers again unification met.
But tonight honest Abe needed his hemp, a good pipeful to help think, away from the tonight’s gather of chewing the fat and natter of learned legal men.
The country was celebrating and in jubilant mood, the papers reported the diplomats capture in very favorable editorial news.
Every man in the land now found with law book in hand, bar stool experts advocating for Wilkes play of hand…And with advise so received tonight on this potential legal plight was all but clear, nothing untowards happened, nothing to see here…Yet!…Yet! A quiet voice back of head, relentless whispered, tred careful, Abe, do you hear?
That gut feeling, stomach knot was starting to gnarl, was it the gout? Should he ignore, not?
He wanted to believe his trusted advisors, legal minds courtroom survivors, they gave a lot tonight to think about, solitude and hemp will help the mull over, silence that nagging doubt that all will not end well.
The professor of law at Harvard Mister Theophilus Parsons had spoke first, a man not known to mince his words…
“I am most certain that Captain Charles Wilkes, had as much legal right to take these…These traitors Mason and Slidell from the Trent, as I am that our government has the legal right to blockade the port of Charleston, there simply is just no question.”
Caleb Cushing former Attorney General was at ready agreement, although a expansionist at heart who believed the world must leave the dark and come under the bright light of American influence.
“I wholly concur with our most respected professor…In my humble judgement, the brave and courageous act of this Captain Wilkes was one which any, and indeed every self-respecting nation must!…And would! Have done, by its own sovereign god given right and power…Regardless of circumstances.”
Abraham then turned to look at his expert of maritime law Richard Dana, a man honest and true, a champion of the downtrodden, the poor, the who, from commoner to slave he believed all had rights to belong under Gods merciful gaze…
“I believe this mission which these men, Mason and Slidell were caught in the act of, was a hostile act against the United States, therefore without shadow of doubt making them guilty of treason within all description of our municipal law.”
As the hemp soothed the mind, giving thoughts way clear to come to the fore, and speak what was not said, Abraham listened to his soul and what it said…
“Did we not fight England in that great war of 1812? Fighting against the tyranny of search and impressment they enforced so well. ” Abe’s conscious asked. “The practice this great nation has been fighting against since our foundation.”
“To stop a neutral ship in open water, is that what we now stand for?”
“I fear the capture of Mason and Slidell will prove to be white elephants.” Abraham said out loud, startling himself.” The question will be what will England do, that remains still to see…”
Jefferson Davis not long after Lincoln also received the news, the Diplomats capture however gave him no nagging doubts in fact it was expected and quite pleasant that the cat had so easily entrapped the mouse.
Far from a white elephant this was a Royal lion about to be uncaged the question to ask will it roar in anger or meekly behave?
Jefferson had held a meeting with officers and staff, celebrating the good news of detainment and the victories in battle so far, as the chess pieces of war moved into place, he still knew however the South was not ready, not even close to deliver a checkmate.
A knock at the door, with everyone left Charles Prioleau of Charlestown made a discreet call…
“Charles, so good to see you, I hear you make plans to return to Liverpool tomorrow?”
“Indeed Mister President, there is much work to be done, England will soon hear of the Trent being stopped by a Yankee ship, I must be over there to help ensure that Lincoln doesn’t wrangle out of it.”
“How do you think the English will react?”
“Who can say, as you know I am married to one, and she is as predictable as a hurricane.”
“Well that is women for you.”
“Indeed, and Great Britain and her empire is ruled by one. I feel they will bluster and bluff, and then it will be soon be forgotten in a week, the English are more preoccupied with the weather and what the European continent are doing, I think we need to give them a little poke, provide some fuel for the flames of discontent.”
“Indeed, But how I wonder…You, have a plan?”
“Perhaps…The Newspapers are the voice of opinion, its what there politicians fear most, no one in public office likes a literary roast, we must ensure the headlines are large and the editorials seen, back them into a corner so they will have to act, if you know what I mean.”
“And how do you intend to do that?”
“We have friends in England to our cause, but more importantly money talks, I shall finance a small loan in your Governments name, grease the wheels of public outrage forcing there Prime Minster to act, otherwise they’ll appear weak on the world stage, and the British wont want that!.”
“And the Queen? Her husband that German, Prince Albert pulls the strings and he is one for neutrality and not meddling in Americas affairs, how shall we persuade him otherwise?”
“I fear more…More direct methods shall be needed, and that’s best left all unsaid.”
The President said nothing, as all was understood, the South could not win by gallant Calvary charges, or brave boys holding the line, outgunned, undermanned, out produced it was only a matter of time, this war needed all the help it could get, and if that meant some creative maneuvering…Then so be it.
“Then may I wish you a safe voyage, and God speed, this country needs you, more then it needs me, do what needs to be done, and of course be discreet.”
“Of course Mister President, but may I say it is so refreshing you understand the rules, those large blundering armies and old Generals that play war as checkers are incompetent fools, Lincoln believes in numbers, mass making might, but one small pawn can kill a king, advance halted by knight, and of course the queen holds all power, she is the piece we need to turn towards our plight, or be removed from the game…This is a game of chess, and it starts in earnest tonight!”
RMS Trent arrives in England
The Trent’s return to England was a dull affair, another ship in dock, no heed payed nor care, but nothing spreads quicker then word of a slight, a challenge to fight, national prestige made joke, by next morning every paper had full report, the story broke!
The London Chronical reported thus…
“That Abraham Lincoln is exerting himself to provoke a quarrel with all Europe, in that spirit of senseless egotism which induces the Americans, with their dwarf fleet and shapeless mass of incoherent squads which they call an army, to fancy themselves the equal of France by land and Great Britain by sea.”
The London Standard saw the capture as…
“But one of a series of premeditated blows aimed at this country … to involve it in a war with the Northern States, why the North should want a fight on two fronts is most foolhardy and arrogant, and shall surely be there undoing.”
That afternoon every man and his dog had a few choice words to say about Americans, few exercised the forgiveness of God, the evening swill gave much drunken talk and strong approval for war with the north! Shoot Lincoln what a tool! Those damn Yankee’s warmongering fools, most of them Irish or German scum we cant let this offence go unpunished! Something must be done!
Captain Moir commander of the Trent, had not dallied in port, but London sent, straight to see the Admiralty and the Prime Minster needing first hand account in haste in person he must deliver.
After giving a full written account to the Navy Board, he was escorted to Parliament to face the Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, with company of his most trusted advisors…The Secretary of State for Colonies, the Duke of Newcastle and William Gladstone, Chancellor of the Exchequer. All of them it should be noted members of The Ring! With that part of the story soon to begin.
“So this American ship…Open fired at you, for no reason?” Lord Palmerston enquired with searching stare.
“Yes Sir, we had no choice but to heave to, weigh anchor, us being with women and children and all, otherwise by Jove! I would have rammed her!”
“…And then they boarded you by force and removed two passengers?”
“Correct, it turned out we had two Americans on board, from the south…A mister Mason and Slidell.”
The Prime Minister sat silent for the moment, lost in thought, he had hoped the news was not true, a exaggeration a little lying blue.
“And you were in open waters, and had commited no cause for which they could have mistaken as provocative or untowards?”
“Indeed Sir, quite correct!”
The men took there time, mulling the information around and round the mind, finally The Duke broke the silence thus…
“Thankyou Captain, for your service, and conduct, that will be all.”
When the Captain had made his pleasantries, and vacated the room, they spoke again, but very much to a different tune. Gladstone poured drinks, healthy measures all round, lighting cigars he spoke exactly as he found…
“Gentlemen…The economy is struggling under this foolish American war, factories and mills shutting doors, with cotton in short supply, or when eventually sourced prices sky high…The economy is taking a hit, the masses are in mood, quick to riot, biting at the bit…England might just be stumbling into a war not of its own making…”
“But wouldn’t it be grand to show those Yankees something…” Mused Palmerston, he had been Secretary for War against America during 1812, a conflict he had not forgotten and remembered most well.
“Gentleman Great Britain cannot stand idle under this insult… I don’t know whether you are going to stand for this…But damned if I do! Growled Palmerston throwing his hat down, scattering the glasses on the table…
“Hear! Hear! Gladstone joined.
“Cancel the decreasing budget for next year Gladstone…We will need to find you some money, it would appear we might have a war on our hands, and this time the French will be on our side, no European wars this time for distraction…Oh and Gladstone cancel all export of weapons, munitions and saltpeter to the States, with no dither or delay!…Lets see how they like that!”
“Yes, at once.” Gladstone replied.
Palmerston then turned to the Duke, Minister of the Colonies…
“Send word to Canada to call up the Militia, start rebuilding the forts, we must start making plans for reinforcements to be sent as soon as practical…If not at once.”
THE SHIP BOMBAY! 