The Shadow of Great Britain

”Briefing on the Trent Affair”

Date: November 16, 1861

Classification: Confidential briefing - For internal diplomatic system circulation only

In light of the sudden changes in the North American situation, Her Majesty’s Government hereby issues the following briefing for the awareness of all diplomatic envoys abroad, to determine the course of local negotiations as appropriate:

On November 8th, the USS San Jacinto, belonging to the United States Navy, intercepted our mail steamer ”Trent” in the Bahama waters without a declaration of war. The ship was en route from Havana to Liverpool, carrying diplomats James Mason and John Slidell of the Confederate States of America (Southern states), who were intending to engage in diplomatic activities in Europe.

Following the interception, the United States Navy Commander Charles Wilkes ordered an armed boarding and forcibly removed the above-mentioned two individuals, causing alarm amongst the crew and passengers of the ”Trent.” Although there were no casualties, the legal implications were serious, insulting to the national dignity of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Her Majesty’s Government convened an urgent meeting of the Privy Council and the Cabinet on receipt of the report. Initial opinions from the legal advisory group determined that this action constituted a severe violation of our merchant ships’ right to free navigation. It must be noted that this was not a routine inspection by the US but a coercive act against a British civilian vessel, lacking a formal declaration of war, justification, or notification to our side, and was seen as clear provocation.

Viscount Palmerston, the Prime Minister, has summoned the United States Envoy to the UK, Charles Adams, to issue a stern protest regarding the Trent affair. He instructed the Navy Department and the Army Department to promptly initiate military readiness deployment and tasked the Navy Commission to immediately draft plans for the blockade of United States port cities and to submit feasible measures for breaking the United States’ blockade of Confederate ports.

Foreign Secretary Lord John Russell directed the Special Envoy to the US, Lord Richard Lyons, to personally hand a formal diplomatic note to United States President Abraham Lincoln, demanding the immediate release of the detained individuals and a public apology from the US government.

Duke Somerset, the Naval Minister, ordered the West Indies Fleet to proceed westward from Bermuda to the Nova Scotia waters, to closely monitor US vessels on the Boston to Cuba route, and execute first-class military readiness in the Atlantic and North American regions.

War Secretary Sir George Lewis commanded the redeployment of the 16th, 17th, and 60th infantry regiments and the Royal Artillery unit from Gibraltar, Malta, and Jamaica to Canada immediately, with deployment along the Halifax and Quebec line as a precaution against potential war with the United States.

Colonial Secretary Duke of Newcastle sent a letter to the Governor of Canada, Viscount Monck, authorizing the emergency recruitment and organization of local volunteer units, reorganization of militia rosters, and immediate repair of the Montreal, Kingston, and Saint Jean forts.

Given the surging emotions across various sectors, and the differing opinions in both houses of Parliament, the Cabinet’s position is as follows:

1. Maintaining the free navigation rights of neutral countries is a non-negotiable bottom line for our side.

2. If the US handles the situation appropriately and in a timely manner, escalation can be temporarily avoided.

3. If the US refuses to yield, Her Majesty’s Government does not rule out the possibility of taking further measures.

Given the already existing discussions in European countries on this matter and the unclear stance of the United States, Her Majesty’s Government urges all Your Excellencies to respond cautiously to media inquiries. If questioned, you may state our national position as contained in this briefing. Whether to notify other countries’ Foreign Offices, Your Excellencies may weigh and decide accordingly.

All foreign envoys must promptly report to the Foreign Office with any local opinions, political or military dynamics concerning this matter.

Sir Arthur Hastings

Cabinet Secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

White Hall Initial

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”Sir Arthur Hastings to Napoleon III”

Paris, personal communication before the Emperor.

To His Imperial Majesty Emperor Napoleon III of the French Empire:

Sitting at my desk tonight, a sudden thunderstorm outside stirred up many old memories, reminding me of the days when I was fortunate enough to work alongside Your Majesty at Scotland Yard.

Since that year of traveling in Paris and discussing the fate of Europe, it has been many years since Your Majesty and I have had a close conversation. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, state affairs have been heavy and your days busy. When Your Majesty and I used to frequent the East District, who would have thought that one of us would govern an empire and the other would be at the helm in White Hall?

As one grows older, it is inevitable to chat about old affairs, reminiscing about the days of youthful vigor.

Please forgive an old man for his dotage and excuses for my presumptuousness.

I am writing today not just to renew old friendships, but because the current crisis cannot be resolved without the concerted effort of close friends.

The matter of the Trent is surely unnecessary to recount again. We did not intend to escalate this affair, but Secretary of State Seward in America was truly impolite. This young man’s tone is even more arrogant than his Puritan ancestors by a few degrees. He even dared to make comments in the newspaper, saying that we were just exploiting this issue for an opportunity to interfere in other countries’ affairs.

In this matter, I must first apologize to our British Representative to the US, Lord Lyons. Lord Lyons is a mutual friend of Your Majesty and me. Early on when Lincoln took office and appointed Seward as Secretary of State, he warned White Hall that this was a very dangerous appointment because Seward always viewed Anglo-American relations as a good material for making political capital.