The Trent Affair During The US Civil War

The Trent Affair The Trent Affair was a diplomatic crisis in 1865 that took place between the United States and Great Britain from November to December, during the U.S. Civil War between 1861- 1865. After captain Charles Wilkes of the USS. San Jacinto ordered the arrest of two confederate’s diplomatic James Manson and John Sydell; both set sail aboard the Europe on a British mail ship call the Trent. When British accused America of violating the British neutrality America sailed out to get the support for the Civil War in the south. Afterwards the ship was searched and then England departed from the Trent and a doctrine of freedom between the seas was purposed, meanwhile the Trent sail though the Bahama with no further interference. Great Britain and France maintain their reputation as a sovereign nation and the relationship with the United States during the Civil War and was recognized as a powerful government without sovereign. However, Davis had plan to negotiate with other nations to get full
Meanwhile, the English waited for the United States to meet these demands because it would avoid any conflict between the two. The News of Prince Albert’s death traveled across the country therefore diverting any attention from the Trent; the United State met the demands of the English. When a U.S diplomat Charles Francis Adams was ordered to explain to the English the Wilkes did not receive instruction to carry out any orders it was his own accord. After the Secretary of State William H. Seward reviewed and studied the matter found that Wilkes conduct was of his own leaving the United States facing two choices; war or the release of two confederate soldiers. Mason and Slidell were released the sanctity of freedom in the sea was up upheld and all navigation rights were