Mr. Mason - one of the Confederate Commissioners to England and France seized on board the Trent, 1861. American Civil War. Diplomats James M. Mason and John Slidell were arrested by the officers of the San Jacinto (captained by Charles Wilkes) while they were on board the British mail-steamer Trent. Although not endowed with any remarkable energy or brilliancy, Mr. Mason has always shown capacity for affairs; while on his personal character as a gentleman of high honour and elevated sentiments no slur has ever been attempted to be cast. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.