The Arago touched at Southampton to discharge the English mail and passengers, and here an exciting incident occurred.  When the anchor had been cast, a vessel steamed up, flying the Confederate colors, which proved to be the cruiser Nashville.  All was astir on the Arago, as an attack was expected as soon as that vessel had cleared port and got into neutral waters.  The general asked the captain of the vessel what means of defense he had.  It was found that thirty muskets and two cannon were available.  The crew and those of the passengers who were fit for duty were formed upon the forward deck and the business of drilling was commenced, the general advising and in great measure directing the preparations for defense.  It turned out, however, that the Nashville had put into Southampton for repairs, and the Arago proceeded on her voyage in safety.  After remaining one day at Havre General Scott proceeded to Paris.  The steamer that followed the Arago brought news of the “Trent affair.”  On November 8, 1861, Commodore Charles Wilkes, in command of the United States steamer San Jacinto, on his return from the coast of Africa, put into Havana.  On the same day the British mail steamer Trent sailed from that port, having on board as passengers James M. Mason, of Virginia, and John Slidell, of Louisiana, Confederate plenipotentiaries to France and England.  The San Jacinto overhauled the Trent in the Bahama Straits, brought her to by a shot across the bow, arrested and removed the Confederate commissioners and their secretaries from the mail steamer, and brought them to Fortress Monroe, where Commodore Wilkes awaited instructions from Washington.  They were subsequently removed to Fort Warren, in Boston Harbor.  The arrest and removal of these Confederate diplomats created great excitement in England, and for a time it was feared that hostilities between the countries would ensue.  The affair was commented upon severely by the press, and the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty were at fever heat.  Eight thousand British soldiers were immediately dispatched to Canada, and the shipyards were put to their utmost capacity.  When the news and the excitement reached the old hero, who had hoped that he would find some rest in Paris after his long and eventful career, he determined at once to return to his native country and be on the spot should his counsel and advice be needed.  He took the same steamer that he had gone out on and returned home.  The Trent affair was settled by surrendering the Confederate commissioners, and war was happily averted.

During the years that followed, his advice was frequently sought by the President and others high in authority.  It was at West Point that the general received the Prince of Wales when he visited this country, and at the same place the interview occurred between Scott and Grant when the former presented the latter a gift “from the oldest to the greatest general.”  In December, 1865, General Scott went to Key West, Fla., and remained there a portion of the winter.  On returning, he spent a few weeks in New York city, and then went to West Point.  It was then the incident mentioned took place between him and General Grant.