In Boston, a jeweled sword was presented to the commanding officer of the U.S. Exploring Expedition for services in this event, in which that man was 
In Boston, a jeweled sword was presented to the commanding officer of the U.S. Exploring Expedition for services in this event, in which that man was congratulated for "twisting the lion's tail." The search of the Powhatan took place before this event, which also involved Eustis and Macfarland and occurred as Richard Williams's men were headed for Saint Thomas. In the wake of this incident, Lord Lyons was appeased thanks to the decision of William Seward, who defended the actions of Captain Charles Wilkes on the San Jacinto, yet released the prisoners in question. For 10 points, name this 1861 diplomatic crisis sparked by the capture of James Mason and John Slidell, two Confederate envoys, from the namesake British ship.
In Boston, a jeweled sword was presented to the commanding officer of the U.S.
Trent Affair [accept Mason and Slidell Affair before they are mentioned]