TITLE: Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion; Series I - Volume 1: The Operation of the Cruisers (January 19, 1861 - January 4, 1863) AUTHOR: United States. Naval War Records Office PUBLISHER: Govt. Print. Off., Washington, 1894 Page A Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to preserve the informational content of the deteriorated original. The best available copy of the original has been used to create this digital copy. It was scanned bitonally at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using ITU Group 4 compression. Conversion of this material to digital files was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1995. This volume has been scanned as part of The Making of America Project, a cooperative endeavor undertaken to preserve and enhance access to historical material from the nineteenth century. Page B (ji (lliwnelt Thu r~it~j ~ibrar~ 3JtIIBEB, N~ui j~nrk BERNARD ALBERT SINN COLLECTION NAVAL HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY THE GIFT OF BERNARD A. SINN, 97 191 Title Page Page R001 OFFICIAL RECORDS OF TUE UNION AND CONFEDERATE NAVIES IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Hon. H. A. HERBERT, Secretary of the Navy, BY IIEUT. COMMANDER RICHARD RUSH, U. S. NAVY, SUPERINTENDENT NAVAL WAR RECORDS, AND MR. ROBERT H. WOODS. B~ AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JULY 31, 1894. SERIES IVOLUME I. TIHE OPERATIONS OI~ TIlE CRUISE7RS, FROM JANUARY 19, 1861, TO DECEMBER 31, 1862. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1894. Page R002 Table of Contents Page R003 TABLE OF CONTENTS. rage List of illustrations V Introduction vnx Order of compilation of- Series I xi, xii List and stations of U. S. vessels in commission, March 4, 1861 xiii, xiv Preface to Vol. I, Series I xv Operations of the Union cruisers 3 Principal events: Capture of the slaver Nightingale, April 21, 1861 11 Capture of the slaver Triton, May 21, 1861 . - - 24 Capture of the Confederate privateer Savannah, June 3, 1861 28 Escape of the C. S. S Sumter from Mississippi River, June 30, 1861.... 34 Capture of the Confederate privateer Petrel, July 28, 1861 51 Destruction of the Confederate privateer York, August 9, 1861 60 Capture of Confederate Commissioners Mason and Slidell, November 5, 1861 (the Trent affair) 129 Capture of the Confederate privateer Beauregard, November 12, 1861. 206 Escape of C. S. S. Sumter from Martinique, November 23, 1861 213 The Eugenia Smith affair, December 7,1861 232 Departure of the C. S. S. Nashville from Southampton, England, under the convoy of British frigate,February 3, 1862 299 Seizure of Messrs. Myers and Tunstall, at Tangier, Morocco, February 21, 1862 310 Passage of C. S. S. l{ashville into Beaufort, N. C., February 28, 1862.. 332 Search for the U. S. ship Vermont, March 1 to April 12, 1862 335 Escape of the C. S. S. Florida into Mobile Bay, September 4, 1862 431 Formation of the U. S. West India Squadron, September 8, 1862 470 Escape of the C. S. S. Alabama from Martinique, November 19, 1862.. 549 Capture of the American steamer Arid, December 7, 1862~ 577 Operations of the Confederate cruisers 613 Principal events: Cruise of the C. S. S. Sumter 613 Cruise of the C. S. S. Nashville 745 Cruise of the C. S. S. Florida to December 31, 1862 753 Cruise of the C. S. S. Alabama to January 4, 1863 770 List of Confederate privateers and their captures 818 Index 823 I Page R004 List of Illustrations Page R005 4 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. VOLUME ISERIES I. Page. U. S. S. Kearsarge . .. . Frontispiece. U. S. S. Powliatan 104 U. S. S. Iroquois 213 U. S. slip Constellation 332 C. S. S. Sumter 612 C. S. S. Florida 753 C. S. S. Alabama 770 Page R006 Page R007 4 INTRODUCTION. The work of preparing for publication the official records of the Union and Confederate navies in the civil war was authorized by an act of Congress approved July 7, 1884. This act permitted the employment of a small clerical force by the Navy Department to copy and classify such documents as were available in the Department files, or could be obtained from other reliable sources. Prior to this Con- gressional action there had been a desultory attempt on the part of the Department to collect and arrange these records, but comparatively little was accomplished until the assistance of Congress was obtained, when, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, the Office of Naval War Records was organized, and Professor James IR. Soley, U. S. Navy, at that time the librarian of the Navy Department, was placed in charge as the first Superintendent. Under the efficient management of Mr. Soley the work of collecting and classifying the material was vigorously begun. Much difficulty, however, was found in collecting the records, for while the official reports of commanders of fleets and of vessels acting singly were on file in the Navy Department, it was found that the correspondence between flag-officers and their subordinates was frequently missing. Without this squadron correspondence the historical value of the work would necessarily be incomplete, and the Department, therefore, spared no pains to secure the letter books and papers of the chief actors on both si(les. These papers have, for the most part, been obtained, and they have been copiously used in the compilation of the work. The reports of the Union commanders are fall and fairly complete. It is to be regretted, however, that the Confederate records are not equally complete, due to the great difficulty found in collecting them, and also to the fact that a large part of the archives of the Confederate Navy Department was burned at the close of the war. Frequent careful searches throughout various parts of the country, conducted by a spe VI Page R008 vi INTRODUCTION. cial agent of the Department, have brought to light many duplicates of these papers, found among the personal files of participants. It is hoped that this first volume of the series will revive the interest of the participants in the events referred to, and lead them to bring to the notice of the Department the whereabouts of any papers bearing upon naval operations in the civil war of which they may have knowledge. By act of Congress approved July 11, 1888, the clerical force of the office was placed upon such a footing as to enable the Superintendent to make a substantial advance in the copying and classification of the material then in hand. The following extract from the report of the Secretary of the Navy for that year is of interest as showing the estimation in which the Department regarded the proposed publication: The importance and value of these records have been frequently alluded to in my reports, but I now call attention to the subject, as Con- gress, by its action last year, has shown its intention that the work should be seriously prosecuted. There is no doubt whatever that the Army War Records, for the compilation of which a liberal provision has been made, form to-day one of the most valuable and most sought- after of all the Government publications. The naval records are of equal importance ~nd demand equal attention. Without them the record is incomplete. The civil war is not only the first war in which naval operations on a great scale have been conducted since the intro- duction of steam, but it is the only war in which those modern appli- ances have been used which have revolutionized the art of naval war- fare. The only operations of any magnitude with rams, with torpedoes, with ironclads, with rifled ordnance, and, it might be added, with steam vessels, that can be studied by the professional man, are those of the war of 186165. The maintenance of a steam blockade and the employ- inent of commerce-destroying steam cruisers, two of the most important operations of modern war, occurred only in this conflict. To place this record in a permanent and accessible form, where it can be referred to by the naval service, by the executive and legislative departments of the Government in their efforts to insure the highest efficiency in the Navy, and by the public generally, is the object of this publication, which clearly ought to appear side by side with that of the War Department. By acts of Congress approved February 26,1889, and July 11, 1890, the force of the office was still further increased. In July, 1890, Lieuten- ant-Commander F. M. Wise, U. S. Navy, relieved Mr. Soley as Super- intendent, the latter having resigned his position to accept the appoint- ment of Assistant Secretary of the Navy. During Mr. Wises charge of the office the work of collection and classification was ably continued upon the lines laid down hy his predecessor. Additional papers, both Union and Confederate, were obtained, many of which are of special value Page R009 INTRODUCTION. ix: Mr. Wise having received orders to sea duty, was relieved by Lieuten- ant-Commander Richard Rush, U. S. Navy, in June, 1893. Upon taking charge of the office, the present Superintendent found that ample mate- rial had been prepared to begin the work of compilation and publica- tion. Having made a careful examination of the documents, a plan of compilation was drawn up which was submitted to the Secretary of the Navy for his approval, with the recommendation that Congress be asked to authorize and provide for the early publication of the work. The Department having approved this recommendation, Congress directed the commencement of the publication in accordance with the plan submitted, making an appropriation for this purpose (act approved July 31, 1894). In preparing to publish the records it became apparent that for pur- poses of reference it would be more convenient to separate the subject of operations from administrative matter; and yet much of this latter material was found to be of exceptional value, especially that relating to the construction and outfit of the fleet. The extraordinary expan- sion of the Union Navy from a peace footing in 1861, when it was com- posed of small squadrons of ships widely separated in distant parts of the globe, to the enormous war fleet of 1865, numbering over 600 yes- seL~ of all descriptions, which maintained an effective blockade on a coast line of over 3,000 miles, presents in itself an interesting subject of professional and historical research. Equal interest is attached to the construction of the Confederate Navy, which, although small, gave exhibition of marvelous energy and ingenuity with the limited resources at its disposal. The papers relating to the creation of these two fleets are therefore of such special importance that it has been thought best to comprise them in a separate series (Series 11). By this arrangement the subject of the general operations afloat (Series I), which is the main object of the work, is given a separate and principal place. It is the intention of the Department to introduce throughout the volumes of both series illustrations of each class or type of vessels referred to, in order to preserve the identity of these ships as they actually appeared during the war. The plan of publication thus outlined includes only the use of such material as may be certified to be contemporaneous naval records of the war, and is divided into three series, in the following order of arrangement: I. The first series embraces the reports, orders, and correspondence Page R010 x INTRODUCTION. both Union and Confederate, relating to all naval operations on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and inland waters of the United States during the war of the rebellion, together with the operations of vessels acting singly, either as cruisers or privateers, in different parts of the world. These reports are accompanied by such diagrams and maps as may be necessary. In this series the papers are arranged according to squadrons and flotillas, chronologically, and, as far as possible, the Union reports of any events are immediately followed by the Confederate reports. II. The second series embraces the reports, orders, and correspond- ence relating to 1. The condition of the Union Navy in 1861, before the com- mencement of hostilities, and to its increase during the progress of the war, including the annual and special reports of the Secre- tary of the Navy and chiefs of the various bureaus. 2. The construction and outfit of the Confederate iNavy, including privateers, setting forth also the annual and special reports of the Confederate Secretary of the Navy and chiefs of bureaus. 3. Statistical data of all vessels, Union and Confederate, as far as can be obtained. 4. Returns of naval and military property captured by the navies of both sides during the war. 5. Correspondence relating to naval prisoners. This series is arranged chronologically in each of the above sections as far as practicable. III. The third series embraces all reports, orders, and correspond- ence and returns of the Union and Confederate authorities not spe- cially relating to the matter of the first and second series. The Navy Department is now prepared to continue the publication of the records until completed, and will do so as rapidly as Congress may authorize the work. The following is an extract from the law governing the distribution of the sets comprising the publication (act of Congress, approved July 31, 1894): * * * Of said number six thousand eight hundred and forty copies shall be for the use of the House of Representatives, two thou- saud one hundred and twelve copies for the use of the Senate and one thousand and forty-eight copies for the use of the Navy Deartmeiit and for distribution by the Secretary of the Navy among officers of the Navy and contributors to the work. The quotas herein authorized of said publication for the Senate and House of Representatives shall b Page R011 INTRODUCTION. XI sent by the Secretary of the Navy to such libraries, organizations, and individuals as may be designated by the Senators, Representatives, aiid Delegates of the Fifty-third Congress, it beiii g the purpose of this dis- tribution herein provided for to place these recorts iii public libraries and with permanent organizations having libraries so far as such libra- ries may exist in the several States and Territories. Each Senator shall designate not exceeding twenty-four and each Representative and Del- egate not exceeding nineteen of such addresses, and the volumes shall be sent thereto from time to time as they are published, until the pub- lication is completed, and all sets that may not be ordered to be dis- tributed as provided herein shall be sold by the Secretary of the Navy for cost of publication with ten per centum added thereto, and the pro- ceeds of such sale shall be covered into the Treasury. If two or more sets of said volumes are ordered to the same address, the Secretary of the Navy shall inform the Senators, Representatives, or Delegates who have designated the same, who thereupon may designate other libra- ries, organizations, or individuals. The Secretary of the Navy shall inform distributees at whose instance the volumes are sent. RICHARD RUSH, ROBERT H. WOODS, Oompiter8. Niv~ DEPARTMENT, IYa8hington, D. 0., November 1, 1894 Page R012 Page R013 ORDER OF COMPILATION OF NAVAL WAR RECORDS. SERIES I. 1. Operations of the Cruisers, 18611865. Union cruisers. West India (Flying) Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Wilkes, U. S. N., 1882-1863. West India (Flying) Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Larduer, U. S. N., 18631864~ Confederate cruisers and privateers 2. Operations in the Gulf of Mexico, January to Jane 7, 1861 Surrender of the Pensacola navy yard. Cooperation of the Navy in the relief of Fort Pickens. 3. Operations on the Atlantic Coast, January to May 13, 1861. Cooperation of the Navy in the attempts to relieve Fort Sumter. Abandonment and destruction of the Norfolk navy yard. Home Squadron, under Flag-Officer Pendergrast, U. S. N. ~. Operations on the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, 18611865. Potomac Flotilla, wider Commander Ward, U. S. N, 1861. Potomac Flotilla, nuder Captain Craven, U. S. N., 1861. Potomac Flotilla, under Lieutenant Wyman, U S. N., 1861-1862. Potomac Flotilla, under Commodore Harwood, U. S. N., 1862-1863. Potomac Flotilla, under Commander Parker, U. S. N., 1863-1865. 5. Atlantic Blockading Squadrons, 18611865. Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Stringham, U. S. N., May 11 to Sept. 23, 1861. West IndiaSquadron, under Flag-Officer Pendergrast, U. S. N., 1861. Naval Defenses of Virginia and North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Barron, C. S. N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Goldsborough, U. S. N., 1861. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Goldsborough, U. S. N. , 1861-1862. Naval Defenses of Virginia and North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officer Buchanan, C. S. N. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officer Tattuall, C. S. N. James River Flotilla, under Commodore Wilkes, U. S. N., 1862. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. N., 1862-1864. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officers Forrest and Mitchell, C. S. N. * Naval Defenses Inland Waters of North Carolina, under Commander Pinkney, C. S-N. * Naval Defenses C~ape Fear River, North Carolina, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N. North Atlantic.Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. N., 1864-1865. James River Squadron, under Flag-Officers Mitchell and Semmes, C. S. N. * Naval Defenses Cape-FearRiver, North Carolina, underFlag-Officer Pinkney, C. S. N. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Radford, U. S. N., 1865. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral DuPont, U. S. N., 1861-i8~3. * Naval Defenses of South Carolina and Georgia, under Flag-Officer TattnaU, C. S-N. * Naval Defenses of Charleston Harbor, S. C., underFIag-Officer Ingraham, C. S. N. XLII * The Confederate material under this head is very scant. It is therefore hoped that those who have any Confederate naval documents upon the subject will communicate with the Office of Naval - War Records, Navy Department, Washington, D. C Page R014 XIV ORDER OF COMPILATION OF NAVAL WAR RECORDS. 5. Atlantic Blockading Squadrons, 18611865Continued. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Dahigren, U. S. N., 1863-1865. * Naval Defenses of Charleston Harbor, S. C., under Flag-Officer Tucker, C. S. N. Naval Defenses of Savannah, Ga., under Flag-Officers Hunter and Tattnall, C. S. N. 6. Gulf Blockading Squadrons, 18611865. Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Mervine, U. S. N., 1861. Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer McKean, U. S. N., 1861-1862. * Mississippi River Defenses, under Flag-Officer Rollins, C. S. N. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer McEiean, U. S. N., 1862. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Adniiral Lardner, U. S. N., 1862. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Bailey, U. S. N., 18621864. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Captain Greene, U. S. N., 1864. East Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Stribling, U. S. N., 1864-1865. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Flag-Officer Farragut, U. S. N., 1862-1863. Mortar Flotilla, under Commander Porter, U. S. N., 1862. Lower Mississippi River Defenses, under Commander J. K. Mitchell, C. S. N. * Mobile Defenses, under Flag-Officer Randolph, C. S. N. Trans-Mississippi Marine Department, under Major Leon Smith, C. S. A. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Commodore Bell, U. S. N. (ad interim), 1863. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Rear- Admiral Farragut, U. S. N., 1864. * Mobile Defenses, under Admiral Buchanan, C. S. N. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Commodore Palmer, U. S. N., 1864-1865. West Gulf Blockading Squadron, under Acting Rear-Admiral Thatcher, U. S. N., 1865. * Mobile Defenses, under Flag-Officer Farrand, C. S. N. 7. Operations on the Western Rivers, 18611865. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Commander Rodgers, U. S. N., 1861. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Flag-Officer Foote, U. S. N., 18611862. * Mississippi River Defenses, under Flag-officer Rollins, C. S. N. Naval Forces on Western Waters, under Flag-Officer Davis, U. S. N., 1862. * Mississippi River Defense Fleet, under Captain Montgomery, C. S. A. * Mississippi River Defenses, under Commander R. F. Pinkney, C. S. N. MississIppi River Defenses, under Flag-Officer Lynch, C. S. N. Mississippi Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Porter, U. S. N., 18621864. Mississippi Squndron, under Acting Rear-Admir I Lee, U. S. N., 1864-1865. * Naval Defenses of Red River, Louisiana, under Lieutenant J. H. Carter, C. S. N. * The Confederate material under this head is very scant. It is therefore hoped that liiose who have any Confederate naval documents upon the subject will communicate with the Office of Naval War Records, Navy Department, Washington, D. C Special Index Page R015 LIST AND STATIONS OF UNITED STATES J7ESSELS OF WAR IN COMMISSION MARCH 4, 1861. HOME SQUADRON. Names Tonnage. Class. Guns. Crew. Location. Pawnee 1,289 Screw sloop 8 115 Washington, D. C. Crusader 549 Screw steamer 8 70 New York. Mohawk 464 do 5 62 Do. Supply 547 Sailing storeship 4 45 Do. Sabine 1,726 Sailing frigate 50 393 Off Fort Pickens. St. Louis 700 Sailing sloop 20 133 Do. Brooklyn 2, 070 Screw sloop 25 259 Do. Wyandotte 464 Screw steamer 5 60 Do. Cumberland 1,726 Sailing sioop 24 270 On the way from Vera Cruz to Hampton Roads. Pocahontas 694 Screwsteamer 5 68 Do Powhatan 2,415 Side.wheel steamer 11 226 On the way from Vera Cruz to New York. Macedonian 1,341 Sailing sloop 22 280 Vera Cruz. EAST INDIES. Hartford 1,990 Screw sioop 16 264 Hongkong, China. Dacotah 998 do 6 106 Shanghai, China. Saginaw 453 Side-wheel steamer 3 42 Canton, China. John Adams 700 Sailing sloop 20 146 Vandalia do 20 111 Cape Town, South Africa. Niagara 4, 580 Screw frigate 12 372 Do. MEDITERRANEAN. Ric~hmond 1,959. Screw sioop 16 259 Messina, Italy. Susquehanna 2,450 Side-wheel ateamer 15 210. Naples, Italy. Iroquois 1,016 Screw sloop 6 118 Malta, Italy. JIRAZIL. Congress 1,867 Sailing frigate 50 436 Montevideo. Seminole 801 Screw sloop 5 102 Buenos Ayres. Pulaski 395 Side-wheel steamer { 1 35 Montevideo. x Page R016 XVI VESSELS OF WAR IN COMMISSION MARCH 4, 1861. List and stattone of United State8 ve88e18 of war in comm~88wn Maroh 4, 1861C ontd. AFRICAN COAST. Name. Tongue. Class. Guns. Crew. Location. Constellation 1,452 Sailing sloop 22 227 Near mouth of Congo River. Portsmonth 989 do 22 161 Do. Saratoga 982 do 18 144 Do. San Jacinto 1,446 Screw steamer 15 182 Do. Miohican 994 do 6 125 Do. Sumpter 464 do 5 60 Do. Mystic 464 do 5 61 Do. R~Iief 4S8 Sailing storeship 2 36 Latitude 20 N., longitude 110 W. PACIFIC. Lancaster 2,360 Screw sioop 22 327 Panama. Wyoming - 997 do 6 137 Mare Island, CaL Narragansett 804 do 5 100 Callao, Peru. Saranac 1,446 Side-wheel steamer 9 187 Valparaiso, Chile. St. Marys 968 Sailing sloop 22 174 Panama. Levant 792 do 20 143 Lost. Cyane 792 do 20 154 Latitude 220 N., longitude l04~ W Page R017 PREFACE TO VOLUME I, SERIES I. The operations of the cruisers comprise the reports of the command- ers of the Union flying squadrons and of vessels acting singly, which were sent in search of the Confederate crnisers and privateers, as well as the reports of the commanders of the latter vessels. The field of operations of these ships extended to nearly every sea, and was dis- tinct from that of the blockading squadrons. The time covered the entire period of the war, and the vessels concerned were usually acting under independent or special orders, the report of each commander forming, as a general rule, a complete paper in itself. It was therefore thought best, in the compilation of the volumes relat- ing to this subject, to place the Union documents together, and to have the Confederate documents follow them, each division covering about the same period of time in the same volume. This arrangement was adopted in order to preserve the continuity of the narrative, especially in the Confederate matter. The reports and correspondence are placed chronologically in each division, with a distinct heading for every paper and without other subdivision or classification. It is believed that this chronological arrangement, in connection with the full and copious index to each volume, will afford ample means of reference to its contents. In reports of special or single events in which the papers bear specific relation to those events, the chronological order has been somewhat modified, and such documents have been placed together in the compi- lation. Thepresent volume gives the reports of operations of the cruisers from January, 1861, to December 31, 1862. This subject will be continued in the second volume of the series, which will soon be ready for the press. RICHARD RUSH ROBERT H. WOODS, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Gompilers. Washington, D. 0., November 1, 1894. 123AII x Page R018 Page A001 UNITED STATES STEAMER KEARSARGE Page A002 Page 1 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS UNION. FROM JANUARY 19, 1861, TO DECEMBER 31, 1862. 1 123A Page 2 Page 3 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. FROM JANUARY 19, 1861, TO JANUARY 31, 1863. Order of the Secretary of the Ncny to Lieutenant Thomas, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. storeship Falmouth, to protect California steamers. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 19, 1861. Sin: It is rumored that a piratical expedition is on foot to proceed to the isthmus for the purpose of seizing the California steamers with their treasure; that a schooner has already been chartered to convey the expedition to Aspinwall, where they will be clandestinely landed and make their attack after the treasure shall have been put on board the steamer. There may not be foundation for this rumor. You will, however, be vigilant, and if necessary be prompt to use all the means at your command for the protection of the California steamers and their treasure, or other property of citizens of the United States. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, I. TOUCEY, Secretary of the Navy. Lieutenant CHARLES THOMAS, Commanding U. S. Storeship Faimouth, Aspinwall, New Grenada. Report of Lieutenant Thomas, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. storeship Falmouth, of readiness to act in protection of California steamers. U. S. STORESHIP FALMOUTH, Aspinwall, N G., February 4, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo, informing me it was rumored that a piratical expedi- tion was on foot to proceed to the isthmus for the purpose of seizing the California steamers,with their treasure. I shall hold myself in readiness to act with the means at my command, should occasion re- quire it. Should an outbreak occur here which might involve the pro~)erty of citizens of the United States it would be necessary to land an armed ferce, and in view of such an emergency I would very Page 4 4 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. respectfully suggest the propriety of having this ship supplied with a guard of marines and one field piece, which could be easily landed, and, if necessary, brought into immediate and effective use. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. THOMAS, Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. I. TOUCEY, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Flag-Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Mediterranean Sea, relative to disturbances at Messina, Italy. U. S. PLA~SHIP RIcHMoND, Messina, March 2, 18G1. SIR: In my dispatch of the 15th ultimo (No. 27) I stated that as soon as intelligence was received of the fall of Gaeta the citadel of Messina was summoned to surrender by the Sardinian commanding general, General Chiabura. This demand was most peremptorily refused by General Pergola, the commandant of the citadel. On the 25th ultimo a large Sardinian frigate, bearing the flag of Admiral Persano, arrived and anchored in the outer roadstead. The following night General Cialdini arrived from Gaeta and took up his quarters in the royal palace at Messina. The day after, another sum- mons was sent to General Pergola, who answered as before, adding that he would defend the citadel left in his care by the King of Naples to the last extremity. Upon this General Cialdini commenced throwing up fieldworks some distance from the citadel, and on the morning of the 28th the Sardinian frigate Victor Emanuel steered directly into the harbor and landed 1,500 troops and munitions of war within half musket shot of the citadel. In the afternoon the several foreign consuls received a notice from General Pergola that, as General Cialdini had broken through the convention formerly established between the parties by taking the offensive and preparing batteriesq he should commence hostilities in twenty-four hours after the receipt of his letter. When this notice was received I was on shore, and on returning on board at 4 p. m. I found Admiral Persano waiting to see me. He and General Cialdini had received notices from General Pergola that he would com- mence hostilities at sunset that day. I found on my table a letter addressed to me from General Pergola, just received, giving me the same notice which was given to the consuls. Several attempts were made by the foreign consuls to restore affairs to their former position, but with- out effect. As the time given was not sufficient to remove the ships in harbor to a place of safety, I addressed a letter to General Pergola requesting that the time might be extended, which he refused to comply with. As I did not receive General Pergolas letter until 4 oclock in the afternoon, there was but little more time that day than to notify those who had property exposed to place it in safety. The following day (yesterday), soon after the time specified, the Prench man-of-war left the inner harbor and some of the merchant vessels were removed ; most of them, however, remained. Just before 6 p. m. the citadel fired four heavy guns toward the south of the town, and this morning, at about 11 a. in., a Sardinian steamer was fired at when passing the light-house battery Page 5 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 5 The city is in the greatest consternation and all leaving who can, as it is believed that General Fergola has had an order from Francis IL to level the city of Messina .with his shot and shells before he surrenders, which he has the power to do. During the day our boats have been employed in assisting Americans and other neutrals, and at this moment every vessel is out of the harbor except the English frigate Terrible and this ship. As we lie directly between the batteries and the city, the inhabitants consider themselves partially free from bombardment; but as soon as a gun is fired from the heights back of the city, which General Cialdini may do at any moment, the cannonade will commence. I do not know hoxv far we are justified iii remaining so long after the notice given is l)ast, but, as the batteries at the citadel will not probably fire so long as Cialdini remains quiet, we are the means of protecting the city and giving the inhabitants more time to secure themselves and property. Sunday morning, March 3.We are still at our anchorage within the harbor, where we will remain until there is a probability of a cross-fire near us, when I shall run into the outer anchorage. A large number of Sardinian ships are now lying near the faro, within 3 miles of Mes- sina, and three others just reported coining in full of troops. As the mail is about to close I must conclude my letter. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. II. BELL, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, ]Jilediterranean. 11011. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, D. C. Further report of Flag- Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Mediterranean Sea, regarding affairs at Messina, italy. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, Near Messina, March 9, 1861. SIR: My dispatch No. 32, informing you that we were still at anchor withiim the harbor of Messina, I was obliged to close to send by the mail of the 3d instant. About noon of that day I received a communi- cation, through his aids, from the commandant of the citadel, General Fergola, to request General Cialdimiis permission to send two of his (Fergolas) officers to Rome in the mail steamer, which was to leave the following day, in order to ascertaimi the wishes of Francis II with regard to that fortress. This apphica~ion, made through Admiral Per- sano, the commander of the Sardinian fleet, was about to be attended with success, when information reached General Cialdini that one of his transports had been sunk by a shot from the citadel. Immediately a prompt refusal was given. That afternoon a British line-of-battle ship, the Victor Emanuel, came into the harbor to relieve time Terrible, which ship took her departure a few hours after. On the morning of the 4th two aids of General Fergola came on board ~o ascertain the result of their application. When learning that General Cialdini had refused to permit them to send to Rome, one of them said, with much vehemence, It is now only left for us to die like men, with arms in our hands Page 6 6 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. I was also informed by them that it was now difficult for the officers to restrain the men, and that a fire might be made upon the town at any moment. Under these circumstances, and being convinced that it was not my duty to remain longer, I got under way and steamed out of the harbor at 2 p. in., immediately followed by the Victor Emanuel. On the following day, the 5th, the mail arrived from Civita Veechia, but brought no letters froni Rome, and it now evidently appears that it is the intention of Francis II to destroy the city of Messina and sacri flee the brave men who have so long and faithfully adhered to his cause. I anchored in the roadstead, about 3,000 yards from the near- est battery, where we are now moored. For several days following it has been blowing a gale, with much rain, which has prevented hos- tile operations. The weather improved this morning, and at half past 2 p. m. the citadel opened upon the batteries of General Cialdini, near the city, and has continued to fire ever since, the batteries of General Cialdini returning the fire, but not with much activity, as he is not yet prepared. March 10.During the night the citadel continued to fire on the town at intervals, which has been kept up until the present moment. I understand that General Cialdini did not return the fire. I must now close this comuinnication, as the mail will soon leave. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. H. BELL, Flag. Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean. Hon. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, D. C. Report of Flag- Officer Bell, U. S. Nary, commanding U. S. naval forces, Mediterranean Sea, of attack by Sardinian forces on fort~/ications of Messina. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, Messina, March 16, 1861. SIR: In my last communication, dated 10th instant (No. 35), I had the honor to inform you that the batteries of General Fergola, the commandant of the citadel of Messina, had commenced firing upon the Sardinian forces of General Cialdini without any return from the latter general. This firing was continued night and day without much apparent effect. Early on the morning of the 12th, Admiral Persano, the commander of the Sardinian naval forces, got under way with his screw frigate, the Maria Adelaide, and in company with a line-of-battle ship and the frigate Victor Emanuelboth screw shipsstood down toward the citadel and commenced a fire at half past 7 oclock on the southwestern part of the fortress. At a quarter past meridian General Cialdini unmasked his batteriesfour erected near the convent of Noviciata, about 1,800 yards from the citadel; another within less than 1,000 yards from the Bastione di Blasco, a strong outwork of the citadel; and a mortar battery some distance in the rear of the latter to the southwest. The batteries near the Noviciata consisted of about 36 rifled cannon of 7-inch bore, and as they were considerably elevated above the citadel, they sent a plunging fire of conical shells directly into the fortress, which, together with the mortar batteries, soon drove the Neapolitans from the guns mounted en barbette; at the same tim Page 7 OPERATIONS OP TIlE CtW1SERSU~ON. 1 most of the guns of the Bastione di Blasco were rendered unserviceable by the battery established so near it. It blew a gale of wind at the time which soon drove the line-of-battle ship and frigate Victor Emanuel, both having but small steam power, out of gunshot. The Maria Adelaide, however, having full power, retained her position, and it was a splendid sight to see the gallant Persano steaming up and down in the height of the gale, with his beautiful frigate within 500 yards of the citadel, delivering his lire by divisions. Every man on the sea side of the citadel was driven from his gun, and, as I have since been informed, after stopping the embrasures with sand bags, took refuge in the casemates. At 4 oclock some storehouses in the citadel were set on fire by the shells, and burned vigorously. At half past 5 the citadel hoisted four white flags, when the firing ceased, and Admiral Persano steamed directly into the harbor. I immediately sent in a boat with an offer to send any surgeons on board; w heu in a short time, on the return of 1~he boat, I was informed that the citadel had refused to surrender, and that the battle was to be immediately reiiewed. Admiral Persano came out with his ships and was about commencing a night attack, when Gen- eral Fergola sent word that he would surrender at discretion, which he did at 10 oclock that night. Thus, in less than five hours and a half from the time the batteries of Cialdini were opened, one of the strongest artificial fortifications ever constructed surrendered at discretion of the conquerors. There were upwards of 4,000 effective men in the works. Had they been possessed of any courage they could have held out for many days, but after they retired from their barbette batteries not a gun was fired from the casemates. In consequence of the elevation of the batteries of General (Dialdini, and his superior guns, they must have succumbed at last, for nothing could have withstood the plunging fire of his rifled cannon, capable of throwing a heavy shell of 50 pounds ul)wards of 6,000 yards, when placed within less than one-third that distance. I have since learned that none were killed in the citadel, and only 7 wounded. Several men were wounded on board the Maria Adelaide by the bursting of a shell from the citadel. On the following day it continued to blow a gale of wind, which pre- vented my moving, but I returned into the harbor the day after. All the merchant ships are again moored to the marina, in front of the city, and everything has the appearance of peace and quietness. I am happy to say that the city received scarcely any damage. When General Fergola was firing at the works in the process of construction by General Cialdini I was in town for a short time, and found those who remained pursuing their usual avocations as if nothing remarka- ble was going forward. Everyone seemed to be familiar with the constant explosion of the guns, and as no damage had been sustained, none seemed to be feared. As a part of the machinery of this ship is still on shore under repair, I shall take a months provisions from the Susquehanna and send her to Spezia. The Iroquois is now at Civita Yecchia. I enclose a plan of the harbor and fortifications of Messina, which will make this com- munication more intelligible to the Department. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. II. BELL, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean. Hon. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, D. C Page 8 8 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNiON. Letter from C. Vanderbilt, esq., to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting that California steamers be provided with Government arms. OFFICE OF THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC STEAMSHIP Co., 177 West street, New York, April16, 1861. SIR: For the better protection of our California steamers, which are known to transport large amounts of specie on every voyage from Aspinwall to New York, it has been deemed advisable to place on each one good and serviceable pivot or swivel gun. There are undoubtedly some guns of this description at the Brooklyn navy yard which cau be spared from the Government service, and I write this to inquire whether you will permit this company to use those guns for the pur- l)O5~ named. I am informed by Mr. W. II. Aspinwall that during the Mexican war the steamers on the Pacific Ocean owned by the Pacific Mail Steam- ship Company, of which he was one of the managing owners, were fur- nished x~Nth guns by the Government. It is likewise deemed advisable to place on board each of our three steamers regularly employed in this trade 100 muskets or rifles of the most approved description, and it is believed that these arms, in the hands of passengers such as ordinarily travel over this route, will be a sufficient protection against any pirate or privateer. The shippers of specie by our line are alarmed at the present state of affairs, and are apprehensive that our steamers may be seized or robbed on their voyage from Aspinwall to New York, unless some spe- cial provision be made for their safety. An early reply will greatly oblige your very obedient servant, C. VANDERBILT. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Petition ~/ New York merchants and bankers to the Secretary of the Treas. ury that means of defense be furnished the California steamers. NEW YORK, April 17, 1861. SIR: The undersigned, merchants and bankers of the city of New York, in view of the exposure from depredations by Southern priva- teers of the California mail steamers, carrying $40,000,000 of gold annu- ally from San Francisco to this port, would respectfully ask your Department to furnish each of said ships with two or more guns and sufficient artillerymen; also such other means of defense as you in your judgment may elect. The capture of even one of these steamers by the enemies of the Govertiment, either on the Atlantic or Pacific, would stop shipments of gold from San Francisco, or at any rate divert the flow of treasure from New York to foreign countries; would result in serious injury to our merchants and banks, and necessarily incommode our Government in any future loans it may deem necessary to apply for, while our plan would be attended with but trifling expense. WM. SELIGMAN & Co. DUNCAN, SHERMAN & Co. J. D. JONES. WM. T. COLEMAN & Co. Hon. SALMON P. CHASE, rAnd 21 others.] Secretary Treasury Page 9 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 9 Letter from president of Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company to the Sec. retary of the Navy, enclosing petition for immediate measures of pro- tection to vessels in Southern waters. OFFICE OF THE ATLANTIC MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, New York, April 18, 1861. SIR: We take the liberty to send youi the enclosed petition, the pur- pose of which is to urge upon the attention of the President the press- ing danger with which American commerce is threatened in Southern waters. It is apprehended that privateers will be fitted out immediately, while the merchantmen are wholly unprepared, and that their first successes will stimulate other like depredations. if they are prevented and snppressed in the outset by instant and efficient measures the evil [will be comparatively slight. We respectfully suggest that there are fast-sailing steamers at this port which can be chartered or purchased and readily made available for this service. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, 1). C. J. I). JONES, President. [Enclosure.] NEW YORK, April 18, 1861. The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We entreat you to take immediate measures to protect American commerce in the Soutberu waters, and we respectfully suggest the purchase or charter of steamers, of which a number can be fitted fi om here without delay. J. D. JONES, President Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co. M. II. GRINNELL, President Sun Mutual Insurance Co. ALFRED OGDEN, President Orient Mutual Insurance Co. DANL DRAKE SMITH, President Commercial Mutual Insurance Co. T. B. SATTERTHWAITE, President New York Mutual Insurance Co. - JNO. S. TAPPAN, Vice-President Union Mutual Insurance Co. ~JOHN A. PARKER, Vice-President Great Western Insurance Co. CHAS. NEWCOMB, Vice-President Mercantile Mutual Insurance Co And 11 others.1 [Endorsement. 1 The Department will spare no means at its command to Protect the commerce of the country. Orders have already been issued for open ing additional recruiting rendezvons for seamen and to place every vessel in the Navy in condition for service, etc. G. W Page 10 10 OPEI~ATIONS OP TIIF~ CRUISEIl~UNION. Letter from W. F. Weed & Go. to the Secretary of the Navy offering suggestions for the protection of commerce. BOSTON, April 18, 1861. DEAR SIR: The undersigned, who are largely engaged in commerce in this city, respectfully suggest that it is advisable for the Govern- ment immediately to charter or purchase twenty of the best clipper ships that can be obtained, and arm and place them in commission at once for the protection of our commerce against privateers. These ships are capable of carrying a moderate battery without any material alterations, and are strong enough to cope with any vessels that can possibly be sent out by the Confederate States. They are also very fast, and in the light trim that they wonld be in when properly ballasted, provisioned, and armed for the service would be much faster than war steamers with favorable winds and in any kind of weather would be superior to any sail vessels that could pos- sibly be sent against them. These ships, in the absence of competent naval officers, can be properly officered by commanders and officers of the merchant service, manned with first-rate crews of from 50 to 100 men, armed with from four to six long guns and a few of smaller size, with an ample supply of small arms, and would afford great protection to our merchant ships; they could also be made valuable as transports to carry both men and stores. A few such ships, it seems to us, should be at once placed off the passage leading to the islands of Cuba and San Domingo, with which islands our commerce is exceedingly valuable and is now almost entirely unprotected from privateers; and commerce, it seems to us, would be the first for privateers to molest, and Government can not be too prompt in taking steps for its protection. Such ships as we have suggested, officered and manned with New England men and New Yorkers, would be as valuable for the protec- tion of our commerce in the most exposed places as sailing frigates, and we hope that they may be so considered by the Government. Six or ten of them could be advantageously employed on the waters to Europe between New York and Cape Sable. Very respectftrlly, yours, W. F. WEED & Co. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Petition of New York merchants to the Secretary of the Navy for convoy for California steamers. APRIL 20, 1861. We, the undersigned, bankers and merchants of New York, beg to call your attention to the fact that we are advised, and fully believe, that there are citizens of Spain and other foreigu countries who are now, or soon will be, in possession of letters of marque, granted by the Confederate States, who are likely to seize upon the California steam- ers, on the Pacific and Atlantic, having on board large amounts of treasure; and in view of this we pray that you will detail a Govern- ment steamer on the Pacific to act as a convoy, or to bring the treasure and mails once a month from San Francisco to Panama, and one to bring them from Aspinwall to this port, connecting with the steame Page 11 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 11 leaving San Francisco, say the 1st of every month, the steamers now engaged in the trade bringing the passengers only. For service in the Pacific two steamers would probably be reqnired, but whilst thus engaged they would be acting as a guard to American interests on the entire Mexican Pacific coast. The importance of the safe transmission of the treasure and mails to the Government and her citizens will, we trnst, justify aii early and favorable response; and we will ever pray, etc. WM. T. COLEMAN & Co. DUNCAN, SHERMAN & Co. AUGUST BELMONT & Co. WELLS, FARGO & Co. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, [And 32 others. Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Capture of the slaver Nightingale, April 21, 1861. Report of Commander Taylor, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Sarat~~ga. U. S. S. SARATOGA, April21, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report the capture of the ship Nightingale, of Boston, under American colors, and with a cargo of 961 slaves. The ship will sail as soon as practicable, nuder the command of Lieutenant J. J. Guthrie, for New York, via Monrovia, Liberia. Herewith are enclosed a copy of the orders of Lieutenant Gnthrie and his report of inventory. For the details of the capture, I beg leave to refer to the enclosed copy of my letter to the judge of the U. S. district court. I have given all the needed directions to Lieutenant Guthrie about properly and amply providing for these unfortunate captives and enabling them to have as mnch pure air as possible, and finally to adopt every measure for their health and comfort. I also enclose a muster roll of the officers and crew of this ship at the time of the capture. I deem it my duty to call your attention to the fact that this ship is now very much disabled. When 1 sailed from the United States she was 18 men short of her complement. One man has since then been sent to the United States sick. The prize being a large ship, I deem it necessary for safety to send 2 lieutenants, 6 marines, and 25 men in her. Lieutenant Tyler, the marine officer of this ship, having been quite ill for some time past, and as he may be of some assistance, I deem it advisable to send him also. You will see that this ship is therefore 3 officers, 44 men, and 6 marines short of her complement. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALFRED TAYLOR, Commander. Hon. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, D. C. [Enclosures.J Letter of Commander Taylor, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Saratoga, to the judge of U. S. district court at New York City. U.S. S. SARATOGA, K April 21, 1861. SIR: For some time past the American ship Nightingale, of Boston, Francis Bowen master, has been watched on this coast, under the su Page 12 12 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. picion of being engaged in the slave trade. Several times we have fallen in with her at sea, and although fully assured that she was about to engage in this illicit trade, she has had the benefit of a doubt. A few days ago, observing her at anchor in this port, I caine in and boarded her, and from several circumstances was induced to believe that she was then preparing to receive slaves on board. Under this impression, this ship was got under way yesterday and went some dis- tance off, but with the intention of returning under the cover of night, which was done, and at lOp. m. we anchored and sent two boats, under the command of Lieutenant Guthrie, for the purpose of boarding her by surprise, which was done, when it was found that she already had in 961 slaves and was expecting more. Lieutenant Gnthrie accordingly took possession of her as a prize, and I have directed him to take her to New York and to hold himself prepared to give all the information which the case may require, and also to deliver to you all the papers found on board. She is a clipper ship of about 1,066 tons, and has Nightingale, of Boston, on her stern, in gilt letters. Whenever she hoisted her colors they were American, and she had them flying late yesterday evening. Very respectfully, your obedient servatit, ALFRED TAYLOR, Commander, U. S. Navy. The DISTRICT JUDGE OF U. S. DISTRICT COURT, City of New York. Order of Commander Taylor, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Saratoga, to Lieutenant Guthrie, commanding prize ship Nightingale. U. S. S. SARATOGA, Kabenda, April21, 1861. SIR: You will proceed with the American ship Nightingale, of Bos- ton, captured at this port, this morning, by this ship, to Monrovia, Liberia, where you will immediately give information of your arrival to the Rev. John Seyes, or his successor, the agent appointed by the U. S. Government to receive and provide for Africans recaptured by the cruisers of the United States. As soon as the agent is ready to receive the African captives on shore they will be lauded with care, and be taken charge of by the agent, who will give for them triplicate receipts, specifying them as men and women and male and female children. You will then enclose one of the receipts addressed to the flag-officer commanding this squadron and leave it in care of the U. S. agent. You will also call oii the chief of the Government of Liberia, and inform him of the purpose of your visit, which being completed, you will take in wood and water snificient to carry you to New York, where you will report in person to the commandant of the naval station and in writing to the honorable Secretary of the Navy, inclosing one of the receipts of the U. S. agent for the African captives. You will be prepared to deliver up the vessel to the U. S. marshal, and all the papers and one of the agents receipts for the captives to the judge of the U. S. district court, and be ready to act in the case oC the ship nuder your charge as your orders and circumstances may require. Lieutenant Hays, of the Navy, and Lieutenant Tyler, of the Marines, are ordered to report to you for duty. Six petty officers, 3 seamen, 8 ordinary seamen, 6 land smen, 2 boys, 1 corporal of marines, 5 privates of marines will accompany you as the prize crew Page 13 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 13 On your arrival at New York you will strictly prohibit anyone from leaving the ship or haviiig any communication with the shore until the vessel is delivered to the U. S. authorities. The provisions remaining on board and all public property in your charge, will be turned over to the commandant of the U. S. naval station, as well as the prize crew, with the accounts accompanying them. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALFRED TAYLOR, Commander. Lieutenant J. J. GUTURIE, U. S. Navy, Commanding Prize fihip Nightingale. Report of Lieutenant Gutlirie, U. S. Navy, commanding prize ship Nightingale (slaver), giving account of cruise from Liberia to New York. U. S. PRIZE SHIP NIGHTINGALE, New York, June 15, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival here to-day in command of the American ship Nightingale, thirty-two days from Monrovia, Liberia, which port we left on the 13th of May last, at 4 p. in., after landing 801 recaptured African captives, the official receipt for whom is herewith enclosed. The Nightingale was seized in the act of receiv- ing their negroes on b9ard on the night of the 20th of April, about midnight, and I regret that an American named Francis Boweii an(l a Spaniard named Yalentino Cortina effected their escape during my watch on deck on the night of the 22d of April last. They probably did so by slipping down a rope over the stern of the ship, at a time when I had gone forward among the negroes to atteiid to a sick one, so that whatever blame or censure may be attached to this circum- stance devolves entirely on me; and I need not add that I feel deeply grieved on account of it, and it has added greatly to the solicitudes of this anxious voyage. The first person named was known to be the commander of the Nightingale prior to the capture, and the latter was represented as such at the time. We sailed from Kabenda for Mon- rovia on the afternoon of the 23d of April. For the first few days we had to contend with continual light rains and calms, and during the latter part of the voyage had to contend with a succession of head winds, frequent squalls, and heavy drenching rains, which probably increased the mortality among the blacks. The African ship fever also made its appearance on board, and several of the prize crew, as well as Lieutenant Hays and myself, suffered from it. On the 3d of May John Edwards (landsman) departed this life. His remains were committed to the deep, decomposition following death so closely in this case that I deemed it advisable to throw overboard his bedding, etc., to remove their contagious influence. On the 7th of May, about 10 p. in., we anchored near Monrovia, Liberia, and on the follow- ing day landed the recaptured Africans. The President of Liberia very kindly tendered to me any aid in his power, either official or per- sonal, and by means of his prompt and efficient cooperation the land- ing was effected in so short a space of time. After filling up with water and purifying the ship we sailed from Monrovia for New N ork, about 4 p. in., Monday, May 13. Our crew had become so debilitated and sickly from the effects of the climate and from continued labors and exposures that it became very difficult to carry sail and manage a ship of this size (1,066 tons). At one time there were only 7 on duty, 3 in one watch and 4 in the other. On the 17th of May Michael Redmon Page 14 14 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS-~---UNION. (marine) departed this life. His remains were committed to the deep. On the 20th of May, Henry Nagle (ordinary seaman) departed this life. His remains were duly committed to the deep. Both cases were malig- nant. Shortly after this the fever began to subside, and these are all the casualties which it is my painful duty to remand. The remainder of the cruise was without any important incidents. At 12:30 last night made Barnegat light, bearing W. by N., distant about 17 miles. At 2:30 received on board a New York pilot. At 10:30 came to off the quarantine ground and was boarded by the health officer and quarantined, where we remained. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN JULIUS GUTHRIE, Lieutenant, U. S. Navy. HON. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from president Pacific Mail Steamship Company to Secretary of the Navy, naming points where protection to California steamers is needed. PAcIFIc MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, New York, April 24, 1861. DEAR SIR: By late advices from the Isthmus of Panama (via Havana and Jamaica) I have heard that parties in the Pacific have lately pur- chased a steamer and furnished her with arms. This would appear to be a preparation for privateering and may have been done in anticipa- tion of Mr. Davis war and mode of prosecuting it. This company has so deep an interest in the commerce between this city and San Francisco, in its carriage of the United States mails, pas- sengers, treasure, and merchandise freight, that 1 take the liberty of suggesting to the Department the several points where our steamers would be most exposed to molestation and capture: In entering and leaving the ports of San Francisco, Acapulco, Panama, and Aspinwall, and in passing through the West India Islands. The steamers are com- pelled to touch at Acapulco for coals, which a privateer looking out for them would understand and act accordingly. I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that the Department should give us protection by vessels of war at the various points named, and particularly at Acapulco, where our steamers could be easily inter- cepted in consequence of the narrow entrance of the port, etc. I would suggest further that steam vessels will alone answer the purpose. My knowledge of the danger and of the different localities referred to, with my marine education, which was acquired in both the naval and mer- chant service, enables me to express a practical opinion on the subject and induces me to proffer my request, which I do with all deference, but earnestly, and in the hope that it may meet your favorable consid- eration. I have the honor to remain, with great respect, your obedient servant, ALLAN MOLANE, President. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Endorsement.] Measures to be taken to guard the treasure ships on this side Page 15 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 15 Order of the Secretary of the Navy to the commandants of navy yards, relative to Confederate vrivateers. [Confidential.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, April 27, 1861. SIR: It will be the duty of all Government vessels to seize or capture any privateer or vessel that it may meet on the high seas or in our waters depredating on our commerce or making hostile demonstra- tions toward the United States or any of its citizens. Vessels having on board arms, munitions, articles contraband, or which are of a sus- picious character, or that claim to belong to or to have any authority from any government, or pretended government, not recognized by the United States, should be at once captured. All commanders of sea- going ships will be vigilant and energetic in carrying these orders into execution, and you.will communicate a copy hereof to every vessel that leaves the Portsmouth yard. Very respectfully, etc., G. WELLES, Captain GEO. F. PEARSON, Secretary of the Navy. Commandant Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N. H. (Similar letters were addressed to Captain William L. Hudson, com- mandant navy yard, Boston; Captain Samuel L. Breese, commandant navy yard, New York; Captain S. F. Du Pont, commandant navy yard, Philadelphia; Captain J. A. Dahlgren, commandant navy yard, Wash. ington, ID. C.) Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Flag. Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, to protect American commerce. [Confidential.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, April 27, 1861. SIR: The difficulties that have developed themselves in certain States which have assumed an attitude of hostility to the Federal Govern. ment, may extend to the Pacific and call for vigilant and energetic action on your part and that of your command. Apprehensious hav- ing been expressed that attempts may be made by privateers or lawless persons to seize one of the California steamers, your particular atten- tion will be directed to that subject. The ports of San Francisco, Aca- pulco, and Panama are points of speciitl danger, and you will, in this crisis, concentrate your force on the route from Panama. to San Fran- cisco, unless there should be a demand for you in other quarters of which the Department is not advised. You must exercise your judg- ment in discharging the responsible duties that devolve upon you. Very respectfully, etc., G. W[ELLES, Flag-Officer J. B. MONTGOMERY, Secretary of the Navy.] Commanding Pacific Squadron. P. S.Your dispatches to No. 87, inclusive, have been received. In the absence of Flag-Officer Montgomery, Captain IRitchie, or the senior officer in command at Panama, will give the necessary orders to th Page 16 16 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. squadron, apprising them of the condition of public affairs, instructing them to guard and protect our commerce, capture privateers, and give vigilant attention to our interests. Jt is desirable that the information contained in this letter be forwarded to Flag-Officer Montgomery by the earliest conveyance. [G.W.1 Order of the S vecretary of the Navy to commandant navy yard, Philadel phia, to be prepared to capture privateers in waters of the Delaware. [Confidential.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, April 27, 1861. SIR: I acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 23d and 24th instant, and approve your course and the prompt arrangements you made in the emergency, not only responding to, but even anticipating, the views of the Department. Should there be any privateer or hostile vessel in the waters of the Delaware means should be instantly instituted for her capture, and if there should be no public armed vessel available a steamer should be chartered and manned without delay, to seize her as soon as reliable information is received of such an enemy. I have directed Commodore Paulding to detail three or four midship. men as requested by you. There are now ten at this station. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, & cretary Navy. Captain S. F. Du PONT, Commandant Navy Yard, Philadelphia. Letter from president Pacific Mail AS~teamship Company to William lii. Aspinwall, esq., containing suggestions for protection of California steamers. PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, New York, April 27, 1861. Mv DEAR SIR: For the protection of the California Atlantic steam- ers I would suggest that the Government station a steamer on the usual route through the West India Islands. She, by previous under- standing, should be met by the steamer from New York off Mariguana Island and convoy the latter clear of Point Folly, off the east end of Jamaica, where she should also by previous understanding meet the steamer from Aspin wall and convoy her clear of Mariguana. Day and night signals should be agreed upon, that there might be no mistake in identity. The Government steamer could coal, etc., at Jamaica. Between steamers she might run round Cuba, and see that no prizes were off Havana. I would recommeild for this service a fast boat, with long pivot guns forward and aft ; also four broadside 32-pounders of medium length, to carry both shell and round shot, grape and canister. A naval man can be found to command. Captain Harris would make a first-rate master (sailing), or, if need be, captain Page 17 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 17 I deem this service of the highest importance to the safety of our California steamers ; it would remove the ouiy great risk in the trade. Very respectfully, ALLAN MOLANE, President. W. H. ASPINWALL, ESQ. Report of commandant navy yard, New York, of two vessels fitting out at Savannah, Ga. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, April 29, 1861. SIR: Mr. C. W. Webster, of New Hampshire, late master of the bark Silphide, more recently first officer of the steamship Florida, arrived here on Saturday from Savannah, and reports two vessels fit- ting out at that port, a brig and a schooner, for privateering, one of them belonging to C. W. Lamar. He understood they would be ready in eight or ten days. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SAMUEL L. BREESE, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] NEW YORK, April 30, 1861. (Received Washington, 1:30 p. in.) SECRETARY OF NAVY: By the mail to-morrow will you please order Commodore Montgomery to send a war steamer to Acapulco for the protection of our steamers containing passengers, mails, treasures, etc. Should one of them be captured the enemy would have to take her to some Mexican port. Our steamers are compelled to stop at Acapulco for coal. ALLAN MCLANE, President. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to commandant navy yard, New York, to capture all insurgent vessels. [Confidential.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., May 2, 1861. SIR: The information communicated in yours of the 29th April, that two privateers are fitting out at Savannah, is corroborated by informa- tion drawn from other sources. I send herewith extracts from a letter in this Department, and from these, as well as from the facts of your letter, it is evident that no time should be lost in dispatching two of the steamers off Savannah River. As the Department is unadvised in regard to the steamers you have engaged, it is compelled to instruct you to order two on this service. 123A. Page 18 18 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. The commanders have already been detailed, and if you have not lieu- tenants you must employ masters mates. Should the Constitution be in New York with the midshipmen, you are authorized to detail one for each of the steamers. The commanders will make it a point to capture all privateers, all armed vessels, and, indeed, any vessel sailing under authority, or pre- tended authority, from the States in insurrection; to seize all vessels having on board arms, armed men, munitions, or articles contraband of war. So far as in their power, they will establish a blockade in conform. ity with the proclamation of the President, copies of which are herewith transmitted. Neutral vessels in port they will permit to depart withiu fifteen days. After Flag-Officer Striugham shall have arrived out he will give orders in detail; until then a copy of this letter will be their instruc- tions. Report the names of the vessels, commanders, and other particulars. Respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, & cretary Navy. Commodore SAML. L. BREESE, Commanding Navy Yard, New York. [Enclosure.] EXTRACTS REFERRED TO IN DISPATCH TO COMMODORE BREESE, MAY 2, 1861. Steamer Evergiade and a steam tug purchased in New York are being fitted up by the State of Georgia at Savannah. They burn wood now, and are called coast-guard boats. A prohibition of coal into their ports would keep these steamers near their wood piles. A small 80-ton schooner, single topsail, is also being fitted at Savan- nah, said to be for a privateer. She is rather old, Baltimore model, tall raking masts, fine lines, headboards, and ornamental figurehead, scroll, or something similar; been lying in Savannah River some time; painted black ten days since; apparently ready for sea except bending sails; could not carry much of an armament or many men, but could be towed to sea by one of the steamers referred to through some of the inlets making from the Savannah River, and go to sea 20 miles above or below Savannah. Timber and planking could be obtained just below Savan- nah (accessible to ships), scows made, filled with stones, towed in, and sunk across the channels. This, with a blockade, would compel a man to go ahorseback part of the way to get from Georgia to Florida, and cut off Savannah from all trade or intercourse by water north or south except in small boats. The restriction on the export of corn from Baltimore stops the entire present supply of corn to Savannah, as the Baltimore line of propellers have been carrying large quantities of corn lately for Georgia consump- tion. Corn has been going to sea from North Carolina to Georgia. To blockade Norfolk effectually the canal from that port connecting with ports and places in North Carolina should be stopl)ed working. A small, fast-sailing schooner, 30 tons, was at Fernandina, Fla., tell days since, said to be intended as a privateer. The Wanderer is in Havana on sale. Coal for New Orleans boats go down the Mississippi from Pittsburg Page 19 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 19 Letter from the governor of New Jersey to the President of the United States regarding defenseless condition of that State. STATE OF NEW JERSEY, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Trenton, May 2, 1861. DEAR Sin: The citizens of New Jersey residing in the southwest- ern part of the State and on the Delaware Bay feel some anxiety on account of their defenseless condition and exposure to annoyance from privateers. I have consulted Commodore Stockton on the subject, and have prevailed upon him and Mr. Edwin A. Stevens to visit Washing- ton on behalf of the State, to confer with you as to the most appropriate means of allaying the apprehensions of our people. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, OHS. S. OLDEN, Governor.] Hon. A. LINCOLN, President of the United States. Order of Secretary of the Navy to Commander Goldsborough, U. ~. Navy, commanding U. S. S. U~ion,to cruise for protection of commerce. NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 2, 1861. Sin: You will proceed with the Union and cruise off the capes of [the] Delaware for the protection of commerce in that quarter. You will cap- ture any privateers or illegal vessels, detain and examine those that are suspicious or which have armed men, munitions, or articles con- traband of war destined to the insurrectionary States an convenient make report to the Department. d as often as Very respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, Commander J. ~. GOLDSEOROUGH, Secretary of the Navy.] Commanding U. S. S. Union. Order of Secretary of the Navy to commandant navy yard, New York, to suppress privateering. NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 13, 1861. Sir: As soon as the equipment of the Mount Vernon is completed and she is officered and ready for sea she will proceed with all expe- dition to the gulf for the purpose of aiding in suppressing privateering and carrying into effect the blockade of the ports in that quarter. Her commanding officer will report to the senior officer on his arrival for instructions, and in the meantime will capture any privateers or ves- sels with hostile troops or arms or munitions destined for the insur- rectionary States. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Commodore S. L. BREESE, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commandant Navy Yard, New York Page 20 20 OPERArIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Flag- Officer Belt, U. & Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, ]Jfediterranean Sea, of the sailing, in obedience to Depart- ments orders, of the U. S. S. Susquehanna and Iroquois for New York. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, Spezia, May 13, 1861. Siu: I have the honor to inform you that on the 4th instant I received your letters of the 8th and 11th April, the first directing me to send to New York the Susquehanna and Iroquois and the latter to return to the United States with this ship also. The following day the Susquehanna arrived at Naples, in accordance with an order I had sent to Captain Rollins to join me on the 5th May. In less than two and a half hours that ship was again under way, with instructions to proceed to New York, touching at Tunis, and, if neces- sary, at Cagliari and [Port] Mahon, to deliver a letter to Captain Palmer to join me in the Iroquois immediately at Spezia. The day I received your order for the return of the ships at a ven- ture I telegraphed to Commander Palmer, supposing it possible it might reach him before he sailed. This telegram fortunately arrived at Malta as he was about to leave, and he immediately turned his conrse toward Spezia, where he arrived on the 9th instant. Captain Rollins will, therefore, in accordance with his instructions, stop only at Tunis, which will be a detention of but a few hours, and may be expected in New York by the 1st of June. It blew a gale directly into the Bay of Naples when the Susquehanna left, but having full steam power she easily made way against it. The following day, the gale continuing, we were compelled to remain at our anchors, but left the day after, the 7th instant, and arrived here to-day. On our way up from Naples I touched at Leghorn to settle some unpaid bills of the Susquehanna and adjust other matters connected with our return to the United States. The Iroquois will sail at daylight to-morrow for Leghorn to replen- islit her stock of coal. As I have made arrangements to get her a speedy supply she will not be detained there over twenty-four hours, and will then continue her course to New York. In this ship we are now employed in getting in our stores of water, provisions, etc., which I hope we can accomplish in three or four days, when we shall proceed to Genoa for coal and a portion of the machin- ery of the engine sent recently from New York. I respectfully enclose a copy of my last order to Captain G. N. Rol- lins of the Susquehanna. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. II. BELL, Flag-Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Enclosure.] U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, Naples, May 5, 1861. SIR: You will proceed immediately to Tunis and give the enclosed letter to Commander Palmer of the Iroquois. If the Iroquois has not been to Tunis, you will leave the letter for Commander Palmer at that place. If Commander Palmer has left Tunis, you follow him to Cagliari Page 21 OPERATIONS 01? THE CRUISERSUNION. 21 island of Sardinia. If he has left there you will go to [Port] Mahon, island, of Mm orca, and if the Iroquois is not there and has not been there, you will leave the letter in the hands of the U. S. consul. When the letter is disposed of you will proceed as soon as possible to New York, stopping at Gibraltar or Cadiz to fill up your coal, and on your arrival at New York report to the honorable Secretary of the Navy. I am, respectfully, yours, CHAS. II. BELL, Flag- Officer. Captain GEORGE N. HOLLINS, Commanding U. S. S. AS~usquehanna, Naples. Order of Flag-Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Mediterranean Sea, to Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. iroquois, to proceed without delay to New York. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, Spezia, May 13, 1861. SIR: You will get under way as early as possible to-morrow morning and proceed to Leghorn, where I have arranged with the American vice-consul to supply you without delay with coal. As soon after as you are ready in all respects you will proceed to New York, touching on your way either at Gibraltar or Cadiz to replenish your coal. On your way across the Atlantic, if necessary, you can stop either at Madeira or Fayal, according to the route you take, for a further supply. You will exercise your best judgment to make a quick passage, as it is all important that your ship should reach the United States as soon as possible. On your arrival you will report to the Secretary of the Navy and send him a copy of this letter. Wishing you a safe and quick passage and a happy meeting with your family and friends, I am, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. II. BELL, Fla.q-Officer. P. S.You will be pleased to write me from Gibraltar or Cadiz, placing your letter in the care of the U. S. consul at Gibraltar, to be handed to me on my arrival at that place. C.II.B. Commander J. S. PALMER, Commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, La Spezia. Letter from B. B. Forbes, esq., to Secretary of the Navy, forwarding memorial regarding protection of vessels in Vineyard Sound. BOSTON, May 14, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a memorial relating to the protection of the trade centering in the Vineyard Sound and vicin- ity, say from Montank Point to the coast of Cape Cod Page 22 22 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. I have been offered a very effective propeller tugboat, which would be a suitable vessel to arm with two 0 or 12 pound rifle gnus. She is new and well built, and can be bought at a reasonable price by private contract if applied for soon. She is about 127 tons, 80 feet long, 18 beam, and 8 ~- hold, with a condensing engine 26-iuch cyliiider. I am, very faithfully, your servant, 11. B. FORBES. Hon. GiDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. (Enclosure.] BOSTON, May 13, 1861. Whereas the number of vessels passing through the Vineyard Sound is very large, amounting to more than 50,000 annually, and belong- ing to all the ports of New England, the undersigned, insurers, merchants, and others interested therein, respectfully request that an armed steamer be stationed as a coast guard in said Vineyard Sound. ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY, Per H. S. ANDROS, President. [And other insurance companies and merchants.] Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Lieutenant Brasher, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Bainbridge, to protect Galifornia steamers. NAvY DEPARTMENT, May 15, 1861. SIR: Having been appointed to the command of the U. S. brig Bain- bridge, you will proceed with that vessel the moment she is ready for sea with all practicable dispatch to Aspinwall, New Grenada. You will remain there with her until otherwise ordered by the Department or the flag-officer of the home or West India Squadron, Captain Pendergrast. Your principal object at Aspinwall will be the protection of the Cali- fornia steamships with their passengers and treasure against piratical vessels, or vessels sailing under pretended letters of marqne issued by the insurrectionary States. Should you fall in with any such vessels, you will promptly seize them and send them either to New York or Boston. For the present you will send your communications to the Depart- ment direct, reserving copies to be handed or forwarded to the flag- officer of the squadron when an opportunity may offer. Before sailing from Boston forward to the Department a muster roll of the Bainbridge and a separate list of her officers. Blanks for the purpose have been transmitted to the commandant of the navy yard, Boston. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, [GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant T. M. BRASHER, Secretary of the Navy.] Commanding U. S. Brig Bainbridge, Boston Page 23 OPERATIONS OF tHE CRUISERSUNION. 23 Report of Flag- Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Mediterranean Sea, of proposed capture of American merchant ships by Confederate privateers in those waters. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, Genoa, May 18, 1861. SIR: A gentleman came on board to see me to-day by the name of Augustus Collingbridge, late a captain in the British East India service, who states that a few days since, while at Frankfort on the Main, he was waited on by a Spaniard, agent for the firm of Garcia & Co., bankers of Barcelona, and an offer made to him to furnish commissions for privateers on the part of the Southern Confederate States. He was informed by this agent that, as the United States squadron had been recalled and would soon leave the Mediterranean, there would be a fine opportunity of capturing all the American merchant ships in that sea. Captain Collingbridge thought, from information that he had received, that the American consul at Cadiz would not object to promote this aftair, and that the American consul at Genoa was in the same cate- gory. As both these gentlemen come from a section of the country noted for its filibustering propensities, and from what I have seen and heard of them myself, I have no doubt there is some foundation for this suspicion. In ten days this ship will be on the Atlantic, and then the Mediter- ranean will be entirely exposed to these marauders. There are now six American vessels in this port. I left several at Leghorn, and there are probably a number at Marseilles and Malaga. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. H. BELL, Flag-Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Secretary of the Navy. Letter from Messrs. D. I?. King & Co., Philadelphia, to Secretary of the Navy, requesting naval convoy or armament for California steamers. PHILADELPHIA, May 20, 1861. DEAR SIR: We have for several years past been in the habit of making large and regular shipments to California in Vanderbilts steamers, but at present fear the risk of capture is too great to con- tinue to do so unless we have your assurance of either a naval convoy or armament. Our object in writing is to suggest to you whether it would not be practicable to put these ships in commission and put a force of marines and a pivot gun of long range on board of each. An assurance from the Government that measures had been adopted for the full protection of the California steamers will allay much anxiety on the part of those who are shipping goods or who expect remittances. If you can find time from your present arduous engagements to reply to our communication, you will confer a great favor not only on our- selves, but also on a large number of other persons who are deeply interested. We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants, B. B. KING & Co. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Page 24 24 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to the governor of New Jersey regard- ing protection for that State. NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 21, 1861. SIR: I have received your letter of the 15th instant on the subject of protecting the inlets on the New Jersey coast, and would respect- fully state in reply that the coast guard of the loyal States is assumed by the Treasury Department as a part of the revenue system, to which I have referred your letter. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] His Excellency CHARLES S. OLDEN, Governor of New Jersey. Report of Captain Nicholas, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Constella- tion, of the capture by that vessel of the American brig Triton (slaver). U. S. S. CONSTELLATION, Congo River, West Coast of Africa, May 22, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report to you that I yesterday captured at Punta da Lenha the American brig Triton. She had no slaves on board, but every preparation for their reception had been made. I dispatched her to-day for Norfolk, under charge of Midshipman George A. Borchert, with the necessary written instructions for his guidance on his arrival. The men who accompany Mr. Borchert have been on this coast nearly two years, and o a their arrival at Norfolk will have been at sea actively employed over two years. I therefore respectfully request that they may be paid off aud discharged, and that Mr. Borchert may be allowed the usual leave of absence. I avail myself of this occasiou to report to you the prompt and effi- cient cooperation which I received from Captain Bedingfield, of H. M. S.. Prometheus. Having no means myself of communicating with Punta da Lenha I intimated the fact to Captain Bedingfield, who instantly placed his steamer at my disposal, with the oiler to tow a boat with as many officers and men as I chose to send. I sent out the fourth cntter, under command of Lieutenant P. C. Johnson, and they com- mence(l steaming up the river at 3 oclock, and by 10 oclock had taken possession of the Triton. The only other American vessel there was the Falmouth. She doubt- less is going to take in slave cargo, but her preparations were not suf- ficiently advanced to make it advisable to seize her. Had I been one month earlier I could have Inade a great capture, as there were at that time nine slavers at Punta da Lenha, all of which have escaped except the ship Nightingale, which wa~ captured by the Saratoga. It is perhaps proper for me to state that Flag-Officer Inman is tem- porarily absent from this ship, he having removed his flag to the Ports- mouth. This will account for my making this report. The crew of this ship are in tolerably good health, but the effect of the climate is beginning to tell upon them. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, J. S. NICHOLAS, Captain, Commanding U. S. S. Constellation. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 25 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 25 Report of Lieutenant Brasher, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Bain- bridge, acknowledging orders. U. S. Bi~io- BAINBRIDGE, Off Boston Light, May 22, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report the sailing of this vessel under your orders of May 15, and shall use my utmost exertion to execute well your instructions. The muster roll of officers and men is forwarded through the commodore of the yard. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. M. BRASHER, Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Captain Ritchie, U. S. Navy, senior officer present in Bay of Panama, relative to mail steamers. U. S. S. SARANAC, Bay of Panama, May 22, 1861. SIR: Communications from the Department of dates April 27 and May 1 have been received, together with the Presidents proclamation in regard to pretended letters of marque. Having been notified by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company of the supposed presence of privateers in the Pacific, I had partly anticipated the orders of the Department by directing Commander Bissell, now at Acapulco, to cruise with the Cyane between ~that port and Mauzanilla; and have also dispatched an order to Commander Porter, at San Fran- cisco to expedite the repairs on the St. Marys, and when in readiness for sea to repair at once to Mauzanilla and cooperate with Captain Bissell in affording protection to the mail steamers along the most exposed line of coast. By the English mail steamer sailing hence on the 24th instant I will forward instructions to Captain hunt to proceed immediately with the Narragansett to the relief of the 6yane, which latter vessel, after receiv- ing her stores at this port, will be dispatched to Callao and discharge the duties of the Narragansett at that place. Captain [J. K.] Mitchells last communication states that he expected to sail from San Francisco with the Wyoming for this port about the 1st instant. Should 1 hear, however, of the further detention of that vessel, I will direct Captain Mitchell to remain with the Wyoming at San Francisco and afford protection to our interests at that point. In my orders to Commander Bissell I have directed special vigilance to be exercised on the arrival and departure of the mail steamers at the port of Acapulco, and will instruct Captain Hunt to the same effect. Copies of instructions received from the Department will be forwarded to the flag-officer by the earliest conveyance. 1 am, vcry respectfully, your obedient servant, IiOBT. RITCHIE, Captain, Senior Officer present. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 26 26 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to Messrs. D. B. King & Co. regarding measures for protection of California steamers. NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 23, 1861. GENTLEMEN: Your communication of the 20th instant has been received. The Department has given instructions to its vessels in the West Indies and Pacific for the protection of the California steamers, and it is understood that the steamship company has taken measures to defend their vessels. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Messrs. D. IR. KING & Co., Philadelphia. ~Secretary of the Navy.] Letter from Henry Wenzell, esq., of Boston, to Secretary qf the Naey,for warding information of the fitting out of privateers at New Orleans. BOSTON, May 23, 1861. DEAR SIR: To-day an item of intelligence has come to my knowl- edge that may or may not be important, and that as a loyal citizen I feel it my duty to communicate, though I have not the honor of being known by you. To-day an acquaintance received a letter from his brother, resident in New Orleans, dated the 16th instant, in which he reports the fitting out at that place by a stock company of the steam tugboat Enoch Train as a privateer; also reports that nine other vessels were being fitted for that purpose at Algiers, on the opposite side of the river. This letter he has loaned to a Mr. Kimball, said to be part owner of the Enoch Train, who starts this evening for Washington in order to see you in relation to the affair. This Mr. Kimball I have never before heard of, and have no evidence of his loyalty or of his want of it. Mr. Thaxter, the gentleman who received the letter, has great confidence in his brothers statements. Wishing for our arms success equal to that in the olden time, when the war cry was, The sword of the Lord and of Gideon, I am, dear sir, yours, truly, HENRY WENZELL. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy, U. S. A., Washington. Report of Flag- Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Mediterranean Sea, of his arrival at Gibraltar in the flagship Rich- mond. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, Gibraltar, May 29, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that we arrived here yesterday in six and a half days from Genoa. In consequence of thick, foggy weather, I anchored at Malaga for a few hours. I availed myself of this opportunity to communicate to the consul the information received in regard to the probability of privateers being fitted out in Spain t Page 27 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 27 cruise against our commerce in the Mediterranean. I learn here that the Susquehanna left (Jadiz for New York on the 19th instant, and the Iroquois on the 25th; this ship will follow to-morrow. Previous to leaving Genoa we made two attempts, both without suc- cess, to raise our propeller. In former communications I informed the Department of this difficulty, and that I intended to dock the ship at Toulon, to have it remedied; but the order to return home, at this important time, did not admit of this delay. We shall have to there- fore drag it most of the way across the ocean, as we can not carry coal sufficient to steam the whole distance. This will compel me to stop at Madeira to fill up, but I hope that this detention will not be for more than one day. Under all these circumstances I think the Richmond may be expected to arrive in New York about the 5th of July. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHAs. II. BELL, Flag-Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to Henry Weuzell, esq., of Boston, Mass. NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 29, 1861. SIR: The Department has received your communication of the 23d instant in relation to the fitting out of privateers at New Orleans, and thanks you for the information atlorded. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] HENRY WENZELL, ESQ., Boston, Mass. Report of Flag- Officer Sands, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Brazil Squadron, of departure of U. S. S. Seminole for Philadelphia, in obedi- ence to orders. U. S. FLAG STEAMER PULASKI, Montevideo, May 31, 1861. SIR: Since my last, No. 18, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your order of April 8, directing me to order the steamer Seminole, Commander Thomson, of this squadron, to the port of Phila- delphia. On the 14th of this month I ordered the steamer to proceed to Rio de Janeiro for stores and provisions for the use of the squadron at this point, with instructions to Commander Thomson, in the event of meet- ing dispatches there for me, to open, and if finding, as I supposed there might be, from the nature of circumstances at home, anything relating to the steamer under his command, to act in accordance with- out further reference to me. I am happy to state, for the information of the honorable Department, this day, per French mail, I received a letter from Commander Thomson, informing me of having opened your communication, and that he was then (23d May) preparing to sail fo Page 28 28 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUiSERSUNION. the United States, and in five days would be ready to proceed, in obe- dience to your order of the 8th April, which 1 had happily anticipated, and thereby gained time, which I believed might be of importance to the Department. Commander Thomson speaks in favorable terms of the Seminole since some alterations have been made on her while here, and I have every reason to believe that, with some further alterations when she shall arrive in the United States, she may prove a useful and valuable vessel to the Government. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA R. SANDS, Flag-Officer, Commanding U. S. Brazil Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, ft C. Capture of the Confederate privateer Savannah by the ii]. S. brig Perry, June 3, 1861. Extract from report of Rear-Admiral Stringham, U. S. Navy, commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, transmitting report of Lieutenant Parrott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Perry. U. S. S. MINNESOTA, Off Charleston Harbor, June 6, 1861. SIR: * * * * * * * June 5, about 10 oclock a. in., our masthead lookout made a sail, which proved to be the U. S. brig Perry, Lieutenant Commanding Par- rott, with a prize in company, it being a piratical schooner of about 50 tons, called the Savannah, hailing from Charleston, with a commission from Jefferson Davis, dated Montgomery, May 18, 1861, commanded by T. Harrison Baker, and a crew of 19 men. She had placed some of her crew on board a prize, the brig Joseph, of iRockland, Me., from Cardenas, with sugar, which she had captured on the 3d instant, and ordered to Beaufort, S. C. The captain of the Joseph, retained on board the schooner, now goes to New York in company with the prize master. 1 herewith enclose a copy of Lieutenant Commanding Par- rotts report. I shall order the schooner to New York iii charge of Prize Master R. S. McCook, midshipman. I beg leave most respectfully to remind the I)epartment that I am very much in want of vessels. The prisoners of the schooner Savannah, captain, lieutenant, sailing- master, and purser, and 10 men6 having been sent away in their prize, the Josephare on board the Minnesota, and will be sent on the first opportunity to a Northern port. The Perry has proceeded to her station off Fernandina. Respectfully, your obedient servant, S. II. STRINGHAM, Flag-Officer, Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Kavy Page 29 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 29 [Enclosure.] Report of Lieutenant Parrott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Perry. U. S. BRIG- PERRY, At Sea, June 5, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 3d instant the privateer schooner Savannah, of Charleston, S. C., Captain T. II. Baker, commis- sioned by Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, was captured by this vessel about 60 miles east of Charles- ton, S. C. The following are the particulars of the capture: She was discov- ered apparently following a brig, and, considering her movements sus- picious, we gave her chase, and, getting nearer, discovered that she carried a pivot gun. We showed our colors, which sometime after she answered by hoisting a flag for a moment and hauling it down again too soon for us to make it out. We afterwards fired a gun ahead of her, but she showed no colors. At 7:50 p. in., it being quite dark, and the brig, which had been seen near the schooner, out of sight, we were within range, and opened fire on the schooner, which she returned, several of her shots passing over us. At 8:10 she ceased firing and we lost sight of her for a moment; it proved that she had lowered her sails to show her submission. Wore round and passed near her with- out firing, asking if she surrendered, but could not understand her answer. Wore again, and on passing her were answered that she had surrendered. A prize crew was sent on board, with orders to follow us, and her crew were transferred to this vessel. She had left Charleston on the 2d instant on her first cruise. We found on board of her the master of the brig Joseph, of Rockland, Me., which was the vessel seen near her, and which she had captured on the morning of the 3d instant. As the smoke from the guns added to the difficulty of keeping the vessel in view, we fired slowly and expended but a few shots upon her. Two of our shots passed through her sails and one between them and the hull. The officers and crew seconded with great zeal my efforts to prevent the escape of the privateer. She awaits your orders. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. G. PARROTT, Lieutenant, Commanding. Flag-Officer SILAs II. STRING-HAM, U. S. S. Minnesota. Abstract of log of U. S. brig Perry, Lieutenant E. G. Parrott, U. S. Navy, commanding. June 3, 1861.(Latitude, 32047; longitude, 78052.) Boarded Bremen bark Copernicus, bound for Baltimore. She certified that she had been boarded by the Minnesota and warned not to enter any port south of the Chesapeake. At 2 saw light-house bearing N. W. by W. At 4 dis- covered a brig and a schooner; schooner a mile astern of brig. At 4:40 p. in., movements of the schooner being suspicious, gave chase to her. At 5 saw that schooner had a gun. At 6:10 schooner hoisted colors and kept them up only for a moment, but we could not make them out. At 7:15 fired a shot ahead of her, but she showed no colors. At 7:50, it being quite dark and the brig out of sight, opened fire on the schooner Page 30 30 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. which she returned. Several of her shot passed over us. At 8:10 schooner ceased firing and we lost sight of her for a moment. It proved that she had lowered her sails to show her submission. Wore around and passed near her without firing, asking if she had surrendered. Sent a boat on board of her with Lieutenant J. N. Miller; returned, bringing her captain, several officers, and the captain of the brig Joseph, of Rock- land, Me., which brig had been captured by the schooner and was the vessel seen near her. At 12 m. she followed us, under the charge of Masters Mate Palmer and 6 men. Found the prize to be the privateer Savannah, of Charleston, S. C., Captain T. II. Baker, sailing under a letter of marque, signed by Jefferson Davis. She left Charleston the 2d of June on her first cruise. During the action expended 14 shell and 2 round shot. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Lieutenant Parrott, U. S. Navy commanding U. S. brig Perry, commending the officers and crew of that vessel for the capture of the Confederate privateer Savannah. NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 15, 1861. Sru: I received through Flag-Officer Stringhain a copy of your report of the capture of the privateer Savannah by the U. S. brig Perry nuder your command. The ability and energy displayed in overhaul- ing, under adverse circumstances, and capturing the Savannah, reflect. credit on yourself and the officers and men under your command. You will make known to the officers and crew of the Perry the Depart- ments admiration and appreciation of their services. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.] Lieutenant E. 0-. PARROTT, Commanding U. S. Brig Perry, Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Report of Flag- Officer Sands, U. S. Navy, commanding United States frrces, coast of Brazil, of preparation by U. S. flagship Congress for departure for Boston, Mass. U. S. FLAGSHIP CONGRESS, Off Montevideo, June 16, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to state for the information of the Depart- ment that on the 15th of this month (yesterday) I received your order of April 9, ordering this ship home. Your order of the 8th April, received by the previous mail, via France, had been auticipated so far as to induce me to direct Commander Thomson to open any dis- patches he might find at Rio de Janeiro and act on them so far as they might relate to the Seminole, and forward his communication to me. I am induced to hope that the Seminole is now well on her way to Phila- delphia, as ordered by the honorable Department. I am at a loss to account for the nonreceipt of yours of the 9th April, with that of the 8th, which I regret, as it makes a difference of some fifteen days; but the Congress having been always kept in immediate readiness for any orders, she will sail for Boston as soon as her bills can be settled and small amount of bread obtained to supply the loss of some unexpectedly condemned. I hope to sail by the 19th, an Page 31 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 31 nothing shall be wanting to place this ship at the disposal of the hon- orable Department with as little delay as possible. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA 11. SANDS, Flag- Officer, Commanding United States Forces, Coast of Brazil. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from committee of New York Board of Underwriters to the Secre- tary of the Navy, enclosing copy of orders to the captain of their armed schooner. COMMITTEE FOR MANAGING AFFAIRS OF THE KEY WEST AND NASSAU AGENCIES, New York, June 17, 1861. SIR: We are in receipt of your communication of the 15th instant, granting permission to Acting Master Moses Hoyt to assume command of our schooner Henry W. Johnson, under the instructions which were submitted to you for approval by Captain Fraser, and a copy of which we have now the honor to transmit, agreeable to your instructions, to be placed on the files of the Department. We have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient serv- ants, F. S. LATHROP, DANIEL DRAKE SMITH, JOHN D. JONES, RICHARD LATHERS, ALFRED EDWARDS, Committee for Nassau and Key West Agencies, New York Board of Underwriters. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Enclosure.] Copy of special instructions. NEW YORK, June 6, 1861. SIR: Hostilities have been commenced by some of the Southern States against the Federal Government of the United States, and confederat- ing together they have authorized the issne of letters of marque and reprisal against the property of the citizens of the United States on the high seas. As set forth in your general instructions of this date, the schooner Henry W. Johnson is employed for the same purposes for which the ii uderwriters have maintained a vessel under your command for several years past, viz, to cruise among the Bahama Islands for the purpose of preventing shipwrecks as far as possible, and rendering such advice and assistance as may be in your power to masters of vessels stranded or otherwise in distress, with a view to the saving and preservation of the property under their charge; but, for protection against any attack which may be made upon her, they have deemed it proper to place an armament on board, and to provide her with an additional num- ber of men Page 32 32 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. You will therefore take all necessary precautions for the safety of said armament, and establish such regulations, discipline, and practice among the crew as will enable you at all times to make an efficient defense in case of need. If you are attacked, you will defend your vessel to the last extremity. If you fall in with any merchant vessel attacked or captured by a privateer, you will defend or rescue her if in your power to do so, and if the attacking vessel should become your prize, you will take her into Key West, if that place remains in possession of the authorities of the United States; or, in case of necessity, after delivering up her officers and crew to the nearest United States authorities, you may send the captured vessel to New York, to be disposed of as the law may sanction. You will at all times, when not inconsistent with other duties, act as convoy to any merchant vessels upon which, or in whose cargoes, you have reason to suppose that your employers are interested as insurers. In the event of any occurrences of a character contemplated by these instructions you will make a detailed report thereof to the chairman of the committee on the Nassau and Key West agencies, and also inclose under cover to him a copy addressed to the Secretary of the Navy of the United States, which will be forwarded if deemed important. Very respectfully, yours, F. S. LATEROP, DANIEL DRAKE SMITH, JOHN D. JONES, RICHARD LATHERS, ALFRED EDWARDS, Committee for Nassau and Key West Agencies. Captain MosEs HOYT. Instructions from Flag- Officer Sands, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Brazil Squadron, to Lieutenant Commanding ]Iliacomb, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pulaski, to assume the duties of senior officer in command. U. S. FRIGATE CONGRESS, Montevideo, June 20, 1861. Sin: The honorable Navy Department of the United States having ordered this ship home, you will remain on this coast and river, senior naval officer in command. Your attention will be at all times directed to the honor of our Ilag and the interests of onr citizens and their property under all and every circumstance you may be called upon to act. Under the peculiar state of our public affairs at home it is impossible for me to anticipate all matters you may be called on to give your atten- tion to. As they come up I must leave them to your discretion and good judgment in connection with any of our consuls at hand, and with whom I would recommend you to advise. For the efficiency, dis- cipline, and good order of the steamer Pulaski, nuder your command, the honorable Department, having long since confided her to you, has every reason to believe that you are fully equal to it. The Pulaski as a vessel of war being of not much force or efficiency, your own force of character will have to make up for what may be wanting in her to sustain the honor of the flag of the Union, and it is fully confided to you. On my arrival in the United States I shall represent the circu Page 33 OPERATIONS 01? THE CRUISERSUNION. 33 stances of the case of the Pulaski, and have no doubt you will be amply eared for. All dispatches arriving for the flag or senior officer you will open and act in strict compliance with the same, using your best judgment to carry them out strictly and in a way calculated to meet all the views of the Government. In taking leave of you, sir, I should be wanting in duty to the Gov- ernment, yourself, and my own feelings were I not to say how much I appreciate your valuable services and the prompt, zealous, and hand- some manner in which you have carried out all my orders aud sus- tained your position as an officer of the Navy. Wishing you every honor and success, I am, sir, very respectfully. your obedient servant, JOSHUA It. SANDS, Flag-Officer, Commanding U. S. Brazil Squadron. Lieutenant Commanding WM. II. MACOMB, Commanding U. S. Pulaski. Letter from Daniel Hood, esq., to Hon. William P. Fessenden, regardin9 capture of ship A. B. Thompson by C. S. privateer Lady Davis. PORTLAND, June 22, 1861. DEAR SIR: On the 21st ultimo, my ship A. B. Thompson, of Bruns- wick, Me., of 980 tons, was taken, aftem leaving Savannah on the day previous, off Port Hoyal Bay [Sound], by steamer Lady Davis, Captain Pelot, and taken to Beaufort, S. C., as we learn from our correspondent at Savannah, Ga. I have not received any information from the cap- tain since she left Savannah. She is rather a fast sailer. She will make to the rebels a good sloop of war. She can be converted iuto a steamer and would make a formid- ableprivateer. Please to represent this to our Government at Washing- ton. She is worth about $30,OOOto me, or us. They will confer a great favor on us if they will send a steamer, take her out, and tow her to sea. We presume her whole crew are on board. I have the honor,to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, DANIEL HOOD. Hon. WM. P. FESSENDEN. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to Hon. William P. Pessenden. NAVY DEPARTMENT, June 27, 1861. I have the honor to inform you that a copy of the letter of Mr. Daniel Hood, of Portland, in relation to the capture of the ship A. B. Thompson by the rebel steamer Lady Davis, left by you at the Department, has been sent to the flagofficer of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Hon. WM. P. FESSENDEN, U. S. Senate, Washington. 123A Page 34 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS-UNION, 34 Report of Commander Poor, U. S. Xavy, commanding U. S. S. Brooklyn, relative to escape of C. S. S. Sumter from Mississippi River. U. S. STEAM SLOOP BROOKLYN, Off Balize, June30 [18611. SIR: I have the honor to report that this (Sunday) morning having made a bark standing towards the South Pass, and considering her movements suspicious, I left Pass a LOutre and stood for her. As her course was from the land, she led me off some distance from Pass a LOutre. While boarding her I discovered a war steamer (the Sumter) standing down the river. As soon as the boarding boat returned, I stood in to intercept her; but owing to the Brooklyns want of speed was unable to get within gun range of her. She succeeded in passing out. I chased three and a half hours, but finding I could not overhaul her, and being out of sight of my station and having seen a sail standing in that direction, 1 ~ifeemed it neces- sary to give np the chase and return. Fearing that this vessel, which is more than a match for our gunboats in armament, might do great mis- chief and hover about Cuba for the interception of the California mail steamer, I dispatched a boat to the Massachusetts at Ship Island to communicate with you with all possible dispatch. The Sumter, formerly the ifabana, is ,a propeller, painted black~ and bark rigged. Her armament is as follows: One 68-pounder, pivot, four 32-pounders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ~C. II. PooR.] Flag-Officer WM. MERYINE, Commanding Gulf Blockading Squadron. Abstract of log of U. S. S. Brooklyn, Commander C. H. Poor, U. S. Yavy. OFF PASS X LOUTRE, MISSISSIPPI P4YER, June 30,1861. Prom 8 to meridian.Light wind from northward and westward and cloudy.. Standing for the strange sail. At 9 took in all square sails. At 9:30 boarded the English bark Augusta Jessie, from Villa Rica. Informed her of the blockade and warned her off. At 10:30 made sail to topgallant sails. At 11 called all hands to muster and administered the oath of allegiance to the entire crew. In chase of a propeller bark coming out of Pass a LOutre. At 11:45 wind hauling ahead. Clewed up and furled all sails. Prom meridian to 4.First part a squall of rain; middle part light wind from southward; latter part moderate breezes from southward. In chase of the strange steamer which showed secession colors. Did not change the distance from her. Made sail to to~)gallant sails. Crossed royal yards. At 3:25 the engines were slowed in consequence of working water. Abandoned the chase and stood back for the Pass. Report of Captain Ritchie, U. S. Navy, senior officer, Bay of Panama, relative to protection of La Paz, Lower California. U. S. S. SARANAC, Bay of Panama, July 1, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of communication from the Department of the 10th ultimo, enclosing an extract of a lette Page 35 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 35 received by the Department of State relative to certain designs of the insurgents of our country upon the province of La Paz, Lower (Dali- fornia. With a special view to any movement of that nature, I will instruct the present commander of the Wyoming, now on the eve of sailing from this port, to call at La Paz and ascertain, if possible, the existing cause for apprehension previous to proceeding to his station off San Francisco. The St. Marys, now undergoing repairs at Mare Island, will be instructed to carry out my former orders in cruising off Cape San Lucas; also to touch frequently at La Paz and exercise constant vigilance in that quarter. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT RITcHIE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Captain and Senior Officer. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Flag- Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, late commanding United States forces, ]Jliediterranean Sea, of arrival in New York in obedience to orders from the Department. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, New York, July 3, 1861 SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival of this ship to-day at 5 p. m. We left Gibraltar on the 30th of May, stopped at Madeira to replenish our coal, and sailed from the latter place on the 6th of Jane. Oar passage has been much delayed in consequence of being compelled to drag our propeller nearly the whole distauice across the Atlaiitic. We made an attempt to raise it at Gibraltar, then again at Madeira, and another time soon after we entered the region of the trade winds, but without success. If it were not for the state of the machinery, I could report the ship ready for immediate service. She must, however, go into dock to ascertain and remedy the difficulty in regard to the propeller, which will probably not cause a delay of more than three or four days. In other respects the ship is in line order, her crew well drilled and in an excellent state of discipline. I have made a report to the head of the Bureau of Construction and Repair of the condition of the vessel, with suggestions to improve her deficiencies. I consider the Richmond in her present state as an unsafe vessel to be employed at sea on our coast; but she can perform good service in thc Chesapeake Bay, where in a gale of wind she could gen- erally anchor, or reach a place of safety for that purpose. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHARLES II. BELL, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Flag-Officer. Secretary of the Navy. Report of Captain Ritchie, U. S. Navy, senior officer, Bay of Panama, c?f movements of U. S. S. Wyoming in execution of orders to protect Cali- fornia steamers. U. S. S. SARANAC, Bay of Panama, July 4, 1861. SIR: In order to carry out the instructions of the Department and afford protection to the U. S. mail steamers at San Francisco, Page 36 36 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. directed Commander Mitchell to remain with the Wyoming and cruise oft the port; but, contrary to my express order, Commander. Mitchell proceeded with the Wyoming to this port. On the arrival of that ves- sel I notified Commander Mitchell of his dismissal from the service, and in the absence of Commander McDougal I have placed the Wyo- ming temporarily in charge of her executive officer, Lieutenant F. K. Murray. The Wyoming will be immediately dispatched to San Francisco, with orders to carry out my original instructions, via La Paz. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT RITCHIE, Captain and Senior Officer. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from Elisha D. Smith, esq., to Secretary of the Navy, regarding a remonstrance to the favorable treatment of a Confederate privateer by authorities at St. Thomas, West Indies. HARTFORD, July 5, 1861. SIR: The captain of the schooner Virginia Price, ten days from St. Croix to the Connecticut River, has to-day informed me that when his vessel, about eighteen days since, was in St. Thomas a privateer came into that port under coyer of the United States fiag, disguising her real character, and after obtaining, as is supposed, information in rela- tion to American vessels in port, of which there were at the time seven- teen in number, cleared and sailed during the night under cover of what is termed a night pass. She, of course, had no papers but such as the Confederate States could give her. When her character became known to the public, which was not until after she had sailed, there was a general expression of indignation that the authorities should have permitted a vessel without United States papers, or legal papers of any kind, to pass under such circumstances. A remonstrance was made to the governor, but he excused himself by saying that St. Thomas is a free port; that he had no power to prevent the transac- tion, and referred the parties remonstrating to the U. S. consul, but this official, it seems, is a citizeu of North Carolina, and at least open to the suspicion, then, of favoring the pirate rather than otherwise. I presume the substance of the foregoing may have come to your knowl- edge, but to guard against any contingency which may have prevented it, I have been induced to take the liberty of addressing you. Yery respectfully, ELISHA D. SMITH. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Endorsement.] Send copy to Secretary of State. The writer is known to me as a highly respectable West India merchant, and would call particular attention of the honorable Secretary [of] State to that part which refers to the consul. W[ELLES] Page 37 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 37 Letter from the president of Board of Underwriters to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting that naval regulations and signals be furnished the ~ armed schooner. COMMITTEE FOR MANAGING AFFAIRS OF THE KEY WEST AND NASSAU AGENCIES, New York, July 6, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to advise you that the underwriters schooner, under command of Acting Master Moses Hoyt, will sail this day for the Bahamas and Florida Reefs, via St. Thomas. Captain Hoyt is desirous of being placed in possession of a copy of the Regulations for the Government of the Navy, which, if trans- mitted to us, will be forwarded to him by the first opportunity. We would respectfully enquire whether Captain Hoyt might not be put in possession of such naval signals as would enable him to com- municate his character and identity to such of our national vessels as he may fall in with. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. S. LATHROP, Chairman. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Report of Flag-Officer Bell, late commanding U. S. naval jorces, Mediter- ranean Sea, of having struck his flag at New York. U. S. FLAGSHIP RICHMOND, New York, July 9, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your order detaching me from the command of the Mediterranean Squadron, and have hauled down my flag this day. 1 have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. H. BELL, Flag- Officer. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Telegram.] (Received July 12, 1861, from Newport.) Arrived. A brig from Bangor with part of crew of brig John Welsh, from Trinidad (sugar for Falmouth), was taken by privateer Jeff. Davis oft Hatteras on Saturday last. Captain Fifield, of brig John Welsh, was put on board ship John (loodwin [Mary Goodell], of and from New York for Montevideo, which vessel had been ransacked and was allowed to proceed on account of her heavy draft of water. Same pri- vateer took the schooner [brig] J. W. Warner, * of New York, and a brig. The privateer was 100 miles southeast of Nantucket Shoals. T. & J. COGGESHALL, Agents, Board Underwriters. I-Ion. G. WELLES. [Schooner S. J. Waring? Page 38 38 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Telegram] NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 12, 1861. If you can reach the Cambridge, let her cruise three or four days. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. J. M. FORBES, Boston. [Telegram.] (Received July 12, 1861, from Boston.) There is no doubt that privateer was plundering vessels last Monday about 100 miles south Nantucket. The Vincennes (due) and Dale at Portsmouth could be dispatched at short notice if ordered. Perhaps Secretary Chase will also order revenue cutter to sea. J. M. FORBES. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. [Telegram.] NEW YORK, July 12, 1861. Have just received telegrajn from collector of Newport that the Mary E. Thompson, from Searsport, Me., for Antigna, was boarded by a Southern privateer brig in latitude 390 16, longitude 67~ 40, a day or two ago. HIRAM BARNEY, Collector. Hon. S. P. CHASE. [Telegram.] (Received July 12, 1861, from Boston.) Privateer Jeff. Davis, Captain Postell, formerly in Navy, seen 100 miles southeast of Nantucket. Collector probably sends two sailing revenue cutters to cruise. I have ordered gunboat Cambridge stopped if possible at Woods loll, where she is available to cruise if you direct it. J. M. FORBES. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. Order from commandant navy yard, Boston, to Commander Handy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Vincennes, to cruise in search of privateer Jeff. Davis. NAvY YARD, BOSTON, July 12, 1861. SIR: You will proceed to sea without delay with the U. S. S. T7incennes under your command, and cruise for eight days in pursuit of the rebel privateer Jeff. Davis, reported to have captured the brig John Welsh off Cape Hatteras, and schooner [brig] J. W. Warner,* of New York, about 100 miles southeast of Nantucket South Shoal; was seen in that vicinity on Monday last, and is no doubt cruising over the track V Schooner ~5. J. Waring? Page 39 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUiSERSUNION. 39 of vessels from the eastward bound to New York, where you may find or hear from her from the vessels you hill in with. You will examine suspicious vessels and capture those bearing the secession or rebel flag. If you should be fortunate enough to thu in with the Jeff. Davis you will capture and bring her to this port. After diligently cruising over the track indicated for one week, yoa will return to Boston and report the result of your cruise. The two revenue cutters from this port will accompany you. I have not ascertained if the Jeff. Davis is brig or schooner rig. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. L. HUDSON, Commandant. Commander ROBERT HANDY, Commanding U. S. S. Vincennes, off Navy Yard, Boston. Letter from J. M. Forbes, esq., to Secretary of the Navy, relative to C. AS~. privateer Jeff. Davis. BOSTON, July 12, 1861. SIR: After investigating the reports as to the privateer Jeff. Davis and finding that the vessels reported taken are on the lists and were in places where they niight have been taken, I am satisfied that the report is authentic, and accordingly telegraphed you this morning. The captain of the Jeff. Davis is said to be a Lieutenant Postell, for- merly of U. S. Navy, but I can find no such man on the register. Commodore Hudson telegraphed to Cape Cod, and it is supposed gave the information to the Preble, which sailed this morning. I have telegraphed to stop the Cambridge at Woods loll and hope to succeed, as she would be at a good point there to commence a cruise if you should order it. The Pembroke is the only armed steamer here. She is refitting her machinery, but could sail on Sunday with two 24-pound rifles added to her present armament, and two 32s. No other armed steamer on these waters. It seems quite important to improve all the chances, however slight, of catching this impudent sea robber who ventures so near our port. Evemi if we do not succeed. any activity shown now will be known to the rebels and prevent their experimenting in the neighborhood. Yonr obedient servant, J. M. FORBES. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. [Telegram.] JULY 12, 1861. Send any vessel you can find or hire after the privateer reported southeast of Nantucket. GIDEON WELLES, Captain BREESE, Secretary of Navy. New York Navy Yard Page 40 40 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Telegram.] (Received July 13, 1861, from New York.) Although unprepared for a long cruise, Iroquois can go to-day for fortnight. Shall I send her this afternoon ~ SAML. L. BREESE, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. [Endorsement.] Need not send the Iroquois until ready, but hurry the vessel. IG.Y.F.] [Telegram.] (Received July 13, 1861, from Brooklyn, N. Y.) Iroquois is ready and steam up; am I to send her after privateer or noti None other can be sent for some days. Department telegram not understood; niust now detain liroquois until Department is heard from. SAML. L. BREESE, (Jomnmandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. [Telegram.] (Received July 13, 1861, from Boston, Mass.) Tineennes and two revenue cutters went to sea last night in pursuit of rebel privateer Jeff. Davis. W. L. HuDsoN, Commandant. Hon. 0-. WELLES. Report of commandant navy yard, New York, relative to sending U. S. S. Iroquois in search of privateer. NAvY YARD, NEW YORK, July 13, 18G1. SIR: I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of Departments two several telegrams of the 12th instant, the first inquiring how soon the Iroquois woulci be ready and the second directing me to hire a ves- sel and send her in pursuit of a privateer. To the first II replied, in view of her going on a regular and appointed cruise, that she would leave for sea on Wednesday next. On the arrival of the second dis- patch, informing me of your desire to have a vessel dispatched at once ~n pursnit of the privateer, assured that I could not find a proper one to hire and then prepare a battery and place it properly on board, man and provision her, etc., in less time than three days, I conceived, in the absence of more specific instructions from you, that the object of the Department would be obtained more to its satisfaction if I dispatched the iroquois, whose few deficits in outfit might well be dispensed with for a fortnight, or until her coal was consumed, on this service. I have therefore directed Commander Palmer to proceed this afternoon in th Page 41 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 41 direction and for the purpose indicated in your last telegram. I enclose copy of my instructions to him. Trusting that my action in this will be consonant with the Departments views, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SAML. L. BREESE, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, AS~ecretary of the Navy. [Enclosure.] NAvy YARD, NEW YORK, July 13, 1861. SIR: I am directed by the honorable Secretary of the Navy to dis- patch a vessel in pursuit of a privateer brig reported to be cruising to the southward and eastward of Nantucket Shoals. You will therefore proceed with the Iroquois to that point, keeping a lookout for arid examining all suspicious vessels, and in the event of your falling in with this or any other privateer take possession of her and send or bring her into port. The only information with respect to her that I can give you for your guidance will be found in the papers of the day with which you are provided. You are aware that a steamer privateer & mter is reported to have eluded the Blockading Squadron off the Mississippi, and may also be in the same direction. When your coal is about being exhausted you will return to this port to replenish and obtain the few articles of outfit not now quite prepared. I am sure I need not inculcate the keeping a strict lookout and inces- sant vigilance. Wishing you a fortunate result to your cruise, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SAML. L. BREESE, Commandant. Commander JAS. S. PALMER, Commanding U. & ~3. Iroquois, New York. Order of & cretary of the Navy to commandant navy yard, New York, to send U. ~. ~. Iroquois in search of jprivateers. [Telegram.] NAvY DEPARTMENT, July 13, 1861. The following telegraphic dispatch has been received from J. M. Forbes, Boston: CapLain Fifield, now here, was three days on board privateer, cruising along inner edge of Gulf Stream. Tuesday night was in latitude 390, longitude 670 30. She is full-rigged brig, formerly Echo, slaver; has four 32s or 24s, one long 18 pivot gun, all old, now rifled; crew, about 70. Is receiving men from prizes; has had light southerly winds; vessels from Portsmouth, Boston, Woods loll, New York, Chesa- peake, each running east, would have good chance of cutting her off. No news from Cambridge; Preble was notified ydsterday. Pembroke, the only armed steamer here, could start Sunday morning. Ought to have a naval officer on board. Send the Iroquois out immediately for a ten days cruise. GIDEON WELLES, Commodore BREESE, [AS~ecretary of the Navy.] Commandant Navy Yard, New York Page 42 42 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS---UNION. Report of commandant navy yard, Boston, of sailing of U. S. S. Yin. cennes in search of privateer. U. S. NAVY YARD, BOSTON, Commandants Office, July 13, 18G1. SIR: I have the honor to inform the iDepartiuent that in consequence of the information received here of the capture of several vessels by the rebel privateer Jeff. Davis, off Nantucket Shoals, I ordered the U. S. S. Vincennes to sea last night in pursuit of her. I hope my action in this case will meet the views of the honorable Secretary of the Navy. I enclose herewith a copy of the order * given to Commander Handy, commanding the Vincennes; also copy of the statement of Captain Fifield of brig John Welsh, captnred by the rebel privateer Jeff. Davis. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. HuDsoN, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosures.] Memorandum from Captain Fifield, of the brig John Welsh. Left Trinidad, Cnba, June 23, [1861.1 On the 6th July, latitude 38~ 45, longitude 65~ 23, was captured by full-rigged brig Jeff. Davis (formerly the slaver Echo), Captain Coxetter; First Lieutenant Postell, formerly of the Navy; Second Lieutenant Stuart. The J. D. mounts two 32 and two 24 pounder smooth-bore guns and one long 18, all oi iron; old English guns an(l without shell. She had plenty of double-barrel guns, muskets, cutlasses, and revolvers. The brigs masts do not rake much; she has staysails between the masts, and three jibs, besides a fore-topmast staysail. The foresail and the topgallant sails are cotton duck, the rest are of dark canvas. She has abont 70 men; not many sailors among them. She has 10 or 12 marine guard among the 70; draws l0~ feet water; is all black, rusty, and old. Captain Fifield and 3 men, including mate, were put on board the Mary Goodell, Captain MeGilvery, of New York, on the 9th July, in tile evening (I p. in.), then in latitude 390 10, longitude 670 30. Also Captain Smith and 3 men of the brig J. TV. Warner [S. J. Waring?], of Brookhaven, from New York for Montevideo, taken on the 7th July. One of her men enlisted in the Jeff. Davis. Also Captain Devereaux and 3 of his cre of the schooner Enchantress. of Newburyport, hound from Boston to St. Jago [Santiago] de Cnbajtakcim on the 6th. The cook, a colored man, was left on board the Enchantress and on board the J. W. Warner [i]the cook, colored man, 2 seamen, and I passenger were left. Five of the crew of the Mary (Joodeli joined the pirates, and when they left New York were well armed, and, as was said by one of her crew, intended to take her the night of her capture had not the Jeff. Davis done so. The foregoing is the verbatim statement of Captain Fifield of the brig John Welsh. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. HUDSON, Commandant. Seep. 38 Page 43 OPERATIONS OP TIlE CRUISERSUNION. 43 WASHINGTON, July 14, 1861. Captain Fifield; who was on board the privateer, is at the Astor House. Let Captain Palmer see him, and then proceed to sea in the Iroquois for a ten days crnise. G.Y. Fox, For the Secretary of Navy. Captain BREESE, Navy Yard, New York. [Telegram.] (Received July 14, 1861, from New York.) Telegrams received. Iroquois left at 8 this morning. SAML. L. BREESE, I Commandant.] SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. Report of commandant, navy yard, Portsmouth, N. H., of sailing of U. S. S. Marion in search of privateer. COMMANDANTS OFFICE, ~IAYY YARD, Portsmouth, N. H., July 14, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that the Marion sailed from the lower harbor early this morning. 1 received a telegram and a letter from Mr. Forbes, of Boston, relative to the privateer to the south of Nan- tucket, both of which were placed in the hands of Lieutenant [Win. H.] Ball, commanding, and I hope that he may be able to fall in with her. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, G. F. PEARSON, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commandant. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] WASHINGTON, July 14, 1861. Send the Pembroke out on one weeks cruise for the privateer. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. J. M. FORBES, Boston. Communication from commandant, navy yard, Washington, to Secretary of the Navy, transmitting information of privateers. COMMANDANTS OFFICE, NAVY YARD, Washington, July 15, 1861. SIR: The enclosed has been handed to me for transmission to the Department. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNo. A. DAHLGREN, Hon. GIDEON WELLES Commandant. Secretary of the Navy Page 44 44 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Enclosure.] JULY 13, 1861. The Jeff. Davis, privateer, was formerly the slaver Echo. She left Charleston about fifteen days since and passed out in the night. Besides which, there are now three privateers, schooner rigged, fitting out at Charleston; also the steamer Gor- don, and they were all ready or nearly ready for sea. We further learn that within a few days a schooner, laden with rice, has passed the bar bound to New Orleans; another schooner was loading for Havana with a cargo of rice. This business should be stopped, and we would suggest that a fast steamer, under the direction of an experienced captain, one well acquainted with the channels, should be dis- patched at once and lie as near the bar as possible every night, by which means these privateers and schooners can all be captured on their return. This information is direct from a person who was in Charleston Tuesday, the 9th instant. [Telegram.] (1~eceived July 15, 1861, from Portsmonth.) The Marion sailed yesterday morning. Her commander acquainted with particulars relative to privateer. The Dale will follow in her track to-morrow or next day. G. F. PEARSON, Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Commandant.] Letter from lion. Milton S. Latham to Secretary of the Navy asking convoy for Catsfornta steamer Northern Light. SENATE CHAMBER, Washington, July 16, 1861. SIR: In the name of the bankers of the city of New York and the State of California, I have to ask you to send a war steamer to con- voy the California steamer leaving Aspinwall about ~4th instant through the West India Islands. The steamer Northern Light, leaving Aspinwall as above stated, will have on board over $2,000,000 and near 1,000 passengers, holding from $100,000 to $200,000 more. The pirate Sumter is cruising south of Cuba and will no doubt be on the alert to seize this valnable cargo. I do hope, sir, you will order a steamer at once to act as an escort. With great respect, your obedient servant, MILTON S. LATHAM. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. Letter from the governor of Massachusetts to Secretary of the Navy urging measures for protection of commerce. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Executive Department, Boston, July 16, 1861. DEAR SIR: In view of the exploits of Southern privateers within the last few days off our coast, a feeling of apprehension has come to per- vade our mercantile community, surpassing anything which it has experienced dnring the progress of hostilities thus far. There is seri- ous trouble among all our insurance companies, caused by the actual presence of a danger which they had confided in our naval efficiency to avert, and there exists throughout every branch of trade which is connected with our shipping an uneasiness which finds vent iii anxiou Page 45 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 45 looks and words and expressions of indignation that the most stringent measures are not adopted to strengthen the blockade and to scour every privateer from our seas. I act no less as an exponent of public sentiment than of my own feelings when I say to you that this community to the last man is pre- pared to sustain the administration, in its utmost endeavors, no matter what the sacrifice, no matter what the cost, to hermetically seal the Southern ports; and that it is a universal belief in this community that more extensive means of naval force are needed than are afforded by our ships of war now in commission. In this connection I beg leave to again invite your attention to the steamers Cambridge and Pembroke, which this Commonwealth offers to sell to the United States, and also to recall to mind the propositions for arming, equiping, and maintaining a fleet of small, light, swift-sailing vessels, to cooperate in the blockade, which have been made to the Navy Department under the direction of a committee of the Board of Trade of Boston. If you will pardon me for addressing to you familiarly my opinions on this subject (and I believe that they are coincident with those of most of our merchants), I think that while it is eminently desirable to increase our national steam marine, nevertheless if there are not now on hand steam vessels to do a work which sailing vessels can doi. e., to complete the blockadeit is a matter of more importance to use the sailing vessels for that purpose immediately than to wait for steam gunboats to be completed for it. Very truly and respectfully, yours, JOHN A. ANDREW. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. P. S.The whole blockade could be maintained by our New England coasters acting as a naval corps of volunteers, if only authorized and empowered by papers from the Government. The skippers and men are keen and brave, the vessels strong and of light draft. J. A. A. Letter from the collector of customs at Philadelphia to the Secretary of the Treasury requesting that guns be furnished to coal vessels. CUSTOM.IIOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, Collectors Office, July 16, 1861. SIR: Captain George W. Edge and the owners of the ship John Carver, now loading with coal for the gulf fleet, desire to be furnished with 2 guns suitable for the protection of their vessel during the voyage. They will give ample security for the safe return of the guns. Captain James ONeil and the owners of the schooner Jamestown for Key West, also loading with coal for the Government, decline proceed- ing on the voyage unless they are in some way secured from loss from capture by the pirates now infesting that region. I fear unless some- thing is done to secure the owners of vessels with supplies for our fleet against loss, supplies will be cut off. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. B. THOMAS, Hon. S. P. CHAsE, Collector. Secretary Treasury Page 46 46 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [First endorsement.] The owners of the coal transports can be supplied with the small guns not required for the naval service; but where the carriages and equipments are not on hand it will be absolutely necessary to go out- side of the navy yards to have the work performed. Should this course be determined upon by the Department, its special authority will be necessary in case the expense is to be defrayed by the Government. The precedent involves an unknown but probably large expense, whIch deserves consideration. Very respectfully submitted. ANDW. A. HARWOOD, Chief of Bureau. [Second endorsement.] The John Carver is the ship that has chartered to go to the mouth of the Mississippi. If they are not willing to take the coal let them put it out. J. L. Report of commandant of navy yard, Portsmouth, of sailing of the U. S. S. Dale in search of privateer Jeff. Davis. COMMANDANTS OFFICE, NAVY YARD, Portsmouth, N H July 17, 1861. SIR: The U. S. S. Dale sailed from this yard this morning. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 0-. F. PEARSON, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Flag- Officer Mont.qomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pa6iflc Squadron, of arrival in Mexico from Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, and the absence of privateers in the Pacific. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Harbor of Acapulco, July 18, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department of my arrival here on the 15th instant with the Lancaster, in twenty-eight days from Honolulu, en ronte for Panama. I have found the 6~yane and Narra- gansett at anchor in this port, the latter having recently arrived from Panama, for the relief of the tJyane. The steamer Wyoming also reached here on the 16th instant from Panama en route to San Fran- cisco, for the protection of mail steamers and our commercial inteie4s on that coast, and will proceed to her destination immediately nfter replenishing her supply of coal. Deeming it important to provide for the security of our commerce in the Gulf of California and to guard against piratical intrusions in the vicinity of Cape San Lucas, near to which our mail steamers necessarily pass in their transit to and from San Francisco, I have ordered Commander Bissell (previously under orders to return to Panama) to proceed with the Cyane on that service Page 47 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 47 During my late cruise to the islands and from thence to this port I have neither seen nor heard of any privateer in the Pacific. The prevalence of calms aiid yery light winds along this coast would render all attempts by sailing vessels to interfere with the transit of mail steamers between Acapulco and Panama perfectly useless; and the utter impracticability of obtaining coal, except from Government or steamship companys depots, renders it quite certain that steamers will not be used for privateering in the Pacific. I am informed, sir, of the existence of an order issued by the Depart- ment to administer the oath of allegiance to the officers and crews of the squadron under my command. I am truly happy to hear it. I have not yet received the order or any official notice of its existence. I hope to reach Panama in ten or twelve days and will then carefully attend to that and all other instructions awating me at that place, and have no doubt of then having the satisfaction to report the enthusi- astic loyalty and patriotism of all on board of the Lancaster. I have liO reason to believe, sir, that the honor of my flagship will be impaired by a single exception. * * * * * * * I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Hon. GIDEO1~ WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from the U. S. consul at Cura9ao to the U. S. consul at St. Thomas, containing snformation regarding C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. CONSULATE, Cura~ao, July 18, 1861. SIR: I have to acquaint you of the arrival at this port of the steamer Sumter, Commander It. Semmes, bearing the flag of the Confederate States, on the 17th instant, from New Orleans, last from Cienfuegos ile Cuba. At first an entry was refused, as she hove in sight about 7 p.m., and the governor did not think lit to admit her without consulting the colonial court, but she waited outside until morning and sent a dis- patch with an officer on shore to the governor, when the court met, and it was decided that she should enter the port, being a mau-of-war vessel. The said steamer is now lying in this harbor. She will take on board 115 tons of coal and then proceed again to sea, a~~d it is reported that she intends to cruise iu the Mona Passage so as to capture American vessels. According to the report of her own officers to parties here, they have already taken seven American vessels and sold them with their cargoes at Cienfuegos de Cuba, and delivered to the consul at said port the masters and crews to be sent home. It is believed here that this steamer will again visit this port when she requires a new supply of coal, being already aware of her free entry, consequently you will please inform this to any commander of our war vessels, should there be one or more with you, so that they may do the needful in behalf of our Government. You will als Page 48 48 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. requesthimto come this way, as his presence here will interfere consider- ably in the return of the steamer, and if she returns the needful may be done to capture her. IhavethisdaywrittentotheDepartmentof State,and also to the consul-general at Havana, communicating these facts, and as these dispatches are of importance I beg to enclose them to you, requesting you to forward them as soon as possible aud advise me the amount of postage to be remitted. I shall keep you posted np by every mail and request you to do the same with me. I have the houor to be, sir, yours, very truly, MOSES JESURUN, U. S. Consul. J. T. EDGAR, ESQ., U. S. Consul, St. Thomas. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, to search for C. S. S. Sumter, etc. NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 19, 1861. SIR: You will proceed to sea at the earliest possible moment after your vessel is ready, for the purpose of searching for the pirate Sumter and giving protection to the next treasure ship from Aspinwall. Mr. McLane, the president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, informs the Department that the Northern Light leaves Aspinwall about the 25th instant and comes up through the Mayaguana [Man- guana] passage for New York. If the Keystone State had been ready in time, you would have been ordered to Aspinwall to convoy the treas- ure steamer to New York. Now, however, you will proceed through the Mayaguana [Mariguana] passage to the east end of Cuba and Haiti, searching carefully for the Sumter, which is a black propeller, bark or brig rigged, and carrying one 68-pounder and four 32s. In the neighborhood of this island the Department wishes you to meet tue Northern Light and convoy her through all the islands, when, if no information is obtained of the Sumter, you will proceed to Jamaica to coal, thence to St. Thomas, and return through the islands to Havana and Key West, where you will report for the Gulf Squadron. It is, however, the direction of the Department after you have protected the treasure steamer, that you should continue the search for the pirate Sumter until something definite is obtained of her end, and the exact route you will pursue is left to your judgment, after obtaining all the information you can in the West Imidies. If you have time to reach Kingston and coal and return to the neighborhood of Navassa by the morning of the 28th instant, you may do so. As the treasure ships have orders to avoid all vessels, you may have some difficulty in communicating with her. I remain, very respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander G. H. SCOTT, Commanding Keystone State, Philadelphia Page 49 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 49 Report of commandant of navy yard, Boston, of return of U. S. S. Yin- cennes from search for privateer Jeff. Davis. U. S. NAVY YARD, BOSTON, Commandants Office, July 20, 1861. SIR: I have tlie honor to report that the U. S. S. Vincennes arrived here this morning at 10 oclock after an unsuccessful cruise in search of the privateer Jeff. Davis. She will be dispatched to sea as soon as practicable, unless otherwise directed by you. Inclosed please find Commander Handys report of the cruise. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. HUDSON, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, W~tshington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. SLOOP OF WAR VINCENNES, Off Navy Yard, Boston, July 20, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report to you the arrival of this ship after an eight days cruise. Agreeably to yuur order of the 12th instant, I proceeded to sea and cruised 125 miles southeast of Nantucket South Shoal for the purpose of capturing the privateer Jeff. Davis, reported to have been in that vicinity, but I regret to say that I could not ascertain anything in relation to her from the vessels that were fell in with by us. During the cruise we spoke the following vessels: On the 16th instant, the bark Benjamin Burgess, of and from Boston, bound to Cienfuegos; the English brig Edith Ann, from the Virgin Isles, bound to Westport, Nova Scotia. On 17th instant spoke pilot boat No.5 and passed through a large fleet of fishing vessels. On the 18th spoke the schooner B. Cline, of Bangor, from Elizabethport, bound to Salem, and a schooner, whose name was not understood, that was bound to Phila- delphia. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBT. HANDY, Commander. Captain Wiw. L. HUDSON, Commanding Navy Yard and Station, Boston, Mass. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, ~f return from cruise in search of privateer Jeff. Davis. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, New York, July 24, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my return from a cruise of ten days, which I have made agreeably to your directions, and regret to state that, after overhauling and examining every vessel that at all answered the description of the privateer, I could learn nothing of her. I enclose a letter addressed to me from the chief engineer, showing 123A Page 50 50 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. the repairs that are still necessary for our engine and boilers, and which he tells me will occupy at least a weeks time. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commander. Flag.Officer S. L. BREESE, Commanding jjfaval Station, New York. Statement of circumstances attending capture of brig Win. ]VIc6~ilvery by the C. S. privateer Uordon, July 25, 1861. Brig Win. ]IJicGilvery, Hiram Carlisle, master, sailed from Cardenas July 19 with a cargo of 315 hogsheads and 23 tierces of molasses, bound for Boston. On the 25th July, about 40 miles E. by S. from Hatteras, was fired at by the privateer steamer Gordon, of Charleston, S. C. The first shot fell short, the second went between the head stays and foresail. We then hove to, when the steamer came up alongside and ordered us to launch our boat and the cap~aiu and 4 men to go on board the steamer. This I refused to do, when he threatened to sink us. After being so threatened, ordered out the boat and took four men and went on board. At the same time they sent a boat with six men on l)oard the brig, armed with cutlasses, pistols, and bowie knives, wore the brig round with her head to the westward, took her in tow, and towed her into Hatteras Inlet. Upon anchoring they sent us ashore to the fort, and after about three hours they sent us off to the steamer, where we were put in irons for the night. Next morning the irons were removed and we were sent out to the brig under a guard of four armed men, where we remained four days, when they gave us a pass by steamer Aibernaric to New Berne, N. C. Remained there eight days; was at liberty all the time; was provided there by the quartermaster. Left there August 10 on schooner Priscilla, of Baltimore, which vessel had been seized as a prize, but afterwards released. The C. S. Government paid our pas- sage to Baltimore. They keptthe captains firearms, consisting of single-barrel gun and 5-barrel Colts revolver; also his nautical instruments, consisting ~of] chronometer and spyglass; also a box of sugar belonging to captain. Gave up charts, quadrants, and books. At Hatteras Inlet there are 14 feet [ofj water. The privateer force consists of four steamers, sometimes as many as 6, besides several small sailing vessels, sent as pilot boats, etc. When leaving there they had sixteen prizes in all. If this place had been properly blockaded, none of these prizes could have been taken in there. HIRAM CARLISLE, Master Brig Win. ]tlicGilvery. [Endorsement.] Captain Carlisle made the above statement to me in New York Fri- day. I have known him several years. He is a very reliable man and his statement can be relied upon. S. P. BROWN, Navy Agent Page 51 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 51 Letter from C. H. Smith to the commandant navy yard, New York, regard- ing capture of schooner Nathaniel Chase by the C. S. privateer Mariner, July25, 1861. BROOKLYN, August 19, 1861. SIR: I respectfully report to the Government, through you, that I was captured on the 25th of July last, iu the schooner Nathaniel Chase, commanded by Captain l)auiel Doane, off Ocracoke Inlet, by the Confed- erate privateer Ma~ iner, Captain Berry, mounting two 12-pounders and one rifle gun, with a crew of about eighteen men, from Ocracoke. I was taken to Hatteras New Inlet, where, with the exception of from five to six days in going to and returning from Raleigh, where I had to go nnder gnard to get my passport, I was detained until the 12th of this mouth. I left Hatteras on the 12th on a Baltimore schooner, and landed at that place on the 16th. The Confederates at Hatteras New Inlet have one fort of 10 guns and one of 6, and a garrison of 250 men, in charge of a Major Andrews. The inlet permits vessels of 13 feet to enter over the bar. Inside I left three privateers, consisting of the steamers Gordon, Wilson [Wins- low], and Mariner. The Gordon has a crew of 50 men. There were two brigs and two schooners, prizes, lying there. The shell from the frigate that fired on the port about the 28th of July, with one exception, took effect on the fort. The garrison was in daily expectation of another attack. A ship could lie with safety about 2 miles from the fort. These privateers, except the Gordon, go in and out of Ocracoke Inlet, as they draw but 9 to 10 feet water. It was represented to me by some of the crews of these vessels that they would make an attempt to unitedly make an attack on the Daylight when she should appear off. It was also told me that a number of small steamers were constructing to be sent down the sound, for the purpose of lying in wait and running out from Hatteras daily, for the purpose of making prizes. At Ocracoke there is no battery, but a force of 600 men as a guard under a Captain [Thomas 1] Sparrow. From Hatteras Inlet a picket guard is placed 9 miles north toward the cape. A lookout is kept at the light-house on the cape and signals made from them to the inlet. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES H. S~IITH. Commodore S. L. BREESE Commandant Navy Ya~rd, New York. Capture of C. S. privateer Petrel, William Perry commanding, by the U. S. S. St. Lawrence, Captain Purviance, U. S. Navy, commanding, July 28, 1861. (No report. Abstract of log of U. 8. S. St. Lawrence, Captain H. Y. Purviance commanding. July 28, 1861.Off Charleston. At 6 a. m. commenced chasing sail off lee bow. At 10 came up with her, when she hoisted the Confed- erate flag and fired a gun. Beat to quarters and commenced firing. The schooner tired three shots, one of which passed through the main- sail and took a splin ter out of the main yard. The schooner hauled down her flag after receiving two shots, one of which struck her bows, and she sunk from the effects of it at 10:30. Got out the boats and picked up the crew. She proved to be the Petrel, of Charleston Page 52 52 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Letter from Captain Hull, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Savannah, to Flag- Officer Stringham, U. S. Navy, commanding Atlantic Block- ading Squadron, on the capture of the American schooner Protector by the C. S. privateer Gordon, July 28, 1861. U. S. S. SAVANNAH, At Sea, August 4, 1861. SIR: I deem it proper to inform you that on the 1st instant, while I was near Oregon Inlet, north of Cape Hatteras, a small boat bearing a white flag came alongside of the Savannah. Captain T. J. Linnekin, who was in the boat with three men, late of the American schooner Protector, of Philadelphia, from Matanzas, with a cargo of fruit, and bound to Philadelphia, informed me that his vessel had been cap- tnred on the 28th ultimo, a short distance from Cape Hatteras, by the privateer Gordon, of three guus and abont 500 tons, and taken into Hatteras inlet. After being detained a few days he was released with his men and given some of his effects and furnished with a pass 01 release from the marshal of the district of New Berne. He had passed up Pamlico Sound to Oregon Inlet, where his pass was endorsed by the commanding officer, and he permitted to pass on. He came alongside to notify me of the circumstances, and was on his way to the Chesapeake Bay. He informed me that there were a large number of small vessels fitted as privateers and rnnning out from the inlets south of Cape Hatteras in the morning and returning at night with their prizes, and that a good many American vessels had been captured in this way. The inlets were Hatteras and Ocracoke, where there were strong bat- teries erected. I have seen no vessels of suspicious appearance except one brig, which ran aground on the Wimble Shoals while I was in chase of her, and Captain Goldsborough, of the Union, afterwards set fire to her, and she was burned to the waters edge. I am glad to say we are all well. I am, very respectfully, J. B. HULL, Captain. Flag-Officer S. H. STRiNcfHAM, Commanding Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Hampton Roads. [Enclosure.] CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA, Newbern, July 29, 1861. Whereas schooner Protector was captured by privateer steamer Gordon on the 28th July, the following crew on board, that is, T. J. Linnekin, master, Thos. Ross, mate, David S. Hart, cook, Eugene Unenca, seaman, the said crew being on board a private unarmed vessel not in the employment of the United States, the vessel being a vessel trading between Philadelphia and the West Indies: Now, therefore, I, Wesley Jones, marshal of the district of North Carolina for the said Confederate States, do, in the name of said States, discharge the said prisoners from arrest in this case. Given under my hand at New Berne this day and date above written. WESLEY JONES, C. S. ililiarshal Page 53 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 53 Report of Flag- Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, of arrival at Panama, transmitting copies of additional instructions to commanders of United States vessels on the coast of Mexico and California. U. S. FLAGShIP LANCASTER Bay of Panama, July 29, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival this day of the flagship Lancaster at this anchorage in nine days from Acapulco. My dispatch No. 92, forwarded per last mail from Acapulco, notified the 1)epartment of my meeting in that port with the sloop Gyane and steamers Wyominq and Narragansett, en route to different points for the protection of our Pacific mail steamers, etc.; and subsequently I received a letter from Brigadier-General Sumner, dated July 10, enclos- ing copy of an order from the War Department, instructing him to act in concert with the naval commander on this station in preventing any plans the secessionists of our country may attempt to execute for subjugating or annexing Lower California to the so-called Southern Confederacy, and also a copy of your letter, dated June 10, and enclosure, relative to supposed designs of the secessionists upon that Mexican province, and directing my special attention toward any such movements in that quarter. Deeming it important, sir, to prosecute my original design of proceed- ing to this port, in order at the earliest moment to obtain dispatches awaiting me in the hands of Capt. Ritc~hie, I issued additional instructions in reference to supposed hostile designs upon Lower Cali- fornia to the commanders of the vessels now cruising on the coasts of Mexico and California (copies of which are herewith transmitted), and sailed on the 20th instant from Acapulco in company with the Wyoming, bound to her assigned cruising ground off the port of San Francisco. In pursuance of instructions contained in your letter of the 10th instant, it was my purpose only to await here the arrival of the return mail from the United States, and then, if not otherwise directed by the Department, to proceed to the coast of Lower California and give my personal attention to the security of all our interests in that quarter, but a casualty of a very serious nature to the steamer Saranac, causing a leak which may require her to proceed to San Francisco for repairs, will impose upon me the necessity of remaining in charge of our inter- ests at this port and on the isthmus until the St. Marys (now at Mare Island) shall have relieved the Cyane, off Cape San Lucas, when the latter will proceed to Panama. Of the injuries sustained by the -Saranac from striking the bottom in a heavy swell at her anchorage, a special report will be made so soon as the nature of them can be ascertained, for which immediate measures will be taken, in time, I hope, by the ensuing mail. For the information of the Department I enclose herewith copy of a letter received at Honolulu from Thomas Miller, esq., U. S. consul at Hilo, reporting the recent discovery of a large lower mast drifted upon the southern shore of the island of Hawaii, said by the natives to have been thrown up in February or March last, the description of which is believed to correspond with that of the lost sloop Levant. As I could not, without a sacrifice of time incompatible with my duty and earnest desire to hasten my return to the coast, proceed to Hilo, I wrote to Consul Miller requesting him to communicate to me additional information in regard to the mast, and to apprise me of all intelligence he may hereafter receive in reference to the lost ship Levant Page 54 54 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. The Fourth of July was duly observed on board the Lancaster, at sea, by the display of our national flag at the masthead, reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a salute at meridian. 1 have respectfully to inform the Department of the transfer of the following officers of this squadron, rendered necessary by the return of Lieutenants Meade and Yan Zandt to the United States under medical condemnation, and the resignatiou of Surgeon Green, late of the Saranac, viz, Lieutenant Fitzhugh and Passed Assistant Surgeon lord from the Lancaster to the Cyane; Surgeon Harlan from the Cyane to the steamer A3aranac; orders dated at Acapulco, respectively, July 19 and 16. I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [EnclosureB.] U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Harbor of Acapulco, July 20, 1861. SIR: Officially apprised of the probability that privateers under the secession flag have been fitted out for the purpose of intercepting the United States mail steamers, in their transit with treasure from San Francisco, you will proceed with the U. S. sloop Cyane, under your command, to Cape San Lucas, and, cruising in that vicinity, afford every protection in your power to said steamers, and as far as will con- sist with the faithful performance of this duty you will also give your attention to the security of our commercial interests in the Gulf of California. You will endeavor always to sight the steamers while passing Cape San Lucas and avail yourself of the opportunity thus afforded for obtaining and forwarding your mails. Jam informed by Brigadier-General E. V. Sumner, commanding the Military Division of the Pacific, of the existence of a report that Colonel Van Dorn, of the secession army, has been seen at the head of 1,300 men on the road between San Antonio and El Paso, from which, together with the information contained in the enclosed copy of a letter received from the Navy Department, it is inferred that an attempt to subjugate Lower California may be contemplated by the secessionists. This must not be allowed if in our power to prevent it; therefore, should any such exigency arise, ydu will promptly, in cooperation with the troops of the United States or otherwise, do all in your power to counteract and prevent the executioii of any such purpose by troops in the service of States claiming to have seceded from our Federal Union. You will please write to me by every mail, and promptly com- municate whatever may seem to render my immediate presence with the flagship, on this part of the coast or in the Gulf of California, important to the public interests. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag. Officer, Commanding Pacific. Squadron. Commander SIMON B. BISSELTA~ Gommanding U. S. Sloop Cyane, Harbor of Acapulco, Mexico Page 55 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Harbor of Acajpulco, July 20, 1861. SIR: I have been officially informed by Brigadier-General E. V. Sumner, commanding lillitary Division of the Pacific, of the existence of a report that Colonel Van Dorn, of the secession army, has been seen at the head of 1,300 men on the road between San Antonio and El Paso, from which, together with the information contained in the enclosed copy of a letter received from the Navy Department, it is inferred that an attempt to subjugate Lower California may be con- templated by the secessionists. This must not be allowed if in our lower to prevent it; therefore, should any such exigency arise, you will promptly, in cooperation with the troops of the United States or otherwise, do all in your power to counteract and prevent the execu- tion of any such purpose by troops in the service of States claiming to have seceded from our Federal Union. You will please write to me by every mail and promptly communi- cate whatever may seem to render my immediate presence with the flagship, on this part of the coast or in the Gulf of California7 important to the public interests. Respectfully, your obedient servant, ~ B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Commander TIMOTHY A. HUNT Commanding U. S. S. Narragdnsett, Harbor of Acapulco, Mexico. Lieutenant F. K. MURRAY, Commanding U. S. S. Wyoming, Harbor of Acapulco, i exico. Report ~f Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, co?nmanding U. S. S. Keystone State, of cruise in search of Confederate cruisers and privateers. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, Kingston, Jamaica, July 31, 1861. SIR: In obedience to your orders I entered the Mayaguana [Man- guana Passage on the Inorning of the 26th instant, and made the east end of Cuba the same evening, and searched carefully between the islands of Cuba and Haiti, running to the southward so far as Navassa, nntil the night of the 28th. Nothing was seen of the North- ern Liyht or the pirate Sumter, and I am led to believe the former must have taken some other route, as both islands were kept in sight during the night of the 27th and day of the 28th, when it was deemed unnecessary to continue the search. I then proceeded to this island and arrived on the evening of the 29th. Considerabl ifticulty nd detention has occurred in procuring coal,there being but a limited supply here, and that of an inferior quality at high rates. I shall therefore not take a full supply. The paymaster has only $200 on hand, and a draft will be given on the Department for the payment of L e coal. I shall sail to-niorrow morning for St. Thomas and continue the search for the Sumter until something defi- nite is ascertained of lmei-. In the hurried departure from Philadelphia many small articles nec- essary for the efficiency of the ship were not received, and must b Page 56 56 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. purchased, which it is hoped will meet the approval of the Department. The officers and crew enjoy good health, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. II. SCOTT, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. & S. Keystone State, relative to search for C. S. S. Sumter and privateers. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, Island of St. Thomas, August 7, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival here on the morning of the 5th. We are now coaling, and as soon as the ship is filled I shall again proceed in search of the Sumter. You will perceive by the enclosed communication to the consul of this port that she coaled at Cura~ao on the 17th of July, and by the enclosed article from a Trinidad paper that she coaled at that point on or about the 30th of July. The privateer Jeff. J)avis I learn was on the north side of Puerto Rico a short time since, for the purpose of capturing vessels passing through the Mona Passage. I shall therefore run down the north side of Puerto Rico, pass through the Mona Passage, and from thence to Cura~ao and such other points as may be deemed best. I am led to believe the Sumter will continue about the Leeward Islands, where coal can be had, for the purpose of intercepting the Cal- ifornia steamers. I therefore beg leave to suggest that an additional force may be directed to cruise in search of her. I visited the governor yesterday, and from his conversation I am sat- isfied that coal will also be furnished here if required by the Sumter. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, G. II. SCOTT, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City. Order of Flag- Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding the Pacifto Squadron, to Commander lkliddleton, U. S. Navy, commanding the U. S. sloop St. Marys, to proceed to the relief of U. S. S. Cyane, off Cape San Lucas, and transmitting further instructions. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, August 7, 1861. SIR: The moment you have prepared the U. S. sloop St. Marys for service you will proceed with her to the relief of the C~yane, Com- mander Bissell, cruising off Cape San Lucas. Should you not fall in with the Cyane at the point indicated or at the anchorage of San Jose (Lower California), you will probably find her at Mazatlan, to whic Page 57 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 57 port you will proceed, and, upon relieving Commander Bissell, hand to him the enclosed order to repair with his ship to Panama. Enclosed herewith are instructions for your government in prosecuting the duties assigned you. You will please, sir, keep me informed by mail of your proceedings. lam, respectfully, your obedient servant, [J. B. MONTGOMERY,] Flag. Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Commander EDwARD MIDDLETON, Commanding U. S. Sloop St. Marys, San Francisco, Cal. [Enclosures.] U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, August 7, 1861. SIR: Upon being relieved by Commander Middleton, of the St. Marys, you will proceed with the Cyane, under your command, with all practi- cable dispatch, via Mauzanillo and Acapulco, to this port and report to me. At Mauzanillo and during your run to Panama you will have a vigilant lookout for secession privateers or pirates and vessels of doubtful character which you may have sufficient reason to suspect of being engaged in that service. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Commander SIMON B. BISSELL, Commanding U. S. Sloop Cyane, Cruising off Cape San Lucas. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, August 7, 1861. SIR: Officially apprised of the probability that privateers under the secession flag have been fitted out for the purpose of intercepting the U. S. mail steamers in their transit with treasure from San Fran- cisco, you will cruise with the St. Marys, under your command, off Cape San Lucas and afford every protection in your power to said steamers, and as far as will consi~t with the faithful performance of this duty you will also give your attention to the security of our com- mercial interests in the Gulf of California. You will endeavor always to sight the steamers while passing Cape San Lucas and avail yourself of the opportunity thus afforded for obtaining and forwarding your mails. I am informed by Brigadier-General E. V. Sumner, co mmnanding the Military I)ivision of the Pacific, of the existence of a report that Colonel Van Dorn, of the secession army, has been seen at the head of 1,300 nmeu on the road between San Antonio and El Paso, from which, together with the information contained in the enclosed copy of a letter from the INavy Department, it is inferred that an attempt to subjugate Lower California may be contemplated by the secessionists. This must not be allowed, if in our power to prevent it; therefore, should any such exigency arise, you will uromptly, in cooperation with the troops of th Page 58 58 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. United States, or othcrwise, do all in your power to counteract and prevent the execution of any such purpose by troops in the service of States claiming to have seceded from our Federal Union. You will please write to me by every mail and promptly communicate whatever may seem to render my presence with the flagship, on this part of the coast or in the Gulf of California, important to the public interests. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Commander EDWARD MIDDLETON, Commanding U. S. Sloop St. Marys, San Francisco, Cal. Order of Flag- Qfficer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding the Pacific Squadron, to Commander McDougal, U. S. Navy, commanding the U. S. S. Wyoming,for change of cruising ground for the better protection of American interests on the Pacific coast. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Off Panama, August 9, 1861. SIR: Along the coasts of Lower California, from the easterii dn(l of the island of LSanta] Margarita (latitude 240) up to Bonita Island (lati- tude 280 20, longitude 1150 50), there are two large bays (Magdalena and St. Bartholomew), and other small bays and harbors, with good anchorage, where privateers or pirates could lie iii wait for a favorable opportunity to attempt the capture of our mail steamers or other Amer- ican merchant vessels passing in that vicinity. It is well known that from October to April that part of the coast and the spacious bay of Magdalena are annually visited by a great number of our whaling ships, reaching, in the aggregate, to a large amount of American property liable, unless duly looked after, to cap- ture or destruction. It is therefore deemed advisable to change the cruising ground of the Wyoming, under your command, from her pres- ent position off the port of San Francisco (where, I am advised by the agent of the steamship company and Captain Watkins, that protection is not so much needed) to the line of coast indicated between the lati- tudes of 240 and 28~ 20 N., longitude 1150 50 W., to which station you will proceed upon the receipt of this order and give the fullest pro- tection in your power to our mail steamers and also all other American interests on I that] part of the coast. In order to economize in the use of your coal, so far as may consist with a faithful and efficient execution of the duties assigned you, keep the Wyoming under sail, replenishing your stock of coal, when neces- sary, at San Francisco. Mails for the Wyoming will be forwarded to the post-office at San Francisco. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commandi~~g Pacific Squadron. Commander DAVID MCDOUGAL. Commanding U. S. S. Wyoming, San Francisco, Cal Page 59 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUTSERSUNlON. Letter from George W. Bhtnt, esq., to Secretary of the Navy, regarding defenses and privateers in North Carolina. NEW YORK, Au gust 9, 1861. Siu: Captain Campbell, of the brig Lydia Mart ~n, which was wrecked on Cape Hatteras in May, has been to see me. From him I have the following information. He arrived here yesterday. At Hatteras Inlet there are two forts, sand breastworks, with 12 guns and 300 men. The forts are on the eastern side of the inlet. There are three privateers therethe Gordon, side-wheel steamer, 175 feet long, 3 guns, caliber not known; Warren Winslow, side-wheel, 2 gnns, one 32, one 8 pounder; York, pilot boat, 90 tons, 1 gun. At Ocracoke there is a fort of 15 to 20 guns, 500 men on Beacon Island, and one privateer, the Marion Mariner ?1, screw, of 2 guns. I shall send a copy of this to Commander Stellwagen, at Baltimore, to whom I sent two reliable pilots last evening. I remain, yonrs, respectfully, GEO. W. BLUNT. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Letter from representatives of marine insurance companies of Phila- delphia to Secretary of the Navy, conveying information regarding privateering in North Carolina. PHILADELPHIA, August 9, 1861. SIR: The importance of acquiring accurate information as to the whereabouts and movements of the piratical vessels now preying upon our commerce in Southern waters seems to the undersigned, repre- senting the marine insurance companies of this city, so great that they take the liberty of communicating to the Department the following statement, made to them by Captain French, of the brig B. I. Martin, lately captured by the rebels. Captain French is a man of intelligence, and his account is entitled, in our opinion, to great weight as that of a shrewd eyewitness. The brig B. T. Martin sailed from Philadelphia for Havana on the 20th day of July last, and was captured a few days after, in latitude 360, about 110 miles to the eastward of Hatteras, by the privateer York, a pilot boat, mounting one rifle cannon of 8 pounds, on a pivot; captains name, Geoffroy. A prize crew was put on board the brig amid he and his men transferred to the York. Saw no vessels of war until well in with the land, when the brig was chased by the U. S. S. Union and beached by the rebels and afterwards taken and burned by the Union. Captain French was taken into Hatteras Inlet, where lie remained from eight to ten days, well treated by the rebels. There is a regular channel, easily found, and well described in the last edition of Coast Pilot; the water was about 14 feet on the bar, as they went in on the young flood; bottom shifting sand, and at full tide 16 feet can be carried in. It would be best to obtain a pilot, if possible. Captain F., however, is confident that he could take a vessel in with safety. A steamer on a calm day could lie outside the bar, out of range of the batteries, and, with a rifled cannon of size, bombard the fortifications. The anchorage inside is good, but the batteries command it. Cap- tain F. states that there are two intrenchments thrown up, one on the hill with four 32-pounder smoothbore guns, and the other below with Page 60 60 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. guns. They were expecting a rifled 64-pounder gun within a few weeks. lie thinks that the place can be attacked and taken with little or no loss of life by engaging the forts with one or two vessels, at the same [timej landing 50() men to the eastward on the beach out of range of the batteries. The number of men there is only about 250, arme(I with muskets; and no reenforcements nearer than Oregon, 40 miles distant. The battery can be taken in the rear. He heard that eighteen privateers were out; three were at Hatteras Inlet York, Coffee, and Gordonxvhicli generally went out in the morn- ing and came in at night. During his stay three American vessels, under British flag, sailed for Europe, two or three for Halifax, and from four to six for the West Indies. They enter and go out with impunity. We would respectftilly request a careful consideration of the above- narrated facts. The loss of property is and has been very heavy. The B. T. M. and her cargo alone were worth $60,000. Any project by which this nest of pirates could be broken up would be hailed with gratitude by all interested in commerce. Very respectfully, your obedient servants, CHARLES PLATT, Secretary Insurance Company North America. Tnos. C. HAND, Vice-President Delaware Mutual Insurance Company. HENRY P. SHERRERD, President of the Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania. iRIdHD S. SMITH, President of Union Mutual Insurance Company. J. R. WUCHERER, President Pha~nix Mutual Insurance Company, of Pkiladei~hia. WILLIAM CRAIG-, President American Mutual Insurance Company. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Endorsement.] Answer in three or four days, statin g our intention and efforts have been for some time engaged towards relieving the country of these piratical movements, although it was not deemed advisable to give publicity to all our doings and thereby put the pirates on their guard, etc. Destruction of the C. S. privateer York by the U. S. S. Union, Com mander Goldsborough, U. S. Navy, commanding, August 9, 1861. Report of Commander Goldsborougli, U. S. Navy. U. S. S. UNION, [August 10, 1861.] FLAG--OFFICER: I have to report the complete destruction of the rebel privateer schooner York (her name changed, I learn, to Florida), under the following circumstances: Early on Friday morning, Cape Hatteras light-house in sight, bearing W. by S., distant 12 miles, we discovered two suspicious looking sails, one close in under the land and the other to seaward. I gave chase to the one under the land, and, from her maneuvering, I suspected all was not right. She attempted to go into New Inlet, but that fortunately I could prevent. H Page 61 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 61 then tacked and stood direct iii for the land, ran his vessel on shore, set fire to her in several places, and all oil board made their escape. She was a schooner of about 65 or 70 tons burden, painted lead color, and mounted one gun on a carriage amidships, which was throwii overboard. We remained by until she was burned to the ~ edge, and then gave chase to the one to seaward. She proved to be the Texan schooner Geo. CL Baker, taken by the U. S. S. South Garolina on tile coast of Texas and bound to New York; recaptured by tile piratical schooner York 75 miles northeast of Cape Hatteras. I placed a prize crew on board, and have brought 11cr into port. Her piratical crew, 4 in number, are in irons now on board this vessel. I had boarded the Geo. U. Baker the day previous. She was commanded by a Mr. Abbott with a prize crew of 5 men from the U. S. S. South Carolina. They are now prisoners to the rebels. I am, very respectfully, etc., J. IR. GOLD~BOROUGH, Commander. S. H. STRINGIIAN, Flag- Officer. List of prisoners from the prize schooner George G. Baker. Patrick McCarthy, sea- man; Arch. Wilson, seaman; John Williams, seaman; James Riley, seaman. [Enclosure.] Archibald Wilson will take two men and carry the schooner George G. Baker to Hatteras Inlet, or any port in the Confederate States he um ny feel prudent to go to, and obey verbal orders given him. Said schooner is a prize of the privateer York, captured this 8th day ol August, 1861. T. L. SKINNER, Captain. Abstract of log of U. S. S. Union, Commander 3. U. Goldsborough. August 9, 1861.At 9:30 a sail reported; chased her. From 12 to 4 p. m. chased the privateer York on shore about 4 miles south of Bodies Island light-house. The pirates, after throwing overboard their gun, set fire to the vessel. Fired several shots at parties on the beach. The York drifted out to sea a mass of flames. At 3:30 p. in. boarded and took possession of schooner U. CL Baker, a prize to the privateer York. She had been recaptured from a United States prize crew. Brought aboard her crew and put them in double irons. Sent Masters Mate Martin to take charge of prize. Report of Acting Masters Mate Abbott, U. S. Navy, of the recapture by the C. S. privateer York of the schooner Geo. G. Baker, prize to the U. S. S. South Carolina. NORFOLK, VA., August, 1861. DEAR Sra: The unpleasant duty devolves upon me of herewith reporting my capture and that of my men, five seamen, a prize crew from the U. S. S. South Carolina, and our confinement here as prisoners of war. The men are without a change of clothing, theirs all being on board the Baker, now at Fortress Monroe or New York. I have no doubt clothing would be given them here, but they prefer their own, if it can be obtained Page 62 62 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. I would respectfully request for myself a small sum of money. I have drawn nothing since the coming of the South Carolina, except the small advance. I do not know the rules of the Department in such cases, and for that reason make this request with much hesitation, but receiving nothing as yet from those I have written to I I am, sir, respectfully, am obliged to. W. ABBOTT, Masters Mate, U. S. Navy, And late Prize Master of Schooner (3eo. U. Baker. Hon. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. Report of Captain Wynn, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Macedoni an, enclosing information front vice-consul at Havana, Cuba, relative to operations of C. S. S. Sumter dftd movements of blockade runners. U. S. S. MACEDONTAN, Key West, Fla., August 10, 1861. SIR: I enclose herewith a communication from Thos. Savage, U.S. consul-general at Havana, received this morning and opened by me. I regret that there are no means at my disposal to act in the case. The Crusader is in port, bnt is deficient in speed and force, even if there were no other reasons for not sending her in pursuit of the Sumter. A smart steamer like the Iroquois, with a smart captain, knowing some- thing of the navigation within a circuit of 500 miles of Cape San Antonio (of Cuba), would stand a good chance for catching the Sumter, or for badgering her into port in a very short time. The U. S. S. Rhode Island, Lieutenant Commanding 5. 1). Trench- ard, arrived here on the 8th, and sailed again yesterday for Pensacola offing, after having dispensed very acceptably a days fresh provisions to the United States vessels in port. The Preble, Commander French, arrived here yesterday, and will probably proceed to join Flag-Officer Mervine on Tuesday, as I learn. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES GLYNN, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] CON8ITLATE~GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Havana, August 9, 1861. SIR: Having received this morning, from a source that I deemed reliable, the information that an American bark called the Joseph ]IIax- well was brought into Cienfuegos on the 6th instant, by a prize crew of the steamer Sumter, of the rebel government, having on her voyage to Porto FPuertoi Cabello been taken near La Guaym-a, I innuedi- ately called on the acting governor-general to ascertain if the informa- tion was correct, and if so, what action had been taken by the author- ities. His excellency replied that an American slmip had been carried in tow by the armued steamer Sumter into the harbor of Cienfuegos; that the lieutenant-governor of that place had advised him by tele- graph of time occurrence, and that he, the lieutenant governor, had made known to the commander of the Sumter that unless his ship or th Page 63 OPE1~ATIONS OF THE CRIflSERSUNION. 63 prize were actually in distress he could not allow them to remain in the harbor, and that therefore they must leave ~vithin twenty-four hours; that he then telegraphed to the lieutenant-governor instructions to communicate to the superior government of the island anything further that mVht trawpire, but nothing more had been received from the lieutenant-governor, and lie supposed the Sumter and the prize must have left. I asked his excellency why the J. Maxwell was not placed in the same category as the six vessels taken last month into Cienflie- gos by the Sumter, and he answered that the six vessels ha not been released in consequence of orders emanating from the captain-general, but of the consent giveii by the captors themselves. Yesterday the schooner Major Barbour, under British colors, came from New Orleans with dates to the 25th ultimo. On the 3d instant the British schooner Adeline arrived here from Savannah; a few days ago a British brig also arrived in Cardenas froni Wilmington, neither of them having even met or seen any of our blockading Ileet. 1 give you notice that a Spanish brig, called the 3d1a Engracia, has been cleared by a merchant here called iDu Santos Villaverde, for Campeche, carry- ing 3,000 quintals of coal, 2 boxes of preserves, and 500 empty deiiii- Johns. I strongly suspect that the coal is intended for the Sumter, which will go for it to the C~ mpeche Bank or in Sisal, or in that neigborhood. Other good Americans and friends entertain the same suspicion. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS SAVAGE, U. S. Vice- Consul- General. SENIOR OFFICER COMMANDING ANY IT. S. MAN-OF-WAR, Key West. Report of Flag- Officer Inman, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. 4frican Squadron, of the departure for the United States, in obedience to Depart- ments orders, of United AStates ~essels under his command. U. S. FLAGSHIP CONSTELLATION, St. Paul de Loanda, August 11, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department that I arrived here from St. helena on the 7th instant, all the squadron, except the Sara- toga, having arrived a day or two before me, as directed. The mail, just due, brought to me the duplicate of the letter of the Department, dated 9th ot May, 18~1, with a postscript dated 14th of the same mouth. In compliance with the instructions thus conveyed, the sioop J~ortsmouth, Commander John Colhoun, sailed for Ports- mouth, N. 1-1., on the 9th instant. The steamer Surmuptek-, Lieutenant Commanding James F. Armstrong, and steamer Mystic, Lieutenant Commanding WilbamE. Lelloy, sailed on the 10th instant, the former for New York and the latter for Philadelphia, both to touch at Monrovia, Liberia, where they were to discharge Kroomen, and to make the best of their way to the United States, stopping where it might be Lecessary for coal or other supplies. The steamer ]Jiohican, Commander S. XV. Godon, is receiving coal, and will sail on Tuesday next, 13th instant, for Boston direct, unless it should be necessary to stop for coal or other supplies, as provided for in her sailing orders. The slOOl) Saratoga arrived here on the 9th instant and was ordered to fill up with provisions and stores from the storeship Relief, and t Page 64 64 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. purchase such sufficiency of bread and other articles that the Relief could riot supply. The Saratoga was theu to sail for Fernando Po, where Commander Taylor was to transfer the command to Captain Glendy, and then to take passage in the San Jacinto to the United States. Captain John S. Nicholas returned to the United States by advice of a medical survey on the 14th of June last, thus leaving the Con- stellation without a captain. Captain Charles Wilkes being ordered to assume command of the steamer San Jacinto, I have ordered Captain Thomas A. iDornin to take command of my flagship, the Constellation. With a view to carry out the order of the Department for the return of the several vessels as soon as practicable, I have caused the Saratoga and San Jacinto to meet Captains Glendy and Wilkes at Fer- nando Po, the latter vessel being placed temporarily under command of her executive, Lieutenant D. MeN. Fairfax. She sailed for that island on the 10th instant (yesterday), carrying the necessary orders and instructions (copies sent herewith) to effect the purposes directed by the Navy Department. The storeship Relief, Commander John De Camp, will sail for New York in a day or two, after supplying the Saratoga and receiving from the latter her invalids and some prisoners taken in slavers, with the witnesses against them. The flagship Constellation, Captain Thomas A. Dornin, is now under way, bound to Portsmouth, N. H., direct, and bears this letter to the United States. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. INMAN, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. LS. African Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. FLAGSHIP CONSTELLATION, - St. Paul de Loanda, August 9, 1861. Sin: As soon as the San Jacinto shall arrive at Fernando Po, if Cap- tain William M. Glendy is present, you will be pleased to exhibit to him this order, which you will then act upon. lii his absence you will carry it into effect, as follows: You will make its purport known to Lieutenant D. MeN. Fairfax, executive lieutenant, temporarily commanding the San Jacinto, who is ordered to transfer to you that command, together with all the orders and instructions by wlueh he has been governed. The Sa Jacinto is to have her coal fully filled up and to be kept in all respects ready for departure as soon as the sloop SaratQqa may arrive. When Commander Alfred Taylor shall have transferred the comlnan(l of that vessel to Captain Glendy, you will inform the latter of your readiness to proceed in obedience to this order, which you will do after Commander Taylor shall have reported on board the San Jacinto for passage to the United States. You will then make the best of your way with the San Jacinto to Monrovia, Liberia, and thence to Phila- delphia, Pa., in the United States. At Monrovia you will discharge all Kroomen whatever, after which, and as soon as you can be ready, you will proceed to the port of your ultrin ate destination. You are authorized to stop where it may be nec Page 65 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 65 essary for coal or other supplies. Upon your arrival at Philadelphia you will report in writing to the Navy Department and to the corn- maiidant of the station. I wish for you a successful voyage. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. JNMAN, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. S. African Squadron. Captain CHARLES WILKES, U. S. Navy, Ordered to command U. S. S. San Jacinto, Fernando Po. Report of Lieutenant Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pow- hatan, relative to prize schooner Abby Bradford and C. S. S. Sumter. OFF SOUTHWEST PASS, MISSISSIPPI RIVER, August 13, 1861. SIR: I this day send home the prize schooner Abby Bradford, cap- tured by me this morning 20 miles to the west of the Missis8ippi River. She was captured by the rebel steamer Sumter off Porto [Pnerto] Cabello, the ninth prize that vessel has taken. All the others have been lost to her. One she burned at sea. 1 send herewith a muster- roll of the crew of this ship. The Sumter is short of coal aiid is at Porto [Puerto] Cabello. I sail to-night for Pensacola to report the cir- cumstances to the flag-officer, and hope to induce him to let me go in search of the Sumter. Very respectfully, your obedient, DAVID D. PORTER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy. Report of Lieutenant Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pow- hatan, enclosing captured correspondence. U. S. STEAM SLOOP POWUATAN, Southwest Pass, Mississippi River, August 13, 1861. SIR: I beg leave to enclose some correspondence * captured in the Abby Bradford, which I did not think it safe or prudent to send home in the vessel, and it will serve as evidence hereafter against nearly all the officers of the rebel steamer Sumter. Captain Semmes letter is a pretty fair account of his proceedings. So far we have only lost one vessel by the Sumter (burned at sea), though her commander is under the iml)ression that his prizes are all secured to him, He is in a position noW where he cant escape, if properly looked after. He is out of coal and out of credit. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Nary, Washington, D. C. For enclosure see Coufefferate reports, pp. 622, 624, 625. 123A Page 66 66 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Lieutenant Brasher, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Bainbridge, relative to C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. BRFZ~ BAJNBRIDGE, Aspinwall, New Granada, August 15, 1861. SIR: Since my communication by last steamer, dated August 3,1861, no event of importance has transpired at this post. Consul Robinson, of this port, is informed by letter from the U. S. consul at Carthagena, that the latter was informed by U. S. consul (Jesurun) at Cura~ao that the rebel steamer Sumter coaled at that port under date of 13th July. A Jamaica paper reports the Keystone State coaling at Kings- ton on the 1st of August. The native general, Mosquera, it is generally thought, had occupied Bogota, but it is not known at what time or with what force he may move to occupy this point and the State of Panama. It is believed, but not officially known, that the Danish authorities permitted o allowed the rebel vessel Sumter to be coaled and provisioned. Of the nioveinents of that vessel or her present locality I do not gain any information. I receive no information of the enemys design on this point. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. M. BRASHER, Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from collector of customs at Newport, R. I., to Secretary of the Navy, requesting instructions regarding prize schooner Adelso. CUSTO I-HousE, NEWPORT, R. I., Collectors Office, August 16, 1861. SIR: The schooner Adelso, of St. John, Kimball master, from Wil- mington, N. C., put iuto this port on the 13th instant, said schooner having run the blockade on the 6th. I requested Captain Bennett, of the revenue cutter Henrietta (then lying in this harbor), to put a prize crew on board. Wingate Hayes, esq., district attorney, being in this city, I called upon him for instructions. He directed that no person should be allowed to come on shore nor anyone to go on board except the officers of the revenue, and also directed all the papers found on board to be sealed up and the same to remain until further advised. There is a French gentleman, a passenger, on board who has been detained under the above instructions. Should like to be advised in the matter. Have been expecting to hear from the district attorney. I wrote the honorable Secretary of the Treasury as soon as possible. As yet have received no answer. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. W. MACY, Collector. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 67 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 67 Letter from the master of the captured schooner Herbert Manton to Sec- retary of State, giving account of affairs at Hatteras Inlet. OSTERYILLE, MASS., August 16, 1861. DEAR SIR: flaying been captured by a steamer called the Winslow (formerly the J. E. Coffee, of Norfolk), it has been suggested to me that the facts concerning my capture might be of use to you. I sailed from Zarza, on the south side of Cuba, on the 20th of June, and having no intimation that privateers were abroad I came around the west end of the island and saw nothing suspicious, neither did I see any Federal vessels. I followed the Gnlf Stream until the morning of the 3d of July, when, the wind hauling easterly, I soon found myself upon soundings. Having had 110 observation on the 2d I was not cer- taiii of my position, but supposed myself in the latitude of Cape Hat- teras. I therefore kept on to the N. by W. and shortly made the land in the vicinity of Ocracoke inlet. This was about 8 a. m. 1 tacked to theE. S. E. and continued standingtothe eastwarduntil captured, which happened at 1 :30 p. m. The steamer came down upon me from to wind- ward, and the wind being light he had no difficulty in overhauling me. The said steamer is a side-wheel steamer with heavy guards, and when it is rough she can not go but a short distance out. She has only two guns, a 32 pounder pivot and a small brass rifled piece, a 6-pounder, mounted above that. They took my vessel into Hatteras Inlet and subsequent}y to Newbern, where they discharged her cargo of sugar and molasses arid anchored the vessel in the river. My crew were put in jail and myseli detained on board the steamer until the 23d of July, when we were released and were allowed to ship on board of three dif- ferent schooners, under the English flag and bound for Halifax, which we all did. At the time I was captured I was fully 25 miles S. E. of Hatteras and in the Gulf Stream, and had a war vessel been in the vicinity could easily have been recaptured. I saw but four war vessels iu the offing during my stay at Hatteras, a period of twenty days, and during that time there were three prizes taken and brought in. Hoping the above statement can be of some service to you in some way or other, I remain, yours, very respectfully, SIMEoN BACKUS, Late Master of Schooner Herbert Mianton. The SECRETARY OF STATE. Letter from Messrs. F. & ~. W. Blunt to Secretary of the Navy, enclosing memoranda regarding condition of affairs at Hatteras Inlet. 179 WATER STREET, New York, August 16, 1861. SIR: The enclosed statement we received from Captain Conley, who was captured by the pirates. Yours, respectfully, E. & G. W. BLUNT. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. [EnclosureMemoranda. ~ The light-house at Cape Hatteras is now used as a lookout place for the rebel privateers, the fleet lying at anchor in the inlet. Our inform- ant left there on the 12th. There were then there the schooners [steamers] Gordon and Winslow and the propeller Mariner. The for Page 68 68 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. mer ran the blockade of Charleston; mounts two 62 and two 32 pounders, manned by 50 men; draws too much water to go over the swash, so that she can be shelled easily from the outside. There are two small sand batteries mounting 12 guns, some of them rifled and heavy, but most of them 32-pounders. There were about 300 men in the forts, without discipline apparently. Troops can be landed on the beach between the light-house aud inlet when the wind is from the N. E. around to west. The forces there expect to be attacked and are improving their detirnses. There were there the following prizes: Brig Itasca, three light-ships (two used as storehouses the other as a hospital), brig William MeGilvery (used as a storehouse), schooner Sea Witch, schooner henry Nutt, schooner Nat haniel Chase, schooner Herbert Afanton,brig Hannah Baich, a schoo ncr from New London called the Transit, and one name not remembered. The fort can be approached from the eastward to within 1 mile in vessels drawing 20 feet of water. The stairway in the light-house should be destroyed. Captain JOHN CONLEY, Orrinyton, life. Report of Commander Schenek, U. S. iVavy, commanding U. S. S. Saginaw, allaying apprehension relative to a supposed privateer in Chinese waters. ~. ~. S. SMm~~w, Shanghai, August 17, 1861. SIR: In my communication of the 8th instant I informed the Depart- ment of what appeared to me a well-authenticated rumor of a privateer fitting out at this place. I left Hongkong on the 9th, and was fortu- nate enough to fall in with the Neva, the suspected vessel, on the 13th. She was just outside of the Wusung River; after a thorough examination I was satisfied that she was not a privateer, and had been properly cleared by the U. S. consul, and I permitted her to proceed upon her voyage to Kanagawa and San Francisco. Judge Cleary, late U. S. naval storekeeper, owns the Neva, amid was a passenger on board of her; through his idle threats and boasting, suspicions had been excited as to her honesty. There is no apprehension now of her doing mischief. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. FINDLAY SCHENOK, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander. Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Report ~f Lieutenant Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pow. hatan, relative to his search for the C. S. S. Sumter. lIT. S. S. POWHATAN, Off Cienfuegos, at Sea, August 19, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that by order of the Flag-Offi- cer Williamn Mervine, I am in search of the rebel steamer Sumter, having learned her whereabouts from a prize of hers captured in one of my boats off Barataria. I left Pensacola on the night of the 14th instant, and after communi- cating with five or six vessels oft~ Cape San Antonio, heard that as late as the 7th of August the Sumter had sent another J)rize, bark Joseph Maxwell, of New York, into Ciemifuegos, but that the authoritie Page 69 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 69 would not let her remain there; that the crew put to sea in ner and returned next day in an open boat, reporting that she had foundered at sea. Most probably they burned her. The Sumter, sir, will not likely leave the Caribbean Sea. I beg leave to make the following suggestions: That two swift steamers be kept cruising off Cape San Antonio, in sight of each other; that one steamer be sent to the Mona Passage and another between Cuba and Haiti, one to cruise along the south side of Cuba, two to go down on the Spanish Main, visiting all places where coalis to be found, and one to cruise from St. Thomas through the islands, giving the officers certain beats. The Sumter, if so looked for, must inevitably be taken; she will otherwise commit an incalculable amount of damage. If opportunity occurs I will take the liberty of writing more hilly on the subject. I wrote this in hopes of sending it by a brig coming down. I communicated with an American brig from Trinidad this morning, whose captain informs me that the bark Joseph Maxwell was picked np outside aud taken into Cienfuegos again, having sold part of her cargo into launches outside. I am going into Cienfuegos to get her charts and learn the Sumters whereabouts when she captured the Joseph Maxwell. I have the honor to renjain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, of search Jbr C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. STEAMER KEYSTONE STATE Havana, August 21, 1861. SIR: In my last communication, of the 7th instant, at St. Thomas, the Department was notified of my intended cruise. I accordingly sailed on the 8th, passed around the north side of Puerto Rico and through the Mona Passage, keeping the land in sight, but saw nothing of the Sunmter or JejJ Davis. From thence the search was continued through the Windward Islands, and an effort made to communicate at Martinique, but the weather proved so unfavorable it was found impracticable, and I continued on to Barbados, where it was supposed the Sumter might touch for coal, but on communicating with the consul it appeared she had not been in that vicinity. The course was then continued along the islands, and on the morning of the 12th instant, off the island of Trinidad, a small steamer was observed and supposed by all on board to be the Sumter, bnt on nearing her she proved to be French. I then entered Port Spain, where the Sumter coaled, landed eight or nine seamen, spent five days, and sailed on the5th ultimo [instant]. It was my intention to take the seamen on board, but it was ascertained that they had all shipped on board American vessels. No information could be gained as to the probable course taken by the Sumter, and 1 decided to continue through the Leeward Islands, running between them and the mainland to Cur- a~ao, where it was snpposed she might have returned to coal and inter- cept the California steamer of the 15th from Aspinwall. It was also my intention to take a small supply of coal at Cura~ao, but on arriving off the port it was ascertained from the pilot that there was no coal to be had and no news of the Sumter. The authorities, I was pleased t Page 70 70 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. learn from the pilot, have decided that no urivateer shall again enter the harbor. From Cura~ao a northwest course was pursued, crossing the track of the Ca1ifornia~steamers, passing on the south side of Cuba and thence to this port. The Sumter, I think, has gone east, probably in the vicinity of Pernambuco, to intercept homeward-bound East India and California vessels. It is much regretted, after so long and thorough search, that the desired object was not attained, but I hope the course pursued will meet the approbation of the Department. I deem it my duty, before closing this report, to call the attention of the Department to the very hurried and imperfect fitting out of this ship. The principal sails, foresail, and foretopsail are so much worn and decayed that in case of necessity they could not be relied on; sev- eral of our buckets for the water wheels have been injured by bad weather, and there is not a spare one on board to replace them; the galley funnel has been eight years in the ship and is entirely burned out, and must be renewed before leaving this port. The boilers and head of steam drum are unprotected, and a single shot well directed would not only render thi~ ship an easy prey to the enemy but prove fatal to a large portion of the crew. It is proper here to state that the order from the Department to sail when the ship was ready was received at the magazine after the powder and shell were on board, and to have returned to the navy yard would have caused several days delay and defeated the wishes of the Department. The ship to this day has been thirty days under steam. She has run by log 5,160 miles, and consumed 429 tons of coal, making an average of 14 tons per day, and during the time the fires have ouly been drawn twice. I am happy to say, notwithstanding the intense heat and continnous rains experi- enced during our cruise, the officers and crew have enjoyed good health. I beg leave to suggest, if the Department contemplates keeping steam- ers cruising about the islands, that a supply of hard coal be sent to Kingston and St. Thonias, as soft only caii be had, generally of an inferior quality, not adapted to our steamers, and at exorbitant rates, from $10.50 to ~l1.50 per ton. It is found impracticable to have the required work done here without considerable detention, and as the yellow fever is prevailing to a considerable extent, I shall, after taking in water, go immediately to Key West. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. II. SCOTT, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Flag- Officer Sands, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Brazil Squadron, of arrival at Boston, ]Ilass. U. S. FRIGATE CONGRESS, Boston, August 22, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report to you the arrival of the Congress at this port, per your order of 9th April last, after a passage from the River La [Rio de la] Plata of sixty-two days. All well. * * * * * * * I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSHUA II. SANDS, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Flag- Officer, Brazil Squadron. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 71 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 71 Report of Flag- Qfflcer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, of the inadequacy of the force for the protection of American commerce on the Pacific coast. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, August 23, 1861. SIR: I have the honor respectftilly to state to the Department that should privateers make their appearance in the Pacific Ocean, my very limited force of four steamers and two sailing ships will prove wholly inadequate for the protection of our commerce with the numerous ports along this coast, extending from Talcahuano to San Francisco, a dis- tance of 7,000 miles. The Gyane and St. Marys might render very effectual service in the fresh winds prevailing along the coasts of Chile and Peru, while they are almost useless, for purposes of protection, between the equator and the Gulf of California, embracing a line of more than 3,000 miles of coast. The sloop St. Marys is still detained undergoing repairs at San Francisco, and the steamer Saranac (one of my most active steamers) is en route to that port for repairs, redncing my present effective force to three steamers and one sailing sloop, distributed as follows, viz: Lancaster at Panama; Narragansett, coast of Mexico, from Acapulco to Manzanillo, and the Wyoming and Cyane on the coast of Lower Cal ifornia, mainly for the protection of our mail steamers between San Francisco and this port. From this statement of the disposition of my forces the Department will readily perceive the want of at least four additional steamers on this station to watch over long hues of coast at present unprotected. Four of the prol)eller gunboats now building will answer admirably for the service required, and I would earnestly request the supply of this additional force at the earliest con- venicuce of the Department. * * * * * * * I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Lieutenant Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pow- hatan, relative to coal. U. S. S. POWITATAN, Jamaica, August 23, 1861. SIR: The enclosed letter* from Mr. Richard Ilitchius, of Jamaica, will explain itself. If our squadron continues to cruise it will be necessary to send coal to this place for them. There is an indisposition on the part of the Government to furnish us with coal, and there is none for sale except at most exorbitant prices. Mr. Hutchins has the best- arranged yard for coaling and stowing the coal, and it would be greatly to the advantage of [the] Government to keep on hand here 1,500 or 2,000 tons and accept his terms (which are reas9nable) for putting the Omitted as immaterial Page 72 72 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. coal on board. Without some arrangement of this kind our steamers can not cruise in these waters. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, DAvID D. PORTER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy. Letter from president of the Pacific Miail Steamship Company to Secretary o.t the Navy, representing the need of a United States steamer at Aspin- wall for the protection of California steamers. PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, New York, August 24, 1861. SIR: I take the liberty to say that our advices from Panama report that serious apprehensions are felt on the isthmus for the safety of the California steamers to and from Aspinwall. The only United States n)alI-of-war at Aspinwall is brig Baimbridge, which vessel, in those calm latitudes, can not prove any great protection against a steam privateer. Nothing has been seen of the U. S. S. Keystone State on the route between New York and Aspinwall by our steamers, while the C. S. S. Sumter and Echo have been heard of in those waters. My object is to call your attention to the necessity of having a United States steamer off the port of Aspinwall, as I fear the brig Bainbridge would be wholly inefficient for our protection in that neighborhood. I am, sir, very respectfully ALLAN MCLANE, President. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, relative to search for C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, Key West, August 25, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival here on the night of the 22d instant, and so soon as a supply of coal can be taken on board I shall continue the search for the Sumter. Colnlnander Porter of the Powhatan, I am pleased to learn, has also been sent by Flag-Officer Mervine to search for her, and it is hoped something definite will soon be ascertained regarding her. I mentioned in my last communication many defects regarding the efficiency of this ship, and hope when the exigencies of the service will permit that the Department will authorize her return to the United States for the necessary repairs. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G.H. SCOTT, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 73 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 73 Report of Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, relative to search for C. 5. 5. Sumter. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, Key West, August 26, 1861. SIR: I learn the Sumter is now at Porto Bello without money, credit, or coal; I shall therefore proceed with all dispatch to that point, touch- ing at Alacran Reef, off Yucatan, where it is believed the Sumter has sent prizes. I shall also touch at Aspinwall, that being the nearest point where coal can be had. The order of the Department (lirects me, after obtain- ing something definite of the Sumter, to report at Key West for the Gulf Squadron. Flag-Officer Mervine, I learn from Lieutenant Com- manding Trenchard, commands the Gulf Blockading Squadron and Flag-Officer Pendergrast the Gulf Squadron. I am therefore in doubt as to which squadron the Department desires me to report and ask to be informed at Aspinwall. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. H. SCOTT, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to Allan AicLane, esq., president Pacific Mail Steamship Company, regarding measures for protection of California steamers. NAvY DEPARTMENT, August 27, 1861. Your letter of the 24th instant, relating to the safety of the Cali- fornia steamer, has been received. You are informed in reply that the steam ships of war Keystone State, Richmond, and Penguin are cruising for the Smtmter and awaiting the arrival of the California steamer. I am, respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, ALLAN MCLANE, New York. ~Secretary of the Navy. Instructions from Secretary of the Navy to Commander Brasher, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig BaTh bridge, relative to convoying mail steamers. NAVY DEPARTMENT, August 28,1861. SIR: You are authorized to convoy any of the mail steamers bound from Aspinwall to New York with treasure some 50 or 60 miles from the former port, provided the commanders of those vessels require of you such service. After the performance of this duty you will imme- diately return to your anchorage off Aspinwall. I am, respectfiuly, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Commander T. M. BRASHER, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commanding CL S. Brig Bainbridge, Aspinwall, New Granada Page 74 74 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Commander Carjpender, U. ~. Navy, commanding U. ~. store- ship Falmouth, relative to safe shipment of arms from California, with enclosures on the same subject. U. S. STORESHIP FALMOUTH, Aspinwall, August 28, 1861. SIR: The accompanying letters explain themselves. Captain Tin- kiepaugh, at the suggestion of Commander Brasher, agreed to take the Bainbridges 12-pounder brass howitzer with shell ammunition on board, but went to sea without it. The hope is that the Northern Light will go through safely; but if she should meet with any acci- dent to her machinery and be caught in that predicament by the rebel cruisers, she will wish she had heeded some of our suggestions. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. CARPENDER, Reserved Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. [Enclosure No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, San Francisco, August 8, 1861. SIR: Captain Wallen with his company leaves in the Sonora to-mor- row in charge of 30,000 stand of arms, which have been ordered to be sent from this Department to New York immediately. As these arms would be a double loss to the Government if they should be captured, I would respectfully and earnestly ask your cooperation in this affair. Although it is highly important that no time should be lost in the transmission of these arms, it is still more important that they should go safely. I am not sure that in the absence of orders you may not think it advisable to send them in a Government ship or immediately under convoy. The security of these arms is so vitally important that I am confident the Government will approve of any measures you may think proper to take to insure it. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, E. V. SUMNER, Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Commanding. Captain CARPENDER, U. S. Naval Commander, Aspinwall, New Granada. [Enclosure No. 2.] U. S. STORESHIP FALMOUTH, Aspinwall, New Granada, August 26, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, and of entering heartily and cordially into all your views in relation to the precious charge on board the Northern Light. I have addressed the accompanying letter to Captain Tinklepaugh for his serious consideration. There is no Government vessel in which the arms could be trans- ported to the United States, and if there were it would depend upon the pleasure of the officer commanding her whether he would ship them in her, as my authority is limited to the command of this ship. I await the answer of Captain Tinklepaugh, aud will communicate it to Cap Page 75 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 75 tam Wallen, in order that you may correctly understand the state of things at the last moment. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. CARPENPER, ti~eserved Commander. J3rigadier-Geueral E. V. SUMNER Commanding Department of th~ Pacific, ASIan Francisco, Cal. [Enclosure No. 3.] U. S. STORESHIP FALMOUTH, Aspinwall, Angust 26, 1861. SIR: The immense importance of the interests involved will justify me iu addressing this letter to you. You have seen the letter of Gen- eral Sumner to me urging me by every consideration of duty and patriot- isin to insure, as far as was 1)OsSible in my power, the safe conveyance of the 30,000 arms on board your ship to the United States. The only suggestions I could make were, first, that you should take the Bainbridgc in tow, and thus be protected by her guns; but Colonel Totten and yourself thought that this would be attended with great delay and inconvenience to your vessel, causing great uneasiness at home, and perhaps obliging you to stop ou the way for coal, in all of which J concurred. Next, that you should better be able to work your guns from the stern by raising a platform above the steering gear; and last, that part of the armament and crew of the Bainbridge. with her only lieutenant, should be placed oim board of your ship. T1~e more I think of this last suggestion the more desirous am I that it should meet your approbation. Commander Brasher stands ready to make any sacrifice of mere con- venience and any abridgment of his armament that may be thought conducive to the public interests; and, for myself, in urging upon you the adoption of this measure, I fully assume all the responsibility of my position, and though powerless to make my will heeded, can not refrain from expressing the opinion that, as a precautionary measure, the plan proposed by me will have the sanction of the Government, and be duly and properly appreciated and commended by the patriotic individual in whose service you are employed. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. CARPENDER, Reserved Commander. Captain TINKLEPAUGH, #S~teamship Northern Light. [Enclosure No. 4.] STEAMSHIP NORTHERN LIGHT, AspinwaU, August 26, 1861. SIR: Your communication of this date in regard to the p~oper meas- ures to be taken to insure the safety of the Government property on board of this ship has been received. In this you agree with my objec- tions to taking the Bainbridge in tow. As regards her armament, I think it entirely too heavy for the upper deck of this ship, which is the only one on which it can be used, and with my present armament I do not think the officer and men could be of any service. It is undoubt- edly of the first importance that the property should reach the Unite Page 76 76 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. St~ites ill safety, but I do not see that I can do anything further at present to insure its transmission. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. L. TINKLEPAUGH, Captain S. S. Northern Light. Commander E. W. CARPENDER, U. S. Storeship Ealmouth. [Enclosure No. 5.] U. S. STORESHIP FALMOTTTH, Asjpinwali, August 26, 1861. SIR: I have your letter in answer to mine, and I now suggest that you tow the Bainbridge out to the trade wind, and, taking the route of Cape San Antonio, have her accompany you until you are entirely past all danger from the rebel cruisers. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. CARPENDER, Reserved Commander. Captain TINKLEPAUGH, Commanding Steamer Northern Light. Order of Flag- Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, to Captain Ritchie, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Sara- nac, to cruise for the protection of California steamers. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, August 29, 1861. SIR: When requisite repairs shall have been effected on the Saranac, nudef your command, you will fill up with provisions, water, and coal, and present requisitions for the approval of the commandant at Mare Island for powder and shell to make up your deficiency (for practice), and the moment you are ready for sea proceed with the Saranac to Cape San Lucas, and cruising in that vicinity you will afford all neces- sary protection to our mail steamers in their transit to and from San Francisco, and watch over the general interests of our commerce with ports in the Gulf of California. It is supposed that privateers may be fitted out under commissions issued by the assumed authorities of seceded States, with a view to capturing mail steamers with treasure and our merchant vessels in the Pacific. You will therefore keep a vigilant lookout for vessels of that description and use your utmost efforts to capture any that you may fall in with or hear of having approached the line of coast placed under your special protection. Should you hear of, or have sufficient reason to suspect, any hostile movements by secessionists of our country upon Lower California, with a view to invasion avid the conquest of that territory, it will be your duty promptly to employ the means at your disposal in preventing the consummation of such designs, giving the earliest intimation thereof to Brigadier-General Stunner at San Fran- cisco, who is instructed by the War Department to cooperate with the naval force in the Pacific in effecting that object Page 77 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 77 You will, sir, communicate all information having reference to the public interests and those of citizens of the United States and advise me by every mail of your proceedings. Acapulco being the nearest point where coal cau be obtained, in order to avoid too frequent inter- ruptions in the prosecution of duties assigned you it is important that you observe the strictest economy in the use of your coal by keeping the Saranac under sail at all times when, in your judgment, a due regard to the interests committed to your care will permit you to do so. The enclosed order you will please hand to Commander Middleton upon falling in with the St. Marys, off Cape San Lucas. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Captain ROBERT RITCHIE, Commanding U. S. S. Saranac, San Francisco, Cal. [Enclosure.] U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, August 29, 1861. Sin: Upon the arrival of the Saranac, Captain Robert Ritchie (appointed for your relief), off Cape San Lucas, you will proceed with the sloop St. Marys, under your command, to the coast of Upper Cali- fornia, and cruise between the port of San Francisco and the island of San Niguel, off Santa Barbara, for the object of giving protection to our mail steamers in their transit to and from San Francisco, and also to secure merchant vessels of the United States from liability to cap- ture by privateers of our seceded States. You will be vigilant in observing the movements of all vessels of a suspicious or doubtful character, and use your utmost efforts to effect the capture of Southern privateers or other vessels under the seces- sion flag, if fallen in with. It is desirable, sir, that you sight the mail steamers on every trip while passing your position on the coast, and please keep me advised by mail of your proceedings. Letters for your ship will be sent to San Francisco. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Commander EDWARD MIDDLETON, Commanding U S Sloop St Marys, Off Cape San Lucas, Lower California. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to president Panama Railroad Com- pany, regarding measures fir protection of tialifornia steamers. NAVY DEPARTMENT, August 29, 1861. GENTLEMEN: Your letter of the 24th instant has been received. The Department has not overlooked the subject referred to in your let- ter, and sometime since dispatched steamers to visit the passages between the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, and to afford protection 1o the California steamers. It has now, as you will see by the enclose Page 78 78 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. copy of a telegram to Allan MeLane, esq., and of the instructions to Commander T. M. Brasher, directed the brigs Perry and Bainbridge to convoy those steamers through the passage. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] D. HOADLEY, ESQ., President Panama R. R. Co., and others, New York. [Enc1osure~Te1egra1I1.1 NAVY DRPART1wENT, August 28, 1861. For the present the Department proposes to place the heavily armed brig Perry to cruise constantly through the Mariguana Passage. She might be towed through both ways by the steamers. GIDEON WELLES, ~Secretary of the Navy.] ALLAN MOLANE, 88 Wall Street, New York. Report of Lieutenant Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pow- hatan, relative to search for C. S. S. Sumter, and enclosing correspond- ence with the governor of Cura9ao. U. S. S. POWHATAN, Cura~ao, August 80, 1861. Sin: I arrived at this port yesterday in search of the Sumter, and hear nothing positive about her. There is a report here that she cap- tured a coal vessel about ten days ago bound to this place, the only cap- ture we hear of since she captured the Joseph Maxwell, which we found in Cienfuegos under the charge of the Spanish authorities. The gover- nor of this place has taken so strange a view of the Sumter case (receiv- ing her as a vessel of war) that I deemed it my duty to protest against such acknowledgment, which communication I have the honor to enclose you. The Sumter was so well treated here that she is coming again, though the governor has promised not to admit her or give her any assistance. I heard yesterday that she was stranded in the harbor of Trinidad, where I am going to see if the report is true. She is still on this coast, I am sure, and will finally return to Cienfuegos, not know- ing that her prizes have been given up and anticipating finding money for the sale of them in the hands of her prize agent, with whom they were left. If a fast steamer was sent at once to Cienfuegos down the south side of Cuba, with orders to lie at the mouth of the harbor with steam up, she would catch the Sumter, for she will be short of coal when she gets there. She has increased her crew to 140 men and carries the same armament, four light 32-pounders and one 64-pounder pivot abaft the foremast. The appearance of this ship here has had a most excel- lent effect in damaging the reputation of these quasi-rebel ships of war. I only regret that her condition will require her to go home so soon. 11 have had her bottom examined here by divers. Part of her false keel is knocked off, her forefoot gone, and 500 sheets of copper off, damage sustained by running ashore in the China seas. I sail day after to-inor- row to pursue my search, hoping to hear something of the Sumter in the meantime Page 79 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 79 The Keystone State passed this port fourteen days since. I have been informed that the Sumter took coal enough in Trinidad to go to Pernambuco, in Brazil; if she has gone there she will be able to obtain plenty of coal on the way, at Pasa [Par~fl and other places, and unless followed up will do an immense amount of damage. In case it is intended to send vessels in that direction in search of the Sumter, the following places on the route will supply coal: St. Thomas, Antigna, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Yincent, Grenada, Trinidad, Barbados, Pernanibuco, or any port in Brazil. I am of opinion that the Sumter is still in the Caribbean Sea. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVIn ID. PORTER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. LEnclosures.l U. S. S. POWIJATAN, Cura9ao, August 30, 1861. EXCELLENCY: In the pleasant interview which I had with you this morning I could not help being surprised at the decision your Excellency had made in relation to the armed vessels belonging to the so called Confederate States of the South, namely, that vessels of war, so called, would be permitted to enter here a once, but not a second time. , nd receive supplies of coal, etc., It was by this decision the armed steamer Sumter, claiming to be a ship of war, entered here and obtained supplies of coal, by which she alone was enabled to inflict serious damage on the commerce of the United States. If this practice is admitted by the colonies of all the European powers in these seas, it is equivalent to having those powers aiding these quasi men-of-war, which, if they existed in any numbers, would soon put a stop to the United States commerce. I find that this practice prevails in the West India ports of other nations besides your own; and that the rebels who are in arms against the lawful Gov- ernuient of the United States are by this act admitted to all the rights of a belligerent power. This does not seem to me to be in accordance with the principles of amity which are due to the United States from nations with whom we have had long-standing treaties, and with whom we have always had an honorable representation, while all recognition has beeii denied to the corn ruissioners of the so-called Confederate States by every European power. I am aware that your excellency has received instructions not to admit any privateers or their prizes to enter your ports, and that the Sumter has been admitted on the ground that she was a Vessel of war. Your excellency must admit that until the so-called Confederate States are acknowledged by some of the European governments, and uiitil they prove themselves capable of defeating the efforts of the U. S. Government to bring them back to their allegiance, that they must be considered as part of the States com- prising the Union, and our Constitution foi-bids any State fitting out letters of marque, men-of-war, or equiping armies; and all vessels fitting out contrary to the wording of the Constitution do so illegally, arid are good prizes to any nation that may capture theni. It is not likely that your Excellency will ever be troubled with any more steamers belonging to the so-called Confederate States, for by this time the Government of the United States are in a position to blockad Page 80 80 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. every harbor or outlet from those States; but if such a thing should occur, an(l a vessel calling herself a ship of war should come here I do not see how the United States could help construing it as an unfriendly act on the part of your Government if such vessels should receive facilities here for pursuing their maraudings, and thus be enabled to capture the vessels belonging to the United States. Not wishing to dictate to your Excellency what your duty should be nuder the circumstances until you receive further instructions on the snbject, it strikes inc that the Dutch Government, not having alluded to vessels of war in your instructions, ignored such a classification of vessels altogether, and can only recognize them as privateers under any circumstances whatever. Under the state of the case it appears to inc that friendly acts of your Government are more due to the United States than to a rebellious branch of it, and that you at least have dis- cretionary power enough left you to prevent a course of things which can not help meeting with the strongest protest of the U. S. Govern- inent. A refusal to admit those privateers, or l)irates, or quasi ships of war, into your ports puts an end at once to depredations on our com- merce, and I ai. sure that such a course will meet the approbation of your home Government and cement the bonds of friendship which have hitherto existed between the two countries. I deem it my duty to pro- test to your Excellency against the acknowledgment on your part of vessels claiming to be ships of war of the so-called Confederate States, arid 1 hope that your excellency will on due consideration perceive the weight of my objection to the decision you have made, and rectify it so far that the commerce of the United States will not suffer through any tolerance of yours until you receive specific instructions from your Gov- ment, which you told me you expect shortly. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Commander U. S. & Powhatan. His Excellency J. D. CROL, Governor of CuraQao. CURAQkO, August 31, 1861. SIR: Giving myself the honor to reply to your communication of the 30th instant, I beg leave to state that in the interview I had the pleas- ure of having with you in the morning ot yesterday, 1 mentioned to you that whereas the Netherlands Government was desirous to observe a strict neutrality during the existing disturbances in the United States of America, warnings and instructions had been issued accordingly by the said Government, containing among others that no privateers, under whatever colors, or provided with whatsoever commissions or let- ters de marque, shall be admitted in the ports or roadsteads of the Netherlands dominion 5.~~ I further stated to you as my opinion, alluding to the case of the Sum- ter, that it would not be consistent with the principle of neutrality adopted by the Netherlands Government to allow vessels of war of the Confederate States, cruising in these waters, repeatedly to visit this port for the purpose of supplying themselves with provisions, coal, etc., and so to make this place the starting point of their operations; consequently, acting upon these considerations, I would object to the Confederate States man-of-war steamer Sumter again being admitted into this port on the event ishe made her appearance a second time Page 81 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 81 At the same time I beg to reiterate what I had the honor of meniion- ing to you verbally, in yesterdays interview, that in submitting the case of the Sumter to the decision of the supreme Government, I reqnested at the same time further instructions on the subject, and how to act in future on similar occasions. In the meantime I consider myself bound, in expectation of those instructions, strictly to adhere to the existing regulations to the effect that dnring thc existing disturbances in the United States of America, no privateers, under whatever colors, and provided with whatsoever commissions or letter de marqne, with or without prizes, maybe admitted into this port unless in case of distress. I have the honor to remain respectfully, J. D. CROL, The Governor of Curct~ao Dependencies. COMMANDER U. S. MAN-OF-WAR STEAMER POWHATAN, In this Harbor. U. S. S. POWHATAN, Gura9ao, August 31, 1861. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 31st August, 1861, and I hope you will pardon my return to the subject of my first communication to yoa. All that yonr Excellency states in your letter of this date I fully nnderstood when I had the pleasure of an interview with you yesterday, but I endeavored to draw your attentiou to the fact that all vessels fitted out by the so-called Confederate States of North America can only be considered as privateers by European nations (and by our own laws they are pirates), unless any nation has recognized the independence of said States. Your intentions with regard to privateers were made very plain to me, and would be perfectly satisfactory to the U. S. Government, but coupled with your explanation was a determination expressed by your excellency to admit once and supply with coal any other steamer besides the Sumter claiming to be a man-of.war of the so-called Confederate States. Your Excellency~s Government in Holland has not recognized the right of the rebellious States of INorth America to lit out men-of-war, or they would have issued instructions at the same time they laid down their rule of neutrality with regard to privateers. I feel quite confident that your Government, acting in that good faith which has always characterized it, will decline recognizing the right of our rebellious States to fit out ships of war; indeed they can not recog- nize that right unless they consider the Government of the United States broken asunder, and set at naught all our rights as a govern- ment and a nation. I beg leave to say to your Excellency that the so-called Confederate States have but two vessels they style men-of- war vessels, the Sumter and a similar omie called the Mckae, and it is in case that tIme latter vessel should get to sea(which is not likely), that I would request your Excellency to refuse her admittance into your ports or roadsteads, or allow her to obtain supplies of coal and other articles that will enable her to commit depredations on the commerce of the United States; for if she obtains coal here only once, as did the Sumter, it will enable her to do a deal of harm, while without those supplies she would be harmless, and likely soon fall into the hands of the Government whose laws she would have set at defiance. It would afford me great pleasure to communicate to my Government your Excel- 123A Page 82 82 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. lencys just and favorable answer to this, my proposition, convinced as I am that it would be an evidence of the friendly feeling of the Dutch Government and prevent complications at some future time; for I do not think that the U. S. Government can ever admit the recognition of a so-called Confederate man-of-war vessel by a foreign government. While those States are considered as part of the American Union, it is very natural to suppose that an unfriendly act of this kind would impair the friendly feelings existing between the two nations, which is much to be deprecated. I have the honor to remain, your Excellencys obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Commander U. S. S. Powhatan. His Excellency J. D. CROL, Governor of Cura9ao and Dependencies. CuRA~Ao, September 1, 1861. SIR: Having the honor to reply to your communication of yesterday~s date, received this morning, I can only express my sincere regret in not having succeeded to convince you that in the face of positive instruc- tions emanated from the supreme Government with regard to the strict neutrality to be observed during the existing disturbances in the United States of America, I can not act otherwise than conformably to these directions, which, moreover, have publicly ecu notified, not considering myself qualified either to alter or to modify them. As I already had the honor to communicate to you, having lost no time in submitting the case of the Sumter to the decision of niy Gov- ernment, requesting at the same time to be furnished with further instructions on the subject and how to act in future on similar occa- sions, I feel persuaded it will be acknowledged as an evidence of my anxiety to prevent any complication between the respective Goverit- ments and of my ardent desire not in the least to impair, but on the contrary to consolidate, the friendly feelings and good understanding betw& eu the two nations. I have the honor to remain, respectfully, sii-, your obedient servant, J. D. CROL, Governor oJ Cura~ao and Dependencies. His Honor DAVID D. PORTER, Commander of the U. S S. Powhatan, Cura9ao Harbor. Instructions from Assistant Secretary of the Navy to Commander Palmer U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, relative to search for C. S. S. Sumter. NAVY DEPARTMENT, September 1,1861. SIR: You will prepare your vessel for sea with all dispatch and pro- ceed to the West Indies in pursuit of the pirate steamers Sumter and ]IlicRae. The Department can not give you definite instructions with regald to these vessels but must intrust the puisuit to your good judg- ment after arriving there, where you will no doubt obtain later inform a- tion as to their movements. The Sumter has been twice to Cienfuegos, once to Santiago, on the coast end of Cuba, once to St. Thomas, once to Cura~ao, and was last heard of at Ponce, Porto [Puerto] Rico. The MeRae has only been heard of as having escaped from New Orleans Page 83 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 83 It is desirable that you should return to Hampton Roads by the 5th of October unless you are then on the track of some ot these pirates. The California gold steamers pass through the Mariguana Passage, and between Navassa and the coast of Cuba. I enclose herewith a portion of the last report received by the Depart- ment from Commander Scott, of the Keystone State, relating to his search for the Sumter, together with an extract of a letter from Flag- Officer Mervine on the same subject. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary. Commander JAMES S. PALMER, Commanding U. S. S. Sloop Iroquois, Hampton Roads. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, forwarding information of C. S. S. Sumter. NAVY DEPARTMENT, September 2, 18G1. Sin: The following is an extract from a letter just received from Commander D. D. Porter, commanding the steamship Powhatan, off the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi, and may be useful to you in your search for the Sumter: * * I know as well as it is possible to surmise where the rendezvous of Semmes will be. His plan is to sink, burn, and destroy all that is not very valua- ble, and no pirate that ever swam the ocean had such an opportunity for doing dam- age, for he can do it with impunity. Let the Department fit out some fast steamers with rifle guns and sen4 one to the bay of Samana at the east end of Haiti. He will be found there or Ill lose my head. There are hiding holes there known to Semmes, where a hundred prizes might lie concealed, There is also a place in the same island,. Ocoa Bay, well known to Semmes (I was there with him), where a thousand vessels might lie concealed and no one know of it. There are places around the Isle of Pines, where the devil himself would not find vessels unless he knew the locality. I have been all throngh them and know them well; so does Semmes. If he gets hard pushed he can find shelter among the reels on the Mosquito Banks. No one would think of following him there. There is no reason why he can not get into New Orleans at any time. Southeast Pass is open with 10 feet of water at low tide. The Sumter only draws 12 feet light, aud it is easy enough to drag her through the mud. Two tugboats lie in the passes all the time ready for that emergency, and we dont know what goes in or out at night. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Commander J. ~. PALMER, [Secretary of the Navy.] U. S. Steam Sloop Iroquois, flampton Roads. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iro- quois, acknowledging orders. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, Hampton Roads, September 8, 1861. SIR: I am just in receipt of your letter of the 1st of September (the mail seems to have been interrupted for a day). I shall have all m Page 84 84 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. stores on board by the day after to-morrow and proceed to the West Indies, agreeably to your instructions. I deem it proper to state, how- ever, that there is at this moment only the guilboat Flag besides myself at this anchorage. The Savannah, Seminole, and Corwin (which is good for nothing) are at Newport News. General Wool urges me not to move until more force arrives; Captain Hull also wishes me to remain. I shall be ready, however, on the day after to-morrow, as I have said above and unless telegraphed to remain until some other vessels arrive, [shall] proceed at once to execute the orders of the Department. XTery respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Gommander and Senior Officer Present. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. (J. Order from Assistant Secretary of the Navy to Captain Glynn, U. S. Navy commanding U. S. S. Macedonian, to cruise on South American coast and in the West Indies. NAVY DEPARTMENT, September 4, 1861. SIR: Your letter of the 22d ultiino, written at Key West, reporting the Macedonian under way for Aspiuwall, has been received. The Department desires the Macedonian to remain on the West India Sta- tion as long as she can with safety to the health of her officers and crew. The moment fever shall appear on board of such type and prev- alence as to render it advisable to seek a northern climate, you will proceed with her to Philadelphia. The Macedonian will cruise along the South American coast and through the Leeward and Windward islands and the Mona Passage. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, G. V. Fox, Acting Secretary. Captain JAMES GLYNN, Commanding U. S. S. ]lfacedonian, Aspinwall. Report of Commander Brasher, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Bain- bridge, of shipment of arms from California, and other matters. U. S. BRIG BAINERIDGE, AspinwaU, New Granada, September 4, 1861. SIR: Since my communication to the Department by last steamer, dated August 24, 30,000 stand of arms from California were shipped under the circumstances of the within letter, ~ and as further referred to by Commander Carpender of the Falmouth. Of the enemys vessels in the Caribbean I have various statements. From one it would seem that a steamer has been successively at Cura9ao, Trinidad, and latterly off La Guayra, represented as bearing long guns and called the Sumter. *Not found Page 85 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 85 I hear of no definite designs of the enemy, nor of the intentions of the Mosquera party at Bogota to assail this point. It is minored (on the 3d) that the vessel above referred to was, or is, at Porto Bello. Upon inqniry, the best and fullest I can make, I do not find any founda- tion for the rumor. 1 expect soon to hear from Porto Bello by means as reliable as the times afford. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. M. BRASHER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commanding U. S. Brig Bainbridge. Secretary of the Navy. Letter from Messrs. $pofford, Tileston & Co. to the Secretary of the Navy, relative to the appointment of acting masters to command the Havana steamships. 29 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, September 5, 1861. Sin: We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your notes of 24th and 27th ultimo in relation to the officers and men to be placed on board our Havana steamships. We accept the offer made in your letter of 27th August last. We think that the suggestion made by Com- modore Breese on this subject a good one, viz, the captains of the steamers in question to be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy acting masters, U. S. Navy, instead of al)pointing other acting masters to the vessels. This we highly approve of as it is of the utmost con- sequence to good order and discipline to have each steamer and all the men thereon under the control of one commander. In case you should also approve of this plan we give you below the names of each captain. These officers have been in our employ over fifteen years, are thorough navigators and seamen, and perfectly acquainted with our coast. Our next steamship outward will be the Marion, to leave about the 10th or 12th instant. Captain of steamer Columbia, Richard Adams; captain of steamer Marion, James I). Phil- lips; both of New York. Respectfully, your obedient servants, lion. GIDEON WELLES, SPOFFOnD, TILESTON & Co. Secretary of Navy, Washington. [Endorsement.] Direct Commodore Breese to put on board the number of men agreed upon as in Departments letter. tG. V. Fox.] [Second endorsement.J Four ordinary seamen, 4 seamen 1 4 landsmeu. , quarter gunner, 1 gunners mate, [Third endorsement.1 Appoint them acting masters without pay Page 86 86 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Flag- Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific AS~quadron, of injuries to U. S. S. Wyoming by grounding, transmitting report of commanding officer. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, September 6, 1861. SIR: For the information of the Department I enclose herewith a copy of a letter received from Lieutenant F. K. Murray, while tempo- rarily in command of the steamer Wyoming, dated Monterey, Upper California, August 18, 1861. Lieutenant Murray sailed from this port in the Wyoming in July last, destined for service oft the port of San Francisco, under instructions to call at La Paz (Lower California) with a view to enquiries in relation to supposed designs of the secessionists upon that province, as indi- cated in your letter of June 10, enclosing copies of communication from Thomas Sprague, esq., late U. S. commercial agent at La Paz, addressed to the Department of State, in reference to said designs against Lower California. From Lieutenant Murrays letter it will be seen that our citizens residing at La Paz were wholly ignorant, and seemed to have no apprehension of any such movement on the part of secessionists. I greatly regret, sir, that the Wyoming should have been run upon a coral reef in leaving the harbor of La Paz, causing injuries which will necessarily require that vessel to be docked at San Francisco. As the Wyoming was under pilotage at the time, it is not probable that any censure can properly attach to Lieutenant Murray for this accident. For the information of the Bureau of Construction, etc., a copy of Lieutenant Murrays report will be duly forwarded to that bureau. Intelligence received from commanders of the squadron and other reliable sources assure me of the preselit security of our commerce from interruption along the coasts of Central America, Mexico, and the Cali- foriiias. Privateers have neither been seen nor heard of and I have no reason to believe that any are fitting, or likely to be fitted out, along this line of coasts. Lieutei~ant Shirley, executive officer of the St. Marys, under date of August 7, reports the desertion of Boatswain Robinson of that ship at Mare Island on 22d of July last. Commander Middleton assumed the command August 8. I therefore respectfully request that a boat- swain may be sent to the St. Marys; also, a chaplain to supply the place of Chaplain Lewis (detached) on board of this ship. I have great pleasure in reporting the general good health of our offi- cers and crew, and those of the vessels of this squadron when last heard from. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Ellclosure.] U. S. STEAM SLOOP WYOMING, Monterey, Cal., August 18, 1861. SIR: I respectfully report that we arrived here yesterday, having encountered strong northwest winds on the coast. Our coal gave out, and we anchored with but 2 tons on board. There is none to be obtaiiied here, but I shall supply the ship with wood, and sail immedi- ately for San Francisco Page 87 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 87 We arrived at La Paz on the 25th ultimo, and remained there five days. Our Government has at present no consul or civil agent there. From the Nmericans residing in the city I learned that nothing had been heard of designs upon Lower California. I explored the bay and the harbors ot the vicinity of La Paz, and found no suspicious vessels. Leaving the harbor, while in charge of the Government pilot, the ship was run on shore on coral rocks in a situation which would have placed her in great peril had one of the gales iiot unusual at this season arisen. Our efforts to get off, continued through the day and night, were unavail- ing, and in the morning the schooner Adrianna, of San Francisco, for- tunately passing, I chartered her at $100 per day to aid us, and carried out, by her means, anchors and chains, and lightened the ship of everything but the coal and guns. At the expiration of the third day we succeeded in heaving the ship off. Part of her false keel floated to the surface after she struck, and our divers report injury to the copper. Beyond this she sustained no damage, the water being perfectly smooth. I shall recommend, on my arrival at San Francisco, that she be docked. The Adrianna carried passengers and was out of water and provisions. I supplied them and towed her to Cape San Lucas. I touched at Magdalena Bay for water, and remained three days. There is,J am convinced, no harbor on the coast more likely to be resorted to than this by vessels having desigiis hostile to our commerce. I explored it and found nothing suspicious. I shall forward a duplicate of this report, with copy of contract with the master of the Adrianna, upon our arrival at San Francisco. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. K. MURRAY, Flag-Officer J. B. MONTGOMERY, Lieutenant, Commanding, Commanding U. S. Pacific Squadron, U. S. Flagship Lancaster, Bay of Panama. Letter from Midshipman Mahan, U. S. Navy, to Assistant Secretary of the Navy, suggesting a plan for capture of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. JAMES AnGER, September 9, iSGi. SIR: I hope you will overlook what may appear like youthful pre- sumption in addressing you on the subject I wish to. The ravages of the pirate Sumter have reached a pitch that, if long continued, will cast an undeserved stigma upon the Navy. Her speed, on the cruising ground she has chosen, will always enable her to obtain the twenty-four hours shelter granted by neutral powers, and thus a chance of escape by night, which can only be prevented by surround- ing her with a chain of vessels more numerous than our small Navy and extended blockaded coast can at present allow us to devote to this object. Can she not be decoyed nuder fire, or even boarded ~ A steamer can not do this, for the smallness of the steam mercantile marine would of itself render her liable to suspicion. I have thought that a sailing vessel, as one of the lately confiscated rebel vessels, might be equipped with a heavy pivot gun and a light house built over it, such as are often seen in merchant 5h11)5, and which could not excite suspicion. Broad- side guns requiring ports would be incompatible with the end in view Page 88 88 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Mall the ship with a hundred men, more if necessary. Will there not be a probability of the steamer approaching confidentlyif to leeward, within a distance to render boarding practicable; if to windward, so as possibly to be disabled or sunk with your heavy gull? Elaboration of detail would be misplaced here, and I shall not attempt it. I am aware that the disadvantages a sailing vessel labors under are great, and my idea may appear rash or eveii harebrained. But sup- pose it fail, what is lost ~ A useless ship, a midshipman, and a hundred men. If it succeed, apart from the importance of the capture, look at the prestige such an affair would give the service. Finally, if this is so fortunate as to meet your approval and that of the honorable Secre- tary, and you should not wish to risk a better man, I beg to offer myself to lead the enterprise. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALFRED T. MAHAN, Midshipman, U. S. Navy. Captain G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Flag-Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, of intended departure from Panama for Mexico. lIT. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, September 13, 1861. Siu: In accordance with the requirement of the Department, .1 have the honor to inform you that upon the relief of our present crew, upon the arrival of the Gyane, Commander Bissell, at this port, I shall pro- ceed with the Lancaster to the coasts of Mexico and California to look out for our interests in that quarter. Affairs on the isthmus remain quiet, with every prospect of continued tranquillity. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfuliy, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. lion. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from Secretary of State to Secretary of the Navy, with enclosure from U. S. consul, regarding C. S. S. Sumter and other vessels. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 13, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of a dispatch, received this morning from the U. S. consul at Cura~ao, respecting the movements of the Sumter and of other vessels, one of which is supposed to have been a privateer. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM II. SEWARD, [Secretary of State.] Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 89 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 89 [Enclosure.] U. S. CONSULATE, Cura9ao, August 26, 1861. SIR: I have the honor [to inform] you that on the 15th instant the U. S. S. Keystone State, G. II. Scott commander, passed before this port bound to the westward. The pilot boarded her, and the com- mander stated to him that being in a great hurry he could lose no time in entering the port; he inquired from him about the Sumter, but finding she was not here, proceeded immediately. She was last from St. Thomas. I have no further information regarding the whereabouts of the iS~umter; she was not seen nor reported since the 2d instant, and I hope she is by this time iu the hands of our Government. The bark Venus arrived from New York ou the 19th instant, and reports having been chased on or about the edge of the Gulf Stream by a brig which he supposed to be a privateer. The captain says that he was chased for three days, but his vessel being very fast she could not conie up with him. Fearing privateers on the coast, the captain has sold his vessel at this port and returns nnder the Dutch flag, and I am of opinion that all regular vessels trading between this and New York will do the same. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant. MOSES JESURUN, U. S. Consul. Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington. Report of Commander Brasher, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Rain- bridge, of affairs at Aspinwall, and rumors regarding C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. BRIG BAINBRIDO-E, Aspinwall, New Granada, September 15, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your order of Aub ust 28, directing convoy of the steamers out of port. Such offers, I am happy to say, have always been made them. On the sailing of the last steamer we accompanied her to sea, after which I ran to Porto [Puerto] Bello and anchored, returning the next day to Aspinwall. Loose rumors had said a rebel vessel, the Sumter, was there. Not finding her there, the local magistrate affirming that no such vessel had been there, 1 must conclude that she had not; but the reconnoi- tering officer, the first lieutenant, is of opiniou that she may have been there. As a strategic point, that port and neighboring coast should iuvite an enemy in wait to attack this point, or a California steamer ou her departure from Aspinwall. It is considered by some that such method would be more to an enemys interest than most auiy other. Jam loosely informed that it may be the design of quasi passengers to embark in the steamer with intent to capture her by some sudden strategy prearranged. I am not able to find any confirmation at all myself of any such combination. For my own part I know that such an idea has always been in view and acted on by the officers of the steam- ships with every care, as far as their own scrutiny extends over the passengers. I deem it my duty to make the above representation, at the same time to state that for my own part I do not judge the ris Page 90 90 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. of such an occurrence to be at all greater or in any way different at present than hitherto. Comm ander Carpen der, of the Palm outh, storeship, lies quite sick of a repeated attack of the country fever. That ship, with her supplies and stores, is thus without any officer on duty, the two young clerks being in no wise qualified to defend the ship in case of attack or adruin- ister the police of the vessel and crew. Moreover, the season is approach- ing when the experience of an able seaman should attend to her security at her anchors. I presume our many enemies in this region dissemi- nate (as they speak) their ideas of a wish to burn the Palmouth and assault the brig when they may deem such trial expedient. Of the l)olitical changes going on in this country and their great prejudice, perhaps entire loss of ternis to the railroad, 1 presume you are thoroughly informed by the civil agents. Should Captaiti Carpender die, I will assume command of the Falmouth myself aiid appoint the harbor master as acting master pro tempore. * * * * Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. M. BRASHER, Commanding U. S. Brig Bainbridge. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies, September 23, 1861. SIR: As an opportunity has just offered direct for the United States, by the departure to-morrow of the U. S. S. Mystic, I think it well to apprise the Government of the little news I have been able to gather thus tar respecting the pirate steamer Sumter. I reached the Island of St. Thomas after a passage of six aud a half days from Hampton Roads. here I found the Keystone State coaling, and, as this port is the focus of all West Indian news, I learned of the Sumters whereabouts as late as the 4th of September. On that day she left ~urinam, saying that she would return to coal in a fortnight, but of course this was a ruse. The Powhatan had left St. Thomas, as it was said,for Surinam, several days before my arrival; she consequently would be at that port at the time of the Sumters supposed return. Commander Scott and myself then decided that he would leave for the coast of Guiana, as he might be able to go up the river where the Powhatan could not, whilst I took down the Caribbean group, looking in at the ports of the different islands where coal was to be had, think- ing the Sumter, driven from the mainland by the presence of these two ships, might come over to replenish her coal among her friends, the English. This she had done previously at Trinidad, where not only coal was furnished her, but everything in the way of an outfit, even to powder. Since leaving St. Thomas I have looked into Santa Cruz, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, Martinique, both at the ports of St. Pierre and Fort Royal, communicating with the consuls, and arrived here this morning. To-morrow I shall leave for Grenada and Trinidad; at the latter por Page 91 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 91 I expect to meet the Keystone State, by which time she will have to coal, and I trust will have some news of the Sumter. The consul at this port, rather to my surprise, informed me that the Powhatan had been here some ten days since, stopping only a few hours, and leaving word that she would return here to coal in a fort- night. I can not but observe that the sympathy of the West Indies is with the Southern cause, and that the French and English governors interpret the proclamations of their governments as to perfect neutrality into a determination to treat both the Sumter and ourselves as vessels beloiiging to equally legal belligerent powers. The French, it is said, would refuse coal to either, and the English grant to both. I have not, as yet, had occasion to make this issue, thinking it better taste to avoid the argument so long as I caii obtain coal from private parties. I find it will be impossible for me to return by the 5th of October, if I am to assist in anythiug like a search. Should I upon my arrival at Trinidad hear nothing more of the Sumter, I shall conclude, as has been suggested t)y several individuals, that she has left the West Indies altogether and gone to the Brazils, in which case I shall return immediately to Hampton Itoads, but can not expect to be there betore the middle of October. As to the ]JlieRae, I have heard nothing of her. She is commanded by a former first lieuten vt of mine (linger), who was with me in the Mediterranean; my own idea is that she has gone direct to that station. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Gommauder. Secretary ~f the Navy, Washington, D. C. SEPTEMBER 25, 1861. P. S.Learning that two mail steamers arrive to-day, one from Demerara, the other from Trinidad, I decided to await their intelli- gence, as it might alter my intended cruise. In the meanwhile, a vessel arrived yesterday from Demerara, saying the Powhatan was off the light-ship of that port about a week since, and sailed N. E.; nothing heard of the Sumter since leaving Suriuam on the 4th, when she was seen steering N. E., which is in the direction of the Windward Islands. I shall leave this port probably to-night; the Mystie sails to-day at noon, direct for Philadelphia. [J. S. P.] Report of Lieutenant Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Powhatan, of eruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter, inclosing eorrespondenee with the governor of Maranhain. U. S. S. POWHATAN, ]Jifaranham, Coast of Brazil, September 24, 18G1. SIR: I have the honor to address you from this place, where I am in search of the Sumter, privateer. I have chased her from point to point, and have gained on her at every place, though in the absence of infor- ination on the subject I had to speculate on the course she would likely pursue. She last left Surinam (I)utch Guiana), where I looked in, housed her pipe, and steered to the N. W. under sail; for which reason I sailed to the S. E., presuming that she was trying to deceive. I regret to say that we arrive(l here five days only after she had taken her departure, every facility having been offered her by the Government here to get away; three days before I entered the port she was cruising off the harbor in hopes of capturing a New York brig (the Maria) Page 92 92 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. which vessel entered with me and escaped. I can form no idea where the Sumter is at this time, but think she is off Cape St. Roque. I will follow her as long as my engine will hold together, and if I do not fol- low her, my visit here will enable me to remove the evil impressions circulated here or elsewhere by the officers of the Sumter. The course of the governor of Maranham has been very singnlar. He was really anxious to supply the Sumter with coal, tl~ough he was not so anxious that this ship should obtain a supply. With a smaller vessel I would have caught the Sumter ten days ago, for while I have to take in 700 tons of coal, she only takes 100, and makes about the same speed this ship does. In consequence of the course pursued by the governor of this place ii communicated with him on the subject, and inclose a copy of my correspondence. I would recommend that one of our best propeller gunboats be sent on the great circle track to Rio de Janeiro with at least days coal on board. It is the intention of the com- mander of the Sumter to put himself on the track of East India home- ward-bound vessels, to burn, sink, and destroy; lie has taken no prizes since the capture of the Abby Bradford, and as her machinery is rather defective, the Sumter can not make very good speed, and can be captured if chased up. They have not the faintest idea that we have been so close upon them, but are cruising in perfect security, under the impression that they have thrown everything off the track. I am patch- ing my machinery to follow her if I can gain the slightest clue to her movements, but I regret to say that so many secessionists are in this place who have combined together to deceive me that I am rather at fault. The Sumter got ashore coming in here, lost her false keel, and leaks badly. She remained here ten days and left with 15 of her crew in irons. She has now only 106 men, all told. If I can not get the necessary supplies of coal here in time I shall have to return to Pensa- cola, as I could not make headway against the strong N. E. winds without a full supply. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Enclosure.] U. S. STEAM FRIcfATE POWIJATAN, ]Jfaranham, September 23, 1861. EXCELLENCY: I arrived at yonr port yesterday in pursuit of a ves- sel called the Sumter, fitted out in the States that have placed them- selves in opposition to the U. S. Government, which vessel has com- mitted serious depredations on vessels carrying the American flag. I regret to he r that, by a decision of your Excellency, she was allowed to receive a supply of coal, which is contraband of war, owing to which circumstance she will be enabled to do still further harm to time commerce of my country. As the damage has been done it may seem like an act of supererogation on my part to put myself in com- munication with you; but understanding that the views of your Excel- lency are somewhat opposed to those of your counselors and that you coisider that you are acting the part of a neutral in placing the ships of the United States and a privateer on the samne footing, I deemn it my duty to endeavor to remove the false impression you are laboring under, ia case the above-named vessel, or one similarly appointed, should enter your port again fom the purpose of making this a poin Page 93 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 93 from which to direct their attacks against the commerce of the United States. If every neutral power should come to the conclusion to supply priva- teers or armed vessels of aity kiud with munitions of war (which coal is) there would be au end iu a short time to all the property of oar merchants; but fortunately there are but few cases iu which the Sun~tcr has been treated with the distinguished consideration shown to her at your port and by your Excellencys approbation. The governor of Cienfuegos, in Cuba, ordered her to leave the outside anchorage, and would not permit her to enter the port. He also held and delivered to the United States authorities seven prizes which the Sumter had taken into Cienfuegos to dispose of. The captain-general of Cuba issued an order that no vessel belong- ing or claiming to belong to the so-called Southern Confederacy should be allowed to enter Spanish ports under any circumstances. The gov- ernor of Cura~ao only allowed the Sumter to enter because she was in distress, having carried away a mast; but he has forbidden his harbor- master or chief pilot to take any vessel bearing a flag like the Sumter into that port again. The governor in Trinidad permitted the Sumter to get coal at his port, much to the mortification of many citizens, who have a lively perception of what is right or wrong in such matters and also see, in the continuance of the custom to supply those depredating vessels with the means to annoy, a certain diminution of that coin- merce to much of which they owe their property and many of the coin- forts of life. In the decision of the governor of Trinidad may be seen the reflex of that policy which actuates every Englishman where the prosperity of the United States is brought in question. We are not surprised at anything emanating from English consuls, but when we see nations who have no interests conflicting with ours taking the lead in a mat- ter intended to despoil us, there is something more than surprise to be felt by all those interested. It strikes me that it opens a question of indemnity which no right- minded nation would refuse to make, nor without which would a nation that guards the rights of its citizens be satisfied. At Surinam, the governor ordered the Sumter to sea in twenty-four hours; but the captain set him at defiance and refused to go, and as he had not the means to make him do so, he was obliged to yield finally to his demands and gave him the coals to get rid of him. Had he detained him a few days longer your Excellency would have been saved the reading of this communication, as every nation has, by a law of nature, a right to relieve herself the best way she can of what may be considered a most serious annoyance to her rights and interests. The governor of Surinam dismissed the pilot from office who took the Sumter to sea and forbade any of them from bringing a vessel bearing that flag into Sarinam again. The governor of Cayenne did not hesi- tate a moment in the course he was to pursue, but would not let the Sumter enter that port nuder any terms whatever, although she had no coal and was obliged to sail under canvas, which she is perfectly capa- ble of doing, to Surinam. Thus, your Excellency will see that the aims and object of that vessel, (professing to be a ship of war) are held in bad repute at all the places where she has visited, and I am convinced that it only needs a proper understanding of the matter on the part of those in authority to break up the despicable system of piracy against United States commerce, a system which the United States would not allow to be carried on fro Page 94 94 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. her ports against a nation with whom she was in profonnd peace and friendship, any moie than she would submit patiently to a rule of action entirely new in principle which a few foreign governments have thought fit to set up for themselves, a principle void of justice and not at all in harmony with the international laws which nations, by common con- sent, determined hitherto to be governed by. Did the U. S. Government quietly allow the matter to proceed and become a precedent, nations might naturally suppose that she acquiesced in the rules laid down by certain parties for her injury, but your Excellency must understand that the nndcrsigned, in behalf of his Government, J)rotests in the strongest terms against the acknowledg- ment of those privateers as bona-fide ships of war. They can not be so considered unless your Excellencys Government is prepared to acknowl- edge the existence of an independent government in the so-called Con- federate States, and have determined to renounce all belief in the capacity of the lawful Government of the United States to reconcile the existing difficulties which have been brought about by a defeated political party, contrary to the wishes of a very large majority of the people. Your Excellencys Government would do much less harm to our com- merce by supplying those vessels with powder and arms than with coal, for the former they would not likely have an opportunity to use, while the latter is the motive power which enables them to go about from place to place, inflicting a positive injury on innocent persons and paralyzing a large mercantile community. If the United States and any other nation having treaties with Brazil were at actual war with each other, I aver that it would be an infraction of such treaty and contrary to the law of nations to fhrnish one party with the means of inflicting an injury on the other, and so I think the United States will look upon it. Though the past can not be undone, and the commerce of the United States must suffer for a time from the depredations encouraged by for- eign aid, yet 1 trust your Excellency will consider the injury that has been done on the mistake that has been made as regards the Sumter, and avoid it as far as lies in your power in case that vessel should come here again, or any others of like character. She can not require coal if her mission is a peaceful one, for she has all the qualifications of a first-class sailing vessel, and can without difficulty reach any port she may desire to go to under sail alone. A knowledge of that fact will relieve your Excellency from any odium that might be attached to you for not succoring a vessel in distress. That is the ground upon which those of the Sumter found their claims for suppliesthe distress result- ingfrom the fact that without coal they could not burn, sink, and destroy the merchant vessels of the United States. I will merely state to your Excellency some of the acts of the Sum- ters crew, and you can judge whether such an expedition is worthy [of] the patronage of a great empire like that of Brazil. She has captured seven vessels in the neutral waters of Spain, and some of them while she had the Government pilot on board; the property was also Spanish to some extent, although carried in American bottoms. She captured off Puerto Cabello one or two vessels with the property of English sub- jects on board; she burned wantonly a fine ship owned partly by for- eigners; she will do the same whenever opportunity offers to the property of Brazil, if taken on board an American ship. She carried into an English port the crews of the captured vessels, and failing to induce them to join their nefarious enterprise, they were brought on deck an Page 95 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 95 told by the captain that he had oniy kept them to retaliate on them with hanging at the yardarm in case the Government had pursued stringent measures against the pirates who had already been captured by the United States vessels, constituting himself judge and execu- tioner over the lives of American citizens, whom he might have hung from seeing some false reports in the newspapers. Then, destitute of everything, he landed them on shore in that English port to get to their homes as best they could. I ask your Excellency, is the Sumter a worthy object of sympathy, after performing such acts, and are you prepared to recognize her anew, or others of the same kind, as regular ships of war ~ If so, your Excellencys harbor would soon be crowded with them, if the so-called Confederacy were not impotent to do any more harm in that way or get any more of their privateers to sea. In making this, my protest, I have deemed it due to your Excellency to rcfer to matters which may be very uninteresting to you, but which are in no way meant to detract from the energy of my protest. I deem that you might not understand the true state of affairs, or what was the actual position of the Sumter and others of that kind in the esti- mation of the U. S. Government. Having explained this to you to the best of my ability, I confidently expect that your Excellency will take that view of the case which befits the high position you hold and the Government you represent. As a proof that your Excellency can take this position in conformity with the views of your Government, I beg leave to inclose you an extract from the details in the Camera dos Srs. Depritados, where the Minister dos INegocios Estrangeros made the inclosed explanation, which clearly points out the intention of the Imperial Government to give no aid or assistance to armed vessels fitted out in the so-called Confederate States for the purpose of enabling them to prey upon American com- merce. I have the honor to remain, with high consideration, your Excel- lencys most obedient servant, etc., DAVID D. PORTER, Commander U. S. S. Powhatan. His Excellency the GOVERNOR OF MARANHAM. Report of Captain Wynn, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. ]IiEapedonian, of arrival at Aspinwall, New Granada. U. S. SHIP MACEDONIAN, Aspinwall, New Granada, September 24, 1861. SIR: I arrived here with the ]Jliacedonian six days since. We came from Key West, north, about the Bahama Islands, and through the Crooked Island Passage, but saw nothing suspicious. There has been no case of fever on board since the 15th instant. II will sail in a few hours for Porto Bello, to fill up with water and return here for further supplies of provisions, before proceeding upon the execution of your order of the 4th instant. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES GLYNN, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 96 96 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter, enclosing letter from U. S. consul at Paramaribo. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, Aspinwall, New Granada, September 25,1861. Sin: I have the honor to report my departure from Key West, on the night of the 22d of August, and arrival at Alacran Harbor, coast of Yucatan, on the 31st. A boat was sent ashore, but no information was obtained of either the Sumter or her prizes. From thence I pro- ceeded to the south side of Cuba, and made a careful search through the keys in the vicinity of the Isle of Pines [isla de Pinos] and Cienfuegos, where it was believed the Sumter had sent prizes; none, however, wer~ seen. During the search an open boat was found, with three seamen, one white and two negroes, in a destitute condition, without water or provisions. They reported themselves deserters from the American bark Nazarine, at Trinidad, Cuba. The boat was set adrift, being worthless, and the men taken on boardMichael Coughlin, white; Wal- lace Johnson and John Williams, negroes. Williams died the day after; the other two are efficient,and I have deemed it bestto ship them, as we are short of men. From the Keys the course was continued to Grand Cayman, where, on ascertaining no vessel had been for several months, I proceeded to the southward, and on communicating at Cura~ao on the 8th, without entering the harbor, information was received that the Powhatan sailed from that place six days previons for St. Thomas to coal. Iconsequently, after touching at Puerto Cabello and gaining no information of the Sum- ter, proceeded direct to St. Thomas for coal, hoping also to find the Powhatan, but she had unfortunately sailed four days before my arrival, the 11th. On the 13th the Iroquois arrived, and on ascertaining from Captain Palmer that he would touch at the principal Windward Islands, I sailed, running down the west side of the group, passing between St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and thence to Surinam, where it was again hoped to find Commander Porter. On my rrival at the month of the river, on the 18th, the enclosed letter from the consul was received, and I continued on to Paramaribo. The consul made a strong and very proper protest to the governor against allowing the Sumter coal and other supplies. Commander Porter also addressed him on the subject; I therefore deemed it unnecessary to either visit or address him. On leaving the harbor we were saluted from the fort by lowering their flag, which was returned. The Sumter, it is said, endeavored to procure coal at Demerara and Cayenne and was refused. I am pleased to state that the coal mer- chants at Paramaribo declined to furnish Captain Semmes coal, and it was finally furnished by Mr. Wright, a Scotchman, from a sugar estate. The Sumter has no doubt gone to the sonthward and eastward to inter cept the homeward-bound East India and California vessels. Capt in Semmes is aware that several vessels are in search of him, and I think, will not again make his appearance in the West Indies. I learned from the keeper of the light-ship off Surinam that the Sumter on leaving the river lowered her smokestack, closed all her ports, and had the appearance only of a merchautman; she is bark rigged, and painted black. Most of her prizes have been taken under the English flag, and several have been decoyed by hoisting the American flag Union down. I think it would be well to make this known to the mercantile marine generally. Deeming it impracticable to continu Page 97 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 97 the search further to the southward, as this ship is dependent on steam alone, and there being 110 certainty of procuring coal, I sailed on the morning of the 19th from Parainaribo for Aspin wall, to coal and repair the windlass, which was broken and rendered useless on leaving St. Thomas. The Abby Bradford, captured oft Puerto Cabello in July, is the last prize taken by the & tmter. Two of hei men deserted the (lay she sailed, and the crew generally were in a disorganized state. In accordance with the inclosed communication from the consul, the sea- men therein mentioned were taken on board this ship and will be sent home by the first public conveyance. It is much regretted that no instructions are received in regard to the destiiiation of this ship, as requested by my letter of August 26. I am still iii doubt as to the wishes of the Department, and after coaling shall sail for Key West: in case no advices are had from the Department at that point, shall proceed to Fort Pickens and report to the flag-officer. The Depart meat I beg will excuse all defects in this communication, as I write under great mental snfi~iming. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. H. SCOTT, [Commander.] Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary-of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Port of Paramaribo, September 16, 1861. SIR: I beg to inform you that the piratical steamer Sumter arrived at this port on the 19th of August and left the 31st, after having been allowed to coal and refit, much to my regret and the shame of this Government. I used all possible means to prevent her obtaining coal, and begged the governor in the name of the United States not to allow any of the inhabitants to supply her, but he and the other authorities recognized her as a commissioned man-of war of the Confederate States, and she refitted and coaled, as before stated. The U. S. S. Powhatan arrived at the light-ship on the 14th, and left the same day for the Brazils in pursuit of the Sumter. The commander and officers have been so well received here, it is my opinion that she will return if in want of coal; in fact, the commander (Semnmes) stated that he should probably return in six weeks. I hope it may please you to come up to town (providing you do not draw more than 18 feet water), as it would have a most salutary effect npon the authorities, who are laboring under an hallucination regarding these piratical cruisers. Twenty of the crew deserted and were left behind. They have 64, all told, only. Be on your guard with a pilot named Ballin; do not by any means take him; all the others I can recommend. Please acknowledge the receipt of this. I aum, your most obedient servant, HENRY SAWYER, U. S. Consul. COMMANDER OF THE U. S. S. MASSACHUSETTS, Or any other U. S. Man-of- War at the Light-Ship, Surinam. 123A..- Page 98 98 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Letter from David ill. Stone, esq., to Secretary of the Navy, forwarding information of affairs in the Bermuda Islands. OFFICE OF THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, New York, September 25, 1861. DEAR SIR: I take the liberty to inclose to you an extract from a pri vate letter of a well-known and very respectable citizen, just received by the steamer: ST. GEORGE, BERMUDA ISLANDS, September 12, 1861. A privateer, brigantine, is off this island awaiting us, it is thought. She has been standing off and on for a week. It is really surprising that the Government takes no notice of a place like this, which swarms with secessionists. If the brigantine in question encounters us, we confidently expect to sink her. There have been no arrivals of British men-of-war at this place for some weeks. Halifax seems to be the grand rendezvous. I thought it possible that the above might be of interest, as it is very late and appeared to be hnportant. I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant, DAVID M. STONE, One of the New Proprietors, Journal of Commerce. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy, etc. Letter from U. S. vice-consul-general at Havana to senior officer at Key West, lila., regarding movements of C. S. S. Sumter and other vessels. U. S. CONSULATE-GENERAL, Havana, September 26, 1861. SIR: A letter from the U. S. consul at Paramaribo, dated 4th instant, recently received, advised me that the rebel steamer Sumter was sup- pliedwith provisions and coal at that place, by permission of the authori- ties of that colony, and sailed on the 31st of August. Two men of the crew deserted her and reported to the consul the important [fact] that her engines cannot be run but a few hours, owing to their heating, and if any of our vessels should be in chase, she must keep after the Sumter with the certainty of running her [down] in a few hours. She was expected to return to Paramaribo in a couple of weeks. The consul further says, at the last moment, that he had just received the infor- mation that the Sumter, when a few miles outside, took down her smoke pipe and completely changed her rig, so as to give her the appearance of a common merchautman. The Bamberg, of New Orleans, is now discharging her cargo at the wharf here, a portion of which counts [consists] of arms and other warlike articles; these are to be depo3ited in the Government stores, by order of the captain-general. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. SAVAGE, Vice- Consul- GeneraL SENIOR OFFICER OF THE U. S - NAVY, Commanding at Key lVest. N. B.The Ezilda finally went in command of Einnierson, who was mate of the prize crew that took the Jos. Maxwell intc Cienthegos Page 99 OPERATIONS OF THE CRU[SERSUNION. 99 Hicks, the Sumters midshipman, and two other Southerners, formerly of the U. S. Navy, went as passengers on the Ezilda. N. B.The schooner Prince of lVales, Captain Swasey, under British colors, arrived here to-day from Beaufort, N. C. Tnos. SAVAGE, Vice- Consul- General. Report of Flag- Officer Inman, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S~ African Squadron, of arrival at Portsmouth, N. H., requesting orders to strike his flag. U. S. FLAGSHIP CONSTELLATION, Portsmouth, N. II., September 28, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival to-day at Portsmontli, 4. H., of the flagship Constellation, Captain Thomas A. Dornin. All well. I respectfully request orders to strike my flag, and to be granted leave of absence for six months, my health having been impaired dur- ing my recent service. My residence will be at Philadelphia, Pa. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. INMAN, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Flag-Officer. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State relative to letters of mar que and reprisal. NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 1,1861. SIR: In relation to the communication of R. B. Forbes, esq., a copy of which was sent by you to this Department on the 16th ultitno, inquir- ing whether letters of marque can not be furnished for the propeller Pembroke, which is about to be dispatched to China, I have the honor to state that it appears to me there are objections to, and no authority fbr, granting letters of marque in the present contest. I am not aware that Congress, which has the exclusive po~ er of granting letters of marque and reprisal, has authorized such letters to be issued against the insurgents, and were there such authorization I am not prepared to advise its exercise, because it would, in my view, be a recognition of the assumption of the insurgents thia~ they are a distinct and i ide- pendent nationality. Under the act of August 5, 1861, Supplement- ary to aii act entitled an act to protect the commerce ol the Unlied States and to pnnish the crime of piracy, the Pre~ident is authorized to instruct the conimaiders of armed vessels sailing under the author- ity of aiiy letters of marque and reprisal granted by the Congress of the United States, or the commanders of any other suitable vessels, to subdue, seize, take, and,if on the high seas, to send into any port of the United States any vessels or boats built, purchased, fitted out, or held, etc. This allusion to letters of inarque does not authorize such letters to be issued, nor do I find any other act containing such authorization Page 100 100 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. But the same act in the second section, as above quoted, gives the Presi- dent power to authorize the-cominauders of any suitable vessels to sub- due, seize, etc. Under this clause letters peimissive, under proper restrictions and guards against abuse, might be granted to the propeller Pembroke so as to meet the views expressed by Mr. Forbes. This wou~ld seem to be lawful, and perhaps not liable ~o the objections of granting letters of marque against our own citizens, and that, too, without law or authority from the only constituted power that can grant it. * * * * * * * I am, very respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, Hon. Wiu. H. SEWARD, [Secretary of the Navy.] Secretary of State. Order from the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. brig Win. U. Anderson, to pro- ceed to sea under sealed orders. NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 3, 1861. SIR: The moment the bark Win. G. Anderson, under your command, is in all respects ready for a cruise, you will proceed with her to sea. Transmitted herewith are sealed instructions, addressed to you by the Department, which you will not open until the Win. U. Anderson is at sea. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Acting Volunteer Lieutenant WMJO.] ROGERS, Commanding U. S. Bark Win. G. Anderson, Boston. [Enclosure.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 3,1861. SIR: Proceed with the Win. U. Anderson, under your command, to the neighborhood of Bermuda, where it is reported a rebel pirate is cruising. After satisfying yourself that such is not the case, you will take the track of vessels bound to the West Indies, going as f~r east as the Leeward Islauds, and cruise uiitil it is necessary for you to return to Boston for stores, not going into port, unless it becomes actually neces- sary, during the cruise. You will exercise your crew at the great guns and occasionally with shot and shell. Your object is to capture or destroy the vessels of the rebels and protect legitimate commerce of your own flag. In the examination of vessels at sea regard the rights of neutrals. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, send an abstract of your cruise to the Department. You will touch at St. Thomas for information regarding pirates. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Wxr. [0.] ROGERS, Commanding U. S. Bark Win. U. Anderson, Boston, Mass Page 101 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 101 Report of Captain Wynn, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship ililacedonian, proposing plan for protection of American commerce in West Indies. U. S. SHIP MACEDONIAN, Aspinwall, 7/ew Grenada, October 4, 1861. SIR: I deem it necessary to notice a report in very general circulation here that seems to excite a good deal of attention, in anticipation of its being carried to the United States and there retailed by the passen- gers and others of the mail steamer that leaves here to-morrow. It is believed by many that a suspicious steamer has been hovering oft this coast three days in succession, within the last two weeks; and as this ship was at that particular time on a passage to Porto Bello, or at anchor in that port, it has in some cases been added that the mysterious stranger was seen to pass close under our stern while under way; and by others that the fact of her being on the coast was reported to me in Porto Bello, and that I took no notice of the information. On our return to this place part of the report was of course refuted, but the rest has been retained. I yesterday took up the subject and investigated it to my entire satisfaction. it is known, certainly to all in this community, that a regular British mail steamer arrived here frcm St. Thomas on a Sunday; on Monday the U. S. mail steamer left for New York, and on Tuesday morning H. B. M. steamer Landrail sailed a few hours before me. We saw her during our passage to Porto Bello far to the eastward anti close in with the land. Thus has the sailing of three different steamers been brought together to make up this exciting story. It shows the temper (4 the times and the l)lace, and may suggest a solution to some other mystery of a similar kind. 1 have recently been called to reflect upon the general subject of the danger to American commerce in the West Indies from hostile cruisers and the best means of protecting it. There is a growing impression among the floating population wherever I have been within the last six months that Spain will soon open, if she has not already opened, her ports in the West Indies to the secession cruisers; and that England, and perhaps France, will do the same thin o in a short time after Spain. Should either of these powers adopt such a course it would let loose upon our shipping all the desperadoes, not only from around the shores of tropical America, but from all the world, to a great degree. And as prevention is better than cure, I would suggest that the Government of the United States set a few active steamers to making the circuit of the West Indies, in rapid succession, without delay, and that they be kept going without cessation. A cruiser like the Keystone State, possessing great speed as the first requisite, and with sufficient force to dominate over any hostile cruiser known to be at sea, is all that would squadron. be required in any one of the West India Such a vessel conid coal and provision at this place, for supposition, and could run to Key West, looking into all suspicious places on her route. From Key West she could run to St. Thomas in the same way, and from St. Thomas round by and through all the Windward Islands to this place again. There should be a number of such vessels follow- ing each other in as rapid succession as might appear necessary and varying their routes as circumstances should suggest. The officer directing their movements would probably find it desirable to remain much of his time in the harbor of St. Thomas, or near there, where he would find the common center of nearly all the different lines of steam Page 102 102 CPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. ers and of sailing packets running to and from the islands and the Main. Whatever in the shape of a cruiser had touched on one of these lines, the information would be conveyed to him as certainly as would the pres- ence of a fly on a distant part of a spiders web be conveyed to the spider in the center. St. Thomas, too, has no less thaim three different indirect routes of communication with the United States, namely, by this place, Havana, and by Europe, and probably some other more direct. I would consider it of the utmost importance that this arrangement should be put into operation before the cruisers of the enemy are at sea, that the floating population of the world might be intimidated from entering upon any organization for privateering which, if once effected, might be persevered in from a necessity and a feeling of desperation. * * * * * * * I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES 0-LYNN, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, 1). 0. Letter from Messrs. J. M. Forbes & (Jo. to Secretary of the Navy relative to measures for protection of American commerce in China. BOSTON, October 7, 1861. SIu: Your favor of 1st is received upon the subject of letters of marque in China. The mere power to seize pirates will be of little practical value to the cautious and responsible owners of steamers and valuable ships now in China, for they could only stop and search suspected vessels at their peril, and with danger of interference from foreign cruisers. To be nse- ful they must have powers of no doubtful character. If it be decided not to grant letters of marque, let us suggest that authority be given to our minister to charter any vessels he may deem expedient at not over $125 per month each (the pay of an acting lieutenant), and to give a comniission to the commanders thereof taking care to select only dis- creet, capable men, who shall be paid and maintained by the owners and shall follow their instructions in the ordinary course of their voy- ages, but shall also have orders from the minister to overhaul and search suspicious vessels and to capture pirates or vessels sailing without papers from [illegible] friendly power. As part of the charter the own- ers should have the benefit of any prize money or salvage from recap- tures except such as by custom or contract belong to the officers and crew, and the Government should in express terms be free from any claim for the use or expenses of the vessels beyond the $125 per mouth. If by chance one of our Southern pirates should have gone to the China seas, this plan might save the expense of sending out a fleet, which would probably arrive there after immense mischief had been done to the rich commerce of our citizens and when the robbers had gone elsewhere. Of course the minister would be instrncted not to use the authority intrusted to him unless he saw good cause for it on the spot. Respectfully, your obedient servants, J. M. FOREES & Co. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, etc. IN. B.The newspapers state that something of the sort suggested has been done by putting an officer and men on board the Cuban an Page 103 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 103 California steamers, bat unless the vessels are actually chartered and thus in the employ of our Government difficulties might arise as to the right of search or otherwise using the power of ships of war. J. M. F. & Co. Order from Secretary of the Navy to Captain Gliynn, U. S. Navy, com- manding U. S. sloop ]Jiacedonian, to proceed to Boston, Mass. NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 9, 1861. SIR: On the receipt hereof you will proceed with the U. S. sloop Macedonian under your command to the navy yard at Boston. lam, respectfully, your obedient servant, WELLES Captain JAMES GLYNN [Secretary of the Navy.] Commanding U. S. Sloop Miacedonian, St. Thomas, West Indies. Report of Lieutenant Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pouhatan, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter, enclosing detailed report of cruise. U. S. S. POWHATAN, St. Thomas, October 10, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this port on my way to Pensacola, last from Maranham, on the coast of Brazil. I regret to say 1 did iiot catch the Sumter, though I came so close to her that I arrived in Marauham only three days after she had left the en trance of the port, where she had cruised three days, expecting to capture an American brig, the Maria, of New York, all facilities having been given by the Brazilian authorities to enable her to do so. I wrote you from Maranham enclosing a copy of a correspondence I had with the governor on the subject. After coaling at Maranham and obtaining all the information about the Sumter to be had, I followed what I supposed to be her course, namely, down along the equator, in the track of homeward-bound vessels from India, the Pacific, and Brazil. Falling in with no vessels whatever from which I could obtain information, I kept in the track of vessels bound to the north. For a better understanding of my movements since I sailed in pur. suit of the Sumter, I respectfully enclose a copy of my report to Flag- Officer Mervine. The Sumter is at one of two placesshe either got around Cape St. Roque and went to the southward toward Rio de Janeiro, or she is now near the equator, between longitude 40~ and 320 W.; likely the latter. I was not in a condition as regards coal arid provisions to cruise any time after her, and it would have been very unwise in me to try and get around Cape St. IRoque against the strong trade winds in the present state of this ship. We could make nothing against the strong winds we encountered. Any ship making a knot more an hour than we did would have caught the Sumter at Surimmam. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, DAVID D. PORTER, Ron. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. i)ecretaly of the Navy, Washington Page 104 104 OPERXTIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Enclosurel U. S. S. POwHATAN, [October, 1861.] Sin: In obedience to your order, I proceeded on the night of the 14th of August in search of the rebel steamer Sumter, lately escaped from New Orleans. On the 17th of August 1 arrived off Cape San Antonio, communicated with the American schooners Jlfyrorer and B. Drummond, of New York, Bremen bark Cedar, and a Spanish brig, from which vessels no intelligence was gained. I was much struck with the importance of keeping a ship of war at this point (Cape San Antonio), there being no less than six vessels in sight at one time, and two of them American. From Cape San Antonio I coasted up along as far as the eastern end of the Isle of Pines [Isla de Pinos], communicated with an Amer- ican brig (the Franklin), whose captain informed me that a bark called the Joseph Maxwell, prize to the Sumter, had been taken into Cienfuegos a day or two before. In consequence I put the vessels head toward Cienfuegos. I sent a boat in there with an officer, who returned with the following intelligence The bark Joseph Maxwell had been taken into Cienfuegos on the 7th of August by a prize master and crow, claiming that the Joseph Maxwell was a prize to the Sumter, captured oft Puerto Cabello. The governor of Cienfuegos ordered the prize master to leave the port with the vessel, which he did, and returned in a short time in an open boat with the prize crew, stating that the Joseph Maxwell had foundered outside, the impression being that they had scuttled her. It appears, however, that as the Joseph Maxwell was standing down the coast a small Spanish steamer hove in sight, which the prize master of the Joseph Maxueli mistaking for one of our vessels ran the prize on shore mit the nearest point, and escaped in their boat. The Spanish steamer, on coining up and finding the bark uninjured, towed her off the reef and took her again into Cienfuegos. The Joseph Maxwell was then delivered over officially to the American consul, who received her; but in a short time after an official of the gov- ernor appeared and stated that the Government officers had committed a great mistake; that by an old law of Spain a vessel stranded on a Spanish coast must be held by Government if gotten off, and that the cargo must be unladen and pay duties; he further stated that he should get into a deal of trouble if the vessel was retained by the consul, and begged that the Joseph Maxwell might be given up again to the Spanish authorities. Under this flimsy pretext, I regret to say that the Amer- ican consul gave up the vessel again to the Spanish authorities, when it was very apparent that there was a system of collusion going on, intended to defraud the owners of their property, all iu keeping with the un- friendly course of conduct shown by the authorities of Cienfuegos to the United States interests from the time the Sumter first appeared off the port. It remains to be seen how far the American consul is implicated in the transaction which took place there; he is very culpa- ble for the easy manner in which he let the bark Joseph Maxwell slip out of his hands into those of the Spanish authorities. Leaving Cienfuegos I coasted along toward Cay Breton and boarded two American vessels bound into Cienfuegos from Aspmwall. One of them, a smart sailing bark, obliged ire to chase her 30 miles out of my course before I overtook her. I rom those vessels I obtained no reliable information, amid determined to go into Jamaica for coal, which 1 did on the 21st August. Here I saluted the British flag with 21 guns Page 104A UNITED STATES STEAMER POWHATAN Page 104B Page 105 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. 105 which was returned by the same number. Various rumors were flying about at Jamaica relative to the movements of the Sumter, but notie of them being reliable I determined to proceed to Cura~ao; went in and anchored, found that the Sumter had been there and coaled, that she had left on the 24th Jnly for parts unknown, and had since arrived at the island of Trinidad, where she had received all facilities for annoying American commerce. The Price Current notified the public that the Sumter had passed the island of Margarita on the 5th August, steering west, and on the 14th the Keystone State passed Cura~ao in search of the Sumter, in conse- quence of hearing that she had gone north; this, however, was a mis- take, as the Sumter turned back on her course and after sighting Bar- bados put into Surinam River on the 20th August. I found while in Cura~ao that the Sumter had been allowed to enter and enjoy the privileges of a vessel of war, though no official courtesies passed between the vessel and town. She received 100 tons of coal (all she could carry) and left for the eastward on the 22d July. Owing to the facilities extended to her at Cura~ao she was enabled to capture the bark Joseph Maxwell and the schooner Abby Bradford; the latter recaptured by the Powhatan. llearing that it was the intention of the governor of Cura~ao to allow so-called Confederate vessels assuming to be menof-war to enter and receive su~pplies, I addressed him the enclosed letters A and B, and received in reply the copies C and D, which explain the grounds of my protest and the governors reply thereto.* On the 2d September 1 sailed from Cura~ao for St. Thomas, that being the most likely place to obtain news. I boarded vessels on my way up from La Guayra and ascertained that the Sumter had not been heard of for some time on that coast. On the 4th September I entered the port of St. Thomas, saluted the Danish flag, and took in 340 tons of coal. A schooner direct from Berbice (to the eastward of Demerara) brought intelligence that the Sumter was in Surinam on the 4th Sep- tember, without coal or provisions, and that a schooner freighted by Captain Semmes and sent to Deinerara for coal had been seized by the British authorities. I lost no time in getting to sea, and on the morn- ing of the 7th September was steering for Surinam. I steered close in to the island of St. Croix, and showed our colors as we passed the town of Frederichstaid. On the 9th September passed the island of Martinique, looked into the harbor of Port Royal, and showed our flag. At 12 oclock meridian, on the 10th, entered the harbor of Bridge- town, island of Barbados, saluted the British flag, and sent a boat on shore to communicate with the American consul. I did not anchor at this port, but kept under steam, and after seeing a letter in the posses- sion of the consul (Mr. Trowbridge), informing him that the Sumter had obtained coal at Surinam and had left that port on the 31st August, I at once left in pursuit. The consul at Surinam officially informed the consul at Barbados that the Sumter when she left the port of Surinam or Paramaribo had lowered her smokestack and proceeded under sail, this movement looking as if she was going to the westward again (unless it was a ruse). I steered for Demerara light-boat to obtain information whether she had gone down the coast. ~Seep. 79 Page 106 106 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. I regretted to learn from the consul at Barbados that the authorities were disposed to place the Sumter on a footing with United States ves- sels of war, and would likely afford her facilities if she came there; also that the United States ships of war would not be allowed to coal there if the Sumter was not. Strange as it may appear, the Sumter in Spanish, Dutch, and English ports has been treated with marked consideration, though no official courtesies were passed, and but for the facilities allowed at those ports she would have been unable to depredate ou United States commerce; in fact, as well as I have ascertained so far, a friendly feeling has not been exhibited toward the United States in the ports visited by the Sumter, which will no doubt be regretted when, through the interruption of commerce, they will be obliged to pay higher prices for provisions, with which they are mostly supplied from the Northern States of the Union. On the 13th of September 1 communicated with the light-ship off Demerara, and ascertained that the Sumter had not been heard of to the westward, but that there were rumors of her having gone to Cayenne. The British governor at Demerara had given orders that no pilots were to be furnished her, and that she would not be permitted to enter Demerara. I heard that the captain of the Sumter had set the Dutch authorities at defiance in Surinam, and refused to leave the port (though ordered to do so in twenty-four honrs) unless he was furnished with coal, which he finally got. The presence of a Duetch and French vessel of war did not restrain him, as he was superior (or supposed to be) in force to them both. Both at Demerara and Surinam there is an active commerce carried on in American vessels which bring provisions from the North. It would be directly opposed to the interests of the colonies to have this commerce broken up, and the merchants and citizens are much opposed to the privateer system adopted by the rebellious States. At Demerara I learned that up to the 31st of August the Sumter had captured eleven prizes. Ten have been given up or recaptured; the name of the eleventh one I can not ascertain, but I think it was a coal vessel with a freight for the Venezuelan Government. On the 13th of September I arrived at the light-boat off Surinam and communicated with the pilots. Here I learned what I had heard before, that the Sumter had left on the first of the month, had taken in 200 tons of coal, had anchored outside and lowered her smokestack, and that toward evening she had made sail and steered north. She had, before going to Surinam, gone to Cayenne, to the eastward, but the governor of that place ordered her away, and would let her have nothing at that port. She was so short of coal that she had to sail down to Surinam. Taking into consideration all things, and their spreading a report that the Sumter was going to Jamaica, and would be back in three weeks to Surinam, 1 concluded that she was going off Cape St. Roqne and felt it was my duty to try and overtake her. I found by calculating her passage that we made 50 miles more a day than she did, and I felt certain of catching her if my boilers would hold out. One of them unfortunately broke down the day after leaving Sari- nam, but as the sea was as smooth as glass, with a prospect of remain; ing so, I kept on, with the intention of stopping at Maranhamn, in Brazil, for it was there the Sumter would likely stop for coal, and I could receive intelligence whether she put into Para, in which case I had a chance of cutting her off as she came to the eastward. On the 21st of September, after a hard pull up against the strong trade winds and current, running 60 miles a day, I arrived at St. Louis [San Luizjj, Maranhain, and found, much to my regret, that the Sumte Page 107 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 107 had left there only live days previous to my arrival. Three days before I got in she was cruising off the port in hopes of capturing a New York brig (the Maria) which was expected daily. The brig referred to entered the port at the same time I did and escaped the Sumter. The arrival of this ship at Maranhain (the largest vessel that ever entered there) created a great excitement. It was very gratifying to the U. S. consul, who, to use his own words, had seen his flag over- shadowed by the consideration with which the Sumter and her officers had been treated. I found rather a strange state of affairs at Maranham. The governor and citizens had taken the Sumter into favor at once, and the former extended to her all the rights of a belligerent; he not only gave his consent for her to receive supplies of all kinds, but in sisted that a merchant who held coal and did not wish to part with it should sell the Sumter 94 tons. The commander of the Sumter was received officially by the gover- nor, and invitation extended to him to be present at a ball, but the governor refused to answer any salute the Sumter might fire, On the ground that the flag she carried was not a recognized one, though it was entitled to the respect paid a belligerent. Our consul at Maranham, ~~~illiain [II.] McGrath, esq~, did all he could to detain the Sumter, but his protests were treated with very little consideration. He had to witness the good understanding that existed between Captain Semmes and the authorities without being able to prevent it, and he had not the slighest expectation of see- ing an American inanof war in that place. You may judge of his satisfaction at seeing the American flag float- ing at the peak of the largest ship that had ever entered Maranham, when Captain Semuies and his officers had impressed the governor and people with the idea that the South had the largest part of the ships formerly belonging to the Navy, and that the Government was so hampered that it could not even fit out a ship or ships to pursue him. The captain of the Sumter made various addresses to the governor and people, in which he informed them that the South was fighting the battles of Brazil, that the North was fighting to exterminate slavery, and if they succeeded in conquering the South that the United States would turii her attention to abolishing slavery in Brazil. Ignorant and fanatical, the Brazilians believed the specious argu- ments of Captain Seinmes, backed as they were by the assertions of a party of Americans who were all secessionists. One American backed his assertions by lending the Sumter $2,000 or $3,000 to pay for her coal and taking Confederate scrip in the place of it. I found that politics ran almost as high in i aranham on the subject of secession as it did in the Southern States, the matter being dis- cussed and voted on daily at the exchange and the Government tak- ing no steps to stop proceedings so injurious to the interests of the United States. I had it from creditable authority that there was a perf~ect understanding between thQ governor and Captain Semmes, and that the former had assured the latter that he might bring the brig Maria into Maranham and land her cargo in case he captured her. Under all these circumstances (which were well ascertained) I did not deem it in~umnbent on me to observe any particular etiquette toward the Government beyond firing the usual salute, and I requested the consul to make the governor understand that I did not feel myself called on to pay a visit of ceremony to a government which had so failed in its treaty obligations to the United States. I sent him a pro Page 108 108 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. test against his action in the case of the Sumter, a copy of which, marked E,is herewith enclosed.* I became acquainted while in Maranham with a leading politician (Senor Sousa) opposed to the governor. I left him a copy of my pro- test, and he gave me assurance that everything would be done to place the conduct of the governor in its proper light before the Government of Brazil, and I feel pretty sure that he will be removed, inasmuch as he has gone directly contrary to the declarations of the minister of for- eign relations. I left nothing undone while in Maranhain to find ont the smallest matter relating to the Sumter and her movements. I found by the steamers and coasters daily coming in and touching at all the little ports along the coast that she was nowhere there, and it having been mentioned in my hearing that Captain Semmes was going where it would cost him no coal to get to, and where he could cruise under sail, IL formed the opinion that he had gone down to the track of vessels bound home from the East Indies, Pacific, and Brazil. I was more coiifirmed in this opinion by the pilot who took the Sum- ter to sea informing me that she only steered as high as N. E., whereas she would have steered east if going around Cape St. Roque. More- over, she got ashore going into Maranham, knocked off her false keel, and leaked in consequence. It may have injured her machinery, as she thumped hard over an hour, and she could not get around Cape St. Itoque unless she was in the best condition. Taking all things into consideration, I sailed on the 28th September, after being able to take in only a small supply of coal, and steered to the north until I reached the track of vessels from ~he East Indies, Pacific, and Brazil, in about longitude 440 west. I found that by the wind, under sail and low steam, I could about reach the above position, and most likely follow in the track of Sumter or close to it. It had been intimated to me by one of Captain Semmes confidential friends that the Sumter intended to take no prizes, but would burn, sink, and destroy all she might fall in with; more particularly Boston and Eastern vessels, the performance of which feat he seemed to antic- ipate much pleasure in. It is only sincerely to be hoped that the Gov- ernment may defeat his aims and objects, even if it has to send all the navy afloat after the Sumter, and go to the expense of building a hun- dred new vessels for this purpose. 1 gained the following facts in regard to the Sumter, which maybe relied on: She carries five guns, four light 32-pounders, and one 8-inch pivot on the lower deck abaftt he foremast. She can only carry 114 tons of coal, and uses 12 tons a day, full steaming. She cant run full speed on account of heating her journals, and a vessel in chase running 10 knots would overtake her in a few hours. She sails moderately well under canvas off the wind, bat on account of the loss of her false keel, which she lost by getting ashore off Maranham, she cant hold a wind; almost any sailing vessel will beat her. Close hauled in a fresh breeze, with sails and steam, she could not overtake a smart sailing craft. Her crew consists of 106 men, all told, well disciplined, but discontented; she left port with 15 of them in irons. She only made 6 knots with 10 pounds of steam, going out of Maran- ham, and it was thought she had injured herself and got her machinery out of line when she got ashore. She will, if possible, return to Maran- ham, and send her prizes there if she dont burn them. They are ~See p. 92 Page 109 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNJON. 109 short of money, without which they cant run much longer, as Confed- erate scrip is not at par, even in Brazil. After running due north to latitude 110,440 west longitude, and being fairly in the track of vessels from the East Indies, Pacific, and Brazil, I kept on the northern edge of it, steering N. N. W. and N. W. by N. until nearly abreast of St. Thomas. On the 10th of October an English brig entered the port of St. Thomas, and informed us that she had been boarded by the Sumter on the 5th of October in longitude 470 25 west, 90 north latitude. To show how close this ship was on her track, and how very close our cal- culations were as regards her movements, I beg leave to state that at the time the Sumter boarded the English brig we were only 75 miles from her; and that night we gave chase to a light, which was not far off, but which suddenly disappeared, and of which we could find no trace; likely it was the Sumter. She will continue to cruise in the track of homeward-bound vessels, changing her position every time she boards a vessel, but she will always maintain such a position that she will be enabled to reach Mar- anham with a slant of wind if she gets out of or short of coal, for I am well assured that Maranham will be the place she will resort to for sup- plies, and likely send her prizes there. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Flag-Officer WILLIAM MERYINE, Lieutenant, Commanding. Gulf Blockading Squadron, off Pensacola. Report of Commander Scott, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, of capture and disposition of prize steamer Salvor, captured near Tortugas Islands, with enclosures on same subject. lIT. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, Philadelphia, October 25, 1861. SIR: My last communication, of September 26, notified the Depart. ment of my arrival at Aspinwall, where I remained until the 5th instant for the purpose of convoying the California steamer, which Colonel Totten and Mr. Parker, of the Panama Railroad, informed me was expected to carry a large number of Government arms, and it was deemed highly important that they should be protected. The arms did not arrive, however, and after convoying the steamer through the islands, I proceeded to Key West to coal and replenish our provisions. On the evening of the 11th I arrived at Key West, and early next morn- ing, in getting the ship to the wharf, grounded on a bank, where we were detained until late Saturday evening, when we got to the wharf and made preparations for coaling early Monday morning. On Sunday afternoon the enclosed letter, marked A, was handed to me by Major French, and I proceeded with all dispatch in search of the steamer, and that night, between the hours of 11 and 12, captured her near the Tortugas Islands, steering direct for Tampa Bay, Fla., and placing Lieutenant Donaldson with a crew from this ship in charge, took her in tow and carried her to Key West. Early on Monday, the 14th, a search was commenced to ascertain the contents of her cargo. During the search Major French, of the Army, came on board, an Page 110 110 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. with hhn the marshal, who, withoat request, assisted in searching for papers, etc. in the afternoon of the same day, whilst I was having the hatches secured, and before the papers had been assorted or any communica- tion had with the district judge or attorney, the marshal made his appearance with a libel, claiming possession 01 the vessel, which I declined to permit, and ordered his deputy and two men out of the ship. I then called on the district attorney and was informed by him that the libel was issued without a knowledge of the facts, and nuder the sup- position that it was my wish, further adding that the marshal was a new apl)ointment, not well acquainted with his business and the whole matter intormal. I conversed freely with the district attorney in regard to the prize, and [was] clearly informed that I had a perfect right to take her to any port that I deemed proper for trial, but the owner, McKay, and two others, who had been given up to Major French, must be tried there. Thus matters stood without any decision on my part as to my final action. Feeling fully my embarrassing situation, I consulted with Major French, Captains Brannan and Gillem, of the Army, Commander Pick. ering, of the Navy, the collector and inspector of customs, the naval storekeeper, and many of the most prominent and true Union men, all of whom urged that she should by all means be taken north for trial, because if condemned there, which was thought doubtful, as her owner was popular xv ith those who were Unionists from necessity, she would be purchased by his friends at one-fourth her value; and, again, her cargo, consisting of arms, coffee, hats, caps, shoes, and cigars, would soon be transported to the Main, where communication is kept up daily. I enclose a letter from the citizens of Key West on the subject, umarked B. 1 had also an interview with Judge Marvin on the subject, who like- wise admitted that the libel was informal and that I had a perfect right to take the vessel where I deemed most proper, but having eimtered that port, it became my duty to turn her over to the court. This he gave as his opinion, saying he had no power in the matter until it was legally brought before him. 1 could not, however, perceive, and so stated it to the judge, why from having entered the port it became imperative to turn over this vessel, as several captured on the Florida coast had entered that port, remained several days, and then proceeded north for trial. To this no answer could be given, and it became evi- dent to me, after mature and deliberate consideration, that it was my duty to take the vessel north. And on the evening of the 15th it was well known that I would sail the next day. Nothing, however, was received from either the judge or attorney until the afternoon of the 16th, when, as the ship was getting under way, the deputy marshal caine on board, saying he was directed to arrest me. I should most certainly have obeyed the sum- mons had it been sent in proper time, but as the ship was then in the act of leaving, with a bare sufficiency of time to clear the reefs before night, I declined going before the judge, deeming it my duty to make known at the earliest moment to the senior officer oft Charleston the information contained in the consuls letter regarding the Spanish bark loading at havana and bound for that port, a copy of which was placed in the hands of Commander Sartori on the morning of the 19th for the senior officer off Charleston. This is the first time in my life that I have ever disobeyed the laws of my country, either military or civil, and if I have erred in this instance it may be fairly ascribed to a conscien- tious belief that I was acting for the best interest of my country Page 111 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 111 Off Cape Hatteras I experienced a heavy gale of wind from the east ward, during which, notwithstanding the utmost care and precaution, our hawsers parted, and we were necessarily separated from the prize for near forty hours, during which time great anxiety was felt for her safety, but found, on again taking her in tow, that she had made better weather than the Keystone State. It was my intention to have brought her to New York, but the con- tinued prevalence of bad wheather and the loss of the prizes rudder, together with the breaking down of her engine, compelled me to put into this port. This steamer was seized in July or August by Com- mander Craven, of the Crusader, it being well known at Key West that her owner had taken the oath of allegiance to the Southern Con- federacy and was an agent to sell their bonds. Her owner applied to Commander Craven to leave the port and was refused, unless he gave bonds for 20,000, and then only to enter a Northern port. At the request. however, of Major French she was turned over to the Army and sent, with a quartermaster, to havana for horses, when it is said her machinery was out of order and that she could not return. A sham sale was then made to an English subject, a cargo taken in, as far as can be ascertained at present consisting of 200 sacks of coffee, 400,000 cigars, 400 revolvers, a number of rifles, dirks, bowie knives, a 6-pounder canyon, a quantity of felt hats, caps, shoes, 500,000 per- cussion caps, and a quantity of fruit. With this cargo she cleared for Nassau, an English port, as the Saleor, although by her register she is called the M. S. Perry. Only a slight examination of her cargo has so far been made, and it is believed she has a much larger number of arti- cles than has been enumerated. The steamer was built at Buffalo by an insurance company in the most thorough manner, of white oak, in 1856, schooner rigged, with 3 masts; length, 161 feet; breadth of beam, 25 feet 4 inches; depth of hold, 11 feet 7 inches; tonnage, 450g. She is coppered aiid her hull in a good state of preservation. The engine is also good, but her boilers are worn out and will only bear steam enough to keep headway on her. I saw the vessel when building and at various times for three years after, and feel confident that, with a moderate outlay, she can be made an efficient gunboat, well adapted for service oii the Southern coast. Knowing all these facts, I considered it my impera- tive duty to take the responsibility of bringing her North, and feel satisfied that I will be sustained by the Department. All the above reasons were known to Judge Marvin, and he stated that he had no objection to the vessels going North if it did not cast an imputation of disloyalty on his court. He was well aware, however, that I entertained no thought of disloyalty on his part, though there are persons on the island who do. There are 700 persons on the island that have taken the oath of allegiance, and yet I was reliably informed that there are iiot over 150 true Union men. In additien to the ships papers I have a number of sealed letters addressed to New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, Mobile, and other places in Texas and Florida. Will the Department be pleased to instruct me if these letters shall be delivered to the district judge or sent to Washington? It appears to me that they contain information which may be important to the Government, and is not required to condemn the vessel. There are 6 slaves on board tb~ prize, 5 of whom belon0 to McKay, the owner, and 1 who belongs P~ an officer, formerly of our Army and now in the rebel service Page 112 112 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. I shall be pleased, if authorized, to communicate with the Depart- ment in person. Hoping that my action in this matter will meet the approval of the iDepartment, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. H. SCOTT, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander. $ ecretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure A.] CONSULATE-GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES AT HAVANA, October 12, 1861. SIR: I advised Mr. Howe, the collector at Key West, on the 30th ultimo of the sale here by Mr. McKay of his steamer, the Salvor, to a Mr. John MeLenan, a Scotchman, to be placed under British colors. Since then she was put up for Nassau, New Providence, and to-day she has been cleared for said port. I have enquired at the custom-house, and ascertained that her cargo consists (according to permits obtained) of 309,700 cigars and 100 bags of coffee. But I have received secret information from various quarters that she will ultimately proceed to, and endeavor to enter, one of the blockaded ports, probably New Orleans; that arms and other war material have been secretly shipped upon her, and that two or three passengers are going in her to the South How true this may be I am unable to ascertain in tilne to communicate before her departure, which I understand will be to-morrow morning at about 7 oclock. The greater part of the Salvors crew consisted of negroes, the property of McKay and his mother-in-law~ he assured me last evening that it was his intention to take them in the Salvor and land theni at Key West, as he could not help himself. He may do so or he may not. It appears to me that it would be dangerous for him to take slaves to Nassau, as they might claim their freedom and obtain it, but he may deem it expedient to mu some risk and take them into iNew Orleans, or elsewhere on the Southern coast, without touching at Nassau. I apprehend this, because I can not see what use they can have at Nassau for such a large quantity of cigars. A Spammish bark is now loading here which draws about 10 feet of water when in the train [trim] she will leave here. She will sail in about six days from this date. A young shipmaster named Perry (son of the person that was taken in the privateer Petrel off Charleston and now in prison at Philadelphia) will, in all probability, go in her as pilot. He is a native of Charleston. The ship will be full of supplies for the South. I have learned it is intended to run her into Charleston if the wind is favorable; if southerly, run in shore to the southward, where there are inlets that Perry knows he can go in drawing 10 feet. I do not know the barks name at present, but expect to learn it this eveniiig or to-morrow. I will then communicate it. The above is reliable. As no smack will sail this evening or to-morrow for Key West I have requested Captain Wilson to run over with this letter this afternoon. The Marion is not iii, and the Lord knows if she will be in before to-morrow, or when. Please make contents of this letter kmmown to the naval officers; au% with regards to friends, I remain, yours, THOS. SAVAGE, U S. Vice- Consul, eIt~. Major WILLIAM H. FRENCH, Commanding U. S. Trooys, etc Page 113 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 113 [Enclosure B.] KEY WEST, October 14, 1861. DEAR SIR: We take pleasure in congratulating you upon the success of your recent trip in capturing and bringing to this port the steamship 3r. S. Perry, loaded with stores and ammunitions of war evidently intended for the rebels in the Confederate States. By fitting the Perry with new boilers, she could readily be converted into a gunboat and made highly serviceable to the Government in crushing the rebellion against it. Considering that there are no means of supplying boilers to vessels in Key West, and that the exigencies of the public service require all the ships which can benmade available for the Navy with the least possible delay, we recommend that you carry the Perry at oiice to New York for adjudication. Another reason, the Perry is claimed to be a British ship, and when captured had several slaves on board. Their testimony would not be admissible in Key West, but could be available in New York. Many other reasons might be urged, but we deem the foregoing sufficient to justify the course we recommend. Our only motive in addressing you this communication is to main- tain the Union in its integrity, and contribute, as far as in our power, to the honor and glory of the administration which you are so gal- lantly sustaining. With high regard, your obedient servants, A. PATTERSON, U. S. iVaval Storekeeper. CORNELIUS CURTIS. J. G. OLTMANNS, Assistant U. S. Coast Survey. Commander G. II. SCOTT, [And 9 others.] U. S. S. Keystone State. Order from Secretary of the Navy to Flag. Officer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, to dispatch vessel to intercept C. S. S. Nashville. NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 15, 1861. SIR: It is reported that the steamer Nashville has run the blockade at Charleston, with Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board. Have you a fast steamer that can be spared? If so, let her be dis- patched to intercept the Nashville. GIDEON WELLES. Flag-Officer S. F. DU PONT, Astor House, New York. (Copy sent to Commodore Breese.) [Telegram.] (Received October 15, 1861, from New York.) Telegram received. Will dispatch a vessel immediately. S. F. Dir PONT. Hon. G. WELLES. 123A Page 114 114 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Order from Flag. Officer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, to Commander Marchaud, commanding U. S. S. James A dger, to search for C. S. S. Nashville. NEW YORK, October 15, midnight, 1861.1 SIR: I have received a telegraphic dispatch from the honorable Sec- retary of the Navy, giving a report that the steamer Nashville has run the blockade of Charleston, with Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board, bound, of course, to England or France, most likely the former. The Department is anxious to have this vessel intercepted and taken; the speed of your steamer and her supply of fuel and your own intelh- gence offer the best chance of doing this of any vessel at my disposal. Although regretting much to lose you even for a few days from my squadron, for I can ill spare you from pending service, yet it is very desirable that an effort should be made to overtake or intercept the Nashville. You are therefore charged with this important service, and I leave to your discretion the best course to steer in order to effect it. The Nashville will probably, after leaving the coast, steer a direct course or inclining south of it. You are at liberty to choose as to where you will enter to coal, either in an English or French port, or at the Western islands. Some three or four vessels, it is believed, are on their way to Georgia or South Carolina with military stores or munitious of war from Eiig- land, and you should have an eye to their going or returning. You will enter the Chesapeake on your return an(1 report to the flag- officer present, with whom I will leave orders for you. Trusting in yonr experieuce and intelligent discretion, and wishing you success, I am, respectfully, yours, S. F. Du PONT, Flag-Officer. Commander J. B. MARCHAND, Commanding U. S. Steamer Jas. Adger, New York. Report of Commander Marchand, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. James Adger, of sailing in search of the C. S. S. Nashville. U. S. STEAMER JAMES ADGER, Off Sandy Hook, October 16, 1861, 4:30 oclock a. m. SIR: In obedience to your instructions, received at 1 :30 oclock this morning, I have the honor to report that this ship is safely outside of the bar. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MARCHAND, C~ommander. Flag-Officer S. F. Du PONT, Commander-in- Chief, etc. Letter from commandant navy yard, New York, to Flag- Officer Dn Pont, U. S. Navy, relative to dispatching vessel to intercept C. S. S. Nash- ville. NAVY YARD, October 16, 1861. SIR: I forward you a telegraphic dispatch received late last night. I have no steanier that can be made available sooner than a day; thi Page 115 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 115 would give the Nashville four days start. The requirement of the Department as expressed in the telegram can only be carried into effect by the detailing the Florida or Augusta for that purpose. Could either of those vessels be spared for that end ~ Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SAML. L. BREESE, Commandant. Flag-Officer Du PONT, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. [Telegram.] (Received October 16, 1861, from New York.) I have dispatched steamers Curlew and James Adger in pursuit of the Nashville; Curlew to return when her coal is expended; Adger to continue all the way. S. F. Du PONT. Hon. G. WELLES. Report of Flag. Officer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, of sailing of U. S. steamers James Adger and Curlew to intercept C. S. S. Nashville. STEAM FRIGATE WABASH, October 16, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department what I have already done briefly by telegraph, that I dispatched last night in a very short time after receiving your message the steamer James Adger, Com- mander Marchand, and the steamer Curlew, acting Lieutenant Com- manding Watmough, in pursuit of the steamer Nashville, said to have run the blockade of Charleston with Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board. The Adger will run across to the channel, and if, as I think, the Nash- ville will run a long time before she ventures to make her northing, the difference of time may be overcome. The Curlew has attempted an intersection at a point indicated by the shortness of her fuel, for she carries but eight days supply, and I have ordered her back to Hampton Roads; also the Adger. Both vessels have orders to look out for the steamers expected from Europe to the rebel States, and this induced me in part to send the latter ship, for her chance is small, I fear, of crossing the Nashville. The Department will readily believe I felt strong regrets at losing two good ships so well commanded as these from my squadron ; but whether successful in the chase or not, I deemed it important to show, if the blockade could be run, that prompt measures could be directed in reference thereto, and which I was sure the Department greatly desired. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, S. F. Du PONT, Flag-Officer, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington Page 116 116 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Telegram.] INAVY DEPARTMENT, October 16, 1861. SIR: A duplicate of dispatch to you was last night sent to Commo- dore Breese. But one boat is to be sent after the Nashville. GIDEON WELLES, [& cretary of the Navy~. Flag-Officer S. F. Du PONT, Astor House, New York. [Telegram.] (Received October 16, 1861, from Navy Yard, New York.) SECRETARY OF NAVY: Connecticut may be ready this evening. Shall she be sent? To what point shall she be directed? The Nashville is fast and has four days start. Please telegraph immediately. SAML. L. BREESE, [Commandant.] [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 16, 1861. Send the Connecticut to Bermuda, and if any information is obtained there relative to that vessel, pursue her; otherwise return at once. GIDEON WELLES. Commodore S. L. BREESE, Navy Yard, New York. Order from commandant navy yard, New York, to Commander Wood- hull, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Connecticut, to pursue C. S. S. Nashville. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, October 16, 1861. SIR: Please proceed with all dispatch to Bermuda, in pursuit of the rebel steamer Nashville, which vessel on Saturday last ran the blockade from Charleston. If at Bermuda you obtain information of her, you will pursue and capture her. If no information is obtained of her, return immediately to this port. Respectfully, your obedient servant, SAML. L. BREESE, Commandant. Commander M. WOODITULL, Commanding U. S. S. Connecticut, New York Page 117 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 117 Letter from U. S. consul at Paramaribo to commanding officer of any United States ship of war, giving information of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. CONSULATE, PER EASTERN LIGHT, Port of Paramaribo, October 17, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that by an arrival of a schooner fro~n (Xira~ao I have been informed that the piratical steamer Sumter is near or on an island about 30 miles to the windward of Cura~ao and the crew cruising about in their boats. I am, your most obedient servant, HENRY SAWYER, U. S. Consul. COMMANDER OF ANY U. S. SHIP OF WAR THIS MAY MEET. Report of Flag- Officer Du Pont, U. S. Wavy, qf return ~f U. 5. 5. Cur- lew from cruise in search of C. S. S. Nashville. FLAGSHIP WABASH, Hampton Roads, October 19, 1861. SIR: I have to report that the Curlew, Acting Lieatenant Watniough, caine in this evening. His report explains the reason of his early return, (lefects in the engine rendering further parsuit unwise. These defects, however, will not impair her usefulness for the work we have on hand, and I am much pleased at having her back. With great respect, your obedient servant, S. F. Du PONT, Flag- Officer, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. P. S.Lieutenant Watmoughs report was sent to Commodore Golds- borongh~ and if not forwarded by him will be sent to-morrow. Report of Acting Lieutenant P. U. Watmough, U. S. Navy, of cruise to intercept C. S. S. Nashville. U. S. S. CURLEW, Off Fortress Monroe, October 19, 1861. SIR: In obedience to your order of the 15th instant I went to sea at 4 a. iii. on the morning of 16th for the purpose of endeavoring to intercept the steamer Nashville. After steaming to the southward and east ward 210 miles, 1 was satisfied from the following reasons that it was a useless expenditure of coal to continue on: The tubes of the surface condenser in three cases gave out and admitted the salt water iiito the boilers, causing them to foam to such an extent that frequent stoppages of the engine became necessary to find where the water stood. After plugging up these tubes the foaming continued, rarely admitting more than 65 revolutions to the propeller, giving an average speed of about 8 knots, and even at this low rate necessarily attended with great risk to machinery in working through the water. The head sea also caused her to throw out her propeller, which alone would have necessitate Page 118 118 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. slow and cautious steaming to prevent the racing of the engines and consequent risk. The Curlew appears strong and tight, and behaves well in a tolerably rough sea abeam. Our return trip to this port con- firmed me in my judgment as to discontinuing the chase, as the foam- ing rather increased as our trip was prolonged, showing the necessity of a new supply of fresh water for the boilers, which are so constructed as to preclude the use of salt water beyond a very limited timetwo or three days. I am satisfied she is a smart boat in smooth water, the foaming once stopped. Trusting my course will meet with your approbation, 1 have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, PEN. G. WATMOUGH, Acting Lieutenant, Commanding. Flag-Officer S. F. Du PONT, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Letter from U. S. consul at Paramaribo to commanding officer of any United States ship of war, giving information of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. CONSULATE, PORT OF PARAMARIBO, October 22, 1861. SIR: I beg to inform you that the rebel steamer Sumter was seen off the Marowyne [Maronil River on the 18th instant. The U. S. S. Iroquois arrived here on the 19th and left next day in pursuit of the Sumter. She will retnrn here for coals. I will also add that the Sumter has a rendezvous at a small uninhabited island near Cura~ao, called Orchilla, latitude 110 48 north, longitude 660 12 west. I am, your most obedient servant, HENRY SAWYTI~R, U. S. Consul. COMMANDER OF ANY U. S. SHIP OF WAR. Letter from consul at. St. Thomas, West Indies, to Secretary of the Navy, presenting the need of frequent visits of United States war vessels to those islands. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, At St. Thomas, October 22, 1861. SIR: I beg leave to inform you of the safe arrival on yesterday, per schooner B. C. Scribner, from Philadelphia, of ~OO tons of coal for the use of the U. S. Navy. * * * * * * * In this connection I beg leave to call your attention to a dispatch forwarded to you from Kingston, Jamaica, by Captain Scott, of the U. S. S. Keystone State, and to refer you to Captain Wilkes, of the San Jacinto, and Commander Porter, of the Powhatan, who will be able to give you full information respecting the importance of the presence of one of our steamers in these waters every two or three weeks. The steamers that have been in search of the Sumter have done incalculable good by calling at various points in the Windward Islands and on th Page 119 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION I t9 Spanish Main. May I beg the favor of a reply at your earliest conven- ience ~ You may command my services in any manner in which they may be useful to the Department. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN T. EDGAR U Hon. GIDEON WELLES Consul. Secretary of Navy, Washington. Report of Captain Wilkes, U. S. Navy, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter, enclosing orders given to Commander Palmer on same subject. U. S. STEAMER SAN JAcINTO7 Cienfuegos, Cuba, October 24, 1861. SIR: I wrote you a short dispatch* on my arrival here yesterday, giving you an outline of the services this ship has performed since I took command of her, and informed you of the meeting at St. Thomas with the Powha tan and Iroquois, then iii search of the Sumter. Having gained reliable information of the & mter but a few days before, from a vessel that had been boarded, I instructed Commander Palmer to continue his cruise in search of her, and enclose you a copy of a memorandum I sent Commander Palmer of my views, which will infr)rm you relative to that vessel. The search recommended by the Department for the iroquois I have taken up, and visited the Windward Passage, Jamaica, Grand Cay- man. Boca Grande and this place, and the neighboring sea. The Pow- hatam Look a more southern route to join the squadron oii the southeru coast. We left St. Thomas the same day and thus swept dowu through the Caribbean Sea. I have obtained no information of the Sumter since I left St. Thomas. Everything is quiet and no vessels have been molested in their peaceful commerce. Onr arrival in the United States will not much exceed the time if I had gone direct from St. Thomas, and, although I was very desirous to return with her at the earliest possible day, I deemed it important that the points touched at should be visited and information obtained. I shall leave this port as soon as II have taken in some coal and had the machinery overhauled and put in condition for a few weeks longer service. In the early part of next week, by the 28th probably, I shall be at the Havana, where, I am informed, the presence of an armed vessel is required. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, St. Thomas, October 13, 1861. M~ DEAR SIR: Without wishing to point out to you any special directions, I suppose it may be satisfactory to you to receive a general outline of my views as to the course I think may bring you in view of the Sumter. Not found Page 120 120 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. - -41 1. Her position six days since was longitude 470 25 W., latitude 90 33 N., a position directly in the route of the homeward-bound vessels. She will probably maintain this position on a parallelogram about 300 miles by 400 N.N.E. and W.S.W. and which is about 500 miles N.N. W. of Maranham. The Sumter has been out at sea twenty-eight days and probably will return to Maranham for coal before the 20th of this month. Your object should be to reach the locality as soou as possible, 1,000 miles from here. 2. At Maranham you will learn of her whereabouts, and when she is expected, through Mr. Oliver and our consul. I do not believe the Sumter will be able to coal there, and suppose she will return by way of Trinidad under sail outside the reefs. 3. Should you learn that she had coaled and gone to the southward and westward, I would advise following her, and use every endeavor, notwithstanding the time it may take, to hunt her down, as her capture is of great moment to our commercial interests. 4. If you fall in with the Keystone State you will arrange with her to visit all places where there is any likelihood of your falling in with this pirate, and in case iI~ should be deemed necessary you ought to follow the Sumter as far as Rio. 5. Well knowing you will do all in your power to effect the object of her capture, I may add that I shall coniinnnicate, on my arrival at home, with the honorable Secretary of the Navy, and the advice I have given you verbally and contained in this note. Yery truly, yours, etc., CHARLES WILKES, Captain. Commander JAS. S. PALMER, U. S. N., Commanding Steamer Iroquois. P. 5.The three sheets of charts of the coast of Brazil have been sent you. Report of elommander Woodhull, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. iJon. necticut, of cruise in search of C. S. S. ATashviUe. U. 5. 5. CONNECTICUT, October 24, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my return to this port, having exe- cuted the orders received from Flag-Officer Breese, a copy * of which I enclose. I left the navy yard Wednesday evening at 10 oclock and arrived on Saturday evening at Bermuda, making the passage in sixty- eight hours. As it was quite too late to cross the reef I did not arrive at the anchorage in Grassy Bay till the next morning. I regret to say that nothing could be heard of the rebel steamer Nashville, nor indeed had there been any steamer from the United States at the island fbr the last six months. I only commnnicated my business to the U. S. consul, and made the excuse for entering the harbor the necessity I was under of overhauling the engine, which, by the way, worked very badly from some cause or other. I remained at anchor all Sunday, and up to 2 oclock Monday, the 21st, which time was occupied in a general * For enclosure, see p. 116 Page 121 OPERATIONS OF TIlE CRUISERSUNION. 121 overhaul of the engine. We found some four springs that confiuie the packing of the piston broken, which had to be renewed before it would have been safe to continue my voyage. We left the reef at 4 p. in. of the 21st and arrived at this port at 12 m. to-day. We experienced very bad weather on the return trip. The steamer behaved well aiid is an admirable sea boat. I received every atteiition and courtesy froni the authorities of the island; I was called upon by the governor and by the captain commanding the naval establishment who was in profuse his offers of assistance, etc., which I am happy to say was not on my part required. I fiuid the government officials very friendly in their views, and especially favorable to the Government of the United States. They expressed strongly their sympathies and wishes that the rebellion would be successfully overcome. Aside from these personages, I under- stand that at least two-thirds of the inhabitants of the islands are out- and-out sympathizers with the so-called Southein Confederacy. The reasons for this, when it is considered that all their little trade is with the North, I could not discover. CaptainHutton, R. N., commandant of the navy yard, informed me that orders had been given to all the Gov- ernment pilots not to pilot privateers into the harbor, nor give them aid or comfort in any way. I take pleasure in informing the Departmneimt of tIme good health of the officers and crew of this steamer. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. ~TOODHULL, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. (1. Statement made by master of brig Granada of the capture of his vesset by the privateer Sallie. NEW YORK, October 24, 18G1. DEAR SIR: I sailed from Nuevitas, Cuba, October 3, master of the brig Granada, of Portland, Me., bound for New York. On the night of the 12th instant, in latitude 330, longitude 710, I fell in with and was taken possession of by the privateer Sallie, Captain Lebby, three days out from Charleston. Part of my crew and myself were taken on board the l)rivateer, and from her transferred (three days after) to the British schooner Greyhound. We arrived at New York to-day. The captain of the privateer informed me he came out of Charleston in the daytime without any difficulty, and that the l)rivateers Dixie and Beauregard were fitting out there and would be ready for sea in a few days. The Sallie sailed S.E. after leaving us, in search of coiThe vessels from Itio. By the loss of my vessel I have lost my all, and am thrown out of employment. I am most aiixious to serve my country in the Navy as sailing-master, for which situation 1 think I am capable, having been mate and master of a vessel nine years. Respectfully, your obedient servant, A. C. PETTENGILL. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 122 122 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iro- quois, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. IIROQUOIS, Paramaribo, Surinam, Dutch Guiana, October 25, 1861. SIR: I wrote to the Department from Barbados by the U. S. S. Mystic. There were vague rumors of the Sumter being among the Grena- dines when I left. I accordingly proceeded thither, running through these islets and into St. George, Grenada, and finding she had not beeu in this quarter, proceeded on to Trinidad. The details of a fruitless search cau not be very interesting. But at Trinidad, where the Sumter had coaled and obtained supplies, I was anxious to learn the attitude of the British Government towards the piratical vessels of the Southern States. I had scarcely anchored, when I observed the governor intended treating me with marked civility, sending his aidede-camp on board, b egging I would give him a day for an entertainment, etc. When I called upon him he alluded incidentally to the Samters having been a visitor at this port, saying that the instructions from his Gov- ernment were to treat the contending parties in the United States with impartiality. I offered no argument, but received his communi- cation in silence. The captain of the English frigate Cadmus, at Trini- dad, at this time told me he had been sent for from Grenada, upon the Sumters arrival at Trinidad, and sent an officer on board of her to exam- me the commission under which her commander sailed, and upon find- ing it was all right, the commission being that of commander in the C. S. Navy, signed by Jeff. Davis as President, said he could not interfere with her. Upon my saying, Then your Government recognizes the South- ern Confederacy ? he replied, 0, no, not at all, only as a party having belligerent rights ; adding, Such are my instructions from my admiral, and a copy of the Confederate flag has been sent me that J may know it. I was not aware that England had assumed this posi- tion, though possibly it may be no news to the Government. I was now satisfied that the Sumter had gone to the coast of Brazil, and, not feeling justified by my orders to pursue her thither, I determined to return to Hampton Roads. I accordingly left for St. Thomas where n , d the Powhatan; she had followed the , pon my arrival I foun Sumter down as far as Maranham and there given up the pursuit. The San Jacinto arrived the following day, and on that afternoon arrived also an English brig, who informed us that she had been bearded by the Sumter only six days previous, in latitude 90, longitnde 470~ where he was apparently cruising to inter- cept vessels to and from Rio de Janeiro. Upomi consulting Captain Wilkes we both decided it was my duty to go again in pursuit of her. I accordingly left that night, the 12th of October, hoping the weather would prove favorable to allow me to reach that longitude and proceed on to Maranham, where we expected she would return again to coal. But I had scarcely got through the islands when I encountered heavy weather from the southeast, and I soon found that I was exhausting my coals to but little purpose agaimnt a heavy head sea, and deter- mined upon keeping away for Surinam, imitending to coal there and run on down the coast in the hope of intercepting her before she returned to Maranham. Upomi my arrival at Paramaribo, which is the capital, some 20 miles up the shallow river of Surinam, I was just prepared to receive my coal when a French packet arrived, saying she had spoken a French brig off Cayenne who said he had been spoken by the Sumte Page 123 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 123 the day before. The conjecture was that she was bound again to this port, so I immediately got underway, having coal enough left for perhaps a couple of days cruise, and steamed down the river over the mud ~fiats, which frequently impeded my progress, expecting that I might possibly meet her in the river, where I should have regretted to have been compelled to attack her among the habitable plantations which cover its banks. I, however, saw nothing of her; went up to windward about 100 miles, where, some 30 miles up a river, I knew the French brig to be. I communicated with her by boat; found she had been at Maranham when the Sumter was there, and therefore knew her well; said she was satisfied it was the Sumter which had gone to the westward four days ago. I consequently returned to Paramaribo; am now filliiig up my coal, which I am obliged to do by driblets, getting it from the planta. tions through the consul. I am in hopes to get off by the day after to-morrow. The Sumter has now, in my judgment, though she baffles all conjec. ture, gone either to Trinidad again or to some of the small islands in the neighborhood of Cura~ao, where I have heard she has before refitted. I am happy to say that this ship continues thus far tolerably healthy, though it is a sickly season and we are on a sickly coast, and the crew more or less exhausted by constant heat and constant steaming, but if we fall in with the Sumter we shall be rewarded for all our toil. I have but a months provision left, and if not immediately on the track of the Sumter I shall feel obliged to abandon the pursuit and return. 1 have heard nothing of the Keystone State for a long period; the consul tells me that she left this for Tobago about five or six weeks ago. The State Department has perhaps better and later information through the consuls than can the Navy Department [have] through us. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from E. L. Corning, esq., to Secretary of the Navy, seeking informa- tion regarding depredations of C. S. S. Sumter on coast of Brazil. NEW YORK, October 28, 1861. SIR: I am extensively engaged in the trade hence to Para and Maranham (Brazil), and have received no direct intelligence from either of those ports for nearly two months past, owing, as I supposed, to the presence of the privateer Sumter in their vicinity, preventing the egress thence of my vessels bound to this port, which is confirmed by pub- lished reports this morning from U. S. S. Powhatan. I beg leave to enquire if that report is correct, also if you have any further particu- lars relating to her cruise on that coast. Did she go to Para; and if so, what American vessels were there l Having four vessels absent, bonnd to the aforesaid ports, my anxiety to hear from that quarter must be my excuse for troubling you on the subject. I hope that the .Powhatan will return thither without delay, and if accompanied b Page 124 124 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. two other steamers they would give adequate protection to our valuable commerce there, which we greatly need at this time. Respectfully, your obedient servant, E. L. CORNING. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City. [Endorsement.] Answer.Lieutenant Porters letters, alluded to in the extract from the Tribune, did not contain particular allusions to other vessels than the Maria, though the fact that others were spoken was mentioned, The Powhatan did not go to Para. Report from commandant navy yard, New York, of movements of Messrs. Mason and Slidell and C. S. S. Nashville. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, October 80, 1861. SIR: I am informed by a gentleman sent by Spofford & Tileston, whose steamer has just arrived from Havana, that Mason and Slidell, with their fainihes, arrived there on the 22d or 23d instant in the Con- federate steamer Gordon, now called tIle Theodora, from Charleston. That the captain of the Theodora (Thos. Lockwood) stated he had run the blockade from Charleston twenty-seven times. She is 700 tons. He informed fmej that the Nashville, 1,200 tons, and Isabel, 1,100, are both at Charleston, heavily armed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. PAULDING, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Order from the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Steedman, U. S. LVavy, commanding U. S. S. Bienville, to search for vessels. NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 30, 1861. SIR: You will report at once to Flag-Officer Du Pont, and after so reporting, proceed with all dispatch to the West Indies, in search of the vessels mentioned in the inclosed copy of telegram.* Respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES. Commander C. STEEDMAN, Commanding U. S. S. Bienville. Report of Commander Marchand, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. James Adger, of search for C. S. S. Nasheille. U. S. S. JAMES ADGER, Qucenstown, Ireland, October 30, 1861. SIR: In obedience to the order of Flag-Officer Du Pont, this ship left New York at 2:30 oclock on the morning of the 10th instant in pursuit * Not found Page 125 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 125 of the steamer Nashville, having Messrs. Mason and Slidell, commis- sioners from the Confederate States to England and France, on board. Learning from the engineers of the ship, all of whom are familiar with the Nashville and one of whom left her after she had been seized by the authorities at Charleston, that the Nashville was a faster steamer than the James Adger, I determined to take the shortest conrse and if possible intercept her at the entrance of the English Channel or off Brest. Upon starting, the utmost economy was used in the consumption of fuel consistent with speed, and good progress was made until oii the southern part of the Newfoundland Bank we were overtaken by a suc- cession of gales. On the 22d, just in the heaviest of one of the gales, the sea carried away the circular battens and sheathing from the aft part of the starboard wheelhouse and started the port one, carried away several of the battens from the guards, and all the water closets. About the same time the bulwarks at the forward part of the guards were partially stove in, and the iron ash shute made useless for a time. A considerable leak also took place, rendering the officers room almost uninhabitable, which upon examination was found to proceed from the lower side of the sheer plank on both sides, at the after guards, a portion of which was reported as never having been calked. That portion of the wrecked covering of the wheelhouse saved showed that the battens of the wheelliouses and guards, the sheathing of the wheelhouses and bulwarks, were in a state of decay and had been repeatedly ii ailed. By that accident the ship has not otherwise been injured, but the covering of the wheelhouse being off, sheets of water are flying over the quarter-deck except when the wind is in a particular direction, rendering the loading of the after guns almost impossible without wetting the powder. At the time I joined the ship, at the New York navy yard, the authorities reported that there were 324 tons of coal on board, to which subsequently was added 9 tons, in aking, as I had every reason to believe, 333 tons in the ship at the time of leaving New York, the bunkers having been so artfully stowed as to preclude entrance to ascertain if they were entirely filled; but on the 25th, just when 900 miles w~st of Lands End, England, I was startled by the intelligence that the bunkers had not been entirely filled and there was only 89 tons on board, when there should have been 153 tons as tion had been only 180 tons to that time. , the consump- This discovery induced me to vary from my preconcerted plan and run for a point near Cape Clear, Ireland, that in the event of the fuel becoming exhausted a supply could readily be procured at Queen stown, our average consumption of fuel being about 18 tons a day under fair steam, whilst the required quantity for full steam would be from 27 to 30 tons per day. On the morning of the 25th, when the magazine was opened, I was further startled with the information that the water was several inches deep on the floor of the magazine, occasioned by a leak in the leaden suction pipe for the forward force pump, which was without boxing or sheathing along the ceiling of the magazine when the latter was arranged at the New York navy yard. The powder tanks are of wood, and, not sufficient shelving to place them, a portion was stowed on the floor of the magazine by the ord- nance officer of the yard, whose duty it is to make the stowage. Upon examination it was found that nearly all the latter and the powder in the tanks under the leak, amounting to 348 pounds, was educed nearly to the consistency of mortar, which was thrown overboard. By thor Page 126 126 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. oughly wiping and a plentiful use of charcoal and chloride of lime, I believe the moisture is removed and that the balance of powder ou board, amounting to 4,2064 pounds, is still fit for use. To stop the leak in the magazine it became necessary to turn off the stopcock to the suction pipe; the result is the loss of the forward force pump in the event of fire. On the morning of the 27th instant it was found that the bulls eye to give light to the magazine from the light room was cracked through- out its thickness in two places, most probably by the working of the bulkhead. The cracks have not opened, apparently, and may answer until our return to the United States. Yesterday, on reaching the meridian of Cape Clear and finding the fuel nearly exhausted, I ran for this place and arrived at 5 oclock this morning, after a passage of fourteen days and having but 7 tons of coal on board. On examination of the newspapers, and consultation with the U. S. consul, I can not hear that the Nashville has yet reached a European port, and in the further execution of the discretionary orders given me, I will cruise for a few days at the entrance to the English Channel and off the coast of Brest (as by that time, in all probability, she will have reached some port in Europe), and then run for Southampton to fill with coal, to have some temporary repairs made to the wheelhouse and guards, and during the interval communicate with our minister at London to ascertain the character that the Nashville, on her arrival in Europe, has or will assume, and if belligerent, I must decide, until further orders arrive from you, whether to watch her or return to the United States. I most sincerely hope, sir, that the course I have pursued and the plan in view above mentioned will meet your approbation. It is designed to take in 75 tons of coal, and I expect to leave during the latter part of this afternoon, the repairs to the wheelhouses, guards etc., not being deemed necessary in our present urgent busi- ness. The funds now in the hands of the paymaster are ample tbr the fuel and pilotage here, but in the next port we will be compelled to draw upon the Navy Department. Herewith I send copies of Flag-Officei Du Ponts instructions, report of a survey upon the magazine and powder, and the acting chief eu4- neers report as to the amount of coal on board at the time of our leav- ing New York. I am, sir, very resj)ectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MARCITAND, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Eytinge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp, to proceed to sea under sealed orders. NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 1, 1861. SIR: As soon as the U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp, under your comm and, is in all respects ready for a cruise you will proceed with her to sea. Enclosed herewith are sealed instructions, which you will open after the Shepherd Knapp is at sea, and be governed thereby. Transmit to th Page 127 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 127 I)epartment before sailing a muster roll of your vessel, and a separate list of her officers. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant H. S. EYTINGE, Commanding U. S. Ship Shepherd Knapp. [Enclosure.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 1, 1861. SIR: Proceed with the U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp, under your com- mand, southward, and take the track of merchant vessels bound to and from the West Indies, going as far eastward as the Leeward Islands, and cruise until it is necessary for you to return to New York for stores. You will not enter any port during your cruise until it becomes actually necessary. Your object is to capture or destroy the vessels of the rebels and protect legitimate commerce of your OWII flag. In the examination of vessels at sea you will be careful to regard the rights of neutrals. You will exercise your crew at the great guns, and occasionally with shot and shell. The U. S. bark Win. U. Anderson is now eml)loyed under similar instructions, and you will take care not to cruise in company with her. Whenever an opportunity presents itseif send an abstract of your cruise to the Department. 1 am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Acting Volnuteer Lieutenant H. S. EYTINGE, Commanding U. S. Ship Shepherd Knapp, New York. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Ridgely, U. S. 1Navy, commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, to proceed to Havana, Cuba, to protect commerce and suppress traffic of the insurgents. NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 2, 1861. SIR: In view of the means resorted to, and the reported increasing intercourse between the rebel States and the island of Cuba, it has become a matter of imperative necessity that a war steamer should be stationed at or near Havana to protect legitimate commerce and sup- press communication and traffic with or by the insurgents. You will therefore proceed with the Santiago de Cuba to Havana and put yourself in communication with the consul-general, who will from tinme to time inform you in regard to the condition of affairs at that place and vicinity. On the information so received, and the advice of your observations iiitp11io~n~ that officer with own and the ~ you may gather, you must act, arid, as great responsibility will devolve on you, good judgment, as well as great decision, must be exercised. Of course it will be the object and study of the insurgents and those who are act- ing in concert with them to deceive you and elude your vigilance, and it will be your aim to counteract and defeat them. Sailing, as they do at times, under false colors, and assuming false pretenses, it may be difficult to always detect them, and, in the honest and faithful discharge of your duty, errors may be committed. When this is the case, amid a wrong shall have been done, the amende honorable and due restitution will be made. You will avoid as far as possible giving offense to the authorities of Cuba, will respect the rights of neutrals, while maintain. ing our own, and bearing in mind the great object delegated to You Page 128 128 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. that of interrupting and destroying effectually and entirely all commu. nication between the rebels and others, you will keep vigilant watch on all suspicious vessels and seize, without hesitation, such as are known to be hostile, or which you have good grounds for believing to be engaged in schemes to aid the insurgents or defeat the measures and policy of the Government. By every opportunity you will report to the Depart- ment direct. Very respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES. Commander DANIEL B. IRIDGELY, Commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, New York. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. bark W. U. Anderson, of cruise in search of privateers near Bermuda, West Indies. U. S. BARK W. G. ANDERSON, Lat. 26~ 25 N., Long. 630 29 W., November 4, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inclose the abstract log* of the U. S. bark W. G. Anderson, to date. Agreeably to your instructions, we have been cruising in the neigh- borhood of the island of Bermuda the past fifteen or sixteen days but without seeing any suspicious vessels. We have boarded and spoken several, none of whom, however, reported either seeing or hearing of any. Being satisfied of the improbability of there being privateers in the above neighborhood, 1 am now standing to the southward, with the intention of carrying out, to the best of my ability, your further orders, and shall hope to be fortunate enough to fall iii with some Sonthern vessels. The W. U. Anderson performs well, is stanch and strong, and carries her battery finely. She is, however, much in need of bal- last, and had she 75 tons more would be all that could be desired. We had, on sailing, water for eighty-five days, and shall therefore touch at St. Thomas as early as December 25. I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. ROGERS, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy of the United States. Report of Co~nmander Miarchand, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. James Adger, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Nashville. U. S. S. JAMES ADGER, Southampton, England, November 6, 1861. SIR: Oii the 30th ultimo, from Quecustown, Ireland, I had the honor to advise you of this vessels arrival, and that the want of fuel com- pelled me to go there. During that day we succeeded in obtaining 72 tons of coal, and the same evening put to sea. For two and a half days, I ran backward and forward between the Scilly Islands and the French coast, off Brest, in search of the steamer Nashville. In the meantime a heavy gale from the northwest set in, and for the last ten hours of that time the ship was unmanageable for want of ballast, except when head or stem to the wind. When in any other position Omitted as unimportant Page 129 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 129 she would careen to such an extent as almost to prevent the wheels from turning and bringing a dangerous strain upon the engine. On the morning of the 2d instant, finding the gale unabating and the ship nufit for pursuit or action, for want of ballast (haviiig then 50 toiis of coal on board), I most reluctantly ran for the nearest port directly to wiiidward to obtain an additional quantity of coal to act as ballast, and put into Falmouth Harbor. The extreme inclemency of the weather prevented coaling fast, and after working throughont the night, succeeded in receiving 58 tons, with which I went to sea at day- light in the morning of the 3d instant, with some hope of intercepting the Nashville, as the London Times of the I st instant had not chroni- cled her arrival in a European port. From the time of leaving Falmouth until towards noon yesterday, we were eml)loyed in coaling and cruising at the entrance to the En g - lish Channel and oft the coast of France, about Brest, in vain seavch- ing for the Nashville amongst the passing steamers. The Nashville had then been, if at all, twenty-three and a half days out of Charleston, an unpreceden ted time for a fast steamer, whilst the James Adgek-, a slower one, was only fourteen days in crossing the Atlantic. 1 concluded she must have made a European port, and if a French or English one, might be again leaving. I continued cruising slowly np the English Chaminel for this place, for infbrmation or to take in fuel, have some temporary repairs made to our damaged wheelbouses, etc., and com- nmnnicate with our minister at London in relation to my future course. We arrived this morning, and I read in the London Times of to-day that, by the most recent information froni the United States, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, the Confederate commissioners to England and France, had landed at Cardenas, in Cuba; hence there is no further necessity for this ship to cruise here to intercept the Nashville, and I will immediately, in obedience to Flag-Officer Du Ponts order, proceed to the Chesapeake Bay and report to the flag-officer there for further orders. It will reqnire about four days to make the necessary repairs to the engine and its appendages, and during that time can coal ship and repair the wheelhouse, etc. As mentioned in my communication of the 30th ultimo, it will be nec- essary to draw upon the Navy Department for noney to meet these expelises, and as in our hurried departure from New York imo authority was given the paymaster to draw, I will direct him to proceed to Lon- don and make arrangements with the Navy agent for funds. I am, sir, very respectfully, your ohedient servant, J. B. NARcIHAND, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander. 8eeretary of the Navy. The Trent affair, November 8, 1861. Report of Captain Wilkes, U. S. Navy, of capture of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, Confederate commissioners on board the British mail steamer Trent, with enclosures. U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, November 15, 1861. SIR: I have written toyon relative to the movements of this ship from Cienfuegos, on the south coast of Cuba. There I learned that Messrs. Slidell and Mason had landed on Cuba, and had reached the Havana from Charleston. I took in some 60 tons of coal and left with all dispatch on the 26th October to intercept the 123A Page 130 130 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. return of the Theodora, but on my arrival at The Havannah on the 31st I found she had departed on her return, and that Messrs. Slidell and Mason, with their secretaries and families, were there and would depart on the 7th of the month in the English steamer Trent for St. Thomas, on their way to England. I made up my mind to fill up with coal and leave the port as soon as possible, to await at a suitable position on the route of the steamer to St. Thomas to intercept her and take them out. On the afternoon of the 2d I left The Havannah, in continuation of my cruise after the Sumter on the north side of Cuba. The next day, when about to board a French brig, she ran into us on the starboard side at the main chains and carried away her bowsprit and foretopmast, and sufik~red other damages. I inclose you herewith the reports of the offi- cems who witnessed the accident. 1 do not feel that any blame is due to the officer in charge of this ship at the time the ship was run into, and the brig was so close when it was seen probable she would do so. that even with the power of steam, lying motionless as we were, we could not avoid it; it seemed as if designed. I at once took her in tow, and put an officer on board with a party to repair her damages. This was effected before night, but I kept her in tow till we were up with The llavannah and ran within about 8 miles of the light, the wind blowing directly fair for her to reach port. I then went over to Key West in hopes of finding the Powhatan or some other steamer to accompany me to the Bahama Channel, to make it impossible for the steamer in which Messrs. Slidell and Mason were to embark to escape either in the night or day. The Powhatan had left but the day before, and I was therefore disappointed and obliged to rely upon the vigilance of the officers and crew of this ship, and proceeded the next morning to the north side of the island of Cuba, communicated with Sagua la Grande on the 4th, hoping to receive a telegraphic communication from Mr. Shufeldt, our consul-general, giv- ing me the time of the departure of the steamer. In this, also, I was disappointed, and i-an to the eastward some 90 miles, where the old Bahama Channel cormtracts to the width of 15 miles, some 240 miles from The llavannah, and in sight of the Paredon Grande light-house. There we cruised until time morning of the 8th, awaiting the steamer, believing that if she left at the usual time she must pass us about 110011 of the 8th, and we could not possibly miss her. At 11:40 a. in., on the 8th, her smoke was first seen; at 12 m. our position was to the westward of the entrance into the narrowest part of the channel and about 9 miles northeast from the light-house of Par- edon Grande, the nearest point of Cuba to us. We were all prepared for her, beat to quarters, and orders were given to Lieutenant D. M. Fairfax to have two boats manned amid armed to board her and make Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Eustis, and Macfarland prisoners, and send them immediately on board. (A copy of this order to him is herewith enclosed.) The steamer approached and hoisted English colors. Our ensign was hoisted, and a shot was fired across her bow; she maintained her speed and showed no disposition to heave to; then a shell was flied across her bow, which brought her to. I hailed that I intended to send a boat on board, and Lieutenant Fairfax with the second cutter of this ship was dispatched. He met with some difficulty, and remain- ing on board the steamer with a part of the boats crew, sent her back to request more assistance. The captain of the steamer having declined to show his papers and passenger list, a force became necessary t Page 131 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 131 search her. Lieutenant James A. Greer was at once dispatched in the third cutter, also manned and armed. Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Eustis, and Macfarland were recognized and told they were required to go on board this ship; this they objected to, until an overpowering force compelled them. Much persuasion ~vas used and a little force, and at about 2 oclock they were brought on board tins ship and received by me. Two other boats were then sent to expedite the removal of their baggage and some stores, when the steamer, which proved to be the Trent, was suffered to proceed ou her route to the eastward, and at 3 :~O p. m. we bore away to the north- ward and westward. The whole time employed was two hours thirteen minutes. I enclose you the statements of such officers who boarded the Trent relative to the facts, and also an extract from the log book of this ship. It was my determination to have taken possession of the Trent and sent her to Key West as a prize, for resisting the search and cai-- rying these passengers, whose character and objects were well known to the captain, but the reduced number of my officers and crew, and the large nuniber of passengers on board bound to Europe who would be put to great inconvenience, decided me to allow them to proceed. Finding the families of Messrs. Slidell and Eustis on board, I ten- dered them the offer of my cabin for their accommodation to accom- pany their husbands; this they declined, however, and proceeded in the Trent. Before closing this dispatch I would bring to your notice the noto- rious action of her Britannic Majestys subjects, the con~ul-gcneral of Cuba and those on board the Trent, in (loing everything to ai(l and aI)et the escape of these four persons and endeavoring to conceal their persons on board. No passports or papers of any description were in possession of them from the Federal Government, and for thi and other reasons which will readily occur to you I made them my prisoners, and shall retain them on board here until I hear from you what disposition is to be made of them. I can not close this report without bearing testimony to the admirable manner iii which all the officers and men of this ship performed their duties, an(l the cordial manner in which they carried out my orders. To Lieutenant Fairfax I beg leave to call your particular attention for the I)raiseworthy manner in which he executed the delicate duties with which he was intrusted; it met and has received my warmest thanks. After leaving the north side o~ Cuba I ran through the Santaren Passage and up the coast from off St. Augustine to Charleston, and regretted being too late to take a part in the expedition to Port Royal. I enclose herewith a communication I received from Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Eustis, and Mcfarland, with my answer. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Captain. HON. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [EncLosure 1.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At AS1ea, November 8, 1861. SIR: You will have the second and third cutters of this ship fully manned and armed, and be in all respects prepared to board the steamer Trent, now hove to under our guns. On boarding her you wil Page 132 132 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. demand the papers of the steamer, her clearance from Iiavaiia, with the list of passengers and crew. Should Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, Mr. Enstis, and Mr. Macfarland be on board, you will make them prisoners and sen(l them on board this ship immediately, and take possessiou of her as a prize. I do not deem it will be necessary to use force, that the prisoners will have the good sense to avoid auy necessity for using it, but if they should, they mnst be made to understand that it is their own fault. They must be brought on board. All trunks, cases, packages, and bags belonging to them you will take possession of, and send on board this ship. Any dispatches found on the persons of the prisoners, or in possession of those on board the steamer, will be taken possession of also, examined, and retained if necessary. I have understood that the families of these gentlemen may be with them; if so, I beg you will offer some of them, iii my name, a passage in this ship to the United States; and that all the attention and coniforts we can command are tendered them, and will be placed in their service. In the event of their acceptance, should there be anything which the cap- tain of the steamer can spare to increase tIme comforts in the way of necessaries or stores of which a war vessel is deficient you will ~Aease to procure them. The amount will be paid for by the paymaster. Lieutenant James A. Greer will take charge of the third cutter, which accompanies you, and assist you in these duties. I trust that all those under your command, in executing this important and delicate duty, will conduct themselves with all the delicacy and kindness which becomes the character of our naval service. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Captain. Lieutenant D. M. FAIRFAX, U. S. Navy, Executive Officer, San Jacinto. [Enclosure 2.1 COPY FROM THE LOG BOOK OF THE U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, COM MANDED BY CAPTAIN CHARLES WILKES, U. S. NAVY. AT SEA, Friday, November 8, 1861. From 8 a. m. to meridian, as per columns.Lying to oft Paredon Lights. At 10:30 a bark in sight to the eastward and a schooner to the northward. At 11:40 made out a steamer to the westward. From meridian to 4p. m.Moderate breezes from the northward and eastward, and pleasant. At 1? :55 beat to quarters, hoisted the colors, and loaded the guns. At 1:05 fired a shot across the bows of the steamer in sight showing English colors. At 1:17 the steamer close on us, and not stopping, fired another shot across her bows, at which she stopped. Hailed her, and at 1 :20 Lieutenant Fairfax, in the second cutter, with an armed crew, boarded the vessel. At 1:35 sent Lieuten- ant Greer in the third cutter to the assistance of Mr. Fairfax. At 2 he returned, bringing Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Eustis, and Macfarl and, and then returned to the steamer. Received on board the baggage of the above gentlemen, and some stores for their use. Ran to leeward of the steamer. At 3:20 she stood to the eastward. At 3:30 hoisted up our boats and stood to the northward and westward. K. R. BREESE, [Lieutenant, U. S. N Page 133 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 133 [Enclosure 3.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At & a, Novernber 11, 1861. GENTLEMEN: You will report to me, in writing, all the facts which transpired under your observation on board the mail steamer Trent, bound from Havana to St. Thomas, whilst hove to under our guns, on the 8th instant, and boarded by you under my orders. I am, respectfully, your obedient servaiit, CHARLES WILKES, Lieutenant D. M. FAIRFAX, Lieutenant JAMES A. GREER, Second Assistant Engineer JAS. B. HOUSTON, Third Assistant Engineer GEo. W. HALL, Paymasters Clerk It. G. SIMPSON, Masters Mate CHAS. B. DAHLGREN, Boatswain H. P. GRACE, U. S. Navy. [Enclosure 4] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, November 12, 1861. SIR: At 1:20 p. n. on the 8th instant I repaired alongside of the British mail packet in an armed cutter, accompanied by Mr. Houston, second assistant engineer, and Mr. Grace, the boatswain. I went on board the Trent alone, leaving the two officers in the boat, with orders to await until it became necessary to show some force. I was shown up by the first officer to the quarter-deck, where I met the captain and informed him who I was, asking to see his passenger list. He declined letting me see it. I then told him that I had information of Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, Mr. Eustis, and Mr. Macfarland having taken their passage at Havana in the packet to St. Thomas, and would satisfy myself whether they were on board before allowing his steamer to proceed. Mr. Slidell, evidently hearing his name mentioned, came up to me and asked if I wanted to see him. Mr. Mason soon joined us, and then Mr. Eastis and Mr. Macfar~and, when I made known the object of my visit. The captain of the Trent opposed anything like a search of his vessel, nor would he consent to show papers or passenger list. The four gentlemen above mentioned protested also against my arresting and sending them to the U. S. steamer near by. There was considerable noise among the passengers just about this time, and that led Mr. Houston and Mr. Grace to repair on board with some 6 or 8 men, all armed. After several unsuccessful efforts to persuade Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell to go with me peaceably, I called to Mr. Honston andordered him to return to the ship with the informa- tion that the four gentlemen named in your order of the 8th instant were on board and force must be applied to take them out of the packet. About three minutes after there was still greater excitement on the quarter-deck, which brought Mr. Grace with his armed party. I, how- ever, deemed the presence of any armed men unnecessary and only calculated to alarm the ladies present and directed Mr. Grace to return to the lower deck, where he had been since first coming on board. It must have been less than half aii hour after I boarded the Trent when the second armed cntter, under Lieutenant Greer, came alongsid Page 134 134 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. (only two armed boats being used). He brought in the cutter 8 marines and 4 machinists in addition to a crew of some 12 men. When the marines and some armed men had been formed just outside of the main deck cabin, where these four gentlemen had gone to pack lii) their bag- gage, II renewed my efforts to induce them to accompany me on board. Still refusing to accompany me unless force was applied, I called in to my assistance four or five officers, and first taking hold of Mr. Masons shoulder, with another officer on the opposite side, I went as far as the gangway of the steamer and delivered him over to Lieutenant Greer to be placed in the boat. I then returned for Mr. Slidell, who insisted that I must apply con- siderable force to get him to go with me. Calling in at leastthree officers, he also was taken in charge and handed over to Mr. Greer. Mr. Mac- farland and Mr. Eustis, after protesting, went quietly into the boat. They had been permitted to collect their baggage, but were sent in advance of it under charge of Lieutenant Greer. I gave my personal attention to the luggage, saw it put in a boat and sent in charge of an officer to the San Jacinto. When Mr. Slidell was taken prisoner a great deal of noise was made by some of the passen- gers, which caused Lieutenant Greer to send the marines into the cabin. They were immediately ordered to return to their former position out- side. I carried out my purpose without using any force beyond what appears in this report. The mail agent, who is a retired commander in the British navy, seemed to have a great deal to say as to the pro- priety of my course, but I purposely avoided all official intercourse with him. When I finally was leaving the steamer be made some apology for his rude conduct and expressed personally his approval of the maii- ner in which I had carried out my orders. We parted company from the Trent at 3:20p.m. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. M. FAIRFAX, Lieutenant and Executive Officer. Captain CHARLES WILKES, U. S. Navy, Commanding San Jacinto. [Enclosure 5.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, November 12, 1861. SIR: In accordance with your instrnctions I submit the following: On November 8,between 1 and 2 oclock p.m., I was ordered by Lieu- tenant Breese, acting executive officer, to shove off with the third cut- ter, and to go alongside of the English mail steamer, which was then lying to under our guns. In the boat with mc were Third Assistant Engineer Hall, Paymasters Clerk Simpson, Masters Mate Dahlgren, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 6 privates of marines, 4 machinists, and the crew consisting of 13 men, the whole party being well armed. When I arrived at the steamer I was met on the guard by Mr. Grace with a message from Lieutenant Fairfax (who had preceded me on board) to bring the marines on board and to station them outside of the cabin, which I ~did; also to keep the spare men on the guard, and to have the boats crews in readiness to jump on board if needed. As soon as the marines were stationed I had the space outside and forward of the cabin kept clear of passengers, and assumed a position where I could see Lieutenant Fairfax, who was then engaged in con- yersation with persons in the cabiii. He shortly came out, and told m Page 135 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 135 to remain as I was. He then went back into the cabin, and in a few m- utes returned with Mr. Mason. He had his hand on his shoulder, and I think Mr. Hall had his on the other one. He transferred Mr. Mason to me, and I had the third cutter hauled up, into which he got. Shortly after Mr. Macfarland came out and got into the boat. I think he was unaccompanied by any of the officers. About this time I heard a good deal of loud talking in the cabin, and above all I heard a womans voice. I could not hear what she said. Mr. Fairfax appeared to be having an altercation with some one. There was much confusion created by the passengers and ships officers, who were making all kinds of disagreeable and contemptuous noises and remarks. Just then Mr. Houston came to me and said he thought there would be trouble. I told him to ask Mr. Fairfax if I should bring the marines. He returned with an answer to bring them in. At that time I heard some one call out, Shoot him. I ordered the marines to come into the cabin, which they did at quick time. As they advanced the passen- gers fell back. Mr. Fairfax then ordered the marines to go out of the cabin, which they did, Mr. Slidell at the same time jumping out of a window of a stateroom into the cabin, where he was arrested by Mr. Fairfax, and was then brought by Mr. Hall and Mr. Grace to the boat, into which he got. Soon after Mr. Eustis caine to the boat accom- panied by Mr. Fairfax. I then, by his order, took charge of the boat and conveyed the gentlemen arrested, viz, Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Macfarland, and Eustis, to the San Jacinto, where I delivered them over to Captain Wilkes; this was about 2 oclock. I then returned to the steamer. When I reached her the baggage of the gentlemen was being brought up and sent to the Safl Jacinto. Soon after Mr. Fairfax told me to send the marines and spare hands on board, which I did. He then left me in charge of our party, and went on board the San Jacinto. About 3 oclock she ran under the Trents stern. 1 was hailed and directed to come on board, which I did with all excepting Mr. Grace, Mr. Dahlgren, and Mr. Hall, who came in another boat. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES A. GREER, Lieutenant. Captain C. WILKES, Commanding San Jacinto. P. S.I desire to add that it was about 1.35 p. m. when I went along- side the Treat. There were but two armed boats used during the day; a third boat, the crew of which were unarmed, went alongside during the detention. When I first went on board with the marines, and at intervals during my stay, the officers of the steamer made a great many irritating remarks to each other and the passengers, which were evidently intended for our benefit. Among other things said were, Did your ever hear of such an out- rage l Marines on board! Why, this looks devilish like mutiny. These Yankees will have to pay well for this. This is the best thing in the world for the South. England will open the blockade. We will have a good chance at them now. Did you ever hear of such a piratical act s? Why, this is a perfect Bull Run. They would not have dared to have done it if an English man-of war had been in sight.~~ The mail agent (a man in the uniform of a commander in the royal navy, I think) was very indignant and talkative, and tried several times to get me into a discussion of the matter. I told him I was no Page 136 136 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. there for that purpose. He was very bitter. He told me that the English squadron would raise the blockade in twenty days after his report of this outrage (I think he said outrage) got borne; that the Northerners might as well give it up now, etc. Most ~dl of the officers of the vessel showed an undisguised hatred for the Northern people and a sympathy for the Confederates. I will do the captain of the vessel the justice to say that he acted differently from the rest, being when I saw him very reserved and dignified. The officers and men of our party took no apparent notice of the remarks that were made, and acted with the greatest forbearance. Respectfully, JAS. A. GREER. [Enclosure 6.J U. S. STEAMER SAN JACINTO, At sea, Yorember 13, 1861. Sin: In obedience to your order of the 11th instaut, I respectfully report that upon going alongside of the English steamer Trent, on the 7th of this month, Lieutenant Fairfax went on board, orderin gthe boatswain and myself to remain in the boat. A few minutes after this my attention was attracted by persons speaking in a loud and excited manner upon the steamers upper deck. While considering its mean- ing the noise was repeated, which decided me to join Lieutenant Fair- fax immediately on board. Found him surrounded by the officers of the ship amid passengers, among whom I recognized Messrs. Slidell and Enstis. The confusion at this time passes description. As soon, how- ever, as he could be heard, the mail agent (who was a retired hicuten. ant or commhnder in the British navy) protested against the act of removing passengers from an English steamer. Lieutenant Fairfax requested Mr. Mason to go quietly to the San Jacinto, but that gentleman replied that he would yield only to force, whereupon I was ordered to our ship to report the presence of the above-named gentlemen, together with Mr. Macfarland ,~and ask that the remainder of our force be sent to the Trent, after which I returned to her, and, entering the cabin, saw Mr. Fairfax endeavoring to enter Mr. Shidells room, which was then prevented in a measure by the excitement which prevailed in and around that gentlemans quarters. The passengers (not including Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Eustis, and Macfarland) were disposed at this time to give trouble; some of them went so far as to threaten, and upon Lieutenant Greer being inforumed by me of this fact, he ordered the marines to clear the passageway of the cabin, but as Mr. Shidell had now come out of his stateroom through the window where we could get to him, the order to the marines was coum term am ded by Lieutenant Fairfax. Mr. Slidell was removed to the boat by Mr. Grace and myself and no more force was used than would show what would be done in ca~se of necessity. Mr. Masomi was taken in charge of by Lieutenant Fairfax and Third Assistant Engineer Hall. The two secretaries walked into the boat by themselves. While we were on board of the Trent mamiy remarks were muade reflecting discreditably upon us and the Government of the United States. No one was more abusive than the mail agent, who took pains at the same tinme to inform us that he was the only person on board officially connected with Her Britannic Majestys Government, who, he said, would in con sequemice of this act break the blockade of the Southern United States ports. Another person, supposed to be a passenger, was so violent that the captain ordered him to be locked up. A short time before leaving the steamer I was informed by one o Page 137 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 137 her crew that the mail agent was advising the captain to arm the crew and passengers of his ship, which J immediately communicated to Lieutenant Greer. About 3:30 p. m. we returned to the San Jacinto. I am, respectfully, your obedient scrvaut, J. B. HOUSTON, Second Assistant Engineer, U~ S. S. San Jacinto. Captain CHARLES WiLKES, Commanding. [Enclosure 7.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, November 13, 18G1. SIR: In obedience to your order of the 11th instant, I respectfully make the following report of what came nuder my observation on board the mail steamer Trent whilst hove to under our guns on the 8th instant: I boarded the steamer in the third cutter, nnder the command of Lieu- tenant Greer. Immediately ou reaching the steamers deck I stationed 4 men (an oiler, assistant oiler, and 2 firemen), who accompanied me, in the port gaugway. I then went into the cabin, where I saw Lieuten- ant Fairfax surrounded by a large nninber of passengers and the offi- cers of the ship. He was conversing with Mr. Mason, amid endeavoring to get him to come peaceably on l)oard this ship. Mr. Mason refused to comply unless by force. Lieutenant Fairfax then said he would take him by force, and, taking hold of Mr. Masons coat collar, gave an order, 0-entlemen, lay hands on imium. I themi laid hold of him by the coat collar, when Mr. Mason said lie would yield under protest. I accom- panied himn as far as tile boat, which was at the })ort gangway. Returning to time cabin, Lieutenant Fairfax was at Mr. Slidells room. After a short timne Mr. Slidell came from his room through a side win- dow. He also refused Lieutenant Fairfaxs order to come on board this ship unless by three. I, with several of the officers,then caught hold amid used sufficient power to remove him from the cabin. He was accoimipanied to time boat by Second Assistant Engineer Houston and Boatswain Grace. I themi received an order fromn both Lieutenants Fairfax and Greer to retain the boat till Messrs. Eustis and Macfarland were thumid. I remained in the gangway till Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Eustis, and Macfarlaimd shoved off Lieutenant Greer having charge of the gentlemeim. There was a great deal of excitement and talkimmg during the whole time, the officers of the steamer particularly endeavoring to thwart Lieutenant Fairfax in carrying out his orders. They also used very harsh expressions toward us, calling us pirates, piratical expedition, etc., and threatened to open our blockade in a few weeks. At one time the officers and a passenger made a demonstration. At the moment the marine guard came hastily in the cabin, but were immediately ordered back by Lieutenant Fairfax. As far as I am able to judge, everything was conducted on our part in a peaceable, quiet, aiid gentlemanly manmmer, and most remarkably so by Lieutenant Fairfax, who certainly had sufficient cause to resort to arms. I remnained omi baard the Trent till after the baggage belong- imig to the gentlemen had been sent with Lientemmant Greer. , and finally returned to this shmp Most respectfully, your obediemit servant, GEO. W. HALL, Third Assistant Engineer, U. S. Navy. Captain ChARLES WILKES, Commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto Page 138 138 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Enclosure 8.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, November 12, 1861. SIR: In compliance with your order of yesterday, I have the honor to state the following: Between the hours of 1:30 and 2p. m. on Friday, November 8, I boarded the mail steamer Trent in the third cutter, under the command of Lieutenant James A. Greer, of this ship. Immediately after my arrival on board the Trent I was called into the cabin by Lieutenant Fairfax, who was endeavoring to persuade Mr. Mason to go peaceably on board the San Jacinlo, which he obstinately refused to do, and said he would only go by force. Lieutenant Fairfax then said, Gentlemen (addressing the officers of this ship then present, Mr. Geo. W. Hall, third assistant engineer, Mr. H. P. Grace, boatswain, and myself), lay your hands on Mr. Mason, which we accordingly did. Mr. Mason then said, I yield to force, or words to that effect, when a gentleman alongside in uniform, apparently an officer of the Trent, said, Under protest. Mr. Mason then said, I yield to force under protest and will go. There was a great deal of excitement on board during this time, and the officers and passengers of the steamer were addressing us by numerons opprobrious epithets, such as calling us i)irates, villains, traitors, etc. The above occurred on the port side of the cabin. Immediately after I was ordered by Lieutenant James A. Greer to take charge on the starboard side, as some of our boats were coming alongside to take the personal effects of the prisoners. I remained there until about 3 p. in., when I was ordered by Lieutenant James A. Greer to return on board the San Jacinto in charge of a por- tion of the prisoners baggage. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant~ ROBERT G. SIMPSON, Paymasters Clerk. Captain CHARLES WILKES, Commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto. [Enclosure 9.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, November 12, 1861. SIR: In obedience to your order, I hereby state that I was one of those who boarded the Trent, mail packet. Mr. Mason, Mr. Macfarland, and Eustis stepped quietly into the boats, and were removed to the San Jacinto. Mr. Slidell, however, on a hat refusal to leave the ship in any other manner, was, by a gentle application of force, placed in the boat and removed. Everything was conducted in an orderly, gentlemanly manner, as far as it came under my observation. I remain, your obedient servant, CHARLES 13. DAHLGREN, Masters .Miate.~ Captain CHARLES WILKES. [Enclosure 10.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, November 12, 1861. SIR: In obedience to your orders of the 12th instant, I have the honor to make the following statement: On the 8th instant, about 1:30 p. in., I was ordered to accompan Page 139 OPERATIONS 0 TIlE CRUISERSUNION. 139 Lieutenant B. M. Fairfax in the second cutter to board the mail steamer & ent, then hove to under the guns of the San Jacinto. Lieu- tenant Fairfax ordered Mr. Houston and myself to remain in the boat while he went on board. A few minutes after Mr. Fairfax boarded her we heard some loud talking on deck, and Mr. Houston went on board to see if Mr. Fairfax needed assistance. He shortly returned an delivered Lieutenant Fairfaxs order that I should come on board with the crew. I came on board, fouiid Mr. Fairfax surrounded by ladies and gentlemen, and reported to him. He ordered me to remain in the gangway with the men. He was talking at the time to Mr. Mason, persuading him to come on board the San Jacinto without fur- ther force being used. Soon after another boat caine alorgside in charge of Lieutenant Jas. A. Greer. He went in the cabiiv soon afterward Lieutenant Fairfax ordered me to wait on Mr. S]idell to the boat. At this order some of the passengers began to shout, and the marines rushed iu the cabin, but Lieutenant Fairfax ordered them back to the gangway. I saw Mr. Slidell in the second cutter. Messrs. Mason, Eustis, and Macfarland were in the boat. Mr. Greer returned with those gentle- men to the San Jacinto, and I was charged to bring the baggage and effects of the gentlemen on board the San Jacinto. which I did, and reported my return to Lieutenant Breese. All the officers of this ship that boarded her have been grossly abused by the officers and passengers of the mail steamer. I am, sir, very respectfully, you obedient servant, H. P. GRACE, Captain CHARLES WILKES, Boatswain, U. S. Navy. Commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto. [Enclosure 11.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, November .9, iSGi. SIR: We desire to com?nunicate to you by this memorandum the facts attending our arrest yesterday on board the British mail steamer Trent, by your order, and our transfer to this ship. We, the undersigned, embarked at Havana on the 7th instant as passengers on board the Treat, Captain Moir, bound to the island of St. Thomas, the Trent being one of the regular mail and passenger line of the British IRoyal Steamship Company running from Vera Cruz via Havana to St. Thomas and thence to Southampton, England. We paid our passage money for the whole route from Havana to Southamp- ton to the British consul at Havana, who acts as the agent or repre- sentative of the said steamship company, Mr. Slidell being accompa- med by his family, consisting of his wife, four children, and a servant, and Mr. Eustis by his wife and servants. The Trent left the port of Havana about 5 oclock a. m. on the morn- ing of the 7th instant, and pursued her voyage uninterruptedly until intercepted by the U. S. S. San Jacinto, under your command, on the day following (the 8th instant), in the manner now to be related. When the San Jaeinto was first observed, several miles distant, the Trent was pnrsning the usual course of her voyage along the Old Bahama or Nicholas Channel; was about 240 miles from Havana, and in sight of the light-house of Paredon Grande, the San Jacinto then lying stationary, or nearly so, about the middle of the channel, an Page 140 140 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. where it was some 15 miles wide, as since shown us on the chart, the nationality of the ship being then unknown. When the Trent had approached near enough for her flag to be distin- guished, it was hoisted at the peak and at the main, and so remained for a time. No flag was shown by the San Jacinto. When the Trent had approached within a mile of the San Jacinto, still pursuing the due conrse of her voyage, a shotted gun was fired from the latter ship across thecourseof the Trent, and the United States flag at the sainetime displayed at the peak. The British flag was again immediately hoisted as before, by the Trent, and so remained. When the Trent had approached, still on her course, within from 200 to 300 yards of the San Jacinto, a second shotted gnu was fired from your ship again across the course of the Trent. When the Trent got within hailing distance, her captain inquired what was wanted. The reply was understood to be they would send a boat, both ships being then stationary, with steam shut off. A boat very soon put off from your ship, followed imme- diately by two other boats, with full crews, and armed with muskets and side arms. A lieutenant in the naval uniform of the United States and with side arms boarded the Trent, and in the presence of most of the passengers, then assembled on the upper deck, said to Captain Moir that he came with orders to demand his passenger list. The captain refused to pro- duce it, and formally protested against any right to visit his ship for the purpose indicated. After some conversation importing renewed protests on the part of the captain against the alleged object of the visit, and on the part of the officer of the San Jacinto, that he had only to execute his orders, the latter said that two gentlemen, naming Mr. Slidell and Mr. Mason, were known to be on board, as also two other gentlemen, naming Mr. Eustis and Mr. Macfarland, and that his orders were to take and carry them on board the San Jacinto. It should have been noted that on first addressing the captain the officer announced himseltbas a lieutenant of the U. S. S. San Jacinto. The four gentlemen thus named being present, the lieutenant addressed Mr. Slidell, and afterward Mr. Mason, repeating that his orders were to take them, together with Mr. Enstis and Mr. Macfarland, and carry them on board his ship, which orders he must execute. Mr. Slidell and Mr. Mason, in reply, protested in the presence of the captain of the Trent, his officers and passengers, against such threatened violation of their persons and of their rights, and informed the lieutenant that they would not leave the ship they were in unless compelled by the employment of actual force greater than they could resist, and Mr. Eustis and Mr. Macfarland united with them in expressing a like purpose. That officer stated that he hoped he would not be compelled to resort to the use of force, but if it became necessary to etnploy it in order to execute his orders he was prepared to do so. He was answered by the undersigned that they would submit to such force alone. The lieutenant then went to the gangway, where his boats were, the undersigned going at the same time to their staterooms on the deck next below, followed by Captain Moir and by the other passengers. The lieutenant returned with a party of his men, a portion of whom were armed with side arms, and others appearing to be a squad of marines having muskets and bayonets. Mr. Shidell was at this time in his stateroom, immediately by and in full view. The lieutenant then said to Mr. Mason that having his force now present he hoped to be relieved from the necessity of calling it into actual use. That gentle- man again answered that he would only submit to actual force greate Page 141 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 141 than he could overcome, when the lieutenant and several of his men ,by his order, took hold of him in a manner and in numbers sufficient to make resistance fruitless, and Mr. Slidell joining the group at the same time, one or more of the armed party took like hold of him, and these gentlemen at once went into the boat. During this scene many of the passengers became highly excited and gave vent to the strongest exl)ressions of indignation, seeming to indi- cate a purpose of resistance on their part, when the squad, armed with muskets, with bayonets fixed, uiiade a sensible advance of one or two paces, with their arms at a charge. It must be added here, omitted in the conrse of the narrative, that before the party left the upper deck an officer of the Trent named Williams, in the naval uniform of Great Britain, and known t~ the passengers as having charge of the mails and accompanying them to England, said to the lieutenant that, as the only person present directly representing his Government, he felt called upon, in language as strong and as emphatic as he could express, to denounce the whole proceeding as a piratical act. Mr. Slidell and Mr. Mason, together with Mr. Eustis and Mr. Macfar. land, against whom force had in like manner been used, were taken to the San Jacinto as soon as they entered the boat. When they reached yonr ship you received them near the gangway, announcing yourself as Captain Wilkes, the commander of the ship, and conducted them to your cabin, which you placed at their disposal. When the undersigned came on board they found the men at their quarters and the guns bearing on the Trent. After some time occupied in bringing on board our luggage and effects, the San Jacinto proceeded to the northward, through the Santaren Channel, the Trent having been detained from three to four hours. The foregoing is believed to be a correct narrative in substance of the facts and circumstances attending our arrest and transfer from the British mail steamer to the ship under your command, and which we doubt not will be corroborated by the lieutenant present, as well as by all who witnessed them. The incidents here given in detail may not have been witnessed by each one of the undersigned individually, but they were by one or more of them. As for the most part they did n~t pass under your notice, we have deemed it proper to present them in this form before you, expressing the wish that if considered incorrect in any part the inac- curacies may be pointed out. With a respectful request that you will transmit a copy of this paper to the Government of the United States, together with your report of the transaction, to facilitate which a copy is herewith inclosed, We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servants, JOHN SLIDELL. J. M. MASON. GEORGE EUSTIS. J. E. MACFARLAND. Captain [CHARLES] WILKES, U. S. Navy, Commanding San Jacinto. [Enclosure 12.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, iVovember 13, 1861. GENTLEMEN: Your letter dated the 9th instant was handed to me yesterday. I shall transmit it, agreeably to your request, to the honor Page 142 142 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. able Secretary of the Navy with my report of the transaction to which it refers. In reply to yonr wish to have any inaccuracies it may contain pointed out, 1 deem it my duty to say the facts differ materially in respect to the time and circumstances. The facts in my possession are derived, first, from the log book (the official record of the ship); and second, from the reports, in writing, of all the officers who visited the Trent, all which will form a part of my report. I am, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Captain, Commanding San Jacinto. Messrs. JOHN SLIDELL, JAMES M. MASON, GEORGE EUSTIS, J. E. MAUFARLAND. [Enclosure 13.] U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, November 15, 1861. SIR: Before leaving your ship we think it proper that we should state that since we have been on board of her we have uniformly been treated with great courtesy and attention. Very respectfully, your obedient servants, JOHN SLIDELL. J. M. MASON. J. E. MACFARLAND. GEORGE EUSTIS. Captain WILKES, Commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto. Report of Flag-Officer Goldsborough, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. flagship Minnesota, of arrival at Hampton Roads of Messrs. Mason and Slidell. U. S. FLAGSHIP MINNESOTA, Hampton Roads, November 15, 1861. SIR: The San Jacinto, Captain Wilkes, has just arrived (2 p. in.) from the Bahama Channel. She put in here for coal in order to get to New York. She has on board Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Eustis, and Macfarland, all of whom she took out of the English steamer Trenton the 8th instant. The moment she gets through with taking on board 100 tons of coal she will start for New York. Respectfully, your obedient servant, L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH, Flag-Officer. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary, of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Captain Wilkes, U. S. Navy, commanding U.S. S. San 3acinto, of arrival at Hampton Roads. U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, Hampton Roads, November 15, 1861. SIR: I have found it impossible to reach New York, my coal being exhausted; I have but one-half days supply remaining on board. I shall obtain sufficient in a few hours to proceed forthwith to my dest Page 143 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 143 nation, New York, where I hope to receive your instructions relative to the Confederate prisoners I have on board, and this ship. I have determined to send Commander A. Taylor, U. S. Navy, who is a passenger in this ship from the coast of Africa, to Washington by the boat as bearer of dispatches, and have given him orders to report to you in person. He will be able to answer you all and every ques- tion relative to the subject of my dispatch, of which he is the bearer, Believing that the Department has entertained doubts of the loyalty of Commnandei Taylor, it affords me great pleasure to say that my intercourse with him has fully satisfied me that no one is more loyal to the Union in the Navy. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Hon. GIPEON WELLES, Captain. Secretary of the Navy. Report of Captain Wilkes, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto, of the legal aspect of the capture of Messrs. Mason and Slidell. U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, At Sea, IVovember iG, 18G1. SIR: In my dispatch by Commander Taylor I confined myself to the reports of the movements of this ship and the facts connected with the capture of Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Eustis, and Macfarland, as Jititeuded to write you particularly relative to the reasons which induced my action in making these prisoners. When I heard at Cienfnegos, on the south side of Cuba, of these commissioners having landed on the island of Cuba, and that they were at The Havannah, and would depart in the English steamer of the 7th November, I determined to intercept them, and carefully examined all the authorities on international law to which I had access, viz, Kent, Wheatou, Yattel, besides various decisions of Sir William Scott and other judges of the admiralty court of Great Britain, which bore upon the rights of neutrals and their responsibilities. The governments of Great Britain, France, and Spain having issued proclamations that the Confederate States were viewed, considered, and treated as belligerents, and knowing that the ports of Great Britain, France, spain, and Holland in the West Indies were open to their vessels, and that they were admitted to all the courtesies and protec- tion vessels of the United States received, every aid and attention being given them, proved clearly that they acted upon this view and decision, and brought them within the international law of search and under the responsibilities. I therefore felt no hesitation in boarding and searching all vessels of whatever nation I fell in with, and have done so. The question arose in my mind whether I had the right to capture the persons of these commissioners, whether they were amenable to capture. There was no doubt I had the right to capture vessels with written dispatches; they are expressly referred to in all authorities, subjecting the vessel to seizure and condemnation if the captain of the vessel had the knowedge of their being on board, but these gen- tieruen were not dispatches in the literal sense, and did not seem to come under that designation, and nowhere could I find a case in point Page 144 144 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. That they were commissioners, I had ample proof from their own avowal, and bent on mischievous and traitorous errands against our country, to overthrow its institutions and enter into treaties and alliances with foreign states, expressly forbidden by the Constitution. They had beeii presented to the captain-general of Cuba by Her Britannic Majestys consul-general, but the captain -general told me that he had not received them in that capacity, but as distinguished gentlemen and strangers. I then considered them as the embodiment of dispatches, and as they had openly declared themselves as charged with all authority from the Confederate Government to form treaties and alliances tending to the establishment of their independence, 1 became satisfied that their mission was adverse and criminal to the Union, and it thereibre became my duty to arrest their progress and capture them, if they had no passports or papers from the Federal Government, as l)rovided for nuder the law of nations, viz, that foreign ministers of a belligerent on board of neutral ships are required to possess papers from the other belligerent to permit them to pass free. Report and their assumption gave them the title of ministers to France and England, but inasmuch as they had not been received by either of these powers I did not conceive they had any immunity attached to their persons, and were but escaped conspirators, plotting and contriving to overthrow the Government of the United States, and they were therefore not to be considered as having any claim to the immunities attached to the character they thought fit to assume. As respects the steamer in which they embarked, I ascertained in The llavannah that she was a merchant vessel plying between Vera Cruz, The ilavannab, and St. Thomas, carrying the mail by contract. The agent of the vessel, the son of the British consul at fl avana, was well aware of the character of these persons; that they en gaged their passage and did embark in the vessel; his father had visited and introduced them as ministers of the Confederate States on their way to England and France. They went in the steamer with the knowledge and by the consent of the captain, who endeavored afterwards to conceal them by refusing to exhibit the passenger list and the papers of the vessel. There can be no doubt he knew they were carrying highly important dispatches and were endowed with instructions inimical to the United States; this rendered his vessel (a neutral) a good prize, and I determined to take possession of her, and, as I mentioned in my report, send her to Key West for adjudication, where I am well satis- fied she would have been condemned for carrying these persons, and for resisting to be searched; the cargo also was liable, as all.the ship- pers were knowing to the embarkation of these live dispatches, and their traitorous motives and actions to the Union of the United States. I forbore to seize her, however, in consequence of my being so reduced in officers and crew and the derangement it would cause innocent per- sons, there being a large number of passengers who would have been put to great loss and inconvenience as well as disappointment from the interruption it would have caused them in not being able to join the steamer from St. Thomas to Europe. 1 therefore concluded to sacrifice the interests of my officers and crew in the prize, and suffered the steamer to proceed. after the necessary detention to effect the transtbv of these commissioners, considering I had obtained the important emm(l I had in view, and which affected the interests of our country and interrupted the action of that of the Confederates. I would add that the conduct of Her Britannic Majestys subjects, both official amid others, showed but little regard or obedience to her procl Page 145 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 145 mation, by aiding and abetting the views and endeavoring to conceal the persons of these commissioners. I have pointed out sufficient reasons to show you that my actions in this case were derived from a firm conviction that it became my duty to make these I)arties prisoners and to bring them to the United States. Although in my giving up this valuable prize, I have deprived the officers and crew of a well earned reward, I am assured that they are qnite content to forego any advantages which might have accrued to to them under the circumstan ces. I may add that, having assumed the responsibility, I am willing to abide the resnit. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 16, 1861. You will send the San Jacinto immediately to Boston and direct Captaiim Wilkes to deliver the prisoners at Fort Warren. Let their baggage be strictly guarded and delivered to the colonel at Fort War- ren for examination. The San Jacinto xviii be paid oft at Boston. Send amount of money required. Answer per telegraph. GIDEON WELLES, Commodore II. PAULDING, Secretary of the Navy. Commandant Navy Yard, New York. Report of Captain Wilkes, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto, of arrival at Newport, R. I. U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, Newport, A. I., November 20, 1861. SIR: I intended to send you the enclosed (lispatch from New York~ but on my arrival in the narrows I was boarded by a steam tug with Marshal Murray and his deputy on board. As soon as they came on board and handed me your and Mr. Sewards (lispatch, I headed the ship for Boston. Adverse winds and want of coal compelled me to put in this port, and shall leave as soon as I have taken in sufficient coal to carry me to Boston. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, - Secretary of the Navy. [Telegram.] (Received November 21, 1861, from Newport II. I.) I have been obliged to put in here for coal, being unable to reach Boston, owing to the severe winds we encountered. I sh all coal the earliest moment for my destination. I forward you the contents of a 123A 1 Page 146 1 46 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. note received from the prisoners on board my ship, at their request, and ask for an early reply to its contents. It is as follows, viz: SIR: You have informed us, in consequence of adverse winds and a short supply of coal, it is your intention to put into Newport, R. I. We have seen in the news- papers that the Government of the United States has decided that we shall be placed in custody of the commanding officer at Fort Warren, in Boston harbor. The voyage from Newport to Boston by sea at this season of the year will probably be tempestuous and disagreeable; still, we should, with the exception of one of the signers of this letter, who is much indisposed, prefer that mode of conveyance to Fort Warren to that by land. Still, we would much prefer to be placed in custody at Newport, on account of comparative mildness of climate and the delicate health of the undersigned, and we are willing to pledge ourselves not to make any attempt to escaoe nor to communicate with~ ny person while there unless permitted so to do. We will esteem it a favor if you will by telegraph make our wishes known to your Government. We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servants, JOHN SLIDELL. J. M. MASON. J. E. MACFARLAND. GEORGE Eusris. I have forwarded you a dispatch relative to my reasons for making the capture of these commissioners by this days niail. Your obedient servant) CHARLES WILKES. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. [TelegramI NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 21, 1861. The Government has prepared no place for confinement of prisoners at Newport. The Department can not change the destination of the rrisoners. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. Captain CHARLES WILKES, Commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto, Newport, R. L Instructions from commandant navy yard, Boston, to Colonel Justin Dimick, U. S. Army, com- manding at Fort Warren, Boston, with enclosed order from the Secretary of the Navy. NAVY YARD, BOSTON, November 22, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to enclose you a letter to Captain Wilkes, con taming a telegram just received from the honorable Secretary of the Navy. In order to carry out the views of the Secretary, I have to request you will cause the letter to be handed Captain Wilkes before he shall permit a passenger or prisoner to land at the fort under your command. Be pleased to peruse the letter before sealing. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. HUDSON, Commandant. Colonel JUSTIN DIMICK, Commanding Fort Warren, Boston, Mass Page 147 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 147 [Inclosure.] NAVY YARD, BOSToN, November 22, 1861. SIR: I enclose for your action copy of telegram just received from the Navy Department. Be pleased to carry out the wishes of the iDepartment to the fullest extent in yonr power: NAVY DEPARTMENT Washington., November 21, 1861. Direct Captain Wilkes, immediately on his arrival, to have the effects of the rebel commissioners on board the San Jacznto thoroughly examined, and whatever papers may be found to send them by special messenger to the Department. Answer per telegraph. GIDEON WELLES, Captain WM. L. HUDSON, Sect etary of Navy. Navy Yard. I have informed the Department of the receipt of its telegram. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. HUDSON, Commandant. Captain CHARLES WILKES, Commanding Steamer San Jacinto. Report of Captain Wilkes, U. S. Navy, commanding U.S. S. San Jacinto, of delivery of Messrs. Mason and Slideil to authorities at Fort Warren. U. S. S. SAN JACINTO, Boston, November 24, 1861. SIR: I have the honorto report that I left Newportin this ship at 11:30 p. in. on the 21st instant en route for Boston, but on the next morning I was obliged to put into Holmes Hole on account of the intense fog. We arrived off Boston light last evening, and anchored there, the night being very dark and a severe storm ahead. I delivered the Confederate commissioners this morning to Colonel IDimick, commanding 1ff. S. detachment at Fort Warren, from whom I obtained a receipt. So soon as the prisoners were landed I proceeded immediately to Boston, and at 2 p. m. anchored off the navy yard. I have telegraphed you through Captain Hudson the amount of money required to pay off the crew, and shall await your further orders. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES WILKES, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Secretary of the Naiy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] (Received November 27, 1861, from Boston.) Captain Wilkes informs me that the baggage of the rebel coininis- sioners was not examined by him, they being under the control of the marshal. My letter by the mail of this evening shows my action in relation [to] your first telegram on this subject. W. L. HUDSON. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 148 148 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of commandant of Navy Yard, Boston, Mass., relative to examination of Confederate commissioners effects on U. S. S. San Jacinto. NAVY-YARD, Boston, November 26, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the telegram relative to the examination of the effects of the rebel commissioners was received at 5 p. m. oh the 22d instant. At 6 p. m. I dispatched it, under charge of an officer, in a tug, for Fort Warren. It was handed to Colonel Dimick, as per the enclosed copies of my letters on the subject. The San Jacinto arrived twenty-four hours subsequently at Fort Warren, thus giving ample time for the fulfillment of your telegram. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. HUDSON, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Letter of congratulation from Secretary of the Navy to Captain Wilkes, U. S. Navy, command- ing U. S. S. San Jacinto, on the capture and delivery of Messrs. Mason and Slidell. NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 30,1861. SIR: I congratulate you on your safe arrival, and especially do I congratulate you on the great public service you have rendered in the captare of the rebel emissaries. Messrs. Mason and Slidell have been conspicuous in the conspiracy to dissolve the Union, and it is well known that when seized by you they were on a mission hostile to the Government amid the country. Your conduct in seizing these public enemies was marked by intelligence, ability, decision, and firmness, and has the emphatic approval of this Department. It is not necessary that I should in this communication, which is intended to be one of con- gratulation to yourself, officers, and crew, express an opinion on the course pursued in omitting to capture the vessel which had these pub- lic en& mies on board, further than to say that the forbearance exercised in this instance must not be permitted to constitute a precedent here- after for infractions of neutral obligations. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, - [Secretary of the Nacy.j Captain CHAS. WILKES, Commanding U. S. S. San Jacinto, Boston. Letter from Hon. 3. M. Mason, Confederate commissioner to England, to the Secretary of State of the Confederate States, setting forth a plan for passing the blockade of Charleston. CHARLESTON, October 5, 1861. DEAR SIR: It seems due to ourselves and to the occasion that you should be informed fully of the causes of delay, with the difficulties attending our expected departure from this port. The confidence of success expressed by those in charge of the subject when we left Richmond seems to have been based on the state of facts then and perhaps for sometime previously existing, in regard to the blockade Page 149 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 149 There had been, it appears, but two ships off the harbor, generally a steam frigate and sloop of war, and the expectation was that going out at night, through the main channel, we might elude observation, or,if disappointed in that, could escape through the speed of our ship. For a day or two after our arrival the tide did not serve for departure at night; then there came strong winds at night, which, although they drove the squadron out to sea by reason of the surf created on the bar, prevented our passing over it. Before this obstacle ceased the squad- ron reappeared with the addition of another steamer, a clipper-built propeller, and from her trim and appearance apparently a fast ship. It was then projected to make the attempt through the Maffitts Channel, though without the full sanction of the pilots, and this, I believe, we should have attempted but for the appearance at that time of another steam frigate, thus making the squadron to consist of three steamers beside the sloop of war. Such sudden and unusual accessions to the blockade of the port made us infer (as a high probability, at least) that our presence here and purpose had reached the enemy and was the cause of the unusual preparation we witnessed. Mr. Slidell had determined to send his family back, and after full consideration of the whole case we could see no alternative but to take the route through Mexico, and so advised you by telegraph accord- ingly. Whilst awaiting your reply, the plan was suggested which was the subject of our telegram last night. There is a steamer belonging to this port and owned here, called the Gordon, now and for some time past under charter to the Government for harbor service, at (as we are told) $210 per day. She is somcthing more than 500 tons burden, and was used as a coasting packet, crossing occasionally to Havana. After the war she was strengthened and refitted to be used as a l)rivateer, and was so used for a short time, having now on board three rifled cannon. Her speed is equal to 15 knots per hour, and may be increased to lG, and of so light a draft of water that she can pass the bar at any time and is not confined to the channel ways. This account of the steamer we get from gentlemen here long acquainted with her and only interested to serve our cause. She is used every night to recon- noiter the enemy, going safely ont to sea, where they lie, aiid keeping only out of reach of their guns. In the last two days she has done the same thing in the daytime, having on board Captains Ingraliam and Pegram, with other officers of the N4shville, and accompanied yesterday by Mr. Slidell, with two of the young ladies of his family. They approached then within less than 3 miles of the squadi-on and were not molested, the steamers remaining at anchor. The squadron has become so familiar with the nightly and occasional daily proximity of this boat, of hose speed they are fully aware, that her presence does not disturb them; they ceased to give her chase. The naval officers here do not doubt that this steamer can run the blockade suc- cessfully day or miight, and if pursued can not be overtaken. She can take a supply of coal for six or seven days without impairing her speed, and make the run successfully to Nassau or Havana, as may be decided on. Communicating with her owners, she is offered for sale at $62,000, the alleged cost to them; or for a charter at $10,000 for the trip to either of the ports named, the owners to bear all the expenses of the trip, reserving the privilege of bringing back some $7,000 -worth of cigars and other light articles. Mr. Treuholm, kno~vn at the State Department as an enlightened and patriotic merchant here, and to whom we are mnch indebted for his valuable counsels amid aid, says that this charter money may be reduced probably one-half upon thi Page 150 150 OPERATIONS OF TH]~ CRUISEItSUNION. privilege of return cargo, and to effect which, should the Government determine to charter, he will lend his ai(l and cooperation. I should add that in conversation yesterday in presence of Captains Jigraharn and Pegram they agreed that the steamer Gordon, if pur- chased, would be a very valuable acquisition for coast defense. Her present armament is of good caliberone a large piVot gun, apparently a 32-pounderthough, unfortunately, I did not make minute inquiry when on board. She is also amply furnished with small arms as a privateer. I have thought this explanation due that you may have the facts and we be relieved of any apparent vacillation of purpose. It remains only to add that, come what may, if sanctioned by the Government we will embark at once in the Gordon, and doubt not can make the voyage successfully; otherwise no alternative would seem to remain but the route through Mexico, with its attendant difficulties and delays. Very respectfully and truly, yours, J. M. MASON. Hon. R. M. T. HUNTER, & 3cretary of state. P. S.I have read the foregoing to Mr. Slidell, who concurs in its statements. J. M. M. I omitted to state that on yesterday morning five ships were present off the harbor, the fifth being a steamer. Letter from Hon. 3. K. Mason, Confederate commissioner to England, to the Secretary of State of the Confederate States, regarding plans for his departure from Charleston. CHARLESTON, October 9, 1861. DEAR SIR: By telegram yesterday I informed you that pursuant to the authority given us by the State Department we have chartered the steamer Gordon for our transportation either to Nassau or Havana. The terms of the charter party are, for the consideration of $10,000 the ship is to go to either of those ports, or to both, at our option, with a clause reserving the right to extend the voyage to any other of the West India Islands, at the price of $500 per day for the extra service. We do not expect to have occasion for this latter service, but thought it best to provide for it, in the possible contingency of its becoming necessary to go to St. Thomas or other island to meet the British steamer. It is thought here by those well informed that the Gordon is not su~ciently a sea boat for the more distant island of Ber- muda. Mr. Treimholm, of the firm of Fraser & Co., agrees to pay $5,000 of the charter money for the benefit of the return-cargo space not reserved by the owners. Thus, should we not extend the voyage beyond Havana (which is riot anticipated), the cost to the Government will be but $5,000; all expenses of every kind are to be borne by the owners. Since the arrangement was made they have been busily engaged in putting her in complete order for sea, and we fully expect to get off to-morrow night. Her light draft will enable her to go at any time, and by hugging close to shore will be enabled to escape the observation of the enemys squadron. Our plan is in such way as may be found most safe and practicable to get on board one of the British steamer Page 151 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 151 of the mail line between the West Indies and England. The Gordon is too fast to be overtaken at sea. Sin~ce this change of arrangement we have seen nothing to dissatisfy us with it as the best that could be adopted. The Nashville, we under stand, is under orders from the Navy Depart- nient to sail immediately, and will probably endeavor to get off to-night. If the enemy are found in the position they occupy by day, the chances are very large that she must pass within reach of their guns; in such event her only hope of safety is that she may not be seen, or, if seen, may not be hit; against the latter risk her speed is much relied on. You will of course be advised promptly wheu we are off. Very respectfully and truly, yours, J. M. MASON. Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, Secretary of State. Letter from Hon. 3. M. Mason to the Secretary of State of the Confederate States, reporting safe arrival at Cardenas, Cuba. CARDENAS, CUBA, October 18, 1861. SIR: I have the pleasure to apprise you of our safe arrival on the 16th instant at this port. We left Charleston at 1 a. m. on Saturday, 12th, as I told you we should do in my letter from there of the preced- ing day. Fortunately a rain came on at the moment of our departure, which, increasing the darkness, the better enabled us to elude the blockading squadron. We passed (as the captain reported) within a mile and a half of the nearest ship, the squadron then conMisting of three steamers and a sloop of war (a sailimig vessel). We could see their lights, apparently not distant, but presume we escaped observation, as we could see or hear no movement of the squadron. After we had passed them some 3 or 4 miles, abandoning the coast, we put directly out to sea, and by the outer passage made direct for Nassau. Off that port we learned from the pilots who caine on board that there was no steamer or other regular communication thence to St. Thomas, the point of departure of the British steam line. We did not land, there- fore, or cast anchor, but put off at once for the island of Cuba. I should have added that we reached Nassau about 4 p. in. on Monday. At sea, off the harbor of Cardenas, we met with a small Spanish war steamer, when we raised the Confederate flag and asked to speak theni. Our salutation (by dipping our flag) as the vessels approached each other was courteously returned, and the Spaniard laid to. Mr. Slidell, with Mr. Eustis, went on board, and on his return reported that he was received with great kindness and civility. We had been somewhat detained in finding our way over the shoal water of the Bahama Banks, and, it being doubtful whether the coal remaining would take us to Havana, it was determined to put into this port, the Spanish steamer kindly volunteering to attend and show us th~ way. We cast anchor off the town about 2 p. in., but our papers of clearance being directed to Havana, and there being some difficulty in getting the authorities together, we did not effect a landing until the next day (yesterday). The custom-house officers, however, were civil arid attentive, and as soon as the local governor could be appealed to he dispensed with all formalities, and ourselves and baggage landed without further diffi- culty or inspection. I regret to say, however, that we shall have no steamer hence to St. Thomas until 9th November. The steamer fo Page 152 152 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Cadiz, once a month, departed on its voyage for Havana the day of our arrival here. We shall thus bh detained in Cuba some three weeks. The island is said to be healthy. We shall go to Havana~ or its neigh- borhood, in a day or two, and remain there and thereabouts until the time for our departure. -W e found a few Yankee vessels in port here, and learned that some of the captains loudly expressed their dissatisfaction at our being escorted into port by a Spanish man-of-war. The governor, with some of the principal gentlemen of the town, have called on and proffered us every attention, and so far as we can gather opinion from conversation and on the streets the sympathies of the people are entirely with us. I should not omit to add that a Mr. Casanuova, an acquaintance of Mr. Slidell, and who married a Virginia lady, learning at his plantation by a dispatch sent from here of our arrival, came immediately to town by a ride of 30 miles on horseback, and cordially and urgently invited our entire party to visit him at his plantations, both of sugar and coffee, and become his guests during our stay in the island; and, as further evidence of his kindness or sympathy, as may be, has arranged a special train of cars to take such of the party as can go there to-mor- row. Mr. Slidell and his family mid I will go for a few days. At Havana we shall endeavor to gather such information as may be useful to the Government as regards the disposition of the authorities and the people and transmit it thence by such opportunity as may be presented. We think that our successful departure from Charleston, leaving the Nashville still there, will best vindicate the course we adopted in rec- ommending to the Government the charter of the smaller steamer. From our experience in the matter, and knowing how closely the port was watched, we have every reason to congratulate ourselves on the result. The steamer that brought us, under her new name of the Theodora, after replenishing her coal here, proceeded on her way to Havana, and I shall send this dispatch to meet her there, and I hope, to be safely taken by her to you. We sent you from Charleston the charter party with her owners, and with it the engagement of the house of Fraser & Co. to pay $5,000 for the privilege of freighting her home from Havana, all which we hope will be acceptable to the Government. Writing you thus fully, Mr. Slidell requests me to say that he has considered it unnecessary to write separately, but that he will do so from Havana. I am gratified to add that notwithstanding the excessive heat all of our large party remain in good health. Thermometer from 960 to 98~. With great respect, and very truly, yours, J. M. MASON. Hon. R. M. T. HUNTER, Secretary of State. Protest of~Oonfederate commissioners to the British authorities regarding the capture of Messrs. Mason and Slidell. LONDON, Nov ember 27, 1861. The undersigned have the honor to submit to her Britannic Majestys Government the following facts: On the 7th of November instant James M. Mason, John Slidell Page 153 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 153 James E. Macfarland, and George Eustis, citizens of the Confederate States of Ameriaa. embarked on board of her Britannic Majestys royal mail steam packet Trent, then in the harbor of Havana, Cnba, as pas- sengers for Southampton, England. On the 8th instant, when in the Bahama Channel, off the Pare4ion Grande light-house, the Trent was brought to by the firing of two guns, said to have been shotted, from a U. S. man-of-war, the San Jacinto, which vessel sent an officer and armed boats crew on board of the Trent, and after some preliminary acts the officer demanded that the four passengers named above should be delivered up to him. The captain of the Trent refused to comply with this order, and the citizens of the Confederate States, above named, claimed the protection of the British flag. The United States officer then proceeded to arrest those gentlemen by the aid of his armed crew, under circumstances of aggra- vating violence, and carried them as prisoners from the Trent to the San Jacinto. The undersigned believe that this proceeding is in violation of inter- national law and not justifiable under any treaty between the Govern- ment of her Britannic Majesty and that of the United States. If it shall be insisted upon that these citizens were coming to Eng- land in the capacity of ambassadors, it is a sufficient reply that they were not recognized as such by the Government of the United States nor by that of her Majesty. The former Government looks upon them simply as rebellious citizens, the latter as the citizens of a belligerent power. INo charge of their being bearers of dispatches was made by the United States officer; and if made it is confidently believed it would not justify their forcible seizure under the circumstances. It may be conceded that these gentlemen had been commissioned by the President of the Confederate States to proceed to Europe and use their best endeavors to form friendly relations with the neutral European powers, but under such supposition the undersigned insist that they were not liable to seizure upon the deck of a neutral in the manner in which they were seized, for the reasons, first, that such a procedure can only be sustained upon the principle that neutral States are not justifiable in entertaining propositions for the recognition of and commercial intercourse with belligerent powers; second, that these persons were proceeding from a neutral port to a neutral port in a neutral vessel. It may be conceded that ambassadors proceeding from an enemys port to a neutral port are liable to seizure under a neutral flag; but the undersigned have been unable to find a principle of international law or a precedent which justifies such a procedure when the ambassador is proceeding from one neutral port to another. In fact, a high Ameri- can authority, President Woolsey, lays it down as incontrovertible that a neutral vessel may convey unmolested an ambassador of the enemy or dispatches of the enemy to and from his own or any other neutral government. (Introduction to Study of International Law, p. 408, On the relations between belligerents and neutrals, by Theodore D. Woolsey, Yale College, Boston, 1860.) Mr. Wheaton seems to sustain this view, for after laying down the general principle that the fraudulent carrying of dispatches will also subject the neutral vessel in which they are transported to capture and confiscation, he further says: But carrying the dispatches of an ambassador or other public minister of the enemy resident in a neutral territory is an exception to the reasoning on which the above general rule is founded. The author says: The neutral country has a right t Page 154 154 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. preserve its relations with the enemy, and you are not at liberty to con- clude that any communication between them can partake in any degree of the nature of hostility against you. Most assuredly, then, the bear- ers of such dispatches, or the ambassadors themselves, are not liable to seizure on a neutral vessel, when proceeding from one neutral country to another. The undersigned think that it will be found on examination that when an ambassador has been held to be liable to seizure on a neutral vessel while on his passage it has been when the neutral vessel received him in the enemy~s port or was carrying him to the enemys port. In the present case the persons seized were received as simple passengers on the neutral vessel, bound from one neutral country to another. The undersigned submit also this further view of the case: Grant- ing that the persons seized were liable to seizure, it is submitted that the question of liability is a judicial question. For the decisioii of all such questions admiralty courts are established, and in those courts alone, where both parties can be heard, could they be determined. The only proper course was a seizure of the Trertt, with her cargo and passengers, and a submission of the whole matter to a judical tribunal. The undersigned therefore feel it to be their duty to l)rotest against this act of illegal violence done by the Government of the United States to citizens of the Confederate States on board of an English vessel, by which they have been torn from their families and committed to a loathsome prison. They feel it to be their duty to lay the facts before the Government of her Britannic Majesty, and to claim for their imprisoned countrymen the full benefit of that protection to which every private person who seeks shelter under the British flag and demeans himself according to British law has heretofore ever been held to be entitled. The undersigned therefore confidently hope that her Majestys Government will cause those citizens of the Confederate States who have been so illegally taken from the deck of a British vessel to be restored to the position which they enjoyed under the protection of the British flag wheu seized, or to the l)ort whither they were bound, and to which her Majestys Royal Mail Steaui Packet Company had engaged to take them after having received the usual compensation. The undersigned have the honor to assure his lordship of their very high consideration. W. L. YANCEY. P. A. RosT. A. DUDLEY MANN. The Right Honorable EARL RUSSELL. Report of Confederate commissioners in London to Hon. R. M. T. Hunter of the capture of Messrs. Mason and Sliddell. COMMISSION OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, London, December 2, 18G1. SIR: We have the honor to acknowledge receipt on the 27th ultimo of dispatches Nos. 8 and 9, of date the 24th of August, as also of dis- patch No. 10, dated 23d September, 18~1 Page 155 OPERATIONS OF tHE ~JRUJ8ERSUMON. 1~5 It is our painful duty to communicate to you that on the 8th of November ultimo Messrs. John Slidell, James M. Mason, James E. Mac- farIand, and George EPstis were forcibLy taken by the U. S. man-of- war San Jacinto, from her Britannic Majestys royal mail steam packet Trent while on her passage from Havana, Cuba~, to the island of St. Thomas, when in the Bahama passage oft the Paredon Grande light- house. The facts as far as we have been able to learn them, and we believe them to be entirely reliable, aic as follows: OII the 7th of November Messrs. Slidell and Mason, with their suite, embarked on board the Ti-cnt in the harbor of Havana as passengers for Southampton, Eng- land. On the morning of the 8th of November, when in the narrowest part of the Bahama passage, off Paredon (irande light-house, the San Jacinto was seen lying to in the passage. When the Trent came within haifa mile, or less, the San Jacinto ran up the United States flag, and simultaneously fired a round shot across the bows of the Trent, iinmedi- ately afterwards firing a shell, which exploded within 100 yards of that vessel. The captain of time h-eat then (hisplayed the British flag, and, being within hailing distance demanded to know what was wanted. The reply from the officer of the San Jacinto was that he wished to send a boat alongside. The Trent was then brought to, and Lieutenant Fairfax, with an armed boats crew from the San Jacinto, boarded her. He demanded of the captain a list of his passengers. This was refused. The lieutenant then said that the captain of the San Jacinto was informed that Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Macfarland, and E ustis were on board, amid that he was instructed to seize them. These gentlemen at once avowed their presence, but claimed the protection of the British flag. The United States officer replied that unless they were surrendered to him he should take possession of the ship, which he accordingly did, and after a solemn protest by the admiralty officer on board the Trent against the whole proceeding, those gentlemen were seized at the point of the bayonet. Lieutenant Fairfax further said that he was instructed to lay the ship alongside the San Jacinto. The captain of the Trent replied that he was going to his quarter-deck, adding, If you want me you will find me there, and at once proceeded to the quarter-deck. Lieutenant Fairfax left the Trent, however, without further enforcing his order, carrying with him Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Macfarland, and Eustisas prisoners, and the Trent timen proceeded upon her voyage. All the papers, letters, and dispatches under eharge of Messrs. Slidell and Mason were brought to us on the 27th instant, immediately after the arrival of the West India mail packet at Southampton, by Mr. Hanekel, of Charleston. Under these peculiar circumstances time members of time commission, after consultation, taking into consideration the great imi terests of the Confederate States, have severally come to the conclusion that it is tIme duty of each to remain near this Government and that of France until further advised by the President. In consequence we have addressed to her Britannic Majestys Government a solemn remonstrance against the outrage perpetrated by the United States in thus forcibly seizing the persons of citizens of the Confederate States on board of an Eng- lish vessel at sea. We have also, in obedience to instructions of the President to the Hon. James M. Mason, communicated to her Britannic Majestys Gov- eminent a copy of the list of vessels which had arrived at and cleare Page 156 156 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. from the Confederate ports from the date of the proclamation of the blockade to the 20th of August, 1861, and also a copy of the resolu- tions of Congress of the 13th of August, 1861, touching the declaration of the conference of Paris. We annex copies of both of these notes. We also send with this dispatch, for the information of the Depart- ment, certain editorials of the London journals, indicating the state of pul)lic opinion upon the seizure of Messrs. Slidell and Mason and their secretaries. The editorial from the Morning Post is understood to be inspired by Lord Palmerston; that from the Times of the 29th is understood to be from the foreign office. Having carefully read the different papers, we find that there is but one daily journal in London that entertains the opinion that the act of the San Jacinto is justifiable. That is the Morning Star, the supposed organ of Mr. Bright and Mr. Cobden, and used as one by Mr. Adams. It is believed in well-informed circles, and, in fact, we may say that it has been communicated to us by persons connected with high official personages in the Government, that the cabinet in council on the 30th ultimo determined, upon a report of the law officers of the Crown, that the act of the commander of the San Jacinto was illegal, and that a demand should be made on the Government of the United States for apology and the restitution of Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Macfarland, and EQstis. We have also received information in the same manner that the blockade is considered to be ineffectiveentirely soby the members of the cabinet. After a full consideration of the question, we have not as yet deemed it advisable to again formally press the recognirioii of the Confederate States upon the Government of Great Britain at this moment, but will await a favorable opportunity to do so. At this time we think it would meet with rejection, at least before the answer of the Government of the United States to the demand which the British Government has made for apology and restitution shall be received. The C. S. S. Nash rule arrived at Southampton on the 21st ultimo, slightly injured in her wheelhouses and deck by adverse storms experi- enced on her passage. We learn from Lieutenant Pegram that on the 19th ultimo,in 70 fathoms of water, he captured and burned the ship Harvey Birch, of 1,500 tons burden, owned in New York, and in ballast from Havre. She was valued at $125,000. Her officers and crew were taken to Southampton and landed there. It is understood that the Nashville will be allowed to repair. The U. S. armed steamship James A dyer has been in the waters of England for the last few weeks. It was asserted that she caine to seek for the Nashville. She was allowed to repair damages sustained on her voyage and to coal. Since then she has been hover- ing about the coast. We understand that, in reply to a demand as to her object by an officer of the admiralty, that the commander avowed that he was instructed to seize Messrs. Mason and Slidell wherever he could find them at sea, and that he expected to take them out of the West India mail packet. We were further informed that the United States officer was then advised that such an act would be considered as an insult to the British flag. We have been advised that the opinion of the Emperor of the French and that of his ministry is, that the affair of the Trent is a great out. rage npozi the British flag Page 157 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 157 We have enclosed extracts from various Paris journals, all taking the same view. We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants, W. L. YANCEY. P. A. HOST. A. DUDLEY MANN. Hon. 11. M. T. HUNTER, Secretary of AS~tate, Confederate States of America. Letter from Hon. 3. K, Mason, C. S. commissioner at London, to tho Duke of Somerset, expressing obligations to the British naval authorities for kindness shown to himself and colleagues. 109 PICCADILLY, February 13, 1862. Mv LORD DUKE: I can not refrain, on arriving in England, from expressing to your grace and to the lords of the admiralty the grateful sense I entertain of the kindness and hospitality received from the naval authorities of Great Britain everywhere on our late protracted voyage to this country, a feeling, I know, that is equally entertained by my colleague, Mr Slidell Mr. Eustis. . , and by our secretaries, Mr. Macfarland and To Captain Hewett, commander of her Majestys ship 1~iua1do, and to all his officers, this acknowledgment is especially due. Their courtesy, consideration, and most generous hospitality were unremitting, and under the circumstances of a tempestuous and prolonged voyage, we much fear, greatly to their personal inconvenience. To Admiral Mime we are under great obligations for our courteous and hospitable reception at Bermuda, and particularly for his marked kindness in expediting our passage to St. Thomas. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your graces most obedient servant, J. M. MASON. His Grace the DUKE OF SOMERSET. Letter from the secretary of the British Admiralty to Hon. 3. K. Mason, C. S. commissioner at London, acknowledging receipt of letter of thanks to the Duke of Somerset. ADMIRALTY, February 15, 1862. SIR: I have received and laid before my lords commissioners of the admiralty your letter of the 13th instant, addressed to the Duke of Somerset, bearing testimony to the kindness and hospitality which you state that yourself and Messrs. Slidell, Macfarland, and Eustis have received from her Majestys naval officers during your recent voyage from the United States to this country. My lords will communicate the purport of your letter to Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne and the other officers concerned. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, W. G. ROMAINE. J. M. MASON, Esq., 109 Piccadilly Page 158 158 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Correspondence respecting the seizure of Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Macfarland, and Enstis, laid before Parliament in 1862. The Secretary of the [British] Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. ADMIRALTY [LONDONI, November 27, 1861. SIR: J am commanded by my lords commissioners of the admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Earl Russell, a copy of a letter, dated 9th instant, from Commander Williams, the agent for mails on board the contract steamer Trent, detailing the circumstances under which Messrs. Mason and Slidell, commissioners from the so- styled Confederate States of America to this country and France, and their secretaries, were forcibly taken out of the Trent by an armed party of officers and men from the U. S. ship of war San Jacinto on the 8th instant in the Bahama Channel. I am, etc., ~. G. ROMAINE. E. HAMMOND, Esq. [Enclosure.] Commander Williams [R. N.] to Captain Patey [R. N.]. TRENT, at Sea, November 9, 1861. SIR: There devolves on me the painful duty of reporting to you a wanton aggression on this ship by the U. S. war screw steamer San Jacinto, carrying a broadsde of seven guns and a shell pivot gun of heavy caliber on the forecastle, which took place on the 8th instant in the Bahama Channel, abreast of the Paredon light-house. The Trent left Havana at 8p. m. on the 7th instant, with her Majestys mails for England, having on board a large freight of specie, as well as nnmerous l)assengers, amongst whom were Messrs. Mason and Slidell, the former accredited with a special mission from the Confed. crate States to the Government of Great Britain, and the latter to the French Government, with their respective secretaries, Messrs. Macfar- land and Enstis. Shortly after noon on the 8th a steamer having the appearance of a man-of war, but not showing colors, w~as observed ahead hove to. We immediately hoisted our ensign at the peak, but it was not responded to until, on nearing her at 1:15 p. in., she fired a round shot from her pivot gun across our bows, and showed American colors. Our engines were irnmediatelyslowed, and we were still approaching when she dis- charged a shell from her pivot gun immediately across our bows, exploding half a cables length ahead of us. We then stopped, when an officer, with an armed guard of marines, boarded us, and demanded a list of passengers, which demand being refused, the officer said he had orders to arrest Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Macfarland, and Eustis, and that he had sure information of their being passengers in the Trent. Declining to satisfy him whether such persons weme on board or not, Mr. Slidell stepped forward and announced that the four persons he had named were then standing before him under British protection, and that if they were taken on board the San Jacinto they must be taken vi et armis, the commander of the Trent and myself at the same time protesting against this illegal act, this act of piracy, carried out by brute force, as we had no means of resisting the aggression, the San Jacinto being at the time on our port beam, about 200 yards off, her ships company at quarters, ports open, and tompions out Page 159 OPEliATIONS OP TIlE CRUISERSIJNIoN. 159 Sufficient time being given for such necessaries as they might require being sent to them, these gentlemen were forcibly taken out of the ship, and then a further demand was made that the commander of the Treat shonld proceed on board the & n Jacinto; bnt as he expressed his determination not to go unless forcibly compelled likewise, this latter demand was not carried into execution. At 3:40 we parted company, and proceeded on our way to St. Thomas, on our arrival at which place I shall deliver into the consul duplicates of this letter to Lord Lyons, Sir Alexander Milne, Commodore 1)un lop, and the consul-general at Havana. I have, etc., RICHARD WTILLJAMS Commander, Royal Navy, Admiralty Agent in Charge of Mails. Captain PATEY. Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDON], November 80, 1861. M~ LORD: Intelligence of a very grave nature has rea~hed her Majestys Government. This intelligence was con veye(l officially to the knowledge of the admiralty by Commander Williams, agent for mails on board the contract steanier Trent. It appears from the letter of Commander Williams, dated I~oyal mail contract packet , , November 9 that t Trent at sea ., he Trent left Havana on the 7th instant with her Majestys mails for England, hav- ing on board numerous passengers. Commander Williams states that shortly after noon on the 8th a steamer having the appearance of a man-of war, but not showing colors, was observed ahead. 011 nearing her at 1:15 p. m. she fired a round shot from her pivot gun across the bows of the Trent, and showed American colors. While the Tren t was approaching her slowly the American vessel discharged a shell across the bows of the Trent, exploding a half cables length ahead of her. The Trent then stopped, and an officer, with a large armed guard of marines, boarded her. The officer demanded a list of the passengers, and compliance with this demand being refused, the officer said he had orders to arrest Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Macfarland, and Enstis, and that he had sure information of their being passengers in the Trent. While some parley was going on npon this matter, Mr. Slidell stepped forward an(l told the American officer that the four persons he had named were then standing before him. The commander of the Trent and Commander Williams protested against the act of taking by force out of the Trent these four passengers, then under the protection of the British flag. But the San Jacinto was at that time only 200 yards from the Trent, her ships company at quarters, her ports open, and tompions out. Resistance was therefore ont of the question, and the four gentle- men before named were forcibly taken out of the ship. A further demand was made that the commander of tIme Trent should proceed on uoard the San Jacinto; but he said lie would not go unless forcibly compelled likewise, and this demand was not insisted upon. It thus appears that certain individuals have been forcibly taken from on board a British vessel, the ship of a imeutral power, while such ves- sel was pnrsuing a lawful and innocent voyage, an act of violence which was an affront to the British flag and a violation of international law Page 160 160 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Her Majestys Government, bearing in mind the friendly re1ation~ which have long subsisted between Great Britain and the United States are willing to believe that the U. S. naval officer who committed, this aggression was not acting in compliance with any au tnority from his Government, or that if he conceived himself to be so authorized, he greatly misunderstood the instructions which he had received. For the Government of the United States must be fully aware that the British Government could not allow such an affront to the national honor to pass without full reparation, and her Majestys Government are unwiliing to believe that it could be the deliberate intention of the Government of the United States nnnecessarily~to force into discussion between the two governments a question of so grave a character, and with regard to which the whole British nation would be sure to enter- taiii snch unanimity of feeling. Her Majestys Government therefore trust that when this matter shall have been brought under the consideration of the Government of the United States that Government will, of its own accord, offer to the British Government such redress as alone would satisfy the British nation, namely, the liberation of the four gentlemen and their delivery to your lordship, in order that they may again be placed under British protection, and a suitable apology for the aggression which has been committed. Should these terms not be offered by Mr. Seward, you will propose them to him. Your are at liberty to read this dispatch to the Secretary of State, and if he shall desire it you will give him a copy of it. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LyoNs. Earl Ru88eli to Lord Lyon8. FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDONi, November 30, 1861. Mv LORD: Mr. Adams called upon me yesterday at the foreign office, by my desire. I asked him whether he had any information or instructions which could throw light on the transactions which had occurred on board the Trent. I said the cabinet was about to meet, and I should be glad to receive any information which might assist their deliberations on this painful subject. Mr. Adams said he had no instructions or informa- tion which could throw light on what had occurred, nor did he know whether the captures which had taken place on board the Trent had the sanction of his Government or not. I said in that ease there would be no good, and there might be some harn~,in discussing with him the merits of the question itself; but I wished hini to repeat to me what he had told me some days ago in regard to the instructions to the commander of the James Adger. Mr. Adams then said that he had seen the instructions to the com- mander of the James Adger; that they directed him to look out for the Nashville, a Confederate vessel, which it was supposed would convey Messrs. Mason and Slidell to England. He was directed, if that sup- position should not turn out to be the fact to return to the United States, but to keep an eye on any merchant vessel proceeding from this country with contraband of war. There was nothing in the instruction Page 161 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 161 directing the commander to interfere with any foreign ship bringing Messrs. Mason and Slidell to Europe. Mr. Adams then took his leave. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LYONS. EarZ Russell to Lord Lyons. [Extract.] FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDON, November 30, 1861. In my previous dispatch of this date I have instructed you, by com- mand of her Majesty, to make certain demands of the Government of the United States. Should Mr. Seward ask for delay in order that this grave and painful matter should be deliberately considered, you will consent to a delay not exceeding seven days. If at the end of that time no answer is given, or if any other answer is given except that of a compliance with the demands of her Majestys Government, your lordship is instructed to leave Washington with all the members of your legation, bringing with you the archives of the legation, and to repair immediately to London. her however, you should be of the opinion that the requirements of Majestys Government are substantially complied with, you may report the fact to her Majestys Government for their consideration, and remain at your post until you receive further orders. You will communicate with Vice-Admiral Sir A. Milne imniediately upon receiving the answer of the American Government, and you will send him a copy of that answer, together with such observations as you may think fit to make. You will also giv.e all the information in your power to the governors of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Jamaica, Bermuda, and such other of her Majestys possessions as may be within yonr reach. RUSSELL. Lord LYONS. Earl Russel to the lords commis8ioners of the ad iralty. FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDON], November 30, 1861. Mv LORDS: I have received the Queens command to transmit to your lordships the instructions which are to be sent to-day to Lord Lyons. The Queen directs that copies of these instructions should be sent to Vice-Admiral Sir A. Milne. Vice-Admiral Sir A. Milue should be directed to communicate fully with Lord Lyons, and to take such meas- ures as circumstances may seem to require. The vice-admiral will refrain from any act of hostility against the sea or land forces of the United States, except in selfdefeuse. But as the act of wanton vio- lence and ontrage which has been committed makes it not unlikely that other sudden acts of aggression may be attempted, Vice-Admiral Sir A. Milne will take care not to place his ships in positions where they may be surprised or comnianded by batteries on land of a superior force. Tie should not detach more than one line-of-battle ship amid two frigates on the expedition to Vera Cruz, and lie should dispose of the rest of his force in the manner in which it may prove most serviceable in case of hostilities. He will look to the safety of her Majestys p05- sessions in North America and the West Indies, and he will in all - 123Al Page 162 162 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. respects execute all such commands as he may receive from your lord- ships to guide him in the performance of his arduous duties. Your lordships will, no doubt, be of opinion that Admiral Milne ought not himself to go to Vera Cruz; and in that case an officer acquainted with the Mexican coast may be the most fitting person to act with Sir Charles Wyke in the discharge of duties on that coast. I am, etc., RUSSELL. The LORDS COMMJSSIOT~IERS OF THE ADMIRALTY. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. [Extract] WASHINGTON, November 19, 1861. (Received December 2.) I have already informed your lordship by telegraph that Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell, who are believed to have been on their way to England and France as commissioners from the so-called Confederate Govern- ment, were taken by force out of the British mail packet Trout by the U. S. ship San Jacinto i-n the Bahama Channel and brought to this country as prisoners. The copious extracts from American newspapers which I have the honor to enclose will make your lordship acquainted with such partic ulars concerning this unfortunate affair as have transpired here. They will also convey to you a tolerably correct idea of the impression which it has made upon the American public. The evidence of the English witnesses on board the Trent will prob- ably reach London about the same time as the present dispatch; with- out a knowledge of that evidence it is impossible for me to form any correct opinion on the character of the transaction. I have accord- ingly deemed it right to maintain the most complete reserve on the subject. To conceal the distress which I feel would be impossible, nor would. it, if possible, be desirable; but I have expressed no opinion on the questions of international lawinvolved~ I have hazarded no con- jecture as to the course which will be taken by her MajesLys Govern- ment. On the one hand, I dare not run the risk of compromising the honor and inviolability of the British flag by asking for a measure of reparation which may prove to be inadequate. On the other hand, I I am scarcely less nuwilling to incur the danger of rendering a satis- factory settlement of the question more difficult by making a demand which may turn out to be unnecessarily great. In the present imper- fect state of my information, I feel that the only proper and prudent course is to wait for the orders which your lordship will give with a complete knowledge of the whole case. I am unwilling, moreover, to deprive any explanation or reparation which the U. S. Government may think it right to offer of the grace of being made spontaneously. I know, too, that a demand from me would very much increase the main difficulty which the Government would feel in yielding to any disposition which they may have to make amends to Great Britain. The American people would more easily tolerate a spontaneous offer of reparation made by its Government from a sense of justice than a compliance with a demand for satisfaction from a foreign minister. LYONS. Earl RUSSELL Page 163 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS.UNION. 163 The Secretary of the [British] admiralty to Mr. Hammond. ADMIRALTY [LONDON], December 2, 1861. (Received December 3.) SIR: With reference to my letter of the 27th ultimo, enclosing a copy of one dated the 9th of November, from Commander Williams, relative to the forcible removal of Messrs. Mason and Slidell and their secreta- ries from the Trent, contract steamer, by an armed party of officers and men from the San Jacinto, U. S. ship of war, 1 am commanded by my lords comluissioners of the admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Earl Russell, a copy of a memorandum made by Coin- mander Williams at the admiralty on the 27th ultimo an further information on the above-mentioned subject. , d containing My lords did not send a copy of this memorandum at the time it was written, as Commander Williams on that day made a verbal statement at the foreign office; but it is now transmitted, as it may be useful hereafter, as showing the actual force used on the occasion, and the strong I)rotest made against it by Commander Williams. I am, etc., W. (I. ROMAINE. E. HAMMOND, Esq. [Enclosure. Memorandum made by Commander Williams [B. N.], at the [British] admiralty, on the 27th of November, 1861, relative to the forcible seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell and their secretaries from on board the Tree t. On Mr. Slidells announcing that the four persons inquired for were then standing before Lieutenant Fairfax, under British protection, and that if taken on board the San Jacinto they must be taken vi et armis, I addressed that officer iii the following terms: In this ship I am the representative of her Britannic Majestys Government, and in the name of that Government I protest against this illegal act, this violation of international law, this act of piracy, which you would not dare to attempt on a ship capable of resisting such aggression. It was then that Lieutenant Fairfax waved his hand toward the San Jacinto, and additional force was sent. The marines were drawn up at the entry port, bayonets fixed; and on Miss Slidells uttering an hysterical scream on her being separated from her fatherthat is, on his breaking the window of his cabin and thrusting his body through to escape fromn the dmstressmng scene of forcible separation from his family they rushed imito the passage at the charge. There were upward of 60 armed men in all, and the aforesaid gentlemen wem c thero taken out of the ship, an armed guard on either side of each seizing them by the collar of the coat. Every inducement was held out, so far as importunate persuasion would go, to prevail on Mrs. Slidell and Mrs. Eustis, with the son and three daughters of the former, to accompany their hus- bands, but as they did not wish their wives to be subjected to imprison- ment (Lieutenant Fairfax having replied to Mrs. Slidells inquiry as to their disposal if they did accompany them, that they would be sent to Washington) they remained on board the Trent, and came on to England in La Plata. The ships getting somewhat farther apart than when this affair corn- menced, a boat came from the San Jacinto to request us to ap~)roach nearer; to which I replied that they had the same power as ourselves, and if they wished to be nearer to us they had their own remedy Page 164 164 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Translatioul Al. T*ouvenel to M. Mercier. (Communicate4 to Earl Russell by Count Flahault December 6.) PARIS, Dece~n~cr 3, 1861. SIR: The arrest of Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board the English packet Trent by an American cruiser has produced in France, if not the same feeling as in England, at least a sensation of extreme aston- ishment. Public opinion is at once directed to the legality and conse- quences of such an act, and the impression made has not been doubt- Inl for an instant. The act has appeared so much at variance with the ordinary rules of international law that to the public mind the weight of the responsibility seems to fall exclusively upon the commander of the & tn Jacinto. We can not yet tell whether this supposition is correct and the Government of the Emperor owes it to itself to examine from this standpoint the question raised by the taking of the two passengers from the Trent. The desire to aid in ~)reve11ting a conflict, imminent, per- haps, between two powers for whom it entertains equally friendly feel- ings, and the (luty of maintaining certain principles, essential to the security of neutrals, with a view to patting its own flag beyond injury, have, after mature reflection, convinced the Government that nuder the circumstances it can not remain entirely silent. If, to our regret, the Cabinet of Washington ~vere disposed to approve of I he conduct of the commander of the San Jacinto,it would beby considering Messrs. Mason and Slidell as enemies or in looking upon them only as rebels. In either case there would be an extremely unfortnnate forgetfulness of the principles on which we have always found the United States in accord with us. By what right, in t~ct, did the American erniser, in the first case, arrest Messrs. Mason and Slidelh The United States has recognized with us in all treaties between the two countries that the protection of the flag is extended to all persons found under it, enemies of one or both parties, unless actually in time military service of the enemy. Messi~s. Mason and Slidell were then, by virtue of this principle, which we have found no difficulty in making part of our treaties of friend- ship and commerce, perfectly free nnder the neutral flag of England. Unquestionably no person will pretend that these persons can be considered as contraband of war. What constitutes contraband of war, it is true, is not yet precisely established; the limits are not abso- lutely the same for all powers. But in that which relate to persons the particular stipulations met with in the treaties concerning military mcii define clearly the character of those who can be seized as bellig- erents. It is needless to explain that Messrs. Mason and Slideli cami not be classed among such persons. It only remains, then, to plead in explanation of their seiznre the pretext that Mason and Slidell were bearers of official dispatches of the enemy. Here let us recall a cir- cumustance which govermms all this affiuir and renders unjustifiable the conduct of the American cruiser. The Treat was imot destined for a port of either belligerent. It left a neutral country, with passengers and cargo, embarked for a neutral port. If it is admissible that, ummder such circumstances, the neutral flag does not entirely protect the per- sons and merchandise that it carries, its exemption would be but an idle word; the commerce and navigation of the third powers would constantly suffer from innocent or even indirect relations with one or the other of the belligerents. These latter would no longer have power to exercise neutrality with entire impartiality to interdict all acts of ho Page 165 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNIoN. 165 tility, and would l)ring to the freedom of commerce and navigation restrictions of which modern interiiational law refuses to admit the legality. We would thus return to some vexatious practices, against which, at other periods, no power has more decidedly protested than the United States. If the Cabinet of Washington wishes to consider the two persoiis arrested only as rebels whom it has the right to seize, the question, to place it on another ground, can not be decided in favor of the conduct of the commander of the & tn Jacinto. There was in this case a disre- gard of the principle which makes a ship a part of the territory of the nation whose flag it carries, and consequently a violation of the immu- nity which allows a foreign sovereign to exercise jurisdiction. It is not necessary to recall the energy with which, oii all occasions, the Government of the United States has defended this immunity ~nd the right of asylum. Not wishing to enter into a fuller discussion of the question raised by the capture of Messrs. Mason an(i Slidell, I have said enough, I think, to show that the Cabinet of Washington would be aware that it could not, without violaPon of the principles for which all the neutral powers are eqyially interested in securing respect, aH(l without placiiig itself in contradiction to its own conduct np to this time, give approval to the action of the commander of the San Jacin to. In this state of affairs it should not hesitate, according to our opinion, as to the decision to adopt. Lord Lyons has already been instructed to present demands for satisfaction from the English Government, which, as formulated, consist in asking the immediate liberation of the persons taken from the Trent, and in making such explanations as will efface from this act the offense done to the British flag. The Federal Government will be inspired by a just and high.minded sentiment in complying with these demands. It is impossible to con- ceive to what end or for what interest it would risk provoking by a different attitude a rupture with Great Britain. Seeing in such an act only a deplorable complication of all the difficulties with which the Cabinet of Washington has already to contend, and a precedent of a nature to seriously unsettle all the powers remaining outside the actual conflict, we desire to give proof of our loyal friendship for the Cabinet of Washington by not allowing it to remain in ignorance of our views on this subject. I desire you. sir, to take the earliest oppor- tunity to speak candidly to Mr. Seward, and, if he so desire, give him a copy of this dispatch. Receive, etc., THOUVENEL. M. MERCIER. Earl Russell lo Lord Lyons. FOREIGN OFFICE [LoNDoN], December 6, 1861. M~ LORD: Count Flahault read to me today a dispatch addressed to him by M. Thouvenel, covering one from M. Thouvemiel to M. Mer- cier. In this letter M. Thouvenel reviews with great ability the ques- tion of the captures on board the Trent. He begins by saying that the transaction appeared to be so much at variance with the ordinary rule8 of international law that the impression on J)ublic opinion in France was that the commander of the San Jacinto could alone be responsible for it. If, however, the Cabinet of Washington should b Page 166 166 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. disposed to approve the conduct of that officer, it could do so only on one or other of the grounds of Mr. Masou and Mr. Slidell being enemies or being rebels, and in either case it would depart greatly from those principles on which hitherto France and the United States had been agree(1. As regards the former case, that, namely, of the two gentlemen beiiig consi(lered enemies, the United States in their treaties with France had recognized flint f lie freedom of the flag extended to all per- sons, except military or naval officers actually in the service of the enemy, found under it; and according to this principle Mr. Masou and Mr. Slidell were free under the neutral flag of Eiiglaid. Neither could those gentlemen be deemed contraband of war, for although no general rule as to contraband was universally admitted, the character of persons liable to be considered as contraband was, at all events, clearly detiiied, and Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell did not bear that character. Then, again, as regards the allegation that they were bearers of dis- patches of the enemy, the conduct of the U. S. cruiser was wholly unjustifiable. The Trent was not destined for a port of either of the belligerents; she was on her voyage to a neutral country, with cargo and passengers which she bad embarked imm a neutral country; and if it were assnmimed that immider such circumstances the neutral flag did not protect the ~~assengers and cargo, the immunity of that flag would be an idle word, and restrictions ~vholly immadmissible according to the 1)Linciples of muodern times would thereby be imposed on the free- dom of commerce and navigation. As regards time latter case, that, imamnely, of Mr. Mason and Mr. SIB (tell being considered rebels M Timouvenel observes that neither in this case was the couduct of the commander of the San Jacinto justifiable, for he will have disregarded the received principle that a vessel forms part of the territory of the state whose flag it bears, and is therefore exempt from foreign jurisdiction. Under these circumstances Mr. Thonvenel considers it impossible that the Cabinet of Washington shouhd approve the conduct of the com- mander of the San Jacinto, and accordingly, in his opinion, it can not hesitate as to the decision which it should adopt. it should acquiesce in the demand which Lord Lyons was instructed to make Pzw the imme- diate liberation of the two gentlemen, and for such explanation as may efface the offense done to the British flag. It is impossible to conceive what object or interest it could have in provoking by a different course a rupture with Great Britain. Such a rupture France would consider not only as lamentable with reference to the difficulties with which the Cabinet of Washingtomi has already to contend, but also as establish- ing a precedent calculated seriously fo disquiet all powers who are standing aloof from the conflict now going on; and M. Thouvenel con- siders that he is now furnishmiiig a fresh proof of tlme friendship of France for the United States by iiot allowing the Cabinet of Washingcon to remain in ignorance of her sentiments on the present crisis. Your lordship will perceive from tlmis summary, which I am enabled to give you, of the instructions addressed by M. Thouvenel to M. Mer- cier, that the French minister is directed to give the moral support of his Government to the representations and requirements which you are instructed to make. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LYONS Page 167 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 167 Lord Lyons to Earl Russell [Extract.] WASHINGTON, November 22, 1861. (Received December 7.) I transmit to your lordship herewith copies of the articles on tlie capture of Messrs. Mason and Slidell which have been published in the principal newspapers since I had the honor to address to you my dispatch of the 19th ultimo. To a person accustomed to the strong language of the American press these articles appear moderate and even subdued in tone. At all events, the line taken by the greater part of the newspapers is rather to argue that Great Britain has not the right to complain, and therefore will not do so, than to defy her to make objection, right or wrong. I wish I could add that the argument was generally carried on in courteous language or in a friendly spirit. Your lordship may observe in several of the enclosed extracts from the Americami newspapers assertions concerning language stated to have been held by me in private conversation. These assertions are entirely without foundation. I have avoided the subject of the capture on board the Trent as much as possible, and have said no more than that it is an untoward event which I very much regret. I have, neither publicly nor privately, expressed any opinion whatever on the question of imiternational law, or on the conrse likely to be taken by her Maj- estys Government. I have had no communication on the subject, verbal or written, official or private, with any member of the Govern- ment of the United States. Messrs. Mason and Slidell, with their secretaries, Messrs. Macfar- land and Enstis, have been sent to Fort Warren, in Boston harbor. LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. [Extract.] WASHINGTON, December 3, 1861. (Received December 16.) The second session of the Thirty-seventh Congress of the Uuited States began yesterday at noon. The business done in the Senate was of a merely formal character. In the House of Representatives several motiomis were made for the confiscation or emancipation of slaves whose masters are not loyal to the United States. Resolutions requesting the President to confine Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell in felons cells and treat them as prisoners convicted of infa- mous crimes were unanimously adopted with applause. Your lordship is aware that in retaliation for the treatment to which the crews of the captured Confederate privateers have been subjected, President Davis has treated in the same manner an equal number of the prisoners of war who are in his hands. A resolution was adopted tendering the thanks of Congress to Cap- tain Wilkes for his brave, adroit, and patriotic conduct in arresting and detaining Messrs. Masou and Slidell. The authentic account of the proceedings will not be published in time for me to transmit a copy to your lordship to-day. LYONS. Earl RUSSELL Page 168 168 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. FOREIGN OFFICE ~LONDON], December 19, 1861. M~ LORD: Mr. Adams came to me to-day, at the Foreign Office, at 3 oclock. He said he caine to ask two questions which concerned him- self personally. 1 interrupted him to ask whether what he was going to say was by order of his Government or from his own sense of what he ought to do. Mr. Adams answered that the proceeding was entirely his owii, but that he had with him a dispatch from Mr. Seward which he was authorized to read to me if he should think fit to do so. It appeared, he said, from that dispatch that the Government of Wash- ington had not authorized the capture of two insurgents, Mason and Slidell, and that the United States Government stood quite uncom- mitted at the time of sending the dispatch. 1 said that if the dispatch did not enter into any controversy with regard to the case of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, I should be glad to bear it read. Mr. Adams then proceeded to read the dispatch. It commenced by referring with approbation to a speech made by Mr. Adams at the Mansion House, ai~d proceeded to notice with gratifica- tion the sentiments which had been expressed by Lord Palmerston in a conversation he had held with Mr. Adams in reference to the James Adger. Mr. Seward then proceeds to declare that the Americaii Government value highly the friendship of Great Britain, and lament that certain causes of difference have arisen, owing, as Mr. Seward imagines, to the want of attention on the part of the British Goverumemit to the performance of the duties incumbent on a friendly power during the struggle in which the United States are engaged. Mr. Seward gives as instance the case of communication to the Confederate authorities by Mr. Bunch; the admission of the Sumter, privateer, to purchase coal and provisions at Trinidad, in distinction, as he said, to the con- duct of every European state; and the arrival in the Southern States of vessels laden with aims and ammunition from England. INIr; Seward then proceeds to the case of the Trent, from which ship the two insurgeiits had been taken. He affirms that no instructions were given to Captain Wilkes which, authorized him to act in the man- ner he had done. Neither had the United States Government com- mitted itself with regard to any decision upon the character of that act. The Government would wait for any representation the British Government might make before coming to any positive decision. He desires that, if Mr. Adams shall think it desirable, this dispatch shall be read to me and also to Lord Palmerston. In answer to Mr. Adams, I touched upon most of the points treated of in the dispatch. I did not think it necessary, however, to recur to the case of Mr. Bunch. With regard to the Confederate privateer, I said that I could not see that our conduct had been different from that of France and flolland or of Spain. The Sumter had been refused coal from the Government stores at Trinidad, but had been allowed to get coal and provisions from private merchants. The same thing had taken place at Marti- nique and at Cura~ao. I did find that the rule of twenty-four hours had been observed in practice, but there would be little difficulty in coming to an agreement on this point. In regard to the export of arms and ammunition to the Confederate States, I had lately read the opinion of the attorneygeneral, and believed it was in entire conformity with the provisions of the foreign Page 169 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 169 enlistment act; warlike equipment of a vessel was prohibited, the loading a vessel with arms and ammunition was not prohibited. But n point of fact, a much greater amount of arms and ammunition had been sent to the Federal States, where there was no obstacle to the export or the import, than to the ports of the Confederate States, which were blockaded. Mr. Adams admitted this to be the fact, and said he had refrained from pressing a more rigorous compliance with the for- eign-enlistment act for this reason. 1 then stated to Mr. Adams the substance of the two dispatches I had written to Lord Lyons on the subject of the Trent. I told him that in a private letter I had directed Lord Lyons to talk the matter over with Mr. Seward two days before reading to him the dis- patch. Mr. Adams asked whether the direction to Lord Lyons to leave Washington iii seven days was in the dispatch to be read. I said it wasnot, and thatin case Mr. Seward should ask what would be the conse- quence of a refnsal on his part to comply with our conditions, Lord Lyons was to decline to answer that question iii order not to have the appearance of a threat. I said that I thought the explanation that the Government had not authorized the seizure would stand iu the place of an apology. But the essential condition was, that Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell should be given up to Lord Lyons. Mr. Adams said that if the matter was stated to Mr. Scward in the manner I had explained, he hoped for an amicable termination of the difference; he thought that if the Government of the United States insisted on maintaining the act of Captain Wilkes, the United States would be abaudomming their doctrine and adopting ours. Mr. Adams asked me a further question, which he said I might decline to answer; it was whether, if Lord Lyons came away, a declara- tion of war would be the immediate consequence. I told him nothing was decided on that point; we should wait for the reply from America, and then decide upon our course. I stated to Mr. Adams the substaimce of M. Thouvenels (lispatch to M. Mercier as I had heard from M. Fla- hault. Mr. Adams said that the French Government had always been very consistent in their maintenance of the rights of neutrals. He added that he could not pay our Government the same compliment. I said that I would dispense with compliments if this matter could be amicably arranged. We parted on very friendly terms. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LYONS. Lord Lyons to Earl Rttssell. WASHINGTON, December 9, 1861. (Received December 23.) M~ LORD: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter* from the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Wilkes, dated the 30th of November, which has been published in the newspapers. It is in substance the same as the paragraph on the subject of the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell which occurs in the report from the same secretary sent to Congress with the Presidents message. ~See ante, page 148 Page 170 170 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. It expresses emphatic approval of the proceeding, but says that the forbearance shown in not capturing the vessel must not be permitted to constitute a precedent. I have, etc., LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. Count Rechberg to 211. de Hulsemaun. (Communicated to Earl Russell by Count Apponyi December 24.) [Confidential.] VIENNA, December 18, 1861. The difference that has occurred between the Government of the United States and that of Great Britain as the resnlt of the arrest of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, made by the captain of the American man- of-war & tn Jacinto on the English packet Trent, has not failed to claim the serious attention of the Imperial cabinet. The greater the importance we attach to the maintenance of friendly relations between the United States and England the more we have canse to regret the occurrence of an incident which adds so grave a complication to a sitnation already harassed with difficulties. Without having the intention of now entering into the examination of the right, we can not fail to recognize that, according to the ideas of international law adopted by all the powers, and which the American Government itself has often taken for its rule of conduct, England can not possibly avoid, in the l)resent case, protesting against the insult done to her flag and asking for it a jnst reparation. There seems to us in the demands presented on this subject by the cabinet of St. James nothing that can give offense to the Cabinet of Washington, and that the latter will be able to act with fairiiess and moderation without sacrificing its dignity in the least. Being governed by the rules which guide international relations as well as the considerations of an enlightened policy, rather than main- festatiQn.s produced by an excessive excitement of national feeling, the Government of the United States, we hope, will give to its delibera- tions the dispassionate consideration demanded by the gravity of the case and will deem it advisable to take a stand which, by preventing a rupture of the relations existing between two great states to whom Austria is equally bound by friendly ties, will be calculated to avert the grave agitations which the contingency of war can not fail to bring with it, as much for the contending parties as for the interests of the whole world. Be pleased, sir, to bring the foregoing considerations to the attention of Mr. Seward and inform ns how our communication is received by the minister. Receive, etc., RECHBERG. M. DE IIULSEMANN. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. [Extract.] WASHINGTON, December 13, 1861. (Received December 26.) It is asserted in the report from Captain Wilkes that Mr. Mason and Mr. Shidell had been presented to the captain-general of Cuba by he Page 171 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 171 Britannic Majestys consul~general.~~ The same assertion had appeared previously in most of the American newspapers. Having received, yesterday, a dispatch from Mr. Crawford, the consul-general, directly contradicting it, I thonght it desirable to inform the Government of the United States officially that it was erroneons. I accordingly addressed a note to Mr. Seward, of which and of the dispatch from Mr. Crawford upon which it was founded I do myself the honor to enclose copies. I have also the honor to enclose a copy of a note which I have just received from Mr. Seward, in which he thanks me for contradicting the assertion concerning Mr. Crawford, and states that my promptness in doing so is a new and gratifying proof of my desire for the preserva- tion of harmonious relations between the British and American gov- ernments. LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. [Enclosure 1.1 Lord Lyons to Mr. Seward. WASHINGTON, December 12, 1861. SIR: A letter has been published in the newspapers which purports to have been addressed on the 16th of November Last, by Captain Wilkes, of the U. S. S. San Jacinto, to the Secretary of the Navy. It contains the following statement: They (Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell) had. been presented to the captain-general of Cuba by her Britannic Majestys consul-general. The writer of the letter appears to have been misinformed. I am able to contradict the statement on the authority of Mr. Crawford, the consul- general himself. In a dispatch which I have received from him to-day he declares officially with reference to assertions to the same effect made in American newspapers that he neither presented nor accom- panied Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell to the captain-general. I have, etc., LYONS. W. H. SEWARD, Esq. [Enclosure 2.] Consul-General Crawford to Lord Lyons. HAVANA, December 2, 1861. M~ LORD: I have seen in the American papers a statement which, as published by a press so infamous as that of the United States has become, I consider wholly unworthy of my notice; but under present circumstances, as much importance appears to attach to the false infor- mation that has l)Cen giveu respecting me in connection with Messrs. Slidell and Mason, I think it necessary to state to your lordship that I neither presented nor accompanied those gentlemen to the captain- general, in uniform ~r otherwise. Mr. Slidell is an acquaintance of mine since 1825, and Mr. Masons brother was my very intimate friend when he was secretary to the U. S. legation in Mexico, under Mr. Poinsett, long ago. 1 certainly did myself the pleasure of calling on those gentlemen, as strangers, and showed theum such civilities as were in my power, but I never thought of rendering them any official services. I presume they were full Page 172 172 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. aware that had they needed any such assistance I could not have given it, and none was ever applied for. I have, etc., Jos. T. CRAWFORD. Lord LYONS. [Enclosure 3.j Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons. WASHINGTON, December 13, 1861. M~ LORD: I thank your lordship for your note of the 12th instant, contradicting, on the authority of Mr. Crawford, her Britannic Maj- estys consul-general at Havana, the report that that gentleman had presented Messrs. Mason and Slidell to his Excellency the governor- general of Cuba. This prompt proceeding on your part to remove what might have been a subject of discontent on the part of this Government with your own is a new and gratifying proof of your lordships desire for the preservation of harmonious relations between the governjnents of her Britannic Majesty and that of the United States. I avail myself of this occasion to say that, although I have received from our consulate at Havana some complaints founded on reports of conduct on the part of Mr. Crawford unjust towaids the United States, I have refrained from entertaining them in the absence of some authentic and reliable evidence. I have, etc., W. H. SEWARD. Lord LYONS. The Secretary of the [British] admiralty to Mr. Hammond. ADMIRALTY [LONDON December 27, 1861. SIR: I am commanded by my lords commissioners of the admiralty to trapsmit herewith for the information of Earl Russell a copy of the protest made by the master of the royal mail steamer Trent before her Majestys consul at St. Thomas on the 14th ultimo, against the pro- ceedings of the captain of the U. S. ship of war San Jacinto,in forcibly removing Messrs. Mason and Slidell, the commissioners from the so- called Confederate States, with their secretaries, from on board the Trent. I am, etc., C. PAGET. E. HAMMOND, Esq. LEnclosure.1 PROTEST. HER BRITANNiC MAJESTYS CONSULATE, St. Thomas, West Indies. Be it known that on this 14th of Xovember, 1861, before me, Robert Boyd Lamb, esq., her Britannic Majestys consul in the island of St. Thomas, personally appeared James Moir, master of the steamship Trent, of London, of the burden of 1,856 tons or thereabouts, and entered a protest declaring as follows: That he sailed in the said steamship Trent from Havana, under con- tract with her Britannic Majestys Government as a mail packet, bound for St. Thomas, with her Majestys mails, under charge of Commande Page 173 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 173 Richard Williams, of her Majestys navy, 60-odd passengers, $1,500,000 in specie, and a valuable cargo, on the 7th instant, at 8 a. m. That nothing particular occurred till the succeeding day, 8th instant, at about meridian, when the ship was in the narrow part of the Bahama Channel, approaching the Paredon Grande light-house, the coast of Cuba distant about 5 miles, a steamer having the appearance of a man-of war, but not showing any colors, was observed ahead hove to. That the British ensign was immediately hoisted on board the Trent, with the royal mail companys distinguishing flag at the main, and on approaching the vessel ahead, which still showed no colors, at 1:05 p. m. she fired a round shot across the ~ bows, and then hoisted American colors, when the Trents engines were immediately slowed, and while she was approaching the Americen vessel a shell was discharged from the latters pivot gun across the Trents bows, which burst half a cables length ahead of her; the Trents engines were then stopped, when she was hailed by an officer from the Ameri- can vessel and ordered ~o heave to. A boat from her then came on board with arnied boats crew and an armed guard of marines, accompa- nied by an officer in the uniform of the U. S. Navy, who stated that the ship was the U. S. war steamer San Jacinto, commanded by Cap- tain Wilkes, and demanded a list of the passengers on board, which demand the master of the Trent refused to comply with, on which refusal a further force was sent for from the San Jacinto, and two more boats with armed marines and armed boats crews came on board the Trent. That the same officer then stated that he had orders, whatever might be the consequence, to arrest Messrs. Slidell, Mason, Macfarland, and Eustis, who he knew were on board the ship. He was then asked by the master of the Trent what would be his course in case of a refusal to give up these parties, to which he replied that his orders were to take the ship in case of necessity. He was then informed by the master of the Trent that the passengers would not be given up unless such force was used as could not be resisted on which Mr. Slidell stepped forward and informed the officer of the San Jacinto that the parties he demanded were before him under the protection of the British flag, and, claiming same, they would not consent to be taken out of the ship except by force of arms. They were then seized by order of the United States officers, and, after being allowed a short time to collect some necessaries and separate themselves from their families, they were forcibly dragged out of the ship by the armed force, notwithstanding the strong and repeated protest by the master of the Trent and Commander Williams against an act of hostility and violence coinniiitted on a vessel carrying the British flag by a ship of war of a nation on terms of peace and amity with her Britannic Majestys Government; to which protest the officer of San Jacinto replied that he was obeying his orders to effect the arrest at all hazards. That from the time the first boat was sent to the Trent the San Jacinto lay on the port beam, about 200 yards off, with her ports open, her guns (seven broadside iron pivot) run out, tompions out, and crew at quarters. That the American officer, before leaving the Trent, made a further demand that the commander of Trent should proceed on board the San Jacinto. to which the reply was made that he would not leave the ship unless taken out by force of arms; against all of which illegal, hostile, and piratical acts, as before detailed, the said James Moir, on his own behalf as a British subject commanding a British ship engagcd in the postal service of Her Majesty, and on behalf of all others who Page 174 174 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. it may concern, did declare to protest, as by these presents he doth solemnly protest, against all and every persoii and persons, officers and governments, directly or indirectly concerned in said illegal and hostile acts, holding them liable for all losses, damages, and conse- quences of the same. And I, the said consul, at the reqnest of the said James Moir, master of the said ship Trent, do hereby solemnly protest against the same in manner and form aforesaid. This done, etc., at the port of St. Thomas. JAMES MOIR, Master, If. M. S. Trent. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. WASHINGTON, December 19, 18G1. (Received January 1, 1862.) M~ LORD: The messenger, Seymour, deli vered to me at half-past 11 oclock last night yonr lordships dispatch of the 30th ultimo, speci- fying the reparation required by her Majest~~ s Government for the soiznre of Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell and their secretaries on board the royal mail steamer Trent. I waited oii iVir. Seward this afternoon at the State Department, and acquainted him in general terms with the tetior of that dispatch. I stated iii particular, as nearly as possible in your lordships words, that the only redress which conld satisfy her Majestys Government and her Majestys people would be the immediate delivery of the prisoners to me, in order that they might again be placed under British protection, and, moreover, a suitable apology for the, aggression which had been committed. I added that her Majestys Goveriunent hoped that the Govern- ment of the United States would of its own accord offer this repara- tion; that it was in order to facilitate such an arrangement that I had come to him without any written demand, or even any written paper at all in my hand; in that if there was a prospect of attaining this object I was willing to be guided by him as to the conduct on my part which would render its attainment most easy. Mr. Seward received my communication seriously and with dignity, but without any manifestation of dissatisfaction. Some further con- versation ensued in consequence of questions put by him, with a view to ascertain the exact character of the dispatch. At the conclusion he asked me to give him to-morrow to consider the question and to communicate with the President. On the day after he should, he said, be ready to express an opinion with respect to the communication I had made. In the meantime he begged me to be assured that he was very sensible of the frieiidly and conciliatory manner in which I had made it. I have, etc., LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. Count Bernstorff to Baron Gerolt. (Communicated to Earl Russell by Count Branden burg January 2,1862.) [Translation.] BERLIN, December 25, 1861. M. LE BARON: The maritime operations undertaken by President Lincoln against the Southern seceding States could not from their ver Page 175 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 175 commencement but fill the Kings Government with apprehensions lest they should result iu possible prejudice to the legitimate interests of neutral powers. These apprehensions have unfortunately been fully justified by the forcible seizure on board the neutral mail packet the Trent, and the abdnction therefrom of Messrs. Slidell and Mason by the commander of the U. S. man-of-war the San facinto. This occurrence, as you can well imagine, has produced in England and throughout Europe the most profound sensation, and thrown not cabinets only, but also public opinion, into a state of the most excited expectation. For, although at present it is England only which is immediately concerned in the matter, yet, on the other hand, it is one of the most important and universally recognized rights of the neutral flag which has been called into question. I need not here enter into a discussion of the legal side of the ques- tion. Public opinion in Europe has, with singular unanimity, pro- nounced in the most positive manner for the injured party. As far as we are concerned we have hitherto abstained from expressing ourselves to you upon the subject, because in the absence of any reliable informa- tion we were in doubt as to whether the captain of the A3an Jacinto in the course taken by him had been acting under orders from his Government or not. Even now we prefer to assume that the latter was the case. Should the former supposition, however, turn out to be the correct one, we should consider ourselves under the necessity of attributing greater importance to the occnrrence, and to our great regret we should find ourselves consti~ained to see in it not an isolated fact, but a public menace offered to the existing rights of all neutrals. We have as yet no certain information as to the demands made by England to the American Cabinet, upon the acceptance of which the maintenance of peace appears to depend. As far, however, as our information reaches on the subject we are convinced that no conditions have been put forward by the British Government which could justly offend President Lincolns sense of honor. His Majesty the King, filled with the most ardent wishes for the welfare of the United States of North America, has commanded me to advocate the cause of peace with President Lincoln, through your instrumentality, to the utmost of my power. We should reckon our- selves fortunate if we could in this wise succeed in facilitating the peaceful solution of a conflict from xvhich the greatest dangers might arise. It is possible, how ever, that the President has already taken his decision and announced it. Whatever that decision may be, the Kings Government, when they reflect upon the uninterrupted rela- tions of friendship and amity which have existed between Prussia and the United States ever since the latter were founded, will derive satisfaction from the thought of having laid with the most unreserved candor their views of this occurrence before the Cabinet of Washing- ton and expressed the wishes which they entertain in connection with it. You will read this dispatch without delay to the Secretary of State for foreign affairs, and should he desire it you will give him a copy of it. I shall await your report upon the instructions contained in this dispatch, and I avail, etc. BERNSTORFF. Baron GEROLT Page 176 176 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. FOREIGN OFFICE [LONBoNI, January 4, 1862. M~ LORD: On Tuesday last Count Brandenburg called upon me at the foreign office and read to me a dispatch of Count Bernstorff on the subject of the Trent affair. The Prussian Government unequivo- cally condemn the conduct of Captain Wilkes, and express a hope that the President of the U nited States will comply with the proposals of her Majestys Government. I will send you by the next mail a copy of this dispatch. At a later hour Baron Bruntiow called upon me and read me an extract of a letter from Prince Gortschakoff equally positive in con- demnation of Captain Wilkes, and equally confideiit of the justice of onr request for reparation. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LYONS. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. WASHINGTON, December 23,1861. (Received January 7, 1862.) M~ LORD: In conformity with the understanding to which I caine with Mr. Seward on the 19th instant, I waited upon him the day before yesterday, for the purpose of reading to him your lordships dispatch of the 30th ultimo on the subject of the seizure of Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell and their secretaries on board the Trent. On presenting myself, Mr. Seward said that he had occupied himself as unremittingly as the great amount of business he had to transact allowed in studying the question. He would confess that he had ~iot yet completely mastered it. He would not make me a formal request to postpone the communication of your lordships dispatch, but he would say that it would be a great convenience to him personally, and a great advantage in all respects, if I would consent to do so. The next day was Sunday. Could I not defer the communication until Monday 0? I answered that I would, as he wished it, put off reading the dispatch to him till Monday, provided he would fix an early hour for receiving me on that day. I should, I said, be obliged to send off my messenger with dispatches for your lordship on Monday afternoon. It was impos- sible that I could allow another packet to sail without reporting to your lordship that I liad executed your orders. Mr. Seward promised to receive me as early as 10 oclock on Monday morning. I accordingly went to him soon after that hour this (Monday) morn- ing, read the dispatch to him, and at his request left with him a copy of it. He said that he would immediately lay it before the President, and that I should without delay receive a communication with regard to it. I have, etc., LYONS. Earl RUSSELL Page 177 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. 177 Lord Lyon8 to Earl Ru88ell. [Extract.] WASHINGTON, December 27, 1861. (Received January 9, 1862.) The day before yesterday A. Mercier received the dispatch from M. Thouvenel which was read to your lordship by Couut Flahault on the 6th instant. Lie immediately carried it to the State Department, and on being informed that Mr. Seward was at a Cabinet council, requested the Assistant Secretary to send it into the council room without delay. A. Mercier has throughout displayed great alacrity and good will, and (if I may be allowed to express au opinion on that point also) excel- lent judgment in giving the moral support of France to the demands of her Majesty~s Government. LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. WASHINGTON, December 27, 1861. (Received January 9, 1862.) M~ LORD: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a note which I have this morning received from Mr. Seward, in answer to your lordships dispatch of the 30th of last month, relative to the removal of Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, Mr. Macfarland, and Mr. Eustis from the British mail packet Trent. The note contains a very long and very elaborate dissertation on the questions of international law ilivolved in the case. I have not time before departure of the messenger to weigh the arguments or to estimate precisely the force of the expressions used; but as Mr. Seward admits that reparation is due to Great Britain and consents to deliver the four prisoners to me, I consider that the demands of her Majestys Government are so far substantially complied with that it is my duty, in obedience to your lordships commands, to report the facts to her Majestys Governmen-- for their consideration, and to remain at my post until I receive further orders. I have the honor to enclose a copy of the answer which I have made to Mr. Sewards note. I have confined myself to stating that I will forward a copy of it to her Majestys Government, and that I will con- fer with Mr. Seward personally on the arrangements to be made for the delivery of the prisoners to me. I have, etc., LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. [Endosure 1.1 Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 26, 1861. Mv LORD: Earl Russells dispatch of November 30, a copy of which you have left with me at my request, is of the following effect, namely: That a letter of Commander Williams, dated royal mail contract packet boat Irent, at sea, November 9, states that that vessel left 123A1 Page 178 178 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. ilavana on the 7th of November with her Majestys mails for England, having on board numerous passengers. Shortly after noon on the 8th of November the U. S. war steamer San Jacinto, Captain Wilkes, not show- ing colors, was observed ahead. That steamer, on being neared by the Trent, at 1 oclock 15 minutes in the afternoon, fired a round shot from a pivot gun across her bows, and showed American colors. While the Trent was approaching slowly towards the San Jacinto she discharged a shell across the Trents bows, which exploded at half a cables length before her. The Trent then stopped, and an officer, with a large armed guard of marines, boarded her. The officer said he had orders to arrest lUessrs. Mason, Slidell, Macfarland, and Eustis, and had sure information that they were passengers in the Trent. While some parley was going on upon this matter, Mr. Slidell stepped forward and said to the American officer that the four persons he had named were standing before him. The commander of the Trent and Commander Williams protested against the act of taking those four passengers out of the Trent, they then being under the protection of the British flag; but the San Jacinto was at this time only 200 yards distant, the ships company at quarters, her ports open, and tompions out, and so resistance was out of the question. The four persons before named were then forcibly taken out of the ship. A further demand was made that the commander of the Trent should proceed on board the San Jacinto; but he said he would not go unless forcibly compelled likewise, and this demand was not insisted upon. Upon this statement Earl Russell remarks that it thus appears that certain individuals have been forcibly taken from on board a British vessel, the ship of a neutral power, while that vessel was pursuing a lawful and innocent voyagean act of violence which was an affront to the British flag and a violation of international law. Earl Russell next says that her Majestys Government, bearing in mind the friendly relations which have long subsisted between Great Britain and the United States, are willing to believe that the naval officer who committed this aggression was not acting in compliance with any authority from his Government, or that if he conceived him- self to be so authorized he greatly misunderstood the instructions which he had received. Earl Russell argues that the United States must be fully aware that the British Government could not allow such an affront to the national honor to pass without full reparation, and they are willing to believe that it could not be the deliberate intention of the Government of the United States unnecessarily to force into discussion between the two governments a question of so grave a character, and with regard to which the whole British nation would be sure to entertain such una- nimity of feeling. Earl Russell, resting upon the statement and the argument which I have thus recited, closes with saying that her Majesty~s Government trusts that when this matter shall have been brought under the consid- eration of the Government of the United States it will of its own accord offer to the British Government such redress as alone could satisfy the British nation, namely, the liberation of the four prisoners taken from the Trent and their delivery to your lordship, in order that they may again be placed under British protection, and a suitable apology for the aggression which has been committed. Earl Russell finally instructs you to propose these terms to me, if I should not first offer them on the part of this Government. This dispatch has been submitted to the President. The Britis Page 179 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 179 Government has rightly conjectured what it is now my duty to state, that Captain Wilkes, in conceiving and executing the proceeding in question, acted upon his own suggestions of duty, without any direction or instruction, or even foreknowledge of it, on the part of this Govern- ment. No direction had been given to him or any other naval officer to arrest the four persons named, or any of them, on the Trent, or on any other British vessel, or on any other neutral vessel, at the place where it occurred or elsewhere. The British Government will justly infer from these facts that the United States not only have had no pur- pose, but even no thought, of forcing into discussion the question which has arisen, or any other which could affect in any way the sensibilities of the British nation. It is true that a round shot was fired by the San Jacinto from her pivot gun when the Trent was distanily approaching; but as the facts have been reported to this Government, the shot was nevertheless inten- tionally fired in a direction so obviously divergent from the course of the Trent as to be quite as harmless as a blank shot, while it should be regarded as a signal. So also we learn that the Trent was not approaching the San Jacinto slowly when the shell was fired across her bows, but, on the contrary, the Trent was, or seemed to be, moving under full head of steam, as if with a purpose to pass the San Jacinto. We are informed dso that the boarding officer (Lieutenant Fairfax) did not board the Trent with a large armed guard, but he left his marines in his boat when he entered the Trent. Be stated his instructions from Captain Wilkes to search for the four persoiis named in a respectful and courteous though decided manner, and he asked the captain of the Trent to show his passenger list, which was refused. The lieutenant, as we are informed, did not employ absolute force in transferring the passengers, but he used just so much as was necessary to satisfy the parties concerned that refusal or resistance would be unavailing. So also we are informed that the captain of the Trent was not at-any time or in any way required to go on board the San Jacinto. These modifications of the case as presented by Commander Williams are based upon our official reports. I have now to remind your lordship of some facts which doubtless were omitted by Earl Bussell, with the very proper and becoming motive of allowing them to be brought into the case on the part of the United States in the way most satisfactory to this Government. These facts are, that at the time the transaction occurred an insur- rection was existing in the United States, which this Government was engaged in suppressing by the employment of land and naval forces; that in regard to this domestic strife the United States considered Great Britain as a friendly power, while she had assumed for herself the attitude of a neutral, and that Spain was considered in the same light, and had assumed the same attitude as Great Britain. It had been settled by coi-respondence that the United States and Great Britain mutually recognized, as applicable to this local strife, these two articles of the declaration made by the Congress of Paris, in 1856, viz, that the neutral or friendly flag should cover enemys goods not contraband of war, and that neutral goods not contraband of war are not liable to capture under an enemys flag. These exceptions of contraband from favor were a negative acceptance by the parties of the rule hitherto everywhere recognized as a part of the law of nations, that whatever is contraband is liable to capture and confiscation in all cases Page 180 180 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. James M. Mason and Macfarland are citizens of the United States and residents of Virginia. John Slidell and George Eustis are citizens of the United States and residents of Louisiana. It was well known at Havana, wheu these parties embarked on the Trent, that James M. Mason was proceeding to England in the affected character of minister plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James, under a pretended commis- sion from Jefferson Davis, who had assumed to be President of the insurrectionary party in the United States, and Macfarland was going with him in a like unreal character of secretary of legation to the pre- tended mission. John Slidell,in similar circumstances, was going to Paris as a pretended minister to the Emperor of the French; and George Eustis was the chosen secretary of legation for that simulated mission. The fact that these persons had assumed such character has been since avowed by the same Jefferson Davis in a pretended message to an unlawful and insurrectionary congress. It was, as we think, rightly presumed that these ministers bore pretended credentials and instructions, and such papers are in the law known as dispatches. We are informed by our consul at Paris that these dispatches having escaped the search of the Trent, were actually conveyed and delivered to emissaries of the insurrection in England. Although it is not essential, yet it is proper to state, as I do also upon information and belief, that the owner and agent, and all the officers of the Trent, including the commander, Williams, had knowl- edge of the assumed characters and purposes of the persons before named when they embarked on that vessel. Your lordship will now perceive that the case before us, instead of presenting a merely flagrant act of violence on the part of Captain Wilkes, as might well be inferred from the incomplete statement of it that went up to the British Government, was undertaken as a simple, legal, and customary belligerent proceeding by Captain Wilkes to arrest and capture a neutral vessel engaged in carrying contraband of war for the use aiid benefit of the insurgents. The question before us is, whether this proceeding was authorized by and conductea according to the law of nations. It involves the follow- ing enquiries: 1. Were the persons named and their supposed dispatches contra- band of war~ 2. Might Captain Wilkes lawfully stop and search the Trent for these contraband persons and dispatches ~ 3. Did he exercise that right in a lawful and proper manner? 4. Having found the contraband persons on board, and in presumed possession of the contraband dispatches, had he a right to capture the persons? 5. Did he exercise that right of capture in the manner allowed and recognized by the law of nations? If all these enquiries shall be resolved in the affirmative, the British Government will have no claim for reparation. I address myself to the first inquiry, namely: Were the four persons mentioned, and their supposed dispatches, contraband? Maritime law so generally deals, as its professors say, in rent, that is, with property, and so seldom with persons that it seems a straining of the term contraband~~ to apply it to them. But persons as well as property may become contraband, Lince the word means broadly contrary to proclamation, prohibited, illegal, unlawful. All writers and judges pronounce naval or military persons in the service of the enemy contraband. Yattel says, War allows us to cut off from a Page 181 OPERATIOI~S OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 181 enemy all his resources, and to hinder him from sending ministers to solicit assistance; and Sir William Scott says, You may stop the ambassador of your enemy on his passage. Dispatches are not less clearly contraband, and the bearers or couriers who undertake to carry them fall under the same condemnation. A subtlety might be raised whether pretended ministers of au usurp- ing power, not recognized as legal by either the belligerent or the neu- tral, could be held to be contraband. But it would disappear on being subjected to what is the true test in all cases, namely, the spirit of the law. Sir William Scott, speaking of civil magistrates who were arrested and detained as contraband, says: It appears to me on principle to be b~ut reasonable that when it is of sufficient importance to the enemy that such persons shall be sent out on the public service, at the public expense, it should afford equal ground of forfeiture against the vessel that may be let out for a purpose so intimately connected with the hostile operations. I trust that I have shown that the four persons who were taken from the Trent by Captain Wilkes and their dispatches were contraband of war. The second enquiry is, whether Captain Wilkes had a right, by the law of nations, to detain and search the Trent. The Trent, though she carried mails, was a contract or merchant vessel, a common carrier for hire. Maritime law knows only three classes of vesselsvessels of war, revenue vessels, and merchant ves- sels. The Trent falls within the latter class. Whatever disputes have existed concerning a right of visitation or search in time of peace none, it is supposed, has existed in modern times about the right of a bellig- erent in time of war to capture contraband in neutral and even friendly merchant vessels and of the right of visitation and search in order to determine whether they are neutral and are documented as such accord- ing to law of nations. 1 assume in the present case what, as 1 read British authorities, is regarded by Great Britain herself as true maritime law, that the circum- stance that the Trent was proceeding from a neutral port to another neutral port does not modify the right of the belligerent captor. The third question is, whether Captain Wilkes exercised the right of search in a lawful and proper manner. If any doubt hung over this point, as the case was l)resented in the statement of it adopted by the British Government, I think it must already have passed away before the modification of that statement which I have already submitted. I proceed to the fourth enquiry, namely, having found the suspected contraband of war on board the Trent, had Captain Wilkes a right to capture the same? Such a capture is the chief, if not the only, recog- nized object of the permitted visitation aiid search. The principle of the law is, that the belligerent exposed to danger may prevent the con- traband persons or things from applying themselves or being applied to the hostile uses or purposes designed. The law is so very liberal in this respect that when contraband is found on board a neutral vessel, not only is the contraband forfeited, but the vessel which is the vehicle of its passage or transportation, being tainted, also becomes contraband, and is subject to capture and confiscation. Only the fifth question remains, namely, did Captain Wilkes exercise the right of capturing the contraband in conformity with the law of nations? It is just here that the difficulties of the case begin. What is the manner which the law of nations prescribes for dis- posing of the contraband when you have found and seized it on boar Page 182 182 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. of the neutral vessel ~ The answer would be easily found if the ques- tion were, what shall you do with the contraband vessel? You must take or send her into a convenient port and subject her to a judicial prosecution there in admiralty, which will try and decide the questions of belligerency, neutrality, contraband, and capture. So again you would promptly find the same answer if the question were, what is the manner of proceeding prescribed by the law of nations in regard to the contraband, if it be property, or things, or material, or pecuniary value ~? But the question here concerns the mode of procedure in regard, not to the vessel that was carrying the contraband, nor yet the contraband things which worked the forfeiture of the vessel, but to contraband persons. The books of law are dumb; yet the question is as important as it is difficult. First, the belligerent captor has a right to prevent the contraband officer, soldier, sailor, minister, messenger, or courier from proceeding in his unlawful voyage and reaching the destined scene of his injurious service. But, on the other hand, the person captured may be innocent; that is, he may not be contraband; he, therefore, has a right to a fair trial of the accusation against him. The neutral state that has taken him under its flag is bound to protect him, if he is not contraband, and is, therefore, entitled to be satisfied upon that important question. The faith of that state is pledged to his safety, if innocent, as its justice is pledged to his surrender, if he is really contraband. Here are conflicting claims, involving personal liberty, life, honor, and duty. Here are conflicting national claims, involving welfare, safety, honor, and empire. They require a tribunal and a trial. The captors and the captured are equals, the neutral and the belligerent state are eqnals. While the law authorities were found silent, it was suggested at an early day by this Government that you should take the captured per. sons into a convenient port and institute judicial proceedings there to try the controversy. But only courts of admiralty have jurisdiction in maritime cases, and these courts have formulas to try only claims to contraband chattels, but none to try claims concerning contraband per. sons. The courts can entertain no proceedings and render no judg- ment in favor of or against the alleged contraband men. It was replied, all this is true, but you can reach in those courts a decision which will have the moral weight of a judicial one by a cir- cuitous proceeding. Convey the suspected men, together with the sus- pected vessel, into port, and try there the same question whether the vessel is contraband. You can prove it to be so by proving the sus- pected men to be contraband, and the court must then determine the vessel to be contraband. If the men are not contraband the vessel will escape condemnation. Still there is no judgment for or against the captured persons; but it was assumed that there would result from tho determination of the court concerning the vessel a legal certainty concerning the character of the men. This course of proceeding seemed open to many objections. It ele- vates the incidental, inferior, private interest into the proper place of the main, paramount, public one, and possibly it may make the for- tunes, the safety, or the existence of a nation depend on the accidents of a merely personal and pecuniary litigation. Moreover, when the judgment of the prize court upon the lawfulness of the capture of the vessel is rendered, it really concludes nothing, and binds neither the belligerent state nor the neutral, upon the great questions of the dis- position to be made of the captured contraband persons. That ques Page 183 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 183 tion is still to be really determined, if at all, by diplomatic arrange- ment or by war. One may reasonably express his surprise when told that the law of nations has furnished no more reasonable, practical, and perfect mode than this of determining questions of such grave import between sov- ereign powers. The regret we may feel on the occasion is, neverthe- less, modified by the reflection that the difficulty is not altogether aiiomalous. Similar and equal deficiencies are found in every system of municipal law, especially in the system which exists in the greater portion of Great Britain and the United States. The title to personal property can hardly ever be resolved by a court without resorting to the fiction that the claimant has lost and the possessor has found it, and the title to real estate is disputed by real litigants under the names of imagin- ary persons. It must be confessed, however, that while all aggrieved nations demand, and all impartial ones concede, the need of some form of judicial process in determining the character of contraband persons, no other form than the illogical and circuitous one thus described exists, nor has any other yet been suggested. Practically, therefore, the choice is between that judicial remedy or no judicial remedy what. ever. If there be no judicial remedy the result is that the question must be determined by the captor himself on the deck of the prize vessel. Very grave objections arise against such a course. The captor is armed, the neutral is unarmed. The captor is interested, prejudiced, and perhaps violent- the neutral, if truly neutral, is disinterested, sub- dued, and helpless. The tribunal is irresponsible while its judgment is carried into instant execution. The captured party is compelled to submit, though bound by no legal, moral, or treaty obligation to acqui- esce. Reparation is distant and problematical, and depends at last on the justice, magnanimity, or weakness of the state in whose behalf and by whose authority the capture was made. Out of these disputes reprisals and wars necessarily arise, and these are so frequent and destructive that it may well be doubted whether this form of remedy is not a greater social evil than all that could follow if the belligerent right of search were universally renounced and abolished forever. But carry the case one step farther. What if the State that has made the capture unreasonably refuse to hear the complaint of the neutral, or to redress it? In that case the very act of capture would be an act of warof war begun without notice, and possibly entirely without provo- cation. I think all unprejudiced minds will agree that imperfect as the pres- ent judicial remedy may be supposed to be, it would be as a general practice better to follow it than to adopt the summary one of leaving the decision with the captor and relying upon diplomatic debates to review his decision. Practically it is a question of choice between law with its imperfection and delays and war with its evils and dessola- tion 5. Nor is it ever to be forgotten that neutrality, honestly and justly preserved, is always a harbinger of peace, and therefore is the common interest of nations, which is only saying that it is the interest of human- ity itself. At the same time it is not to be denied that it may sometimes hap- peii that the judicial remedy will become impossible, as by the ship- wreck of the prize vessel, or other circumstances which excuse the cap- tor from sending or taking her into port for confiscation. In such Page 184 184 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. case the right of the captor to the custody of the captured persons, and to dispose of them, if they are really contraband, so as to defeat their unlawfrtl purposes, can not reasonably be denied. What rule shall be applied in such a case~ Clearly the captor ought to be required to show that the failure of the judicial remedy results from circumstances beyond his control and without his fault, otherwise he would be allowed to derive advantages from a wrongful act of his own. In the present case Captain Wilkes, after capturing the contraband persons and making prize of the Trent, in what seems to us a perfectly lawful manner, instead of sending her into port released her from the capture and permitted her to proceed with her whole cargo upon her voyage, He thus effectually prevented the judicial examinatioti which might otherwise have occurred. If now the capture of the contraband persons and the capture of the contraband vessel are to be regarded not as two separable or distinct transactions under the law of nations, but as one transaction, one cap- ture only, then it follows that the capture in this case was left uiifin- ished, or was abandoned. Whether the United States have a right to retain the chief public benefits of it, namely, the custody of captured persons, on proving them to be contraband, will depend upon the pre- liminary question, whether the leaving of the transaction unfinished was necessary or whether it was unnecessary and therefore voluntary. If it was necessary Great Britain, as we suppose, must of course waive the defect, and the consequent failure of the judicial remedy. On the other hand, it is not seen how the United States can insist upon her waiver of that judicial remedy if the defect of the capture resulted from an act of Captain Wilkes, which would be a fault on their own side. Captain Wilkes has presented to this Government his reasons for releasing the Trent: I forebore to seize her [he says] in consequence of my being so reduced in officers and crew, and the derangement it would cause innocent persons, there being a large number of passengers who would have been put to great loss and inconvenience, as well as disappointment, from the interruption it would have caused them in not being able to join the steamer from St. Thomas to Europe. I therefore concluded to sacri- fice the interest of my officers and crew in the prize, and suffered her to proceed, after the detention necessary to effect the transfer of those commissioners, considering I had obtained the important end I had in view, and which affected the interests of our country and interrupted the action of the Coiifederates. I shall consider, first, how these reasons ought to affect the action of this Government; and, secondly, how they ought to be expected to affect the action of Great Britain. The reasons are satisfactory to this Gov- ernment, so far as Captain Wilkes is concerned. It could not desire that the San Jacinto, her officers and crew, should be exposed to dan- gers and loss by weakening their number to detach a prize crew to go on board the Trent. Still less could it disavow the humane motive of pre- venting inconveniences, losses, and, perhaps, disasters to the several hundred innocent passengers found ~n board the prize vessel. Nor could this Government perceive any ground for questioning the fact that these reasons, though apparently incongruous, did operate in the mind of Captain Wilkes and determine him to release the Trent. Human actions generally proceed upon mingled and sometimes con- flicting motives, He measured the sacrifices which this decision would cost. It manifestly, however, did not occur to him that beyond the sacrifice of the private interests (as he calls them) of his officers and crew there might also, possibly, be a sacrifice even of the chief and public object of his capture, namely, the right of his Government to the custody and disposition of the captured persons. This Governmen Page 185 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 185 can not censure him for this oversight. It confesses that the whole sub- ject caine unforeseen upon the Government, as, doubtless, it did upon him. Its present convictions on the point in question are the result of deliberate examination and deduction now made, and not of any impre~- sion previously formed. Nevertheless, the question now is, not whether Captain Wilkes is justified to his Government in what he did, but what is the present view of the Government as to the effect of what he has done. Assuming, now, for arguments sake only, that the release of the Trent, if voluntary, involved a waiver of the claim of the Government to hold the captured persons, the United States could in that case have no hes- itation in saying that the act which has thus already been approved by the Government must be allowed to draw its legal consequence after it. It is of the very nature of a gift or a charity that the giver can not, after the exercise of his benevolence is past, recall or modify its bene- fits. We are thus brought directly to the question whether we are entitled to regard the release of the Trent as involuntary or whether we are obliged to consider that it was voluntary. Clearly the release would have been involuntary had it been made solely upon the first ground assigned for it by Captain Wilkes, namely7 a want of sufficient force to send the prize vessel into port for adjudi- cation. It is not the duty of a captor to hazard his own vessel in order to secure a judicial examination to the captured party. No large prize crew, however, is legally necessary, for it is the duty of the captured party to acquiesce and go willingly before the tribunal to whose juris- diction it appeals. If the captured party indicate purposes to employ means of resistance which the captor can not with probable safety to himself overcome, he may properly leave the vessel to go forward, and neither she nor the state she represents can ever afterward justly object that the captor deprived her of the judicial remedy to which she was entitled. But the second reason assigned by Captain Wilkes for releasing the Trent differs from the first. At best, therefore, it must be held that Captain Wilkes, as he explains himself, acted from combined senti- ments of prudence and generosity, and so that the release of the prize vessel was not strictly necessary or involuntary. Secondly, how ought we to expect these explanations by Captain Wilkes of his reasons for leaving the capture incomplete to affect the action of the British Government l The observation upon this point which first occurs is that Captain Wilkes explanations were not made to the authorities of the captured vessel. If made known to them they might have approved and taken the release upon the condition of waiv- ing a judicial investigation of the whole transaction, or they might have refused to accept the release upon that condition. But the case is one not with them, but with the British Government. If we claim that Great Britain ought not to insist that judicial trial has been lost because we voluntarily released the offending vessel out of consideration for her innocent passengers, I do not see how she is to be bound to acquiesce in the decision which was thus made by us with- out necessity on our part and without knowledge of conditions or con- sent on her own. The question between Great Britain and ourselves thus stated would be a question not of right and of law, but of favor to be conceded by her to us in return for favors shown by us to her, of the value of which favors on both sides we ourselves shall be the judge Page 186 186 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Of course the United States could have no thought of raising such a question iu any case. I trust that I have shown to the satisfaction of the British Govern- ment, by a very simple and natural statement of the facts and analysis of the law applicable to them, that this Government has neither medi- tated, nor practiced, nor approved any deliberate wrong in the trans- action to which they have called its attention, and, on the contrary, that what has happened has been simply an inadvertency, consisting in a departure by a naval officer, free from any wrongful motive, from a rule uncertainly established, and probably by the several parties concerned either imperfectly understood or entirely unknown. For this error the British Government has right to expect the same repara- tion that we, as an independent state~ should expect from Great Brit- ain or from any other friendly nation in a similar case. I have not been unaware that in examining this question I have fallen into an argument for what seems to be the British side of it against my own country, but I am relieved from all embarrassment on that subject. I had hardly fallen into that line of argument when I discov- ered that I was really defending and maintaining, not an exclusively British interest, but an old honored and cherished American cause, not upon British authorities, but upon principles that constitute a large portion of the distinctive policy by which the United States have developed the resources of a continent, and thus becoming a considerable maritime power, have won the respect and confidence of many nations. These principles were laid down for us in 1804 by James Madison, when Secretary of State in the administration of Thomas Jefferson, in instructions given to James Monroe, our minister to England. Although the case before him concerned a description of persons different from those who are incidentally the subjects of the present discussion, the ground he assumed then was the same I now occupy, and the argu- ments by which he sustained himself upon it have an inspiration to me in preparing this reply. Whenever [he says] property found in a neutral vessel is supposed to be liable on any ground to capture and condemnation, the rule in all cases is that the question shall not be decided by the captor, but be carried before a legal tribunal, where a regular trial may be had, and where the captor himself is liable to damages for an abuse of his power. Can it be reasonable, then, or just, that a belligerent com- mander who is thns restricted and thus responsible in a case of mere property of trivial amount should be permitted, without recurring to any tribunal whatever, to examine the crew of a neutral vessel to decide the important question of their respective allegiance, and to carry that decision into execution by forcing every individual he may choose into a service abhorrent to his feelings, cutting him off from his most tender connections, exposing his mind and his person to the most humiliating discipline, and his life itself to the greatest dangers I Reason, justice, and humanity unite in protesting against so extravagant a proceeding. If I decide this case in favor of my own Government I must disallow its most cherished principles and reverse and forever abandon its essen- tial policy. The country can not afford the sacrifice. If I maintain those principles and adhere to that policy, I must surrender the case itself. It will be seen, therefore, that this Government could not deny the justice of the claim presented to us in this respect upon its merits. We are asked to do to the British nation just what we have always insisted all nations ought to do to us. The claim of the British Government is not made in a discourteous manner. This Government, since its first organization, has never used more guarded language in a similar case. In coming to my conclusion, I have not forgotten that if the safety of this Union required the detention of the captured persons, it woul Page 187 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 187 be the right and duty of this Government to detain them. But the effectual check and waning proportions of the existing insurrection, as well as the comparative unimportance of the captured persons them- selves, when dispassionately weighed, happily forbid me from resorting to that defense. Nor am I unaware that American citizens are not iu any case to be unnecessarily surrendered for any purpose into the keeping of a foreign state. Only the captured persons, however, or others who are inter- ested in them, could justly raise a question on that ground. Nor have I been tempted at all by suggestions that cases might be founa in history where Great Britain refused to yield to other nations, and even to ourselves, claims like that which is now before ns. Those cases occurred when Great Britain, as well as the United States, was the home of generations which, with all their peculiar interests and passions, have passed away. She could in no other way so effectually disavow any such injury, as we think she does, by assuming now as her own the ground upon which we then stood. It would tell little for our own claims to the character of a just and magnanimous people if we should so far consent to be guided by the law of retaliation as to lift up buried injuries from their graves to oppose against what national consistency and the national conscience compel us to regard as a claim intrinsically right. Putting behind me all suggestions of this kind, I prefer to express my satisfaction that, by the adjustment of the present case Ul)Ofl prin- ciples confessedly American, and yet, as I trust, mutually satisfactory to both of the nations concerned, a question is finally and rightly set- tled between them which heretofore, exhausting not only all forms of peaceful discussion but also the arbitrament of war itself, for more than half a century alienated the two countries from each other and perplexed with fears and apprehensions all other nations. The four persons in question are now held in military custody at Fort Warren, in the State of Massachusetts. They will be cheerfully liber- ated. Your lordship will please indicate a time and place for receiving them. avail, etc., WILLIAM II. SEwARD. Lord LYoNS. [Enclosure 2.] Lord Lyon8 to Mr. Seward. WASHINGTON, December 27,1861. SIR: I have this morning received the note which you did me the honor to address to me yesterday, in answer to Earl Russells dispatch of the 30th November last, relative to the removal of Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, Mr. Macfarland, and Mr. Enstis from the British mail packet Trent. I will, without any loss of time, forward to Her Majesty~s Government a copy of the important communication which you have made to me. I will also, without delay, do myself the honor to confer with you per- sonally on the arrangements to be made for delivering the four gentle- men to me,in order that they may be again placed under the protection of the British flag. I have, etc., LYONS. W. II. SEWARD, Esq Page 188 188 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. [Extract.] WASHINGTON, December 27, 1861. (Received January 9, 1862.) Before transmitting to me the note of which a copy is inclosed in my immediately preceding dispatch of to-days date, Mr. Seward sent for me to the State Department, and said with some emotion that he thought that it was due to the great kindness and consideration which I had manifested throughout in dealing with the affair of the Trent that he should tell me with his own lips that he had been able to effect a satisfactory settlement of it. He had, however, now been authorized to address to me a note wliich would be satisfactory to her Majestys Government. In answer to inquiries from me, Mr. Seward said that of course he understood her Majestys Government to leave it open to the Govern- ment of Washington to present the case in the form which would be most acceptable to the American people; but that the note was intended to be, and was, a compliance with the terms proposed by her Majestys Government. He would add that the friendly spirit and the discre- tion which I had manifested in the whole matter, from the day on which the intelligence of the seizure reached Washington up to the present moment, had more than anything else contributed to the sat- isfactory settlement of the question. I asked Mr. Seward what arrangements he would wish me to make for receiving the prisoners. He begged me to speak to him on the sub- ject to-morrow, for he was at the moment overwhelmed with business, and particularly with the labor of preparing dispatches for the Euro pean mail. LYONS. Earl RUSSEL. Earl Russell to Lord Napier. [Extract.] FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDoN], January 10, 1862. Her Majestys Government have every reason to be satisfied with the opinions and the acts of the European powers in regard to the matter of the Irent. The Emperor of the French, without delay, instructed his minister at Washington to support by argument and by counsel the proposals for reparation made by her Majesty to the Government of Washington. The Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia, as soon as they were acqnainted with the facts, threw the moral weight of their judgment into the scale of Great Britain. While her Majestys Government have been much gratified by these spontaneous marks of adherence and approval, they have no reason to be dissatisfied with the condnct of Russia. Baron Brunnow wrote at once from London to his colleague at Wash- ington, condemning in strong terms the conduct of the commander of the AS~an Jacinto, and advising due reparation to her Majesty~s Govern- ment by the President of the United States. Prince Gortschakof Page 189 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 189 wrote also to Washington and to London private letters entirely approv- ing the step taken by Baron Brunnow. Other powers have expressed similar sentiments. RUSSELL. Lord NAPJER. Earl Ru8seli to Lord LyOn8. FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDON], January 10, 1862. M~ LORD: In my dispatch to you of the 30th of November, after informing you of the circumstances which had occurred in relation to the capture of the four persons takeii frem on board the Trent, I stated to you that it thus appeared that certain individuals had been forcibly taken from on board a British vessel, the ship of a neutral power, while such vessel was pursuing a lawful and innocent voyage; an act of vio- lence which was an affront to the British flag and a violation of inter- national law. I concluded by directing you, in case the reparation which her Majestys Government expected to receive should not be offered by Mr. Seward, to propose to that minister to make such redress as alone would satisfy the British nation, namely, first, the liberation of the four gentlemen taken from on board the Trent, and their deliv- ery to your lordship iii order that they might again be placed under British protection; and, secondly, a suitable apology for the aggression which had been committed. I received yesterday your dispatch of the 27th ultimo, enclosing a note to you from Mr. Seward, which is in substance the answer to my dispatch of the 30th of November. Proceeding at once to the main points in discussion between us, her Majestys Government have carefully examined how far Mr. Sewards note, and the conduct it announces, complies substantially with the two proposals I have recited. With regard to the first, viz, the liberation of the prisoners with a view to their being again placed under British protection, I find that the note concludes by stating that the prisoners will be cheerfully lib- erated, and by calling upon your lordship to indicate a time and place for receiving them. No condition of any kind is coupled with the liber- ation of the prisoners. With regard to the suitable apology which the British Government had a right to expect, I find that the Government of the United States distinctly and unequivocally declares that no directions had been given to Captain Wilkes, or to any other naval officer, to arrest the four per- sons named, or any of them, on the Trent, or on any other British vessel, or on any other neutral v where. essel, at the place where it occurred or else- I find further that the Secretary of State expressly forbears to jus- tify the particular act of which her Majestys Government complained. If the U. S. Government had alleged that, although Captain Wilkes had no previous instruction for that purpose he was right in capturing the persons of the four prisoners and in removing them from the Trent on board his own vessel, to be afterwards carried into a port of the United States, the Government which had thus sanctioned the proceed- ing of Captain Wilkes would have become responsible for the original violence and insult of the act. But Mr. Seward contents himself with stating that what has happened has been simply an inadvertency, con Page 190 190 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. sisting in a departure by a naval officer, free from any wrongful motive, from a rule uncertainly established, and probably by the several par- ties concerned either imperfectly understood or entirely unknown. The Secretary of State goes on to affirm that for this error the British Gov- ernment has a right to expect the same reparation which the United States as an independent state should expect from Great Britain or from any other friendly nation in a similar case. Her Majestys Governmeiit, having carefully taken into their consid- eration the liberation of the prisoners, the delivery of them into your hands, and the explanations to which I have just referred, have arrived at the conclnsion that they constitute the reparation which her Majesty and the British nation had a right to expect. It gives her Majestys Government great satisfaction to be enabled to arrive at a conclusion favorable to the maintenance of the most friendly relations between the two nations. I need not discuss the niodifications in my statement of facts which Mr. Seward says he has derived from the reports of officers of his Government. I can not conclude, however, without adverting shortly to the dis- cussions which Mr. Seward has raised upon points not prominently brought into question in my dispatch of the 30th of November. I there objected, on the part of her Majestys Government, to that which Captain Wilkes had done. Mr. Seward, in his answer, points out what he conceives Captain Wilkes might have done without violating the law of nations. It is not necessary that I should here discuss in detail the five que~- tions ably argued by the Secretary of State, but it is necessary that I should say that her Majestys Government differs from Mr. Seward in some of the conclusions at which he has arrived; and it may lead to a better understanding between the two nations on several points of international law which may during the present contest, or at some future time, be brought into question, that I should state to you for communication to the Secretary of State wherein those differences con- sist. I hope to do so in a few days. In the meantime it will be desirable that the commanders of the U. S. cruisers should be instructed not to repeat acts for which the British Government will have to ask for redress and which the U. S. Government can not undertake to justify. You will read and give a copy of this dispatch to the Secretary of State. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LyoNs. Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDON], January 11, 1862. Mv LORD: In transmitting to your lordship my preceding dispatch of yesterdays date, I have to state that I read a copy of it this day to Mr. Adams. When I had done, Mr. Adams said that he considered it as a dispatch which would be very satisfactory to his Government. I said that the paragraph in the dispatch was meant as a reference to the case of the Eugenia Smith, which seemed to be as similar as possi- ble to that of the Treat. I concluded that in that case the prisoners would be at once liberated, a conclusion in which Mr. Adams seemed t Page 191 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 191 agree; but he declared that he knew iiothing of the case except from the newspapers. J spoke to him of the report that a number of Federal cruisers were coming to the British Channel, and I expressed a hope that interruption of British trade would, as far as possible, be avoided. Mr. Adams explained that, according to rumor, a complete squadron of Confederate vessels were about to cruise in the British Channel. The Nashville, the Sumter, and the Pacific were to form a part of this squad. roii. He had been informed that both at Liverpool and at Havre many merchant vessels of the United States were detained, afraid to put to sea in the face of the expected squadron. The object of his Government was therefore to protect their own trade, and not to harass ours. I said I expected that snch would be his answer. I allnded to the case of the men landed in Southampton and found in the docks, being part of the crew of the Tuscarora. He told me he had warned the Captain of the Tuscarora with regard to any use of force on the land of a neutral. I then informed him that the captain of the Tuscarora had received notice in respect to the rule that a bellig- erent leaving a neutral port should not be pursued by the belligerent vessel of the opposite power till after the expiration of twenty.four hours. I enclose a correspondence with the board of admiralty and Mr. Adams on this snbject. I then stated that I thought it might be useful to both Governments if several points in regard to neutrality raised by Mr. Adams dispatch were to be calmly discussed between us. Some passages in Mr. Sewards dispatch might lead to the inference that almost every packet passing between Dover and Calais might be liable to be taken and carried into New York on the pretext that it carried some emissary of the secession- ists. But such, I was convinced, was not the meaning of Mr. Seward. I sincerely congratulated him on the termination of this affair and said that if Mr. Hume was right in saying that the reparatioii of injus- tice is the second honor of a nation, that honor undoubtedly belonged to the Government of the United States. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LYONS. Earl Ru8sell to Lord Lyon8. FOREIGN OFFICE [LoNDON], January 11, 1862. Mv LORD: Your conduct in the important matter of the Trent is entirely approved by Her Majesty. The discretion and good temper you have shown have contributed greatly to the success of our repre- sentations. In order to give your lordship by a public document a proof that you have acted strictly according to the instructions you have received, I inclose an extract, annexed to this dispatch, of a private letter I addressed to you on the 1st of December last. I am, etc. RUSSELL. Lord LYONS Page 192 192 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Enclosure.] Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. [ExtractPrivate.] FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDON], December 1, 1861. The dispatches which were agreed to at the cabinet yesterday, and which I have signed this morning, impose upon you a disagreeable task. My wish would be that, at your first interview with Mr. Seward, you should not take my dispatch with you, but should prepare him for it, and ask him to settle with the President and the Cabinet what course they would propose. The next time you should bring my dispatch and read it to him fully. If he asks what will be the consequence of his refusing com- pliance, I think you should say that you wish to leave him and the President quite free to take their own coarse and that you desire to abstain from anything like menace. RUSSELL. Lord LYONS. Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. FOREIGN OFFICE [LONDON], January 11, 1862. Mv LORD: I have to call your attention to the case of the Eugenia Smith, a British vessel, from which two persons were taken by a U. S. cruiser, and have been since confined iu Fort Lafayette. The circum- stances are detailed in the newspaper sent to you by Consul Archibald. As the principle which has governed the decision of the U. S. Govern- ment in the case of the Trent appears entirely applicable to this case, I conclude that the two prisoners will be released at once. Should that not be the case you will state the circumstance to Mr. Seward, and ask for the delivery of the prisoners. I enclose a copy of the registry of the vessel Eugenia Smith. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LyoNs. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. WASHINGTON, December 31, 1861. (Received January 15, 1862.) M~ LouD: After some consultation with Mr. Seward, I have fixed noon to-morrow as the time, and Provincetown, in the State of Massa- chusetts, as the place, at which Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, Mr. Macfar- land, and Mr. Eustis are to be restored to the protection of the British flag. I have accordingly requested Commander Hewett, of Th NI. ship Rinaldo, to go at once with that ship to Provincetown to receive the four gentlemen. The U. S. Government will convey them thither from Fort Warren in an American steam vessel. Mr. Seward assures me that this arrangement is acceptable to the Government of the United States, and well calculated to secure the gentlemen themselves from inconvenience and annoyance Page 193 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 193 I have the honor to transmit to your lordship a copy of the dispatch which I have written to Commander Hewett. Your lordship will per- ceive that I have requested him to proceed with his passengers, in the first instance, to Halifax. This will, no doubt, be in conformity with their own wishes. I consider that as the four gentlemen lost their passage on board the Trent in consequence of their not obtaining from the British flag the protection which it ought to have afforded to them, we are now bound to facilitate the prosecution of their voyage to Europe if they request us to do so. They will, no doubt, on their arrival at Halifax, confer with the lieutenant-governor respecting their future proceedings. It may perhaps be desirable, after all that has occurred, that what- ever may be the place to which Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell and their companions may desire to proceed, they should pursue their voyage in a Government vessel; for it would be most unfortunate if the whole question should be reopened by any attempt to capture a vessel with these gentlemen on board and bring her in for adjudication before au American prize court. I do not believe that the Government of the United States would countenance such a proceeding, but an officer of the U. S. Navy who had not been recently in communication with his superiors might form a misconception of their wishes and of his own duty and deem it right to capture a private vessel on the same grounds on which Captain Wilkes seized the four passengers on board the Trent. I have, etc., LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. [Euclosure.J Lord Lyon8 to Commander Hewett. WASHINGTON, December 30, 1861. SIR: You are no doubt aware that the Government of the United States has declared that it will cheerfully liberate Mr. Mason, Mr. Sli- dell, Mr. Macfarland, and Mr. Eustis, and has requested me to appoint a time and place for receiving those gentlemen. I have agreed with the Secretary of State of the United States that the four gentlemen shall be replaced under the protection of the British flag in the harbor of Provincetown, Cape Cod, as soon as the neces- sary arrangements can be made. I consider it to be of very great importance that every facility should be afforded by her Majestys officers for effecting this without delay. I therefore deem it to be my duty to request you to proceed as soon as possible, in her Majestys ship under your command, to Provincetown harbor, and there take the four gentlemen on board. They will be brought from Fort Warren, Boston harbor, to Provincetown, in an American steam vessel. Should they not be already there when you arrive, it will be proper that you wait for them. As soon as you have them on board, it will be desirable that you proceed with them direct to Halifax; this will, no doubt, be in con- formity with their own wishes. You are further at liberty to assure them that they will find every disposition on our part to repair, as far as is now possible, any inconvenience or disadvantage which they have sustained in consequence of their removal from the protection of the British flag. We shall be willing to place them as nearly as possible in the position which they occupied when that removal took place; but we can not do more than this. We shall be desirous to facilitate their 123A1 Page 194 194 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. passing from Halifax to any neutral port; but we can not undertake to convey them to part of the coast of the States which have seceded from the Republic. The whole of the coasts of those States is uide~ block ade, and Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell and their companions were excluded from it by the blockade when they were under the British flag on board the Trent. It is hardly necessary that I should remind yon that these gentle- men have no official character. It will be right for you to receive them with all courtesy and respect as private gentlemen of distinction; but it would be very improper to pay to them any of those honors which are paid to official persons. It is desirable that the transfer of them from the American steam vessel to her Majestys ship under your command should be effected unostentatiously; and that when you have them on board, you should go on to Halifax without the smallest delay. I request you to inform me by telegraph, as soon as possible after you receive this dispatch, of the hour at which you intend to leave New York, and of the hour at which you expect to arrive at Province- town. I am, etc., LYoNs. Commander HEWETT. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. [Extract.] WASHINGTON, December 31, 1861. (Received January 15, 1862.) I was myself perfectly willing to dispatch her Majestys ship Rinaldo to Boston harbor to receive Mr. Mason aud Mr. Shdell and their companions from Fort Warren. I told Mr. Seward that I desired to consult his wishes as far as possi- ble; that I was as unwilling as he could be that the transfer of the four gentlemen should cause any popular excitement, or be made the occasion for anything like display of exultation on the part of Great Britain. The only points on which I desired to insist were, that the transfer should be made by daylight, and that the gentlemen should either be received on board a British ship of war in the United States or be conveyed to a British port iii an American ship. Provincetown was suggested as the best place by the Assistant See-- retary of the Navy. It is, I believe, a small, quiet town. It is situated near Cape Cod, and the harbor is a very good one. It is about 4() miles from Boston. It is not on the direct route from Boston to Halifax, but it is nearer to Halifax than Boston is. Time did not admit of the Rinaldos reaching it before to-morrow at noon. LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell. WASHINGTON, January 3 [1862]. (Received January 16.) MY LORD: The telegraphic dispatches in the newspapers this morn- ing announce that Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, and their two companion Page 195 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 195 sailed from Provincetown on board H. M. ship Rinaldo at 5 oclock the day before yesterday. I have no other intelligence of their departure, but I do not doubt that the newspaper accounts are correct. No excitement appears to have been apparent either at Province- town or at Boston. I have, etc., LYONS. Earl RUSSELL. Lord Lyon8 to Earl RUS8ell. WASHINGTON, January 6, 1862. (IReceived January 20.) M~ LORD: I have the honor to enclose the copy of a dispatch which I received the day before yesterday from Commander Hewett, inform- ing me that he received Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell on board H. M. ship Rinaldo, at Provincetown, on the 1st instant, and intended to put to sea at once and make the best of his way to Halifax. I have also the honor to transmit to you a copy of a note which I have received to-day from Mr. Frederick Seward, who is acting as Sec- retary of State in the absence of his father, it announces to me offi- daily the delivery of the four gentlemen to the commander of the Ilinaldo. I add a copy of a note which I have written to Mr. Seward in reply. 11 have learned from the newspapers that the Rinaldo actually sailed from Provincetown on the 1st instant. Intelligence of her arrival at Halifax has not, however, yet reached Washington. I have, etc., LYONS. Eari RUSSELL. [Enclosure 1.] Commander Hewett to Lord Lyon8. RINALDO, PROVINCETOWN HARBOR, January 1, 1862. M~ LORD: I have the honor to inform your lordship that I left New York on the 30th nltinio and arrived at Provincetown early this morning, and waited till evening, when ~Iessrs. Mason and Slidell and companiolis came on board from an American tugboat from Boston. According to your lordships instructions I received them without form or ceremony. Although the barometer is falling considerably, II intend putting to sea at once and making the best of my way to Halifax. 1 have, etc., Lord LYONS. HEWETT. P. S.The gentlemen remarked that their only wish was to proceed to Europe. W.H. [Enclosure 2.] Mr. F. W. Seward to Lord Lyon8. WASHINGTON; January 6, 1861 [1862]. M~ LORD: I have the honor to inform you that at 4 p. m. on Wednesday last, the 1st instant,Messrs. Mason, Slidell. E ustis, an Page 196 196 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Macfarland, citizens of the United States, who were taken from the British mail steamer Trent, by order of Captaiti Wilkes, of tbe U. S. war steamer San Jacinto, were delivered to the custody of the com- mander of the British war steamer Rinaldo, at Provincetown, in the State of Massachusetts. I avail, etc., F. W. SEWARD. Lord LYONS. [Enclosure 3.] Lord Lyons to Mr. F. Seward. WAsHINGTON, January 6, 1861 11862]. SIR: I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of the note, dated to-day, in which you have done me the honor to announce to me that Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Eustis, and Macfarland were delivered to the com- mander of her Majestys ship Rinaldo, at Provincetown, in the State of Massachusetts, on the I st instant. I have, on my part, the honor to inform you that the commander of her Majestys ship, the Rinaldo, who was deputed by me to receive the four gentlemen, has reported to me that they were duly delivered to him on board that ship, at the time and place above mentioned. I have, etc., LYONS. F. W. SEWARD, Esq. Earl Russell to Lord Lyons. FOREIGN OFFICE ~LONDON], January 23, 1862. M~ LORD: I mentioned in my dispatch of the 10th instant that her Majestys Government differed from Mr. Seward in some of the conclu- sions at which he had arrived; and that I should state to you on a future occasion wherein these differences consisted. I now proceed to do so. It is necessary to observe that I propose to discuss the questions involved in this correspondence solely on the principles of international law. Mr. Seward himself, speaking of the capture of the four gentle- men taken from on board the Trent, says: The question before us is whether this proceeding was authorized by and conducted according to the law of nations. This is, in fact, the nature of the question which has been, but happily is no longer at issue. It concerned the respective rights of belligerents and neutrals. We mnust therefore discard entirely from our minds the allegation that the captured persons weve rebels, and we must consider them only as enemies of the United States, at war with its Government, for that is the ground on which Mr. Seward ulti- mately places the discussion. It is the only ground upon which foreign governments can treat it. The first inquiry that arises therefore is, as Mr. Seward states it, Were the persons named and their supposed dispatches contraband of war~ Upon this question her Majestys Government differ entirely from Mr. Seward. The general right amid duty of a neutral power to maintain its own communications and friendly relations with both belligerents can not b Page 197 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 197 disputed. A neutral nation, says Vattel,# continues, with the two parties at war, in the several relations nature has placed between nations. It is ready to perform toward both of them all the duties of humanity reciprocally due from nation to nation. In the performance of these duties, on both sides, the neutral nation has itself a most direct and material interest; especially when it has numerous citizens resident in the territories of both belligerents; and when its citizens, resident both there and at home, h ave property of great value in the territories of the belligerents, which may be exposed to danger from acts of confiscation and violence if the protection of their own govern- ment should be withheld. This is the case with respect to British sub- jects during the present civil war in North America. Acting upon these principles, Sir William Scott, in the case of the Caroline,t during the war between Great Britain and France decided that the carrying of dispatches from the French ambassador resident in the United States to the Government of France by a United States merchant ship was no violation of the neutrality of the United States in the war between Great Britain and France and that such dispatches could not be treated as contraband of war. lie said: The neutral country has a right to preserve its relations with the enemy, and you are not at liberty to conclude that any communication between them can par- take, in any degree, of the nature of hostility against yon. The enemy may have his hostile projects to be attempted with the neutral state, but your reliance is on the integrity of that neutral state, that it will not favor nor participate in such designs, but, as far as its own councils and actions are concerned, will oppose them. And if there should be private reasons to suppose that this confidence in the good faith of the neutral state has a doubtful foundation, that is matter for the caution of the Government, to be counteracted by just measures of preventive policy; but it is no ground on which this court can pronounce that the neutral carrier has violated his duty by bearing dispatches, which, as far as he can know, may be pre sumed to be of an innocent nature, and in the maintenance of a specific connection And he continues, shortly afterwards: It is to be considered also, with regard to this question, what may be due to the convenience of the neutral state, for its interests may require that the intercourse of correspondence with the enemys country shonld not be altogether interdicted. It might be thought to amount almost to a declaration that an ambassador from the enemy shall not reside in the neutral state, if he is declared to be debarred from the only means of commnnicating with his own. For to what useful purpose can he reside there without the opportunities of such a communication ~ It is too much to say that all the business of the two states shall be transacted by the minister of the neutral state resident in the enemys country. The practice of nations has allowed to neutral states the privilege of receiving ministers from the belligerent states, and the use and convenience of an immediate negotiation with them. That these principles must necessarily extend to every kind of (lip- lomatic communication between government amid government, whether by sending or receiving ambassadors or commissioners personally, or by sending or receiving dispatches from or to such ambassadors or commissioners, or from or to the respective governnments, is too plain to need argument; and it seems no less clear that such communications must be as legitimate and innocent in their first commencement as afterwards, and that the rule can imot be restricted to the case imi which diplomatic relations are already formally established by the residence of an accredited minister of the belligerent power in the neutral coun- try. It is the neutrality of the one party to the communications, and not either the mode of the communications or the time when it first Vattel, Book III, cap. 7, sec. 118. tThe Caroline (Chr. Rob., 461); cited and approved by Wheaton ( Elements, Part iv, cap. 3, sec. 22) Page 198 198 OPERATIONS OF TilE CRUISERSUNION. takes place, which furnishes the test of the true application of the principle. The only distinction arising out of the peculiar circum- stances of a civil war and of the nonrecognition of the independence of the de facto government of one of the belligerents, either by the other belijoerent or by the neutral power, is this: That, for the purpose ot avoiding the difficulties which might arise floin a formal and positive solution of these questions, diplomatic agents are frequently substi- tuted who are clothed with the powers and enjoy the immunities of ministers, though they are not invested with the representative char- acter nor entitled to diplomatic honors.~~* Upon this Iboting Messrs. Mason and Slidell, who are expressly stated by Mr. Seward to have been sent as pretended ministers plenipotentiary from the Southern States to the courts of St~James and of Paris, must have been sent, and would have been, if at all, received; and the reception of these gentle- men upon this footing could not have been justly regarded, according to the law of nations, as a hostile or unfriendly act toward the United States. Nor, indeed, is it clear that these gentlemen would have been clothed with any powers, or have enjoyed any immunities, beyond those accorded to diplomatic agents not officially recognized. it appears to her Ma~jestys Government to be a necessary and cer- tam deduction from these principles that the conveyance of public agents of this character from Havana to St. Thomas on their way to Great Britain and France, and of their ci-edentials or dispatches (if any) on board the Trent, was miot and could not be a violation of the duties of neutrality on the part of that vessel; and, both for that reason and also because the destination of these persons and their dispatches was bona fide neutral, it is in the judgment of her Majestys Govern- ment clear and certain that they were not contraband. The doctrine of contraband has its whole foundation and origin in the principle which is nowhere more accurately explained than iii the following passage of Bynkershoek. After stating in general ternis the duty of impartial neutrality, he adds: Et sane id, quod modo dicebam, non tantum ratio docet, med et Usus, infer omnes fere. genies receptus. Quarneis enim libera sint cum arnicorum nostroruin Iiostibus commercia, usu tamenpiacuit, ne alterutrum his rebus juvemus, quibus helium contra arnicos nostros instruatur etfoveatur. Non licet igitur alteruiri adeeliere ea, qui bus in hello gerendo opus hahet; ut sunt tormenta, arma, et quorum prwc~puus in hello U5U8~ milites. ~ * * * Optiruojure interdictum est, ne quid eorum hostibus subministrem?is; quia ins rebus nos tpsiquodammodo videremur amicis nostris belle ~n facere. The principle of contraband of war is here clearly explained,, amid it is impossible that mnen, or dispatches, which do not come within that principle, can in this sense be contraband. The penalty of knowingly carrying contraband of war is, as Mr. Seward states, nothing less than the confiscation of the ship; but it is impossible that this penalty can be incurred when the neutral has done no more than employ means usnal among nations for maintaining his own proper relations with one of the belligerents. It is of the very essence of the definition of contra- band that the articles should have a hostile, and not a neutral desti- nation. Goods, says Lord Stowell4 going to a neutral port can not come under the descriptiomi of contraband, all goods going there being equally lawful. The rule respecting contraband, he adds, as I have always understood it,is that articles must be taken in delicto,in the actual prosecution of the voyage to an enemys port. On what just principle can it be contended that a hostile destination is less neces * Wheatons Elements, part 3, chap. 1, sec. 5. t Bynkershoek: Qnnst. Jur. Pubi., lib. 1, cap. 9. IThe Inn; 3 Clir. Rob., 167 Page 199 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 199 sary, or a neutral destination more noxious, for constituting a contra- band character in the case of public agents or dispatches, than in the case of arms and ammunition ~ Mr. Seward seeks to snpport his conclusion on this point by a refer- ence to the well-known dictum of Sir William Scott in the case of the Caroline, that you may stop the ambassador of your enemy on his passage, * and to another dictum of the same judge, in the case of the Orozenibo, that civil functionaries, if sent for a purpose intimately con- nected with the hostile operations, I may fall under the same rule with persons whose employment is directly military. These quotations are, as it seems to her Majestys Government, irrelevant. The words of Sir W. Scott are in both applied by Mr. Seward in a sense different from that in which they were used. Sir William Scott does not say that an ambassador sent from a belligerent to a neutral state may be stopped as contraband while on his passage on board a neutral vessel belonging to that or any other neutral state; nor that, ifhebenot contraband, the other belligerent would have any right to stop him on such a voyage. The sole object which Sir William Scott had in view was to explain the exteiit and limits of the doctrine of the inviolabil- ity of ambassadors, in virtue of that character; for he says: The limits that are assigned to the operations of war against them, by Yattel and other writers upon these subjects, are that you may exercise your right of war against them whenever the character of hostility exists. You may stop the ambassador of your enemy ou his passage; bnt when he has arrived, and taken npon him the functions of his office, and has been admitted in his representative character, he becomes a sort of middleman, entitled to peculiar privileges, as set apart for the protection of the relations of amity and peace, in maintaining which all nations are in some degree ]nterested. There is certainly nothing in this passage from which an inference can be drawn so totally opposed to the general tenor of the whole judgment, as that an ambassador proceeding to the country to which he is sent, and on board a neutral vessel belonging to that country, can be stopped on the ground that the conveyance of such an ambas- sador is a breach of neutrality, which it must be if he be contraband of war. Sir William Scott is here expressing not his own opinion merely, but the doctrine which he considers to have been laid down by writers of authority upon the subject. No writer of authority has ever sug- gested that an ambassador procee(liIlg to a neutral state on board one of its merchant ships is contraband of war. The only writer named by Sir William Scott is Vattel4 whose words are these: On pert encore attaqner et arr~ter ses gens [i. e., gens de 7,ennemi], ))artout oi~ On a la libertd dexercer des actes dhostititd. Non seulement doac on pert justement refuser lepas- sage aux ministres quun ennemi enroy6 4 dautres souverains; on les arrfte miiae sils entreprennent de passer secri~tenient et sans permission dans les ijeux dont on est maitre. And he adds, as an example, the seizure of a French ambassador when passing through the dominions of Hanover during war between England and France, by the King of England, who was also sovereign of Hanover. The rule, therefore, to be collected from these authorities is that you may stop an enemys ambassador in any place of which you are your- self the master, or in any place where you have a right to exercise acts of hostility. Your own territory, or ships of your own country, are places of which you are yourself the master. The enemys territory, or the enemys ships, are the places in which you have a right to exercise tY~tel, lii). iv, chap. 7, sec. 85, The Caroline; 6 Chr. Rob., 468. IThQ Orqzen~bo; 6 Chr, Rob., 434 Page 200 200 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. acts of hostility. Neutral vessels, guilty of no violation of the laws of neutrality, are places where you have no right to exercise acts of hos~ tility. It would be an inversion of the doctrine that ambassadors have peculiar privileges to argue that they are less protected than other men. The right conclusion is that an ambassador sent to a neutral power is inviolable on the high seas, as well as in neutral waters, while under the protection of the neutral flag. The other dictum of Sir William Scott, in the case of the Orozembo, is even less pertinent to the present question. That related to the case of a neutral ship which, upon the effect of the evidence given on the trial, was held by the court to have been engaged as an enemys trans- port to convey the enemys military officers and some of his civil offi - cers, whose duties were intimately connected with military operations, from the enemys country to one of the enemys colonies, which was about to be the theater of those operations, the whole being done nuder color of a simulated neutral destination. But as long as a neutral government, within whose territory no military operations are carried on, adheres to its profession of neutrality the duties of civil officers on a mission to that government and within its territory can not possi- bly be connected with any military operations~~ in the sense in which these words were nsed by Sir William Scott, as, indeed, is ren- dered quite clear by the passages already cited from his own judgment in the case of the Caroline. In connection with this part of the subject it is necessary to notice a remarkable passage in Mr. Sewards note, in which he says: I assume, in the present case, what, as I read British authorities, is regarded by Great Britain herself as true maritime lawthat the circumstance that the Trent was proceeding from a neutral port to another neutral port does not modify the right of the belligerent capture. If, indeed, the immediate and ostensible voyage of the Trent had been to a neutral port, but her ultimate and real destination to some port of the enemy, her Majestys Government might have been better able to understand the reference to British authorities contained in this passage. It is undoubtedly the law, as laid down by British authori- ties, that if the real destination of the vessel be hostile (that is, to the enemy or the enemys country) it can not be covered and rendered innocent by a fictitious destination to a neutral port. But if the real terminus of the voyage be bona fide, in a neutral territory, mio English, nor, indeed, as her Majestys Government believe, any American authority can be found which has ever given countenance to the doc- trine that either men or dispatches can be subject, during such a voy- age and on board such a neutral vessel, to belligerent capture as con- traband of war. Her Majestys Government regard such a doctrine as wholly irreconcilable with the true principles of maritime law, and certainly with those principles as they have been understood in the courts of this country. It is to be further observed that packets engaged in the postal serv- ice, and keeping up the regular and periodical communications between the different countries of Europe and America and other parts of the world, though, in the absence of treaty stipulations, they may not be exempted from visit and search in time of war, nor from the penalties of any violation of neutrality, if proved to have been knowingly com- mitted, are still, when sailing in the ordinary and innocent course of their legitimate employment, which consists in the conveyance of mails and passengers, entitled to peculiar favor and protection from all go Page 201 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 201 ernments in whose service they are engaged. To detain, disturb ,or interfere with them, without the very gravest cause, would be an act of a most noxious aud injurious character, not only to a vast number and variety of individual and private interests, but to the public inter- ests of neutral and friendly governments. It has been necessary to dwell upon these points iu some detail, because they involve principles of the highest importance, and because, if Mr. Sewards argument were acted upon as sound, the most injurious consequences might follow. For instance, in the present war, according to Mr. Sewards doctrine, any packet ship carrying a Confederate agent from Dover to Calais, or from Calais to Dover, might be captured and carried to New York. Ju case of a war between Austria aiid Italy the conveyance of an Italian minister or agent might cause the capture of a neutral packet plying between Malta and Marseilles, or between Malta and Gibraltar, the condemnation of the ship at Trieste, and the confinement of the minister or agent in an Austrian prison. So in the late war between Great Britain and France on the one hand, and Russia on the other, a Russian minister going from Hamburg to Washington, in an American ship, might have been brought to Portsmouth, the ship might have been con- dem tied, and the minister sent to the Tower of London. So, also, a Confederate vessel of war might capture a Cunard steamer on its way from Halifax to Liverpool on the ground of its carrying dispatches from Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams. In view, therefore, of the erroneous principles asserted by Mr. Sew- ard and the consequences they involve, her Majestys Government think it necessary to declare that they would not acquiesce in the cap- ture of any British merchant ship in circumstances similar to those of the Trent, and the fact of its being brought before a prize court, though it would alter the character, wonidnot diminish the gravity of the offense against the law of nations which would thereby be committed. Having disposed of the question whether the persons named and their supposed dispatches were contrabrand of war, I am relieved from the necessity of discussitig the other questions raised by Mr. Seward, namely, whether Captain Wilkes had lawfully a right to stop and search the Trent for these persons and their supposed dispatches; whether that right, assuming that he possessed it, was exercised by him in a lawful and proper manner, and whether he had a right to cap- ture the persons found on board. The fifth question put by Mr. Seward, namely, whether Captain Wilkes exercised the alleged right of capture in the manner allowed and recoguizcd by the law of nations, is resolved by Mr. Seward him. self in the negative. I can not conclude however, without noticing one very singular pas- sage in Mr. Sewards dispatch. Mr. Seward asserts that if the safety of this Union required the detention of the captured persons it would be the right and duty of this Government to detain them. He proceeds to say that the waning proportions of the insurrection and the comparative unimportance of the captured persons themselves forbid him from resorting to that defense. Mr. Seward does not here assert any right founded on inter. national law, however inconvenient or irritating to neutral nations; he entirely loses sight of the vast difference which exists between the exercise of an extreme right and the commission of an unquestional ble wrong. His frankness compels me to be equally open, and to inform him that Great Britain could not have submitted to the perp Page 202 202 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. tration of that wrong, however flourishing might have been the insur- rection in the South and however important the persons captured might have been. Happily all danger of hostile collision on this subject has been avoided. It is the earnest hope of her Majestys Government that similar dangers, if they should arise, may be averted by peaceful nego- tiations conducted in the spirit which befits the organs of the two great nations. I request you to read this dispatch to Mr. Seward and give him a copy of it. I am, etc., RUSSELL. Lord LYONS. [Telegram.] (Received November 8, 1861, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.) SECRETARY [o~j STATE: Am requested by consul at Bermuda to state that English merchant steamer Fingal arrived at Bermuda on 3d, bound Jamaica, via Nassau, New Providence. Leaves on 5th. lIe is convinced she is laden with munitions of war and intends to run block- ade. Steamer Nashville escaped from Charleston; was coaling at Ber- muda on 3d to leave for Liverpool on 5th. Slidell and Mason not on board; supposed they left St. Thomas for Southampton on 30th ultimo in English steamer. M. M. JACKSON, Consul. Hon. WM. II. SEWARD. Report of Commander Marehand, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. James Adger, forwarding information of steamer Gladiator, from London, loaded with munitions of war. U. S. S. JAMES ADGER, Southampton, England, November 9, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have hopes of getting to sea to-night or to-morroxv morning on the way with this ship to the Chesapeake Bay, as directed by Flag-Officer Du Pont. Information has been given me that an iron propeller named the Gladiator, of London, of 600 tons burdeii, left the Thames two days ago laden with 600 cases of Enfleld and Belgian rifles, a nun ber of cannon, a large quantity of field blankets, shells, powder, and other munitions of war, bound either to Bermuda or Nassau, the latter the most prob- able, with the intention of transshipment to the Southern States. The Gladiator is an English vessel with regular papers and destined to an English port. I will keep a lookout for her on our return to the United States. The paymaster has made arrangements with Messrs. Baring, Bros. & Co. for funds to defray our expenses here. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MARCHAND, (Jommander, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, S~eretary of the Navy Page 203 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 203 Letter from R. W. Welch, esq., to F. S. Lathrop, esq., relative to loading of vessels at Havana for Southern ports, and urging the need of a war vessel there. KEY WEST, November 9, 1861. DEAR SIR: The underwriters schooner, Henry W. Johnson, Hoyt, has this moment ~rrived here froni Havana, with dispatches from IR. W. Shut~ldt, U. S. consul-general at havana, to the commander of the forces here, giving the intelligence that several rebel vessels are load- ing for Southern ports, and that 40,000 stand arms would leave Havana yesterday and to-day. Why this place is left without a single steam vessel of war is unac- countable, as it certainly is the most important point upon the coast of the United States, and hardly a day passes that one could not be use- ful; a single fast steamer might be dispatched, and, no doubt, would intercept one or more of the rebel vessels constantly arriving at and departing from Havana every day. The U. ~3. S. Huntsville is now in port being repaired, and of course is useless. Captain Hoyt, I understand, will leave immediately for Nassau and hopes to meet the pirate vessels said to be cruising about the Bahama Banks. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, It. W. WELCH. F. S. LATHUOP, Esq., Chairman of the Gommittee for Managing Affairs of the Key West and Nassau Agencies, New York. Letter from R. W. Welch, esy., Key West, to F. S. Lathrojp, esq., relative to the continual loading of vessels at Havana for Southern ports. KEY WEST, November 11, 1861. DEAR SIR: The U. S. S. Rhode Island sails for iNew York this p. in., and has on board many passengers and provisions. AlmQst every day we have arrivals from Havana, who report rebel vessels fitting out from that port with arms for the Southern army, and no United States ship of war upon the station to oppose them. I hope, ere long, we shall have Captain Craven upon this station, with his new ship and a roving commission; only such a man should be sent here. Jam happy to say everything here is quiet. Brigadier-General French goes passeiiger on the Rhode Island. He will call upon you. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. W. WELCH. F. S. LATHROP, Esq. Chairman of the Committee for Managing Affairs of the Key West and Nassau Agencies, New York. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter, with enclosed correspondence with the governor of Cura9ao. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, November 11, 1861. SIR: My last letter to the Department was from Paramaribo (Sun- nam), 25th of October Page 204 204 OPERATIONS OF TIlE CRUISERSUNION. Finding we obtained coal so slowly, I left on the 27th for Trinidad, having received coal enongh to take me thither. Here, where I had great hopes of finding the Sumter, I entered the port at midnight with the full intention of running into her and carrying her by boarding, and being off with her before daylight, ere the authorities could be aware of the transaction, even if I had to go under sail alone. But she did not prove to be here, neither had they heard of her siuce my departure. It was said, however, that the lights of a strange steamer were seen passing through the gulf some three nights previous. I now filled up my coal, proceeded down the main land of Venezuela to the Island of Margarita, entered two of its harbors, where I thought possibly the Sumter might have gone in for supplies. I was told there that there was- a strange man-of-war steamer at Cumana, also that the Sumter was last week cruising off La Gnayra, and that the American merchants there were very anxious about vessels they were expecting. I immediately proceeded to La Guayra, where I soon learned the story was false, and that the Sumter had not been off there since her first appearan~e two months ago. The strange steam man-of-war from Cumana also arrived that day, proving it to be a Frenchman. I also fell in with the Macedonian the same day, who had come along the coast from Aspinwall, but as she had not stopped at Puerto Cabello, I determined to go there. Upon reaching that port I found nothing had been heard of the Sumter in that quarter for the last two months. I began now to doubt the information given me by the French brig, and had he not first complained to his own man-of war packet that a Southern American corsair steamer had made him show his colors, and after. ward earnestly assured my officer that it was the Sumter, which he knew well, which passed him going to the westward off the coast of Guiana, I should conclude that she was still off the coast of Brazil. I stayed a day at Puerto Cabello, where the Government seemed most friendly to the United States and assured me the Sunder should not be allowed to come into their port. I then ran over to Cura~ao. When boarded by the harbor master as I was about entering port, I was requested to remain outside until I received a communication from the governor, and shortly after the flag captain of the Dutch commodore (they having at this time quite a large squadron in port, with which they are about to enforce some claims upon Venezuela) caine on board bringing me a letter from the governor, a copy of which I enclose. This Dutch notion of neutrality exceeds anything, savoring some- what of impertinence and certainly disrespectful to our flag. I enclose a copy of my reply. It is perhaps rather too civil, but the officer told me that they all regretted the views of the home Govern- mnent. and thought it was only intended to keep the Southern privateers out of their harbor. I sent in a boat for our consul, a Mr. lvlorse, of iowa, only lately arrived, who informed me that there were two ves- sels laden with coal belonging to our Government now in the port. I advised him to send them elsewhere as no American man-of-war would enter the port of Cura~ao under their present regulations. He said that one was already unloaded and that the vessels were chartered to go elsewhere, and he did not see how he could remove the coal. I then left for St. Thomas, where I arrived this morning. I here again learn that the Sumter was spoken four days ago off Guadeloupe, and the captain of the vessel whom she boarded assures me that her appearance agrees with a photograph which I have of the Sumter. Consequently, as soon as 1 have coaled and done some littl Page 205 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 205 work upon the boilers and engines, which were very much fouled by the mud of the Surinam River, I shall be off again in search. I am now embarrassed to know what the Departments wishes are on the subject of this ship, whether to remain in the West Indies and pro- tect our interests here, which all the consuls and merchants desire me to do, or to returi~ at once to Hampton Roads. From the fact of the Gov- ernments having sent out coal to this station and that the Powhatan and Keystone ASvtate have returned home, and again this later news con- cerning the Sumter, I consider it my duty to remain until I hear from the Department. A reply to this letter I can obtain in three weeks, addressed to the care of the consul at this port via Havana. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAs. S. PALMER, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. P. S.I find the best way of addressing letters to St. Thomas is through Maitland & Phelps, New York, and not through Havana. [Enclosures.] CURA~AO, November 8, 1861. SIR: The Government of the Netherlands, wishing to maintain a strict neutrality during the existing disturbances in the United States of America, and, in conformity therewith, having adopted some general rules to be observed in reference to vessels of war of the one or other belligerent party entering one of its seaports, I consider it my duty to acquaint you with the instructions received on the subject for your guidance. They are as follows, viz: I. Vessels of war of the belligerent parties will be admitted in this port for forty-eight hours only, except in case of distress or other legal reasons making a longer stay absolutely necessary. 2. To the said vessels of war it will only be permitted to take in the necessary provisions, but no ammunition; while, for as much as regards steamers being in want of fuel, they may not supply themselves with more than the quantity requisite to steam twenty-four hours beyond the anchoring place. Giving myself the honor to bring those regulations, based on the principle of perfect neutrality, under your notice, I beg leave at the same time to express my expectation that you will readily comply with the same in entering this harbor with the vessel of war under your com- mand. I have the honor to remain, respectfully, The governor of Cura~ao amid dependencies, J. IJ. CROL. His honor Captain JAs. S. PALMER, The Commander of the U. S. S. Iroquois. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, Qff~ Cura~ao, November 8, 1861. Captain Palmer has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the let- ter of the governor of Cura~ao of this days date, and in reply informs his excellency that, though it was his intention to have entered the por Page 206 206 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. of (Jura9ao for a few hours, he now declines accepting the hospitality of a government which places the flag of the Uiiited States on a par with that of a rebellious party who are wickedly opposing it. His Excellency the GOVERNOR OF CURA~AO AND ITS DEPENDEN- CIES. Report of Commander Bidgely, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, of departure of that vessel to protect commerce, etc. U. S. S. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Off Sandy Hook, November 11, 1861. SIR: I have the pleasure to inform the Department that the Santiago de Cuba is at sea. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, DANL. B. ItIDGELY, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. G. WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Capture of the Confederate privateer Beauregard, November 12, 1861. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. I~avy, commanding U. S. bark W. G. Anderson, of the capture of the C. S. privateer Beauregard. U. S. BARK W. G. ANDERSON, Bahama Channel, November 13, 1861. SIR: I last had the honor of addressing you nuder date of Novem- ber 4, per schooner J. J. Spencer, enclosing abstract log of the U. S. bark W. G. Anderson to that date, and, to my regret, had nothing to report to the Department of any moment. I now have the gratification to inform you that we have been fortu- nate enough to capture the rebel privateer schooner Beauregard (101 tons), of and from Charleston, seven days out, and manned by a cap- tain, 2 lieutenants, purser, and 23 seamnen27 all toldand carrying a rifled pivot gun, throwing a 24-pound projectile. This occurred under the following circumstances: Since November 4 we have cruised along to the northward of the West India Islands and passages. steering westerly, without seeing but one sail. After standing to within 70 miles of the Hole in the Wall, we turned our heads to the eastward again and on November 12, in latitude 26~ 40 N., longitude 750 42 W., at daylight, made a schooner running before the wind towards us. On approaching within 4 miles, lie suddenly hauled by the wind, and, as we noticed many men on her decks, we immediately made sail iu chase, and in two hours brought her to under our lee, and ordered the captain on board with his papers. He brought a letter of marque from Jefferson Davis wh dered with his vessel. , ich he surreti We put a prize master and crew on board and transferred the prison- ers to our ship, placing them in double irons. On boarding her the crew was found in a drunken state, committing all the destruction they could, throwing overboard the arms and ammunition, spiking the gun, and cutting the sails and rigging to pieces. She was otherwise in ba Page 207 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 207 order and poorly found, and having but a short supply of water, of which we havenone to spare, was in no condition to come to Boston. Having 27 prisoners, and no room for them on board the W. G. Anderson, I decided, as we were within three days sail of Key West, to take them and the vessel into that port and deliver them to the proper authorities, and thence return to my cruising ground. 1 also am desirous of procuring, if possible, some ballast, of which the bark is very much in need. Trusting that my proceedings will meet with your approbation, I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. ROGERS, Acting [Volunteer] Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. Bark W. 0. Anderson. lion. GiDEoN WELLES, Secretary of the Navy of the United States. Abstract of log of U. S. bark W. G. Anderson, Lieutenant W. C. Rogers commanding. November 12, 1SG1.At daylight saw a sail, tacked ship for her, and soon made her out to be a fore-and-aft schooiier bearing down for us. When within 4 miles,she suddenly hauled her wind. Made sail in chase. Saw many men on decks, and something that appeared like a gun amidships. She also set the English flag at her mainmast head. At 9:30 a. m. brought her to and ordered the captain on board with his papers, which orders he obeyed. She proved to be the C. S. privateer Beauregard (formerly the Priscilla C. Ferguson), of and from Charleston, seven days, manned by a captain, 2 lieutenants, purser, and 23 men, and armed with one 12-pounder rifle pivot gun. The captain coming on board, delivered his papers and vessel. Aim officer was sent on board the vessel to take possession. He found the crew drunk and committing all the destruction to the vessel and her apparel they could, the gun having been spiked, the sails and rigging badly cut, etc. Transferred the officer and crew from the schooner to the ship, where they were put in double irons. At noon, latitude 260 42 N., longitude 750 42 W. Order from Secretary of the Navy to Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commmandinq U. S. S. Flambeau, to proceed to Nassau, New Provi- dence, to interdict trade from the Bahaina Islands to the Confederate States. NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 13, 1861. SIR: When the U. S. S. Plambean is ready for sea proceed with her to Nassau, New Providence, and communicate with the American con- sul there. It is believed that the large quantities of arms and other articles contraband of war are shipped to Nassau with the avowed object of being sent into the rebellious ports by the means of small sailing vessels plying from New Providence and the other Bahama Islands across to the southern coast of the United States. You will thoroughly examine the islands forming the Bahama group and, respect- ing the rights of neutrals, will use your utmost exertions in interdicting communication. Communicate by letter with the Department as oppor- tumty offers. Coal will be sent to Nassau Page 208 208 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Enclosed is a copy of the instructions given to Commander Ridgely, of the U. S. S. Dc Soto [Santiago de Cuba]. Transmit to the Department before sailing from New York a muster roll of the crew and a separate list of the officers of the Plambeau. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant Wi~i. G. TEMPLE, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commanding U. S. Propeller Plambean, New York. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iro- quois, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter, enclosing correspondence with the governor of Martinique. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, Off St. Pierre, Martinique, November 17, 1861. Sir: I addressed a letter to the Department on the 11th instant upon my arrival at St. Thomas. On the day following, in the midst of coaling, a mail steamer arrived, bringing information that the Sumter had put in on the 9th to Fort Royal, Martinique, in want of coal. I had been often led astray by false reports, but this seemed so positive that I instantly ceased coal- ing, got my engines together, and was off at 2 in the midwatch for Mar- tinique, arriving at St. Pierre in thirty-six hours. On turning into the harbor, I discovered a suspicious steamer, which as we approached proved to be the Sumter, flying the secession hag, moored to the wharf in the midst of this populous town, quietly coaling. The town and shipping in the harbor were instantly all excitement. I could not attack her in this position for humanitys sake, even were I disposed to be regardless of the neutrality of the port. I did not anchor; but cruised around the harbor within half gunshot of her dur- ing the night. In the morning a French man-of-war arrived from Fort Royal, the seat of government, only 12 miles distant. The Sumter had been there for the last two days. The Government, it is true, had refused to give her any of its coal, but had allowed her to come around to St. Pierre, where she readily obtained it from some merchants (English, I believe). She evidently had been received with courtesy at the seat of government, and this farce of the nonrecognition of the Confederate flag is played out by both France and England in the most flagrant manner. I now addressed a letter to the governor, assuming him to be ignor- Qnt of the character of the Sumter, a copy of which I enclose. I also enclose a translation of his reply. The Department will observe that from the generous disposition of the Emperor and the hospitable inteii- tions of the governor the Sumter has the same privileges as this vessel. The captain of the French war steamer also addressed me a letter, saying he was directed by the governor to request me no longer to coin- promise the neutrality of the French waters by establishing a blockade within their jurisdiction, but to anchor, when every hospitality and facility should be afforded me, or to take my position without the dis- tance of a marine league from shore; at the same time that, while under way, it was contrary to the police regulations of the port t~ communicate with the shore Page 209 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 209 I consequently decided upon anchoring, which I had no sooner done than the French commander paid me a visit, offered me every civility and attention, saying he did not doubt that all international law would be respected by me, and, in the course of conversation, quoting from Wheaton, reminded me that one belligerent could not depart until twenty-four hours after the other. I instantly got under way with him on board, fearing lest the Sumter should do so before me, as her steam was up. I have now accepted the alternative, and established myself at the mouth of the harbor, with out the marine league, with much anxiety, lest during the darkness of the night, under the cover of the high land, the Sumter should be able to get off without my being aware of it. I have no one on shore on whom I can rely; the consul is a Scotch- man, seems an invalid, says he is only an acting American consul and still a British subject, at least so an American master, who is here, informs me. He has paid me a visit and seemed very much worried by all the turmoil and excitement the arrival of the Sumter had given him. Well disposed enough to the Government he may be, but he cer- tainly is not a man for this occasion. The majority of the town is in favor of the Sumter, and with the utmost vigilance which all on board exert, she may yet escape some night for want of signals from the shore to give us notice of her depart- ure. I am also in want of coal, and shall send over to St. Thomas to-morrow for a supply, as well as provisions, stores, etc., for when I left I did not bargain for this blockade. The Sumter seems in good condition; the consul informs me she has 120 men; she does not certainly appear in the disorganized state in which late accounts have represented her. She has latterly captured but two American vessels, one the brig Joseph Parke, of Boston, on the 25th September, the other the schooner Daniel Trowbridge, of New Haven, on the 27th October; has landed here 14 prisoners on their parole; 3 of the Joseph Parkes men (all foreigners) joined the Sumter. I regret to give the Government so long and unsatisfactory a letter, but must avail myself of the 3pportunity for St. Thomas which offers to-morrow. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. NOVEMBER 18. P. S.I feel more and more convinced that the Sumter will yet escape me, in spite of all our vigilance and zeal, even admitting that I can outsteam her, which is a question. To blockade such a bay as this, which is almost an open roadstead, 15 miles in width, the surrounding land very high and the water very bold, obliged, as we are by the neutrality laws, to blockade at 3 miles distance, it would require at least two more fast steamers, and a vessel of war of any description in port to notify us by signal of her depar- tnre, to give any reasonable hope of preventing her escape. Even now, moonlight nights though it be, shemay yet creep out under shadow of the land and no one be able to perceive her, she being always able to observe my position, open to seaward. Though I have made arrangements to be informed by signal of her departure from shore, I fear I can not depend upon the parties, so fearful are they of the 123A 1 Page 210 210 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. authorities and of popular indignation. I have done all I can, and if she escapes me we must submit to the distress and mortification. 1 believe we have no vessel on this station except the Macedonian, and there is no knowing when she may get up this way to learn our situation. I wish the Sumter were anywhere else except in this port, or under French protection. The authorities here, under plea of neu- trality, are throwing every obstacle in my way in the way of coinmuni- cating with the shore. They are so fall of punctilio, and withal so polite, that it is provoking to have anything to do with them. [Enclosures.] U. S. S. IROQUOIS, Off St. Pierre, November 15, 1861. SIR: As circumstances prevent my paying my personal respects to your Excellency or your representative at this place, I write to announce my arrival on the afternoon of yesterday, as well as to inform you that to my surprise I find a notorious steamer called the Sinnter quietly coal- ing at the wharves and enjoying the hospitality of the port. As your Excellency can not be aware of the character of this vessel, I denounce her to you as one that has been for some time engaged in pirating upon the commerce of the United States, robbing, burning, or otherwise destroying all American vessels that came within her reach. May I not hope, therefore, that your Excellency, upon this representa- tion, will not allow her to enjoy the privileges I complain of~ but direct her to leave the protection of the French flag and the immunities of a French port. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commanding U. S. S. Iroquois. His Excellency the GOVERNOR OF MARTINIQUE. [Translation.] GOUVERNEMENT DE LA MARTINIQUE, CABINET flU GOUVERNEUR, Fort de France, November 15, 1861. MONSIEUR LE COMMANDANT: I have the honor to reply to the letter which you addressed me this morning. I am not ignorant, Monsieur le Commandant, of the presence in the roads of St. Pierre of a vessel belonging to the States of the South, who profess to have formed a separate confederation. To accomplish the generous intentions of the Emperor, I wish to be hospitable to the vessels of the two belligerent parties, but I will not, neither can not, without violating the orders of his Majesty, divest my- self of the absolute neutrality that I ought to observe. This is to say to you, Monsieur le Commandant, that it is not my intention to refuse an anchorage to a vessel belonging to the States of the South. I offer to you, on the other hand, the same hospitality and the same facilities to the vessel belonging to the Government of the ljnion, which you have the honor to command. There exist, besides, international laws that every civilized natio Page 211 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 211 scrupulously observes, and which I need scarcely recall to you, Mon- sieur le Commandant, nor to the commander of the Sumter. Accept, Monsieur le Commandant, the assurance of my most distin- guished consideration. LAmiral, Gouverneur de la Martinique, DE MAUSSION DE CANDI~. Monsieur le COMMANDANT DE L IROquois. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Flambeau, giving information regarding the blockade runner Gladiator. NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 18, 1861. SIR: I herewith inclose a copy of communications,* dated the 1st and 2d instant, addressed to the Department of State by the U. S. consul at London, giving information concerning the screw steamer Gladiator, which has been purchased by the rebel agents in England, and loaded with arms, etc., with the design of attempting to run the blockade. The Gladiator may possibly touch at some of the points or pass iu the track to which your attention has been directed, and the Depart- ment therefore urges upon you the utmost vigilance to intercept her, should such be the case, and capture her. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant WM. G. TEMPLE, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander U. S. Propeller Flambeau. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Roqers, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. bark Win. G. Anderson, of disposition of the prize vessel Beaure- gard. KEY WEST hARBOR, November 20, 1861. SIR: I had the honor of addressing the Navy Department on the 13th instant, per the schooner John N. Genin, under Government charter, bound to New York, and fallen in with by me off Key West, iu which dispatch I informed you of the capture of the Southern privateer schooner Beauregard off Charleston, and now enclose a duplicate of the above. We arrived at this port yesterday with the prize in company, which was taken charge of by the U. S. marshal, to be disposed of according to the laws, and will, of course, be condemned. The prisoners have been examined by the U. S. judge and were also delivered to the cu~tody of the marshal to await the action of the Government in this matter. All the papers belonging to the prize were likewise taken charge of by the legal authorities, and after giving my affidavit was informed by the judge that my authority over the prize ended here. I now only wait for a little ballast, which I expect to obtain from the naval storekeeper, who will probably furnish me coal (50 to 75 tons), * Omitted Page 212 212 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. and shall hope to sail from here in two days, an(l shall proceed with all dispatch to our former cruising ground in the Atlantic. I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. I~OGERS, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant~ Commanding U. S. Bark W. U. Anderson. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Sect etary of the Navy of the United States. Order from Secretary of the Naey to Acting TTolnnteer Lieutenant Moore, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Morning Light, to proceed to sea under sealed orders. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Nove~n~er 22, 1861. SIR: The moment the U. S. ship Morning Light, under your command, is prepared for a cruise you will proceed with her to sea. Enclosed herewith are sealed instructions, which you will not open until the Morning Light is at sea. Transmit to the Department before sailing from New York a muster roll of the crew and a separate list of the officers of the Morning Light. I am, respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.~ Acting Volunteer Lieutenant H. T. MOORE, Commanding U. S. ship Morning Light, New York. [Enclosure.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 22, 1861. SIR: You will proceed with the U. S. ship Morning Light, under your command, toward the line in the North Atlantic Ocean and cruise, so long as your provisions will warrant, in the track of the homeward- bound merchant ships from the East Indies and Pacific. On your way out you will pass near the Bermudas; but it is desirable that you should not enter any port during your cruise unless from necessity. Inform the Department, by every fhvorable opportunity, of your movements, and return to New York wlieii necessary to replenish your water and provisions. Your object will be to destroy or capture the vessels of the rebels, should you meet with them, and to protect the legitimate commerce of your conutry. In the examination of vessels at sea you will regard the rights of neutrals. You will exercise your crew at the great guns carefully, and occasionally with shot and shell. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy. I Acting Volunteer Lieutenant II. T. MOORE, Commanding U. S. ship Morning Light, New York. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, regarding C. S. S. Sumter, at Martinique. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, Off St. Pierre, Martinique, November 23, 1861. SIR: I think it well in my present provoking and anxious position to keep the Government informed by whatever opportunity ixiay oiler Page 212A Page 212B UNITED STATES STEAMER IROQUOIS Page 213 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 213 It is now the ninth day that I have been blockading the & mter. She lies still at the wharf, surrounded by more or less of a crowd both night and day, all anxious for her successful escape, sympathizing with their fellow Frenchmen of the State of Louisiana, to which State they believe the Sumter to belong. The authorities, from the governor down, I believe to be all in her favor. I directed the consul the other day (of whom, by the way, I must retract my first impressions, for he has been most attentive and ener- getic since my arrival) to call upon the governor and inform him that I regarded the attitude of the authorities as unfriendly to the United States. I quote you the consuls reply: I called on the governor on Monday night, but could do nothing more than ask an audience for next day, as his salon was full of people, among them the captain of the Sumter. When I saw him he said the sanitary regulations were such as were enforced on Monday and that he had no control over them. The vessel, having gone beyond the regular health and custom-house limits, has lost the right of regular pratique. The governor, of course, repudiated anything like unfriendliness, and regretted the neces- sity of submitting to the laws in your case, and would be glad to see you in here at anchor to prove to you the sincerity of his good wishes. Unfortunately for me the coining to an anchor involves the necessity of waiting twenty-four hours after the departure of the Sumter, for I have consented to the governors expressed hope that I would abide by all rules of international law; consequently I am obliged to cruise out- side and run the risk of her escaping every night. Thus far we have had the moon, but it is now waning fast, and with the most intense watching and devotion I fear I may yet have to report her escape. Would that there were another fast steamer to watch the other point of the bay. I have some understanding with some loyal people on shore to notify me by signal of her departure. The French will doubth~ss think it a great outrage upon their neu- trality, but they will have to pocket this, as I have been as forbearing as they can expect, and nothing but feeling the irupolicy of bringing on hostilities between my country and France makes me submit with anything like grace. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Escape of the (1. 5. 5. Sumter from the U. S. S. Iroquois at St. Pierre, Martinique, November 23, 1861. Report of CommanderPalmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, of the escape of 0. S. S. Sumter from Martinique. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, West Indies, November 25, 1861. SIR: As I expected, I have to report the escape of the Sumter, to the great dejection of us all, for iiever were officers and crew more zeal- ous for a capture. At 8 oclock on the night of the 23d tIme signal was faithfully made us from the shore that the Sumter had slipped to the southward Page 214 214 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. Instantly we were off in pursuit, soon at full speed rushing down to the sonthern part of the bay, but nothing was visible on the dark back- ground. A small steamer, apparently one plying between St. Pierre and Fort Royal, was off the point making signals, doubtless for the benefit of the Sumter; but we could see nothing of her as we pro- ceeded on, so dark was the shadow thrown by the high land. Still we went on, all searching the darkness in vain. As soon as I had opened Fort Royal Point, and seen nothing on the now open horizon, I con- cluded that we had passed her, or that she had doubled on us and gone to the northward. I then turned, keeping close in the shore, looking into her former anchorage, thinking she might possibly have returned. No sign of her there. We continued on to the northward, but when we opened the point nothing of her this way. We were now at fault which way to steer. Something like smoke being reported to seaward, I determined to stand out, taking the direction of St. Thomas, to which place I was anxious to return ere the vessel with our coal and provi- sions should leave, and thus check at least a small evil, for I now became hopeless of ever discovering the Sumter. I reached this port this morning and found that the Dacotah, which had arrived on the 21st from the East Indies, had taken in tow my vessel with her stores and gone to meet me. It is of course all conjecture where the Sumter will next cruise. I learned at St. Pierre that she had purchased pea-jackets for her crew, which may look like a cruise on our northern coast, though I question whether she is calculated for winter service in that quarter. Should she continue in this vicinity I will soon hear of her from the constant arrivals here. I shall be glad to understand from the Government whether they wish inc to respect international law in the ease of the Sumter, which gives her so great immunity and makes every foreign port her asylum. I was informed at Martinique that France would regard it as an act of war if I attacked her anywhere withiii the marine league of the island. I hope the Department will soon inform me of their wishes in respect to this vessel. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Abstract of log of U. S. steam sloop Iroquois, Commander 3. S. Palmer, November 1425, 1861 November 14.From meridian to 4 p. in., running along the north- west coast of Martinique. At 2 p. in. made St. Pierre on port bow, flying Danish colors. At 2:50 made rebel steamer Sumter, lying at anchor close in shore. Hauled down Danish colors and hoisted Amem- ican colors. From 8 to midnight, lying off and on St. Pierre, Sum ter distant one-fourth mile on starboard beam. November 15.Lying off and on harbor of St. Pierre, keeping priva- teer Sumter in sight. November 1G.Lying off and on the harbor of St. Pierre. At 12:15 p. m. came to with port anchor, with everything ready for slipping. At 2:30 received an official visit from the captain of the French man Page 215 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 215 of-war Aeheron. At 2:35 got under way and lay to off~ the harbor. At 7 stood out of the harbor till 3 miles distant. From 8 to midnight, lying off the harbor of St. Pierre. November 17 to 23.Lying off and on the harbor of St. Pierre, 3 in iles distant from the harbor. Blockading the Sumter in St. Pierre Harbor. November 23.Lying off and on 3 miles from the harbor of St. Pierre. At 8: 05 p. m. saw signal lights on shore; beat to general quarters and stood in for South Point iii search of the Sumter; made 7 miles and went about; searched harbor and stood for North Point. November 25.At anchor in the harbor of St. Thomas. Report of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, relative to the escape of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, November 28, 1861. SIR: I feel it my duty to inform the Department that I learn reports are circulating at this port relative to the escape of the Sumter reflect- ing upon my conduct, going so far as to accuse my loyalty, and that some of my own officers had expressed dissatisfaction. Doubtless some of these unjust accusations and base insinuations will find their way into the l)nblic press. I beg, therefore, that the Department will either publicly vindicate me, or,if it be not satisfied with my report of the escape or feel that I have committed an error of judgment, which I may have done, I may be at once relieved of my command and the matter made a subject of investigation. By an arrival this morning we now learn that the Sumter changed her course to the northward, being doubtless advised by the signals of the steamer I spoke of that we were in l)ursuit of her to the southward, and when I turned to the northward, thinking this might be the case, she had then (loubled the northern point and was oat of sight, stand. ing to the eastward, as she captured two days afterw~~rd, in latitude 18~ 30, longitude 58~ 40, the American ship Moutmorenci, from whose arrival here I gather this intelligence. As this vessel was loaded with coal, English property, the Sumter ransomed her, her captain giving a bond of ~20,000, payable to the President of the Confederate States at the end of the war, an(l when she h:id robbed her of all her valuables allowed her to proceed on her course. When they parted the Sumter was steering to the northward amid eastward. Where she has gone I can not coi~jecture. The captaiu of time Moatmoreuci is of the impression that she has gone to the West- erxi Islands. Possibly we may next linear of her in the Straits of Gibraltar. There has been aim impression that she needed docking, as we learned there was much leak about her propeller shaft. In that case she may have gone to Bermuda. I shall leave, if possible, the day after to-morrow and proceed thith. erward. and shonld I hear nothing of her I shall conclude shehas gone to cruise in the Straits of Gibraltar; the fact of her having purchased pea-jackets and laid in a qualitity of sngar and molasses at Martinique indicates that she has abandoned the West Indies altogether. I shall return to this port in the course of a fortimight in the hopes of learning what the Departments wishes are in relation to this vessel, and poss Page 216 216 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. bly, by the constant arrivals here, of hearing something more of the Sumter. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Extract of letter from Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, to the Secretary of the Navy, enclosing report of Pilot Anandale, employed to watch the C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. IRoQuoIs, St. Thomas, December 5, 1861. SIR: * * * * * * I enclose the report made to me by the person that I had employed to watch the Sumter during my blockade and to signalize me of her departure. In these details the Department will perceive the diffi- culties with which I had to contend and the unwarrantable assist- ance given by the French authorities. I am glad to say the accounts given since the arrival of this person, a well-known pilot of this port, have put a stop, in a measure, to the scandal of which I complained in my last communication. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] ST. TuoMAS, December 3, 1861. SIR: On my arrival at St. Pierre, Martinique, I immediately took up my quarters on board the American topsail schooner Windward, Steele, master, where I was cordially received as soon as I made known my mission. I engaged Mr. Rice, mate of the late schooner Danidl Trowbridge (who has lately been released from captivity on board the Sumter), Mr. Part- nage, mate of the schooner Windward, and Mr. Crocker, second mate of the same, for the purpose of keeping watch on the position of the steamer Sumter and the Iroquois, which were duly made known to rue at each relief of watch. I obtained a powerful night glass, as without it I found it impossible to keep watch on the Sumter, in consequence of the almost impenetrable darkness under the high land of Martinique. Watch was strictly kept np to the night of the 23d ultimo. At 8 oclock p. m. on the 23d of November the Sumter cast off her stern lines, slipped her port chain, and steamed out, heading S. W. at about 5 knots an hour. When I per- ceived her 2 miles distant from her moorings and about two-thirds of a mile from the southern point of the Bay of St. Pierre, I discharged one blue light and thirty seconds after discharged a second light Page 217 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 217 I immediately discovered the Iroquois standing in for the land, both vessels in sight, the Sumter inshore, where she could easily discern the position of the Iroquois. On the approach of the latter the Sumter ported her helm, stood back for the harbor, and stopped fifteen minutes nnder the stern of the French war steamer Acheron. The Iroquois continued to the southward until hidden from sight by the southern point of the harbor. As soon as the Sumter perceived the Iroquois standing into Fort Royal Bay she steamed np the land to the northward, about one-half cable length from shore. Thirty-five minutes after the departnre of the Iroquois she caine in sight again at full speed, standing into the harbor, as if to observe whether the Sumter had not retnrned to hcr moorings, and then continued to the northward. I should have signalized the return of the Sumter, but immediately after the second blue light was fired the captains gig of the Aeheron, with an officer of that vessel, was alongside the schooner, and I was not able to come off in consequence of all communication with the Iroquois being prohibited, and a special armed force being placed immediately over the vessel in which I kept watch. I am fully convinced that every facility was afforded the Sumter in her escape. She had an experienced pilot on board for the purpose of taking her through the reefs to the eastward of Martinique in case of pursuit by the Iroquois. I have been correctly informed that the Sum- ter took refuge under the northern point of the island and there lay for two hours and thirty minutes, when sIte discharged her pilot and pro- ceeded to sea. One of the French war steamers boats was in the vicinity of the spot where the Sumter took refuge. I, as allengagedin watching the Sumter, was fully convinced of the utter impossibility of her being discovered by the Iroquois in the offshore position which the authori- ties of Martinique compelled her to observe. As soon as possible after the departure of both vessels I took pas- sage on board the U. S. S. Dacotah for St. Thomas, and in compliance with Captain McKinstrys orders piloted that vessel to Basse Terre and Poirite Li Pitre, Guadeloupe, from thence to St. Eustatius and St. Bartholomew, and theti to St. Thomas, where I arrived and reported myself at the consulate of the United States of America. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, U. A. ANANDALE. Captain PALMER, U. S. S. iroquois. Order front Secretary of the Navy to Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, com- manding U. S. S. Ilambeau, relative to supplies. NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 25, 1861. SIR: In reply to your letter of the 23d instant, in relation to obtain- ing supplies of provisions, I have to direct that when it becomes neces- sary to replenish your supplies of provisions you will proceed to Key West, Fla., where the Department has depots of supplies. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES. Lieutenant WM. G. TEMPLE, Commanding U. S. S. Flam beau, New York Page 218 218 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Commander Ridgely, U. ~. Navy, commanding U. S. S. San- tijago de Cuba, of arrival at Havana, Cuba, for service in that vicinity. U. S. S. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Key West, Ela., November 25, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report to the Department that I arrived at Havana on the morning of the 17th instant, and immediately put myself in communication with Consul-General Shufeldt in relation to my duties at and near Havana. The next day I received information from him that three schooners, under the English flag, laden with contraband, had cleared that day at the Havana custom-house for St. John, New Brunswick. I immedi- ately got under way and cruised oft the harbor in the direction of the Florida channel, about 15 or 20 miles from the harbor, Consul Shnfeldt being under the impression that the vessels were bound for the coast of South Carolina or Georgia. On the 21st, I spoke the army mail boat from Havana to Key West, and received a communication from Consul-General Shufeldt informing me there was great excitement at Havima, in consequence of the San- tiago de Cuba being signalized there, and advising me to go away for some days. I immediately shaped my course for this harboi and arrived here at 11 oclock p. m. on the 1st. I lauded the freight put on board at New York for the Gulf Squadron, and would have sailed immediately, but the engine required some slight repairs; these will be finished this evening, when I shall sail for the Florida Channel, to intercept the vessels referred to above. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DANL. B. IIIDGELY, Hon. G. WELLES, Commander, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander Schenek, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Saginaw, of visits to various Japanese and Chinese ports. U. S. S. SAGINAW, flongkong, Nocember 27, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that I left Shanghai on the 2d of September for Japan. I visited the ports of Nagasaki and Kanagawa, where I conferred freely and fi equently with our consuls, as well as with the U. S. minister at Yedo, all of whom represented the state of affidrs to be such as to require no special action on my part, although the presence of a United States naval force, however insignificant, al)peared to give comfort and confidence to the American citizens. I returned to Shanghai on the 12th of October, and left again on the 22d. Since then I have visited the ports of Ning Po, Foo-Chow, Amoy, and Swatow, arriving here on the 24th instant. At all the diffhrent ports I found the flag of the United States was treated with that respect and deference it has always commanded, and her citizens, for I have met none but loyal ones, as proud of it as ever. I have received your communication of the 1st of August, in refer- ence to Captain Walter M. Gibson, and shall be on the lookout for him. A Honolulu paper annoances his arrival at that place on the 30th of June. He is well known here, and I am satisfied has not yet arrived Page 219 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 219 I find the Saginaw requires to be docked in consequence of having lost some of her copper, and her decks are leaking badly. I shall go to Whampoa in a few days and make the necessary repairs, which can be done, I think, in a week, when I will be ready for any service that may be required of me. 1 am happy in being able to state that the health of the officers and crew is good. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient, JAS. FINDLAY SCHENOK, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Captain Glynn, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Macedonian, of cruise in search of privateers. U. S. SHIP MACEDONIAN, St. Thomas, November 28,1861. SIR: I have time only to acknowledge the receipt of your order of the 9th of October. I arrived here yesterday from along the Spanish Main, entirely out of water, on short allowance. 1 expect to fill up again in four or five days and to sail immediately for Boston. I found the Iroquois, Com- mander Palmer, here, last from an unsuccessful blockade of the Sumter, in St. Pierre, Martinique. The Dacotah, Commander MeKinstry, left here for St. Pierre early on the morning of the 24th, but will probably be too late for the Sumter. I would respectfully call your attention to my letter of October 4, and renew my recommendation that some such arrangement as is therein suggested should be adopted by the Navy Department, with the view of restoring the lost confidence of the trading world in the safety to be found nuder the flag of the Union. I have two men on board that should be tried by court-martial. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES GLYNN, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] NAVY YARD, New York, November 28, 1861. Nashville has escaped from Charleston. Is coaling at Bermuda. Will be there till 6th instant. Is lightly armed. Has large amount of treas- ure. Her destination is Liverpool. The above is from consul at Bermuda, date November 1. H. PAULDING, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Page 220 220 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNiON. Report of Commander Ridgely, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. & San- tiago de Cuba, of intended cruise to intercept blockade runner Eugenia Smith. U. S. S. SANTIAGO PB CUBA, Havana, November 29, 1861. SIR: I had the honor to inform the Department of the movement of this steamer at Key West, November 23. I sailed from Key West on the evening of the 25th, and cruised between Double Headed Shot Cay and Havana. I came into this harbor yesterday at noon and com- menced coaling, and will sail this evening for Matamoras to intercept the schooner Eu genia Smith, now sailing under English colors with muni- tions of war on board, and a well-known rebel agent named Zacharie, of New Orleans, who has been purchasing arms for the rebels iu this port. Consul-General Shufeldt thinks the schooners destination positively Matamoras. I will sail in the direct course for that port and will wait there some days for her, and return to this port. The English flag is nsed at this port to carry munitions of war to the rebels. The vessels employed are generally small fore-and-aft schooners, and they clear ftr the British provinces and Matamoras, Mexico, with the hope of get- ting in through the blockade of onr Southern coast, or transporting the arms from the Rio Grande through Texas. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servamit, DANE. B. ItIDGELY, Comm uder, U. S. Navy. Hon. G. WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of Flag- Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, to Commander McDou gal, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Wyoming, to cruise on the South American coast. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, November 29, 1861. SIR: So soon as you have filled np your water and coal and taken on board the stores and provisions required for the Wyoming, under your command, you will proceed with her and cruise along the south- ern coast as far as Yalparaiso, and from that port accompany, or if nec- essary tow, the storeship Fredonia to Callao, and upon reaching that port, afford all necessary aid to Commander J. M. Watson in securely mooring the Eredomia in a safe and convenient position for the delivery of stores, as reqnired, to vessels of the squadron in that harbor. Having recently heard from his Excellency F. Hassanrek, our minis- ter at Quito, of the probable renewal of hostilities between Peru and Ecuador, and consequent attack upon the city of Guayaquil or the block- ade of its port, when you shall have executed the duties assigned you at Callao and refreshed your crew, you will proceed to Guayaquil, and ascertain from the U. S. consul amid such other sources of information as may be open to you the nature and extent of our interests there and along the coast of Ecuador which may (in the event of war) prop- erly claim protection of a naval force, and if on your arrival at that port you shall find it in a state of siege or blockade it will be your duty to give protection to the interests of our citizens residing or sojourning there, and before leaving to effect a satisfactory arrange Page 221 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 221 ment with the belligerent commanders, for their future security from interruption or annoyance. It is desirable, sir, that you acquaint yourself with the state of feel- ing existing with the government and people along the coasts of ()hilc~, Peru, and Ecuador in regard to harboring and affording aid and com- fort to privateers and vessels nuder the secession flag, in case any such vessels shall appear on the coasts or enter their ports, and as far as l)racticable to ascertain what facilities and encouragement, if aity. are likely to be afforded for fitting out vessels from any of said ports for privateering purposes. When you shall have executed the duty assigned you return with the Wyoming to Panama, where other instrnctions will await you. Wishing you, sir, a pleasant and prosperous service, I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Qificer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Commander DAVID MODOIJO-AL, Commanding U. S. Steam Sloop Wyoming, Panama Bay. [Telegram.] NEW YORK, November 30 [1861]. SIR: information having been received of the destruction of the American ship Harvey Birch by the rebel steamer Nashville, which had arrived at Southampton, and in view of further possible attempts at destruction of American property by said steamer, the board of under- writers respectfully suggest that armed steamers of sufficient power be forthwith ordered to cruise in the British and Irish channels and off the Straits of 0-ibralter to protect the commerce of the United States. T. B. SATTERTHWAITE, President. The PRESIDENT. Order of Secretary of the Navy to Commander LeRoy, U. S. Navy, com- manding U. S. S. Keystone State,to proceed to sea under sealed orders. NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 30, 1861. SIR: As soon as the U. S. S. Keystone State is in all respects ready you will proceed with her to sea. Transmitted herewith are sealed instructions, which you will not open until your vessel is at sea. Before sailing from Philadelphia forward to the Department a muster roll of the crew and a separate list of the officers of the Keystone State. I am, respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, Commander WM. E. LEROY, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commauding Keystone State, Philadelphia Page 222 222 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. fEnclosuro.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, November 30, 1861. SIR: Proceed with the U. S. S. Keystone State, under your command, to the island of Bermuda. Your cruising ground wUl be in that vicin- ity until otherwise ordered by the Department. Your main object will be the interdiction of intercourse and traffic between Bermuda and the insurrectionary States. For this purpose you will put yourself in communication with our consul there, who will cooperate with you and afford you such information from time to time as he m~r come in possession of In discharging the duty assigned to you you will be careful of the rights of neutrals. I enclose herewith for your information a copy of the iiistructions given by the Department to Commander Ridgely, of the U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, which vessel has been ordered to (misc in the vicinity of Havana. As these instructions will, it is thou gut, cover any case that may arise with you you will be guided by them. Advise the Department of your proceedings. The U. S. steam propeller Flambean has been directed to cruise among the Bahamas. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander WM. E. LEROY, U . S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, Philadelphia. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rytinge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter. ST. THOMAS, WEST INDIES, December 1, 1861. DEAR SIR: Honored with your sealed orders, I assumed, after leav- ing New York, the performance of their literal construction, and pro- ceeded at once as far to the eastward as the Leeward Islands, my ship, the Shepherd Knapp, proving every way efficient, though remarkably tender, and requiring at least 150 or 200 tons more ballast. She has always been remarked as one of the most crank ships out of the port, and I requested more weight put in her before I left, protesting then against her proceeding too light to sea with her heavy battery of eight 32s, of 57 cwt. So many vessels were fitting out at the time it became a difficult task to obtain everything requisite, and I, nuder immediate order, proceeded to sea. Near Martinique I learned of the Sumters beiiig in the neighborhood of St. Pierre and Fort Royal. I inimediately prepared for action, and starting in pursnit of the pirate, reached the harbor of St. Pierre, where I stood off and on, stan ding in near enough to inspect every vessel i~m port. 1 then discovered she had left a few days before, having escaped the blockade of the Iroquois, that steamer haviiig her blockaded 1kw seveii days and then suffering her to escape during the imight. This I learned through a French boatman, who came off to the ship jim a shore boat. I gave him a few dollars, and speaking his language fluently, together with the fact of sending my complimnents to the governor of the island, to whom I was personally known, I obtained this knowledg Page 223 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSIJNION. 223 of the Sumter. She had (said my informer) the best sympathy of the French; had coaled, obtained full supplies of winter clotliiiigevi- dently going northbut was leaking bad~y, propeller out of order, and required docking. She made a Ihint of standing to the southward and then steamed away N. E. (I-~rivate opinion: Gone to the Berinudas, Azores, or Madeira.) Oii this information, deterni med to pursue, I proceeded down the coast to Fort Royal, gained no intelligence, and felt prompted to carry press of canvas to ~t. Thomas and see if I could gain any intelligence. My water and stores lighting my ship so much as to endanger her spars and battery for want of ballast, I determined to enter the harbor and take enough stone to allow to continue my cruise safely and fight my lee guns successfully. I arrived at this port very light and needing at least 200 tons stone ballast, which at once will go on board, and with my water filled, will enable to fulfill every instruction until the end of my cruise. My judgment in regard to the Sumter proved excellent, for day before yesterday the ASumter was seen 30 miles off this port by two English steamers, standing N. E. On my anchoring in the harbor I repaired on board the Macedonian to present myself and orders to Captain Glynn, and to ask his advice in regard to ballast. He read my orders and said if my ship was crank and required ballast, it was cause enough for me to enter port, but that evidently the Government were desirous I should keep the sea. I replied that my orders read not to enter port unless necessary, and that in my discretionary judgment it was imperative for the safety and efficiency of the ship to ballast her. I shall do so at once with all dispatch and proceed to sea at once, not again requiring to enter port until the end of the cruise. I am sorry my orders will not let me follow the Sumter where I feel assured she has gone. My officers and crew are very anxious to meet her, and the discipline of the ship is perfect. I have exercised them at the great guns with shot and shell and at target practice with much success. Be assured, my dear sir, I shall, if I sight the Sumter, engage her, and if so, be prepared to hear the U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp has carried her enemy. The ship is very fast and a desirable one for the service, carrying and firing her guns well, but requires great weight to counteract her bat- tery, spars, and heavy house on deck, which, if removed (the house), she would prove, when iron ballasted, say 60() tons, as good a sloop of war as there is in the service. As yet have seen nothing of the bark W. C. Anderson; hope to fall in with her daily. Congratulate you on success at Beaufort, N. C., etc. There is a great deal of secession sentiment here, and much of it is dis- seminated bydisloyalofficers under the United States flag. It is horrible to see men under the patronage of the Government stabbing at the breast of their mother country. God forgive them and place Semmes before meI ask no more. I shall conquer or die at my guns. Yours, faithfully, HENRY S. EYTINGE, Commanding U. S. Ship Shepherd Knapp. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. P. S.JJuplicate sent to G. V. Fox, esq., and Lieutenant J. M. Wain- wright. A New Orleans ship of 1,000 tons, in ballast from. Rio, is expected here; I shall take her, 1 hope, if I find her outside Page 224 224 OPERATIONS 01? THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Captain Wynn, U. & Navy, commanding U. S. ship Iliacedoni an, of movements of vessels in search of (I. S. S. Sumter. U. S. SHIP MACEDONIAN, St. Thomas, West Indies, December 2, 18G1. SIR: I expect to sail for Boston to-morrow early. Four days since, the American ship ]Jiliontmorenci, of Bath, Me., arrived at this port, having been overhanled at 3 p. m. on the 25th December [November] (civil account) by the Smnter, in latitude 180 30 N., longitude 580 40 W. The ship was last from Wales, England, loaded with coal for the Brit- ish Mail Steamship Company at this place. The ship was ransoined for $20,000 and allowed to proceed after taking a quantity of paints and other ships stores from her. We hear from St. Pierre that the Iroquois passed in the night within 600 yards of the Sumter, she having run into a small cleft in the rocks, where she was hidden by the high land and could see the Iroquois to seaward and remain unseen by her pursuer. Captain Palmer seems to have exercised proper skill and perseverance npon this occasion, although not successful in his object. The Iroquois sailed again three days since in pursuit of the Sumter. The Dacotah returned here on the 30th of November and expects to sail to-morrow for Boston. I avail myself of the opportunity to forward this commnnication. The U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp, Volunteer Acting Lieutenant Commanding Eytinge, arrived here three days since. Her commander thinks the ship is in need of a good deal of repairs for a vessel just out from the United States, but unless she really requires 200 tons more ballast to make her safe, as he says, there is nothing to justify her being iu port, while her orders evidently intended she should keep the sea as long as practicable. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES GLYNN, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. P. S.6 p. m. The Iroquois has just now returned and anchored again, having been cruising to the northward and eastward, but with- out having heard anything further of the Sumter. J.G. Report of Commander Marchand, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. James Adger, of cruise to intercept supposed blockade runner -Gladiator, enclos ing correspondence. U. S. ~. JAMES AnGER, Hampton Roads, December 2, 18G1. SIR: From Southampton, England, on the 9th ultimo, I had the honor to advise you of my intention to leave that place to return to the United States on the following day; some additional defects in the engine were discovered, which delayed until the 11th, when, on going to the English Channel, found the violence of a southwest gale and heavy sea too great to make progress and uselessly consume fuel, we returned and remained at anchor until 2 oclock next morning (November 12), when we succeeded in getting into the channel. In my communication above mentioned I also informed you that the propeller Gladiator, of London, had left with munitions of war, designed Page 225 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 225 as supposed, to run the blockade of the Southern ports of the United States, but subsequently it was ascertained that she did not obtain a clearance from the London custom-house until the afternoon of the 9th. It was a mortification that I could not get into the English Channel sooner, yet I was fully satisfied that the Gladiator, if she had started, could not have passed before we were outside on acconnt of the extreme badness of the weather, which set in only a few hours after it was said she had obtained a clearance. We slowly passed down the English Channel watching for, and if seeing, to follow her to sea. It was my intention to capture her if possible, although I neither possessed nor could obtain any evidence to condemn her other than that verbally given by the U. S. consul at London (subsequent to his letter of the 5th of November, a copy of which is enclosed) that the reputed owner would be required to prove the true ownership and destination of the vessel, in which reasoning I could not acquiesce. I was verbally informed that the company fitting out the Gladiator had originally designed run- ning her nominally for Honduras or Mexico, but if possible into one of the southern ports of the United States, irrespective of the blockade, but the arrival of the James Adger at Queenstown caused them to alter their course of proceeding. They changed her officers and sent her as a British merchautman with all legal forms to Nassau, an English port, with the hope that in the event of her capture to cause a rupture between the Government of England and the United States ,by which they would ultimately be benefited. Thus, upon leaving Southampton, I was placed in an embarrassing position; still I determined on captur- ing her, if possible, and if found out of the direct course to her legal place of destination the better. Knowing the decev~tion practiced by the Confederates and their agents and instead of going to TenerilTh, where it was said she would touch, the Gladiator might run for the Azores, I shaped a course for Fayal, the only coaling place in that group, and where we arrived on the morning of the 19th. The Gladiator had not been there, and we, after having taken on board 74 tons of coal, left the same evening. Knowing the uncertaiiity of finding the Gladiator and deeming from Flag-Officer iDu Ponts instructions the necessity for this steamer being on our coast, I steered for the Chesapeake Bay. All vessels were scrutinized on our honieward passage, and, without finding any suspicious one, arrived here this day. In his last letter, dated the 8th ultimo, the U. S. consul at London gave the information that a clipper bark of about 300 tons would leave London in about a week from that time with a cargo of munitions of war for some Southern port. I have further the honor to send copies of note and letter from the U. S. ministers at Brussels and London, the consul at London, and from Mr. G. F. Train, in relation to the Gladiator. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MARCHAND, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, & cretary of the Navy, Washington. Commander. [Enclosure No. i.J LXiATION DES ]5~TATS UNIS, Bruxe~ ~es, November 3, 1861. DEAR SIR: I beg to commend to your confidence Captain Eastman, of Maine, the bearer of this, who goes to England at my request to 123A1 Page 226 226 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. render what service he can in thwarting the rebels in their projected enterprise of running the blockade with auother cargo of coutrabaud of war. He will tell you verbally what he knows respecting the steamer about leaving with a large cargo of munitions of war (among which are 25,000 rifles). She is undoubtedly the property of time rebels, and intended for a privateer, although going out-with English papers. Your arrival is most opportune, and I confidently expect she will, with your assistance~ reach a Northern port in safety. Respectfully, yonrs, H. ~. SANFORD. Captain JARCHAND Steamer James Adger. [Enclosure No. 2.1 LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, London, November 5, 1861. DEAR SIR: Captain Eastman, the bearer, is directed to communi- cate to you such information as he is possessed of respecting the move- ments of a vessel going from this port. If, upon the evidence he furnishes, you feel yourself able to act without hesitation, outside of jurisdiction of any neutral power, ~it will be perhaps accomplishing a result that may justify you in v rying froni any orders you may have received. Much m ust be left to your own discretion, so that I do not tie your hands. I aum ,your obedient servant, ~. F. ADAMS. Captain MARCuAND Of the James Adger. [Enclosure No. 3.] LONDON, November 5, 1861. SIR: Having learned that you with the ship James Adger are on the English coast, I think it highly important that you should be prom iptly informed that time screw steamer now called the Gladiator is loading in the river Thai es with powder, cartridges, caps, rifles, shells, cannon, blankets, and other military stores for the Confederates in the rebel States of America, ud th~ t it is the purpose of those who control her movements to run the blocka e. The steamer is about 700 tons~ 1 year old, a good vessel, and will take out a large and valuable cargo. That it is for the Southern rebels I am entirely satisfied. The proof is positive. She will drop down the river to morrow (Wednesday) noon, but will not probably go to sea before Thursday, though she may Wednesday night. It is said she will clear for Madeira. She will probably call there for coal. Though I have the.strongest reasons for believing that she has recently become Confederate property, she will sail under the protection of Brit- ish papers and the Biitish flag and make time legal transfer by register after reaching a Southern port. If the object of your visit will permit you to watch her movements or obstruct timein before reaching the Anmei5can coast, you must judge of time and place. But as it is of the very highest importance that she should be prevented from reachin Page 227 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 227 her final port of destination, we shall be greatly gratified if your instruc- tions will permit you to give her all the attention necessary. I am, most sincerely, yours, etc., Commander MARCHAND F. II. MORSE, U. S. Consul. U. S. S. James Adger. P. S.The bearer, Captain Eustis [Eastman 0?] has seen the steamer and will give you a full description. [Enclosure No. 4.] CONSULATn OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, London, Nocember 8, 18G1. SIR: I herewith endose a description of the Confederate steamer Gladiator. It was made by a confidential clerk who has been to her twice, and it conforms with my own observation. She is an iron screw of about 700 tons, English measurement; she is deeply loaded, and has on board 20,240 guns and Enfield rifles, a Large quantity of powder, car- tridges, caps, shells, cartridge paper, blankets, army cloths, etc. Her cargo is just what the rebels now most need, and to them it x ill be of very great value. She draws near 10 feet of water forward and 14 feet aft, is 1 year old, and will run 10 miles per hour with her present cargo in, so I am told. Her striking features are that she is long, sets low or down in the water aft, has a round stern, an upright stem. with- out billet or figurehead, three masts, main and mizzeit, without yards, foremast with three yards rigged like a topsail schooner, black hull funnel between fore and main mast, white side boats. I understand her name will be obliterated color and rig. , and perhaps when out she may change her She is entered outward at the custom-house, as I have just learned by examination, at first for Lisbon, Mogadore, and the Canaries. She was again afterwards reentered out for Teneriffe, Nassau, and Hon- duras. Nassau and Honduras were nearly obliterated. She is not et cleared at the custom-house, but no doubt went to sea last evenin~, as she left a point 12 miles below London yesterday afternoon between 2 and 3 p. in. She was sold on October 31 by the Peninsula an(l North African Steam Navigation Company to Melehir G. Klengender. She is registered in London November 2 and mortgaged for [~]l5,000. This sale is no doubt a blind. I have good reasons for believing she is Confederate property, though she goes out un(ler the l)rotection of the English flag and English papers, ith the purpose of completing the transfer on her arrival in one of the rebel ports. rfhe master is Captain Bird, who once or lately commanded the British steamer Oldelin. She had several passengers on board when she went down the river. A clipper bark of about 300 tons will leave iii about one week with a similar cargo for some Southern port. No doubt the steamer that hasjust left will take the southern route and perhaps touch at the port she has entered outward for, unless she clears for some other after leaving, coal at some convenient place, and make her way into a Southern port if possible. I hope you will keep close on her track and gr tify tile country by catching her. I shall be glad to hear that this reaches you before you sail. Very sincerely, yours, etc., F. H. MORSE, Captain J. B. MARCHAND, U. S. Consul. U. S. S. James Adger Page 228 228 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Letter from J. II. Young, esq., to the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury relative to the capture of American brig Betsey Ames by the Confederate privateer [Sallie]. NAVAL OFFICE, NEW YORK, December 2, 18G1. M~ DEAR SIR: The brig Betsey Ames, Bartlett, master, stated in Charleston papers to have been taken in there as a prize, cleared from this port on the 2d of November for Carden as, is 265 tons register, built at Wells, Me., and owned there. This brig was laden with general cargo, shipped by ~n English house, who have called upon me and given the following facts relative to our commercial relations with the West undies. They state that the cargo was shipped on an order from their friends in Cuba; subsequently coun- termanded in consequence of large shipments from New York via the British provinces; that a great portion of the merchandise now arriving out there from England and other sources is on orders for the insurgents; that the trade is chiefly in the hands of prominent merchants here, in connection with the most prominent houses in the West Indies and on the Spanish Main, and that this business extends from points as far distant as Paramaribo and Demerara to Sabanilla and Cartagena, on the coast. I have positive information that large orders for arms have been here since April last from merchants in the Netherlands West Indies, and there is sufficient reason to believe that they were for the Confederates. The house to whom the order came is loyal, and refused to fill it either through their connections in England or the Netherlands, yet it is a delicate matter to them, and they beg me to protect their correspondent. My duty to the Department and my country is greater than all other considerations, and I feel that all facts of this character should be placed before the Government in this crisis. The experience gained, by many years residence in the West Indies and on the Spanish Main leads me to believe that the insurgents con- duct most of their negotiations for supplies contraband of war through agents there in connection with Northern capital. I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant, JAMES II. YOUNG. Hon. GEORGE IIARRINGToN, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Letter from the Yew York and Havre Steamship Company to the Post- master- General, reporting detention of mail steamship Fulton from fear of C. S. S. Nashville. OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK AND HAYRE S. S. Co., 7 Broadway, New York, December 2, 1861. SIR: The appearance of the privateer Nashville on the other side of the Atlantic has so frightened shippers and passengers that the steam- ship Fulton, advertised to leave on Saturday, 7th instant, with the United States mails, is for the present withdrawn, her owners being unwilling to sustain the loss which would certainly accrue to them from dispatching their vessel under existing circumstances. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, GEO. MACKENZIE, Agent. lion. M. BLAIR, Postmaster- General Page 229 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 229 Letter from the New York Board of Underwriters to the Secretary of the Navy, urging the need of armed vessels on English and French coasts for protection of commerce. OFFICE o~ THE BOARD oi UNDERWRITERS, New York, December 2, 1861. SIR: At a meeting of the Kew York Board of Underwriters held this day the undersigned were appointed a committee to urge upou the U. S. Government the importance of placitig armed vessels on the English and French coasts for the purpose of protecting the commerce of the country from the depredations of privateers or other armed vessels hostile to the United States. In furtherance of the duty assigned them they have inquired and learn that the steamer Fulton (now in this port from Havre), having already discharged her cargo, may be chartered or purchased, and being in every respect both as regards hull and machinery in perfect order, can be sent to sea as soon as an armament could be placed on her, and with a force of 100 or 200 men could take the Nashville or any other steamer that is or can be sent out by the rebels. This steamer would, in the opiuiou of the undersigned, be found to be exceedingly useful as a dispatch boat, being of great speed, and could be fitted for this purpose in much less time than any other steamer not now employed by the Government on other service. Hoping that the Department may consider the subject as of sufficient importance to commerce to take immediate action in the premises, we are, very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servants, F. S. LATHROP, M. II. GRINNELL, LEOPOLD D. BJERWIRTH, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Committee. Secretary of the Navy, Washington. [Endorsement.] A steamer is to be dispatched forthwith. W[ELLES]. Report of Gommander Palmer, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, of movements of U. S. vessels in West indies searching for C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. IROQUOIS~ St. Thomas, i)ccernbcr 5, 1861. SIR: The day after my last communication, while the ]Jffacedonian was still in port, I went on a cruise, remaining out four days in the Anegada passage for a reported strange steamer, but heard nothing 01 her. This, however, could not have been the Sumter. Upon my return I found the schooner laden with my coal and provisions arrived from Martinique. I have now discharged her, and am now filling up the remainder of my coal, and will probably get off the (lay after to-morrow on my projected cruise toward the Bermudas. The iliLacedonian an Page 230 180 onaamxts oP In otulsflsu1#IOt Dtwotah sailed the day before yesterday for Boston. The armed vessel Shepherd Ksapp is in port adding to her ballast. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commasder. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretory of the Navy, Wa.hisgtos, D. (1. lest rusctioss from the Secretory of the Navy to Commauder Crams, U. & .Navy, commasdAssg U. & & Tucarora~ to ptoceed to Bsglwud is search of 0. & & Nashville sad forproteesion of Americas istereste. NAn DEPARTMENT, December 6,1861.. SIR: The steamer Nashville is understood to have crossed the Atlan- tic, and at the last dates was at Southampton, England, having on her passage captured and destroyed by fire the American ship Harvey Birch. This wanton destruction of the property of our merchants upon the high seas requires punishment and must receive immediate attention. You will therefore proceed without delay to the English coast, and ascertain as soon as possible whether the Nashville is at Southampton orat any other place within the United Kingdom, making it a primary object to seize that vessel whenever you can do so without invading the neutral rights or jurisdiction of England or any other stats. You will, as soon as possible after your arrival out, put yourself in commu- nication with our minister, Mr. Adams, and you will also consult with the consuls at Liverpool, London, and elsewhere, in regard tothe Nash- ville and other matters of American interest. What course may be taken by the English authorities with the Nash. ville, a vessel without a recognised flag or authority, which has been guilty of the piratical act of capturing and burning the merchant ship of rnation at peace with that Government and the world, and then seeking refuge in her ports, we have at present no means of ascertain- lug. Should the Nashville have left England for the United States you will not return, unless with a tolerable degree of certainty that you can overtake and capture her, it being the Intention of the Government to keep an ned vessel on the other side of the Atlantic to protect American commerce and guard American interests. Recently several vessels, the Bensu4, the Gladiator, the FM gal, and Watsos, and others not enumerated, have fitted out in English ports, laden with arms, munitions, and contraband of war, clearing with British papers and sailing under the English flag, which vessels have notoriouslybeen destined for, and most of them have reached, the insur- rectionary regions of our country with supplies for the rebels. Thisabuse must be corrected and this traffic stopped. It will there- fore be an important part of your duty to attend to this matter. Care- fully avoid trespassing on neutral rights while vigilantly and hrmly exercising your own. You will abstain from the seizure of any vessel within the maritime jurisdiction of any state, but will on the high exercise the right of visitation and search to prevent arms, muni- tions, or articles contraband of war from being transported to aid the rebel enemies of this country. Should it be deemed necessary or advisable for you to visit other places than the English coast, you wil Page 231 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 231 do so, advising in those cases, when time will admit, with Mr. Adams, with whom you will at all times freely communicate and from whom you will receive suggestions and directions. Great discretionary power is given you from the necessities of the case. You will consult with onr minister and consuls as you have opportunity, availing yourself of any information derived from them to assist and regulate your judgment and action. Cultivate, friendly relations with all. The Department has great confidence in your ability, courage, firm- ness, decision, and wisdom, and entrusts you with extraordinary pow- ers, which may all be called in requisition for the good of the service and of the country. Wishing you a successful and useful cruise, I am, respectfully, yonr obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Commander T. A. M. CRAVEN, [Secret ry of the Navy.] Commanding U. S. S. Iluscarora, New York. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Th o, of cruise in search of privateers. U. S. SHIP INO, at Sea, December 6, 1861. SIR: I have the pleasure to enclose herewith corrected copy of mus- ter roll, together with abstract log of this ship continued from d te of that last sent per ship fJrey Feather; also list of vessels boarded, and another of those spoken, with the relative position of each. Having cruised in the vicinity of the equator a long time and falling in with nothing of an4 unfriendly character, and 1e ruing of no depredation having been committed by the eneniies of the United States upon its commerce in that vicinity, concluded my chances of falling in with some- thing may be improved by cruising further northward on the route, as instructed by the Department. I am grieved in being obliged to prefer charges against my executive and second officer, Messrs. Endicott and Dunton. On the part of the first is great want of dignity an(1 attention to his business. Owing to his disobedience of orders we are getting short of w Icr, having sufficient only for about forty days, used with gr at care. The tenden- cies of the conduct of Mr. Dunton would be to subvert the discipline of the ship; not safe to leave in charge of the ship as a watch officer, owing to his sleeping propensities. Duty compels me to prefer these charges. On account of the season, the ship being very tender in consequence of want of ballast, produced in part by the consumption of stores, crew nearly out of clothing, paymasters stock given out, and a want of water, will oblige me to start for Boston a little earlier than under other circumstances. It will be safe to expect her in Boston from the 1st to 10th January, 1862. The health of the mos crew is excellent, and with the exceptions named they are a very worthy set of men. Mr. Parker, my third officer, together with the masters mates, are superior men. Trusting this will merit your satisfaction, I remain, sir, with the highest respect, your most obedient servant, JOSIAH P. CREESY, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. Ship Lw. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Nary of the United States Page 232 232 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. The Eugenia Smith affair, December 7, 1861. Report of Commander Ridgely, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Santiago do Cuba, of seizure of Messrs. Zacharie and Rogers on board the English schooner Eugenia Smith. U. S. S. SANTIAGO BE CUBA, Havana, December 18, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that I left Havana on the evening of November 29 in pursuit of the English schooner Eagenia Smith. I steamed on the course to the Rio Grande at 10 knots, until satisfied I had passed the schooner, or missed her at night, or that she had taken an indirect course. Thinking it important that the rebel agent on board should he taken, I kept on for the iRio Grande. On the evening of December 3, Point Isabel bearing west distant 90 miles, I overhauled the English schooner Victoria, of 72 tons, from Point Isabel, with a rebel clearance, and having 11 passengers, 8 of them from States in rebellion against the Government. I took possession of the schooner for entering and sailing from a port closed by proclama- tion of the President of the United States, and in violation of an act of Congress approved July 13, 1861. I transferred the passengers to this ship, in consequence of their number and the small size of the schooner, which obviated sending a large prize crew oa board. I put a prize crew on board under charge of Acting Master A. W. Muldaur, and ordered him to proceed to Galveston and report to the officer command- ing blockade off Galveston, as the schooner was captured within Flag- Officer McKeans command. I made for the Rio Grande, where I anchored off the coast of Texas. On the 7th we made a sail standing in for the land. I steamed after her, and found she was the British schooner Eugenia~ Smith with two passengers on board, Mr Zacharie, of New Orleans, and T. S. Rogers, of Texas, rebel agents. The consuls letter will explain the case of the former, and the latter had in his possession papers proving him to be an agent of the rebel Government. I examined the schooner thoroughly, but could find no contraband. She had passed through two U. S. custom-houses since she changed her flag (Key West and New York), as late as the 5th of October, and I thought I would not be justified in seizing her. I steamed to Galveston in twelve hours from the Rio Grande to see what disposition the commanding officer had made of the prize. Captain Eaole of the Santee, was there, but took no action in the matter. I took the prize in tow for Key West, and when we were 250 miles from the Tortugas, the sea being too rough to tow the schooner, I ordered the prize master to make the best of his way to Key West and report himself to the U. S. district attorney there. The Santiago de Cuba arrived at Key West at 11 p. m. of the 12th, and the next morning I landed the passen- gers at Fort Taylor. Major B. II. Hill, the commanding officer, administered the oath of allegiance to and discharged seven of them~ six of them he retained as persons who might do the United States an injury. I came immediately over to flavana to take in coal, which was nearly exhausted, and to make some slight repairs to the engine. Mr. Zacharie, of New Orleans, informed me that the British consul, Mr. Crawford, would have given the schooner he left Havana in a con- voy if Mr. T. Butler King, of Georgia, had taken passage in her, and that he had written for a man-of-war to convoy the rebel schooner Par Page 233 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 233 liament, with British colors, commanded by a man named Gladden, formerly a lieutenant in the U. S. revenue service. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DANL. B. RIDGELY, Hon. G. WELLES, Commander, U. AS~. N. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Enclosure.] U. S. CONSULATE-GENERAL IN CUBA flavana, November 29, 1861. SIR: I am informed that the English schooner Eugenia Smith, Smith, master, sailed from this port on the morning of the 28th instant for Matamoras, having on board as passenger a well-known agent of the Confederate Government, Mr. Zacharie, of New Orleans, who has been employed in the purchase of arms, etc., at this port. This schooner was formerly an American vessel of 160 tons, belong- ing to New York, where the family of the master now resides. She is a fore-and-aft vessel and sails well; but if you could get to sea to-mor- row morning it is possible you cpuld overtake her. Her destination is undoubtedly the above port or its vicinity. The capture of the cargo (munitions of war, etc.) and of the above- mentioned agent is of great importance. If you determine to go, I need not impress upon you the necessity of the utmost secrecy. This vessel, I am told, was cleared from the office of the captain of the port by her Britannic Majestys vice-consul, with a request that her mani- fest should be kept from the public. Iam,sir, your obedient servant, R. W. SHUFELDT. Commander D. B. RIDGELY, U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba. Letter from Commander Ridgely, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, transmit- ting copies of letters found in possession of Confederate agents Zacharie and Rogers. U. S. S. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, At Sea, December 20, 1861. SIR: I herewith enclose copies of letters found in possession of Thomas S. Rogers, of Texas, taken from the British schooner Eugenia Smith, the originals in possession of Major B. H Hill military post, Key West. - commanding I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, IDANL. B. IRIDO-ELY, Hon. G. WELLES, Commander, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. rEnclosuresi HAVANA, CUBA, November 23, 1861. DEAR SIR: Enclosed please find Mr. Charles Lempriens letter; also a copy of a contract that I now have with the Confederate Govern- ment, which I am inclined to think will pay well. And should yo Page 234 234 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. feel dispo ed to enter into a business of this kind with me I will allow you 33~ per cent above your invoice, cost, and charges in London, and then turn them over to our Government at 33~ per cent advance of cost and charges, delivered at any point in the Confederate States, and either pay you in cotton at the market price or in exchange on London, or gold and silver. We ixow have one port open, which can not be blockaded, which is the Rio Grande River, xvhich divides Texas and Mexico. Small schoon- ers leave here every day for that l)ort. The above-named profit will amount to about 100 per cent. Now, should you wish to enter into this business, I am willing to give you two-thirds, which I think will pay well. Mind you, all expenses, time, traveling, etc., are to be added to the invoices. Please let me hear from you by return mail and I will visit you via return steamer if you answer favorably. Address me Havana, Cuba, Hotel Cubana, an(l much oblige, Your obedient servant, THOMAS S. ROGERS, Agent. Mr. GEORGE BURGESS, London. HAvANA, November 24, 1861. DEAR BURGESS: Will any client of yours take a contract under the following copy ~ There is everything open here, and the return money in cotton will pay everyone well. I am on my way to Mexico, and shall be back here in January, when I could attend to any certification your client might require. I am able to recommend the present holders of this letter. Yours, ever, CHARLES LEMPRIEU. GEORGE BURGESS, Esq., 71 Lincoln Inn Fields, London. CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR 1)EPARTMENT, ORDNANCE OFFICE, Richmond, Va., July 16, 1861. SIR: This bureau will receive from you any or all of the ibilowing articles at any point within the Confederate States, npou the proper inspection and at the rates specified: From 50,00) to 150,000 pounds rifle powder, 250,000 to 350,000 pounds musket powder, 50,000 to 150,000 pounds cannon powder, for which they will pay 30 cents, or ~ per cent above invoice cost and charges; from 10,000 to 100,000 Minie muskets, at $30, or 334 per cent above cost and charges; from 10,000 to 100,000 Enfield rifles, at $30, or 334 per cent above cost and charges; 2,000 artillery sabeis, at $10, or 334 per cent above cost and charges; 5,000 breech-loading carbines for horse, at $35, or ~ per cent above cost and charges; 2,000 Colts navy or army pis- tols, at $30, or 334 per cent above cost and charges; 200 carboys nitric acid, strong, at 334 per cent above cost and charges; 20,090 pounds block tin, in pi6s, at 50 cents, or 334 per cent above cost and charges; 1,000 boxes common tin, larger size, at 334 per cent above cost and charges Page 235 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSIJNION. 235 Payment will be made either upon the certificate of the inspecting officer or quartermaster, or, in the absence of either, the ccrtific te of the custom-house officer of the Confederate Government at the point where the articles are delivered, or upon such certificates of delivcry aftcr inspection and approv 1. The Department will pay to the value of deliveries at New Orleans such drafts as may be drawn by you on the assistant treasurer of the Confederate States to cover snch pur- chases and deliveries. Signed, with the approval of the President. J. GoR~As, Major and Chief .of Ordnance, Confederate States. GEORGE IL. GWDINGs, San Antonio, Tex. Letter of Mr. J. W Zacharie to Hon. R. 1W. T. Hunter, Secretary of State of the Confederate States, transmitting statement of the circumstances ef his seizure. T~JcIJMONn, January 16, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to hand you, as requested, a copy of my state- ment nuder oath of the circumstances of the outrage lately committed on myself on board the British schooner Eugenia Smith, sailing under the British flag in the waters of Mexico, which I drew up at the request of her Britannic Majestys consul of this city and this day furnished him. Ii trust that the Government of the Confederate States will think proper to present to time Government of Great Britain what I can not but consider a just claim for indemnity for damages I have suffered. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. W. ZACHARIE. Hon. R 1W. T. HUNTER, Secretary of State of the Confederate States, Richmond, Va. J. W. Zacharie, mereb ant of the city of New Orleans, being duly sworn, declares: _ That he sailed as passenger on board of the British schooner P genia Smith, F. Smith, master, of Nassau, New Providence, from Havana, island of Cuba, on the 27th of November last, bound for the Mexican port of Matamoras, on the Rio Grande. Her car~o consisted of 183. bales of India gunny cloth and 100 of English long cloths, the whole shipped as British property, insured in England. On reaching the coast of Mexico, on the 7th of December ultirno, within 3 miles of the shore, in 6 fathoms water, the umouth of the Rio Graude bearing N. W. by N., the Eugenia Smith was fired at and subsequently hailed by the U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, which ordered her to lower her sails and come to uchor. She did so, and thereupon boat with 12 mem armed with cutlasses and re~~olvers, under the comnmamid of Lieutenant Gibson, of the U. S. Navy, came alongside and demamided to know whether Mr. Zacharie was on bo rd. The deponent replied in tile affirmative, and desired to know what was wanted of him. Lieutenant Gibson informe him that Captain D. B. Ridgely desired to see him on board of the U. S. ship Santiago de Cuba. Deponent then asked whether it was a courteous invitation on the part of Captain Ridgely Page 236 236 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. or one to entrap him from under the protection of the British flag. If it were the latter, he protested most solemnly against going. Lieutenant Gibson informed him that the ship had been expressly sent for him. Deponent then reminded him (Lieutenant G.) that the vessel was in Mexican waters, and that the treaty between the United States and Mexico declared that free ships made cargoes and persons free, excepting contraband goods and naval and military officers, of which the deponent was neither; but as he supposed might made right, it would be folly for him to attempt to resist the force which the lieutenant had with him, and he asked permission to change his dress, which, being granted, he did so, and accompanied Lieutenant Gibson on board the steamer Santiago de Cuba. Upon his being introduced to Captain Ridgely, deponent demanded of him the reasons of his arrest, reminding him of his being in Mexican waters, and requested to know if he had any process from Mexican authorities to arrest him. Captain IRidgely replied that the reasons would be made known to him in due course of time. Deponent was requested by a sergeant of marines to go below, when lie was rudely searched, ordered to take off his hat, coat, and boots, and upon turn- ing his pockets inside ont there were taken from him his money, his pocket and memorandum books, his portemonnaie, together with every scrap of paper which he had with him. On his being released from the inquisitions of the sergeant, Captain Ridgely inquired whether he had brought his baggage on board. Informing the captain that it had not been so brought, and that it was much scattered in the cabin of the schooner, and that he could scarcely describe with accuracy what lie had, the deponent desired that he might be allowed to go on board to collect the various articles. This was granted, and on the deponents return on board he saw the men of the U. S. steamer busily engaged in hoisting out of the schooners hold the cargo. They had broken open the hatches, and had many bales of gunny cloth on the deck, and from the appearance of the cabin he judged that they had been overhauling it and ransacking her lockers to find letters and papers, which were not to be found, the captain of the schooner having delivered to Lieutenant Gibson ~ll that he had. These, after being examined by Captain IRidgely, were pronounced to be all in order, and the vessel was allowed to continue her voyage. Deponent on his return to the steamer was again overhauled and his trunk and carpetbag thoroughly searched, but nothing could be found in any way calculated to place him in a false position. Deponent, with every form of solemnity, declares that lie has never been employed in any way as an agent of the Confederate Govern- ment, although acknowledging himself heart and soul sympathizing in the cause which in this instance was entirely disconnected from his presence in the waters of Mexico. From the coast of that Republic he was forcefully abducted and conveyed to Key West, where he was placed in Fort Taylor, remaining there nine days, not being allowed to communicate with her Britannic Majestys consul, who, as the deponent understood, had called at the fort but was not admitted. Deponent was thence transferred to the steamer Baltic on the 21st of December ultimno, and he reached New York in the morning of the 26th, when lie was removed to Fortress Lafayette, whence he was liberated on the 1st of January instant, at about 2 oclock p. in., and was told that he and his fellow-passenger, as well as fellow-prisoner, T. S. Rogers, were at liberty to go where they pleased. I)eponents memorandum books, together with a cotton bond of the Confederat Page 237 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 237 States of $50 and other valuable papers, were taken from him and were unreturned, without the assigiimeut of any cause for their deten- tioi. Deponent, by this interruption and detention from his business, has sustained heavy losses. He had made arrangements in different quarters for the shipment for his account and consignment to hi~xi at Matamoras of a large amount of property, and had chartered vessels to load back with cotton, which he had contracte(l for, to be delivered at Matamoras at 12 cents per pound, on which he fully estimated to realize a large profit, which would have been realized as subsequent events have proved. These losses, personal vexatious, and damage to his health he estimates at the sum of $100,000, all of which he con- siders he had the right to be protected from by the British flag, under which he sailed and in which he relied with full confidence. He trusts that her Majestys Government will not hesitate to indemnify him. They will unquestionably be entitled to reimbursement by the United States, under whose authority the injury was inflicted. Deponent, in conclusion, states that the schooner Eugenia Smith was a British vessel regularly registered, and had been recognized as such by the United States authorities at the port of New York, whence she had just come from when chartered at Havana. J. W. ZACHARIE. CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, Eastern district of Virginia, to wit: On this 16th day of January, A. D. 186~, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Confederate States commissioner duly commissioned and qualified according to law, J. W. Zacharie, of the city of New Orleans, in the State of Lonismana, one of the States of the Confederacy aforesaid, whose name is signed to the annexed statement in his own handwriting and who is personally known to the undersigned to be the said J. W. Zacharie. He, the said J. W. Zacharie, having first duly sworn, saith upon his oath that the facts contained in the annexed statement are true, each page of said statement being signed at the bottom thereof with the initials of the said commissioner in his own handwritihg, and that the said statement is a copy from the original, which is to be placed in the hands of her Britannic Majestys consul in the city of Richmond, Va., F. J. Cridland, esq., to be forwarded by him to Lord Lyons, her Britannic Majestys minister at the capital of the United States, at Washington, D. C. Witness my hand and seal of office at Richmond, Va., the capital of the Confederate States, on the day and date aforesaid. [SEAL.] WM. F. WATSON, Confederate States Commissioner. Statement of master of British schooner Eugenia Smith relative to seizure of Messrs. Zacharie and Rogers. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Cameron: Be it remembered that on this 11th day of the month of December, A. D. 1861, personally appeared before me, Henry Lyman Howlett, a notary public in and for the said county and State, duly commissioned and sworn, Frederick F. Smith, master of the British schooner called the Eugenia Smith, of Nassau New Providence tons, British measurement, of the burden of 101 who, being duly sworn by me, according to law, deposes and states on his oath: That he sailed in and with time said British schooner from Havana, Dominion of Spain, on or abou Page 238 288 OPflATIOIIS OF THE OBUISflSUNION. the 28th asy of November, A. D. 1861, bound to the port of Matamoras, in Mexico with a cargo of merchandise, consigned to Joseph San Rome. !!hat nothing occurred to interrupt her said voyage until Saturday, the 7th day of December, A. D. 1861. That on Saturday, the 7th day of December, A..!). 1861, at about 2 oclock in the afternoon, when the said schooner was about 4 miles south of the mouth of the river called the Rio Grande, he was hailed by the U. S. steamship calledtheilatiauo 4. Cuba, byagun fired by said U. S. steamship. A boat containing an officer andeight armed men then came onboard of the said British schooner, which officer demanded my papers ad pas- sengers, both of which paper and, passengers he took on board said steamship. While my papers ad passengers were taken on board said steamship, two more boats came alongside of me with a officer. ad ned men, ad demanded to know what I had on board. I told the officer I had two articles, viz, India bagging ad English cotton goods. Theofficer then ordered my hatches to be opened by his men, who took out cargo until they could see the bottom of the vessel, cut- ting open bales of bagging while they were at work. The officer ad his men then went into my cabin and demanded to be shown the scut- tie, which they opened by ripping up the oil floor cloth. They then examined the scuttle and found some small parcels, which they over- hauled and left in the cabin. About this time the captain of the said U.S. steamship sent mypapers on board ad ordered meto go on about my business. The captain of said U. 8.8. Santiago 4. Cuba detained my passen whom his officer had already taken outof myschooner, t~ wit: Mr.J.W. Zacharie, of New Orleans, ad a Mn Rogers, of San Antonio, Ta., who are yet on board the said U. 5.5. Santiago 4. Cuba as prisoners. Theboarding officer demaded my mail, but I told him I carried none. The boarding officer left my hatches open, without offering to secure them in the same condition as they fond them, although I was out at sea ad in danger of damaging or losing my vessel ad cargo. The men who came aboard armed with their officers were not restrained by their officers from stealing, which they freely did, but to what extent I can not yet form a correct estimate. I was detaiiied on my voyage for the space of several hours, which put my vewsel ad cargo at great risk in making my port of destination, dur- ing all of which period of detention the boarding officer of said U. S. ste~muhip took charge and kept the vessel so under his charge. F. F. SMITH. Thus done ad protested at the city of Brownsville, county and State aforesaid, in the presence of Charles Stiflman ad Cornelius Still- ma, witnesses. In testimony whereof I pant these presents under my signature and the impress of my notarial seal at my office in the city of Browns- ville aforesaid, on the day and year first hereinbefore written. [suLL.J . H. L. HowLETT,. NoAr~ Public. & n.v, commanding & vLi,a.;rcn~nin~wck of prifl. U. S. Smr MoRNiNG LIGHT, December 8,1861. - Sm: In obedience to my sealed orders opened at sea on the 2d instant, I have reached to-day latitude 820 41 N.,longitude 68058 W., expecting to pass near the Bermudas to-morrow Page 239 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 239 On the 4th instant, sea time, 11 a. in., boarded the British schooner Emeline, from Martinique for New York, short of provisions; supplied her with a barrel of beet She reports the privateer Sumter as having been off Martinique on the 10th of November. She transferred to her the captain and two men of the schooner Daniel Trowbridge, which she had taken and destroyed in latitude 170 33 N., longitude 56034 W. The captain reports that they had been in irons several days, thrcat- ening them with hanging in case they heard of the Savannahs crew being linug. He also reports her as having a strong crew, desperate bind determined. In the afternoon I mustered all hands for general exercise as in battle, expended 8 rounds of shot and one shell. Made a short speech to the men, who are full of enthusiasm at the idea of a crack at the Sumter, shonld she happen to cross our path. On the 5th boarded the schooner John C. Daily from New York, bound to Havana. On the 6th boarded the brig Marine, from Boston to Havana On the 6th, 8:20 p. in., made out a bark steering apparently W.S.W.; made all sail in chase; at 10 a. m. overhauled her and bronght her to with a rocket; she proved to be the bark Izelia, from Pernambuco, twenty-two days, bound to Philadelphia with a cargo of sngar. The masters of the last three vessels seemed to be much pleased at the idea of cruisers being afloat looking after them. I report the ships company as being iii good health and spirits, and rapidly improving in drill of great guns and seamanship. With the sincere hope that the next time that I have the honor to report to you, it may be a dispatch sent in by a prize, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY T. MOORE, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. [Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.] Report of Comvrander LeRoy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, of departure in search af privateers. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, At Sea, December 8, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report this ship at sea, and shall proceed in obedience to the sealed orders (when opened) furnished me. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. WM. B. LEROY, 0ommander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of Flag- Officer Montgomery, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacitic Squadron, to Commander Watson, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. store- ship Fredonia, regarding suspicious vessel launched in the harbor of Yalparaiso. U. S. FLA SHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama, December 9, 1861. SIR: 1 have this moment received your letter with enclosures, of the 18th ultimo, and as the mail leaves in an hour or two I hasten to infor Page 240 240 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION you of the departure (yesterday) from this port, of the Wyoming, for Valparaiso, for the purpose of accompanying you to Callao. You will please, sir, to notify Commander McDougal immediately, on his arrival, of the suspicions you have reason to entertain concerning the newly launched vessel at Yalparaiso, referred to in your letter; and should they be well founded, direct him to have a watch upon her prepa- rations and movements, and capture her upon leaving port. In the meantime it will be proper to apprise the Government of Chile, through the consul or minister ~f the United States, of your suspicions, with a view to timely intervention on its part, to prevent the illegal employ- ment of said vessel against the commerce and interest of the United States. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MONTGOMERY, Flag- Officer, Commanding Pacific Squadron. Commander J. M. WATSON, U. S. Storeship Fredonia, Valparaiso do Chile. Order of Secretary of the Navy to Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy, com- manding U. S. S. Iroquois, to cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter and other privateers. NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 13, 1861. SIR: The Department has received your communication of the 25th of October and 11th of November last. You will continue in pursuit of the Sumter until you succeed in cap- turing her or learn positively she has been captured or destroyed. You will then remain in the West indies in search of other privateers and for the protection of American interests until farther ordered. Although cruising for the Sumter, you will not omit due vigilance in all cases. The beliigerents rights of visitation and search you will exercise, avoid- ing unnecessary offense to neutrals, but detecting and seizing all ves- sels having arms, munitions, and contraband of war. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, Commander J. S. PALMER, [Secretary of the ATary.] Commanding U. S. S. iroquois, St. Thomas, West Indies. Petition of merchants and shipowners of Boston, Mass., to Secretary of the Navy, urging the need of protection to American commerce in the Mediterranean. BOSTON, November 14, 1861. SIR: We, the undersigned, merchants and shipowners of Boston, engaged in trade with the Mediterrammean, respectfully represent that our interests are materially jeopardized from the fact that no U. S. man-ofwar is at present in that sea, and urgently request that at least one Government vessel (even a ganboat) be stationed there for th Page 241 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 241 protection of our commerce, especially against the danger incurred from privateers of the Confederate States, which have now every opportunity of cruising in the Mediterranean unmolested. JAsIca, GODDARD & Co. WILLIAM PERKINS. FRANCIS BACON, President China Mutual Insurance Company. Hon. GIDEON, [And 14 others. Secretary of the Navy. [Endorsement.] A steam sloop of war has just been ordered to cross the Atlantic for the protection of American interests; another will be ordered when the condition of affairs at home will permit. Letter from Ellen McCarthy regarding the capture of the ship John Carver by privateer Jeff. Davis. PHILADELPHIA, December 14, 1861. SIR: I beg leave to inform you that my husband shipped as a sea- man from this port about five months since, on board the ship John Carver, chartered by the Government, with provisions to Key West. They were captnred by the privateer Jeff. Davis, the men taken pris- oners and carried to St. Augustine, in Florida. After some time a part of the crew were sent on to Richm6nd, and were since liberated. Others remain there still; my husband is among the number. I take the liberty of writing these particulars to know if there is a prospect of his being liberated, and when. I hope you will excuse the trouble I am giving you and make an allowance for the anxiety of a wife and mother, who are naturally anxious to have him restored to them and his helpless young family. Please answer this as soon as convenient. I also wish to know if the Government has made any provision for the wives and children of persons so situated, as no one needs it more than I do at present. I enclose you the certificate of the shipping master to satisfy you that my statement is correct. Please direct to 813 South Eighth street, below Catherine. I remain, yours, very respectfully, ELLEN MCCARTHY. [SECRETARY OF WAR.] This is to certify that I shipped a man by the name of John McCarty in the ship John Carver that left in July last and was destroyed at sea by the privateer Jeff. Davis. THOS. MCGUIRE, PHILADELPHIA, December 9, 1861. Shipping Master. [Endorsement.] IRespectfully referred to the Secretary of the Navy. S. CAMERON, DECEMBER 17, 1861. Secretary of War, 123AIA Page 242 242 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Prailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, to proceed to sea under sealed-orders. NAVY DEPART~ ENT, December 14, iSGi. SIR: The order to you of the 4th instant to report at Hampton Roads is hereby revoked. Transmitted herewith are sealed instructions addressed to you, to be opened when the Quaker City gets to sea. Commander IDe Camp will present himself for passage in the Quaker City, and you will take your departure i rum ediately thereafter. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, ~Secretary of the Navy.] Commander J. M. FRAILEY, Commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, New York. [Euclosure.1 NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 14, 1861. SIR: Proceed with the U. S. S. Quaker City, under your command, to the West indies, iu search of the rebel steamer Sumter. You will pursue that vessel with all diligence until you overhaul and capture her or learn positively that she has been captured or destroyed. Although your chief object will be the pursuit of the Sumter, you will not omit due vigilance in all cases. The belligerent right of visitation and search you will exercise, avoiding un. ecessary offense to neutrals, but detecting and seizing all vessels which you have reason to suppose are transporting arms, munitio~s, and contraband of war to the insur- gents. Commander John IDe Camp goes out as a passenger in the Quaker City, to relieve Commander Palmer of the command of the Iroquois. The Iroquois may probably be found at St. Thomas, or you may learn of her movements from the U. S. consul there. The Iroquois and Quaker City till be independent of each other, but Commander IDe Camp and yourself will act in concert, so as to insure a thorough search for the Sumter, and to avoid cruising in close proximity or follow- ing in the same track unless advisable. Communicate with the Department when opportunity offers and transmit a statement of vessels boarded and spoken, with the usual remarks in information in such cases. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander JAMES M. FRAILEY Commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, New York. Instructions from the Secretary of the Navy to Commander John De Camp, U. S. avy, appointed to command U. S. S. Iroquois, to relieve Coin- inander Palmer and proceed in search of C. S. S. Sumter, etc. NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 14, 1861. SIR: On relieving Commander Palmer of the command of the IJ. S. steam sloop Iroquois, in pursuance of the order to you of this date, you will proceed with that vessel in search of the rebel steamer Sumter Page 243 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 243 You will pursue the Sumter ~ith all diligence until you overhaul and capture her or learn positively that she has been captured or destroyed. Although your chief object will be the pursuit of the Sumter, you will not omit due vigilance in all cases. The belligerent right of visitation and search you will exercise, avoiding unnecessary offense to neutrals, but detecting and seizing all vessels which you have reason to suppose are transporting arms, munitions, and contrabrand of war to the insur- gents. The Iroquois may probably be found at St. Thomas, or you may learn something of her movements from the U. S. consul there. Commander Frailey will consult your wishes with regard to finding the Iroquois. The Iroquois [and Quaker City] will be independent of each other, but Commander Frailey and yourself will act in concert so as to insure a thorough search for the Sumter, and to avoid cruising in close proxim- ity or following in the same track, unless advisable. Communicate with the Department when opportunity offers and transmit a statement of vessels boarded and spoken, with the usual remarks and information in such cases. Remain in the West Indies until further orders. I enclose instructions, to be opened when the Quaker City gets to sea. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, Commander JOHN DE CAMP, [Secretary of the Navy.] Appointed to command U. S. S. Iroquois. Report of Commander Le Roy, U. S. Kavy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, of arrival off Bermuda. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE Off Bermuda, Sunday, 11 a. in., December 15, 1861. SIR: I have to report I have this moment dropped anchor, to com- municate with the consul before proceeding to the usual man-of-war anchorage. All well. Passage stormy. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. E. LE Roy, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Plambean, of arrival at Nassau, New Providence, from New York, with circum- stances attendtng crutse. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nassau, New Providence, December 15, 1861. SIR: I have to report our arrival at this port on the morning of the 11th, having left INew York on the 6th. On the first night out the fee Page 244 244 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. pipe to the port boiler gave way, and on the morning of the 8th the one belonging to the starboard boiler also became aseless. The boilers had then to be fed by the donkey engine with cold sea water to supply the place of the steam expended, instead of with hot fresh water from the condenser, thus impairing the economy of our consnn~ption of coal. These feed pipes onght to be replaced by others of heavier metal, but they can not be even repaired at this place. The engineers, however, have mended them so that it is possible they may serve our purpose temporarily, in the meantime the usefulness of the vessel is not mate- rially affected by it, and she is now ready for sea at a moments notice. Nothing else of interest occurred during the passage until the morning of the 10th, when, being in latitude 270 55 N. and longitude 740 55/ W., it was reported to me at daylight that a brig was in sight to the westward of us, apparently standing to the southward of west, with studding sails set. I ordered chase to be made, and after three hours overhauled her. She proved to be the Queem of the West, in ballast, from Puerto Rico, bound to Halifax, where she belongs. Although it had become evident sometime before reaching her that she was close hauled and standing to the N. W., yet I thought the circumstances of her first appearance, together with her lowvhty, to be sufficiently suspicious to warrant me in heaving her to and sending an officer on board to exam- ine her papers. Everything proved to be correct, however. The matter of having the studding sails set was denied and her position was accounted for on the score of het having experienced a three days gale from the north- ward, during which she had been obliged to lay to. I have since had reason to know that such was the case. In all, her detention amounted to only forty minutes, and she was not required to deviate from her course. My formal visits to the authorities have been courteously received, but it is evident from trifles, which I will not enumerate, that all their sympathies are with the rebels. Indeed, this is the tone of feel- ing~mong ad classes here, and the common people barely fall short of downright insolence to our officers in the streets. Our presence is an evident source of embarrassment and distress to very muany. The lieu- tenant-governor had already, before our arrival, forbidden the consul to land the coal sent out for the use of this vessel, except upon the express stipulation that it shall not be supplied to any United States vessel during our present difficulties, on the ground that it would con- stitute a breach of the neutrality enjoined by the Queens proclamation, and a further correspondence siimce we came in ha~ failed to convince hini of error in this matter. I know of no means of evading this diffi- culty except by disregarding the decision of the lieutenant-governor, and towing one of the small coal schooners to some small harbor where the coal can be transferred, but as we have about 100 tons yet remain- ing on board, it will not probably be necessary to resort to such meas- nrc before I can receive instructions from the Department. H. B. N. steaum gunboat AS~teady, the only man-of-war here at the time of our arrival, went to sea on the evening of the 11th, and the Nimble, another vessel of the same class, arrived on the morning of the 13th, and left again after a few hours stay. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE, Lieutenant, Commandin~j. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Yavy Page 245 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 245 report of Lieutenant Temple, U~ S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Elambectu, of British steamer Gladiator and other blockade runners at Nassau, New Proridence. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nassau, New Providence, December 15, 1861. Sin: I have to report that on our arrival at this place on the morn- ing of the 11th there were in port, among other vessels, the rebel steamers Theodora (formerly the Gordon) and the Ella Warley (for- merly the lisabel). They had run the blockade, bringing cargoes of cottou which have been discharged here; but it is said that the Theodora has again brought away some diplomatic emissary of the Confederates, and is flow purchasing flannel and other articles for a return cargo. Her 75 bales would seem an insufficient inducement to have brought her out. These two steamers are commanded by brothers named Lock- wood. The British steamer Gladiator, loaded with arms for the rebels, is also in this port. I am satisfied that it was her intention to have gone to sea on the night of the 12th, and by an apparent complicity of the authorities, particularly the man who is pilot and harbor master here, her chance of doing so without our being- able to follow her immedi- ately seemed good at one time. But I extricated the Plambean from her cramped position and shifted onr berth at midnight; and as we keep banked fires under the boilers constantly, I can now follow her out at any moment without a pilot, if necessary. I have, how ever, engaged a pilot at 3 English shillings per diem, one who can be thor- oughly relied upon, I think, for capacity and fidelity. There were also present on our arrival a brig and schooner loaded with salt, both of which are said to have run the blockade frequently and to intend doing so again; and another schooner arrived to-day from Charleston. The clipper ship Eliza Ilonsall, formerly of Boston but now of Liverpool, arrived at the same time with ourselves, and although there are rumors to the contrary I am disposed to believe that she has come for cotton, in hopes that a sufficient quantity might have already been brought over from the Southern States. If this is the case, however, the supply is as yet insufficient to load her. It is not unlikely from present appear- ances that the Theodora or perhaps some of the less valuable vessels may endeavor to lead us away from the port in chase so that the Gladiator may have the opportunity to escape, but I shall only fall into this trap in case the circumstances at the time should promise a chance of turn- ing it to our advantage, as I Icemn it of paramount importance to pre- vent these arms from reaching the rebels. It is rumored that there are two United States vessels cruising in the channels between this and the Hole in the Wall, and it may be that they are the Santiago de Cuba and the Dc Soto, but on the whole I doubt the entire story. I have made this early reportleaving so much incompletelest we should be obliged to leave suddenly. In case of detention I will report further. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE Lieutenant , Commanding. Hon. G-WEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 246 246 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Letter from Samuel Whiting, esq., U. S. consul at Nassau, New Provi- dence, to Secretary of the Navy, relative to the landing of coal at that port. U. S. CONSULATE AT NASSAU, NEW PROVIDENCE, December 16, 1861. SIR: 1 have the honor to inform you that the coal which has arrived here by the schooners Caleb Stetson and B. W. Perry, consigned to my care by the U. S. Navy agent at Philadelphia, was being landed on the 10th December, when a dispatch was received by me from the colonial anthorities forbidding the landing of the same, save on the condition that the said coal should not be resbipped or transshipped on board any United States war vessel during the continuance of the struggles now going on in America. I therefore ordered the schooners off to anchor and wrote at once to the Department of State for instructions in the matter. The U. S. S. Piambean, Temple, commander, arrived here on the 11th instant, and thongh she did not actually need coal, I requested permission from the government of the Bahamas to pnt sufficient coal on board of her to lighten the schooner Caleb Stetson, which was leaking badly. My reqnest was accompanied by the certificate of the captain of the Caleb Stetson to this effect. The request was courteously refused. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SAML. WHITINt, U. S~ Consul. Honorable SECRETARY OF THE NAvy, Washington, D. C. [Endorsement.] The coal can be sent to Key West or to Port Royal, as the master of the vessel may prefer, if there is any way of getting information to the consul. J. L. Report of Commander ]LfcKinstry, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Dacotah, of cruise from Honykong, China, to New York. U. S. S. DACOTAH, New York, November rDecemberj 16, 1861. SIR: In obedience to the orders of Flag-Officer Frederick Engle, commanding the East Indian Sqnadron, copies* of which, marked 1, 2, and 3, are enclosed, the Dacotah left iongkong on the 6th August and proceeded to Batavia, arriving there on the 17th, the distance having been steamed against a light southerly monsoon and smooth sea. On the 27th a telegram arrived from Anjer Point stating that the flagship Hartford was at that anchorage awaiting the Dacotah. On the 28th I I)roceeded to that point and joined the flagship, and on the morning of the 30th the two ships left the Strait of Sunda. The Dacotah arrived at Cape Town on the 4th October, where, after having filled np with coal, I left on the 9th and reached St. Thomas on the 19th November, with the boilers of time ship in a greatly imnpaired condition. On the afternoon of the 23d of November, having coaled and being ready to leave for the United States, the American schooner OmitPnl Page 247 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 247 B. J. Tctlbot came in, stating that she had been chartered at St. Pierre to take coal and provisions to the U. S. S. Iroquois, then watching the Sumter at that port. The U. S. consul at St. Thomas having loaded the schooner with great (lisl)atch, I left that port at 11 p. m. with her in tow for St. Pierre. On the 24th instant I was induced to run oft my course in chase of a man-of-war bark, in appearance resembling the Sumter, and spoke her after firing a blank cartridge to windward. She proved to be H. B. M. Terror. On the morning of the 26th I was oft St. Pierre, and on communicat- ing with the town found that the Sumter left at 8 p. in. on the 23d instant, closely pursued by the Iroquois. The contradictory reports relative to the route of the Sumter left me in doubt respecting the course she had taken. The only conclusion I could arrive at was that she had gone north, and would be likely to make a French port in preference to any other. The next morning I reached I3asse Terre and in the evening Pointe it Pitre, Guadeloupe, but could gain no intelli- gence respecting her. The following (lay, after examining the passage between Guadeloupe and Dominica, I stopped again at Basse Terre and the next day at St. Enstatius and St. Barthlomew, without obtain- ing any trace of her. The state of the boilers and the limited quantity of provisions on board made it requisite for the ship to return to the United States in compliance with orders. After obtaining a supply of coal at St. Thomas, I left that port on the 2d December and arrived here this evening. The U. S. S. Macedonian, Iroquois, and Shepherd Knapp were at St. Thomas, the Macedonian to sail on the 2d instant. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, J. P. MOKINSTRY, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Report of Commander LeRoy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, of arrival at Bahama Islands, with account of cruise. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, AT ANCHOR OFF HAMiLTON, NAVAL ANCHORAGE, Islands of Bermuda, December 16, 1861. SIR: I anchored in Murray Bay yesterday a little after 11 a. in., and at once proceeded on shore to communicate with onr consul, learning nothing of any importance to the public interests. After returning on board I shifted my anchorage to the present spot, as being less exposed, the pilot not thinking it safe to attempt taking so large or long a ship as this iiito the harbor of St. George, where the consul resides. This morning I expect, the weather permitting, to pay my official respects to his Excellency the governor and Vice-Admiral Sir A. lVIilne, whose flagship, the Nile, is near me. ly passage to these islands has been exceedingly rough, and was delayed somewhat to enable me to exer- cise my crew at the guns. I much regret the Department shonld have deemed it proper to direct the sailing of this vessel without giving me the services of a lieutenant, particularly at a moment like this, when experience in naval matters is so requisite in the executive officer. I am fortunate in having th Page 248 248 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. services of three excellent masters, iritelli gent, zealous, and efficient seamen, who have shown every desire to second me cheerfully, but have had no experience iu exercising guns. I trust the iDepartment will see the propriety of ordering a lieutenant to this vessel. J availed myself yesterday of a few moments to advise the Depart- ment, by a vessel that was nuder way, of the safe arrival of the Key- stone State. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Wi~i. E. LEROY, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary [of the] Navy, Washington, D. C. Several vessels were boarded on the passage, among them the French merchant bark Suerde, of and for Marseilles, thirty-one days from Cam- peche. I furnished her with two sacks of coal, her captain fearing his supply of fuel would not hold out. Ycry respectfully, W~u. E. LEROY, Commander. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Flambean, of the presence of blockade runners Iheodora and Gladiator at Nassau, New Providence. U. S. S. FLJUWBEAU~ Nassau, New Providence, December 17, 1861. SIR: As I anticipated when writing my last, an attempt was made last night in the niidwatch to lead this vessel away in chase of the Theodora. Care had been taken that I should hear rumors of her intention to leave, and also an exaggerated estimate of the value of hw cargo. She went off to the eastward by a channel where it was impos- sible for us to follow, expecting us, no doubt, to go out by the ordinary way; but she is at anchor some 5 miles away, and the top of her smoke- stack is in sight this morning from our masthead, and besides this, all or nearly all of her crew left her as she was getting under way. The Theodora was the only vessel in port that hoisted the rebel flag on Sun- day, as the Ella Warley and some small craft that have hitherto shown these colors came out with the English flag on that day. I supposed this to be a part of the plan to entice me away, and having reason also to believe that the story of her return cargo is a pure fiction, I shall let her go, if she chooses, more particularly as she burns soft coal, and so will find it more difficult to elude the vigilance of the blockading squad- ron. I had thought of acting otherwise; but if I were to follow and capture this decoy vessel, the authorities would doubtless on my return order me to sea as having made an improper use of their port, and so the Gladiator would get the desired opportunity for escape. I am aware that I have no right to make use of a neutral port to watch my enemies and follow them out, an(l that such a course would vitiate their capture; but I have been lying here for the purpose of repairing the damage to our feed pipes, and am now engaged in setting up the rigging, which needs it very much; in addition to which I have reason to hope that the authorities will recede from their prohibition to coal the ship at this port, and the watching and determination to follow and capture the Gladiator is only incidental to my being here for othe Page 249 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 249 purposes. I hope the consuls dispatches to the commanding officer at Key West and to Consul-General Shufeldt will SOOII bring another vessel to my assistance, for I am sorry to say that the condition of my health impairs my mental and physical energy to a great degree. I neglected to mention in my previous letter that when I shifted my berth at midnight of the 12th and 1.3th, the authorities, imagining that it was my iutention to cut out the Gladiator and tow her to sea, manned the battery, shotted their guns, and stood prepared to fire upon us. I have only to add that the II. B. M. S. Bull Dog arrived from Havana yester- day morning. She keeps banked fires as well as ourselves, and I am confident that, as Commodore IDunlop dispatched her immediately on the arrival of the AS1tecfdy, she is ordered to watch this vessel and will probably interfere with our proceedings. She carries 4 heavy 32- ponnders, 1 pivot 68-pounder aft, and an Armstrong gun of 100 pounds caliber on the forecastle. I find her presence rather inconvenient, more especially as her commander is quite a clever man and well read in international law, besides being more dexterous than anyone I have met in guarding his conversation. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Comma ding. Secretary of the Navy. DECEMBER 19, 1861. The Theodora has gone to sea, as also British schooner Prince of Wales, loaded with salt for some Southern port. W. G. T. [Telegram.] NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 17, 1861. Direct Commander Craven, of the Tuscarora, to visit the Azores Islands on his way to England. GIDEON WELLES, Commodore H. PAULDINO~ Secretary Navy. Commandant Navy Yard, New York. Report of 6~ommander Prailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, of departure for sect in obedience to orders. [U. S. S. QUAKER CITY,] Off Ellis Island, New York Bay, December 18, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, directing me to proceed to sea after the arrival of Commander De Camp, and respectfully inform you that I left the navy yard on the 17th instant at 3 oclock, l)roceeding to Ellis Island to take in powder, which having been accomplished, I immediately proceeded seaward and shall in a few moments discharge the pilot. Your secret instructions will be faithfully carried out. I regret tha Page 250 250 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. no change could be effected in the list of acting masters as first ordered, as in that respect, as I previously reported, the ship can not be said to be efficient. I am, sir, very respectfully, JAS. MADISON FRAILEY, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Captain Glynn, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Mac- edonian, of cruise from Aspinwali, New Grenada, to the West India Islands. 111. S. SHIP MACEDONIAN, At Sea, December 19, 1861. SIR: Agreeably to your order of September 4,11 sailed from Aspin- wall on the 5th of October, and beat up to the eastward on the coast of New Granada and oi Venezuela against the prevailing wind and current till we reached La Guayra, on the 26th; those most familiar with the navigation of our track expressing a good deal of surprise at the success of what seems to be a rather unusual experiment, and which was, without doubt, owing to our beating very near iu shore all the way, a course not often ventured upon by so large a ship. The crew having become impatient to get liberty on shore, it was granted to them at La Guayra, in consideration of no more preferable opportunity having offered itself since the ship had sailed from Ports- mouth, N.H. On the 2d of November we sailed from La Guayra, and returned again on the 5th, with the hope of recovering, through-the agency of the police during our absence, two deserters that it was anticipated would come out from their hiding places when the ship was known to have left the anchorage, but they probably found too many sympa- thizers on shore and eluded detection. We sailed finally on the same day, and continued to beat to the east- ward, as far as the island of Margarita, when on standing to the north- ward with the view of going outside, we found a lee current so strong as to make it necessary to try the passage between the islands and the main, or to abandon the idea of getting any further to the eastward. It proved to be more intricate and difficult of navigation than was anticipated, and not very well surveyed, in consequence of which the ship, before we got through, was on shore twice and touched in stays on another occasion, but probably sustained no injury in consequence. It was my intention when I left Aspin wall to go to Trinidad (Port Spain), and there to fill up my water, then to run through the islands to the northward as far as St. Thomas, and from thence go to execute fully your order to cruise in the Mona Passage. In the execution of this design we had reached within 50 Iniles of the island of Trinidad (or of Bocas de IDragos) [Dragons Mouthj, when we found the current so strong against ns that we gained but 12 miles in four days, and actually lost ground during the preceding forty-eight hours. No bet- ter prospect appearing in view, it became necessary to abandon the idea of reaching Port Spain and to seek for water at some more acces- sible place. All things considered, St. Thomas appeared the most convenienI~ and most certain from where we then were, and on the 21s Page 251 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. 251 of November we quit the coast of the Spanish Main, forty-six days after sailing from Aspinwall. We arrived at St. Thomas the 27th November, after having been on short allowance of water in conse- quence of many of the tanks having been salted from the pickle out of old and leaky provision barrels. We met with nothing suspicious ou the coast, and yet it seemed a very desirable region for cruisers against the commerce of the United States to appoint as their rendezvous arid to receive snpplies. At the Margarita Islands, in particular, any desired h~cilities might be secured; for although the Government officials express an interest in our Fed- eral cause, yet it is a notorious fact that the people generally take the other side of the question, and that seems to be the case all through the West Indies. With this strong protecting interest in their favor, the wonder is that more cruisers have not been commissioned before now against the flag of the Union. Knowing that this feeling does so generally exist, it becomes my duty to recommend that a Government cruiser should be made to pass around the Caribbean Sea as often as may be, with a view to deter from any attempt of the kind. No litttle surprise has been expressed wherever we have been that the United States should be carrying on such extensive naval and military operations at home and yet be able to send their cruisers so far away in pursuit of their enemies. It con- veys a strong and a useful impression of the power of the Union. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES 0-LYNN, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Secretary of the Navy. Letter from Commander lilcKinstry, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Dacotah, to Assistant Secretary of the Navy, refuting unjust criticisms of Commander Palmer, U. S. Navy. [Private.] U. S. S. DACOTAH, North River, December 19, 1861. DEAR SIR: My report to the Department, forwarded by Commodore Paulding, was written in haste on the evening of my arrival, and my object in addressing you this private note is that justice may be done Commander Palmer, whom the papers are denouncing in an unjust manner, Ithink. On the 19th November I arrived at St. Thomas (the first time), aud on the 23d, p. in., having coaled and being about to leave for Boston, the American schooner - B. J. Talbot arrived, stating that she had been chartered by the Iroquois at St. Pierre, Martinique, to take coal and provisions to her (the Iroquois), then watching time Sumter at that port. With dispatch the stores were placed on board the schooner, and 11 p. m. of that night the Dacotah stood out of the harbor with the schooner in tow. The next day I was led off my course to chase a bark, in appearance not unlike the Sumter. After firing a blank cartridge to windward she was overtaken, and proved to be II. B. M. bark Terror. Ou the 24th, having towed the schooner there, I communicated with St. Pierre and learned that the Sumter had escaped at 8 p. in. on the 23d Page 252 252 OPERATIONS OF TilE CRUISERSUNION. From the contradictory reports I could glean no satisfactory informa- tion respecting her route, and came to the COnclllSiOll that, if pursued, she would make for a French port in preference to any other. My slight intercourse with the French officials showed their sympathy to be with her. Leaving St. Pierre that p. in., the next morning I was at Basse Terre, and in the afternoon at Pointe ~ Pitre, and next day, after examining the passage between Dominica and Gaudeloupe, called again at Basse Terre. My object in making this second call at that port was to learn what news the English mail steamer from the islands south might have brou~ht the previous night. Not the slightest intelligence could be obtained of the Sumter. The next day I called at St. Eustatius and St. Bartholomew, the governor of the latter island assuring me that the Sumter would uot be permitted to enter his ports. The state of the boilers of this ship and the limited supply of pro- visions made it imperative for me to return to St. Thomas for coal, and return for repairs to the United States. The above facts are hastily given you, that Commander Palmer, who could not have known of the Dacotah being at St. Thomas, may be properly represented to the Department. The many denunciations in the papers, in my opinion, are unjust. The Iroquois arrived at St. Thomas the evening previous to my leav- ing, and I saw Commander Palmer, in the presence of others, without learning from him anything respecting his movements, and I have hur- riedly written this to explain my departure from the orders to return home. It was time for this ship to return, aside from the repairs required on her boilers. A great portion of the ships conipany are from the wrong side of Mason and Dixons hue, and they should be changed. Having taken 100 tons of coal yesterday, I decided upon going through the sound. Now, 9:30 a. in., there is a dense fog and the pilot declines taking the ship through the gate. If the weather should prove foggy to-morrow, I shall proceed to sea by the Hook. I am much aunoyed by this days detention. The Dacotah, when in order, will, I think, prove as efficient and as fast as any steamer of her class. Excuse this hasty epistle. Without being, or assuming to be, the apologist of Commander Palmer, I would wish, as I know you would, that justice should be done him in his absence. Dissatisfied, grum- bling subordinates niay so color a commanders conduct as to destroy his character and prospects. In haste, very truly yours, J. P. MOKINSTRY, [Commander, U. S. Navy.] Captain CT. V. Fox, Acting Secretary of the Navy. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Flambeau, transmitting correspondence with colonial authorities at Nassau, New Providence, relative to coal. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nassau, New Providence, December 19, 1861. Sin: I enclose herewith copies of a correspondence I have had with the colonial authorities on the subject of gettiiig coal on board here. I was induced to write the first letter by information that orders ha Page 253 OPERATIONS OP THE eRUISERSUNION. 253 been received from the home Government to let us have coal; but there seems to be some mistake about it. The consuls dispatches failed to reach Key West, whether from act- ual fear on the part of the black captain to cross the Gulf Stream, as alleged, or from secret instructions given him before starting, I am unable to say. The vessel returned last night, and now the consul is about to send one of the coal schooners to Key West. I therefore take this opportunity to send duplicates of my dispatches, lest when the Karnak is about to sail the post-office authorities should refuse to take them. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. AS~ecretary of the Navy. [Enclosures.] U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nas8au, New Providence, December 17, 1861. SIR: Having applied to the U. S. consul at this place to get a sup. ply of coal for the vessel nuder my command, a correspondence between your Government and the consul was read to me, in which he was denied permission to procure such supplies at this port, during the existence of the present difficulties between the Government of the United States and the rebel States, on the ground that such permission would be an infraction of the neutrality prescribed by her Majestys proclamation of the 14th May last. Without entering into the question of what constituted contraband of war, either under the recognized principles of international law or under the treaty of 1794, between the United States and Great Britain, or under the British orders in council of the 18th of February, 1854, and the 24th of April following, and without citing the writings of Ortolan and Hautefenilleall of which clearly show that coal can never, under any circumstances, become contrabandI would beg leave to suggest for your Excellencys consideration the faet that the motive power of this vessel is almost exclusively steam; and since it is impos- sible to carry a perpetual supply of coal on board, a prohibition to obtain more would amount to detaining her in port during the war, and so far from preserving the neutrality enjoined, it would really be affording aid to the rebels. That this is the view taken by her Majestys Gov- ernment in England would seem evident from the notorious fact that both the U. S. S. James Adger and the rebel steamer Nashville obtained supplies of all sorts at Southampton, among which coal must necessa- rily (from their construction) have entered; and it is perhaps due to the peculiar construction of the steam vessels employed in the present con- test that any doubts which may have existed on this point hitherto have been thus readily set aside. I am sorry to write thus loosely, and chiefly from memory and newspapers, on such a subject, but the con- clusion that this prohibition would be actually taking part against us has seemed so obvious to me that I have trusted to your indulgence in so doing, and I would only add that it has been done in all friendliness of feeling towards your Excellency and Government. With the highest consideration and respect, I remain, your Excel- lencys most obedient servant, WM. GRENYILLE TEMPLE, Lieutenant Commanding, U. iSv. Navy. His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor TES~ITT Page 254 254 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. BAHAMAS COLONIAL SECRETA1~YS OFFICE, Nassau, December 18, 1861. SIR: I am directed by the lieutenant-governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterdays date, having reference to a recent correspondence between the Government and the consul of the United States, which was read to you on your application to him for a supply of coal for the vessel under your command, in which he was denied permission to procure such supplies at this port, during the existence of the present difficulties between the Government of the United States and the rebel States, on the ground that such permission would be an infraction of the neutrality prescribed by Her Majestys proclamation of the 14th of May last. Without entering into the question of what constitutes contraband of war, you proceed to urge certain reasons in opposition to the view of coal being contraband, and allege that a prohibition to obtain a supply of coal for the steamer under your command would amount to detaining her in port during the war, and, so far from preserving the neutrality enjoined, it would be really affording aid to the rebels. You likewise cite the cases of the U. S. S. James Adger and the Con- federate steamer Nashville, and refer to the different treatment they received at Southampton. Having given the matter full consideration, the lieutenant-governor is advised that there is nothing in your letter to alter the view of the case already communicated to your consul. English authorities of unquestionable weight and character show that coal and other articles ancipitis usus become under circum- stances contraband of war; but the real question here is not whether coal is or is not contraband of war. but whether the United States armed vessels are to make this a coaling depot, for the better facili- tating their belligerent oper tions against vessels of the Confederate States, lawfully resorting here for the purposes of trade. The cases of the James A ger and the Nashville are not parallel cases to that of the Plani beau. In those cases, the vessels were some thousands of miles distant from the United States, and coal was to them an article of real necessity. In your case the Flambeau is within a very short distance of the ports of her own nationKey West, for instancewhere all her necessities could readily be supplied. The obtaining coal here, therefore, can only be with the object of enabling her to continue what it is in fact, to a certain extent, a blockade of this port, and no facilities can under these circumstances be afforded her for carrying out this object, by any action of the local government, without the express sanction of her Majestys Government for the pur- pose being first obtained. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, A. J. THOMPSON, Acting Colonial Secretary. Lieutenant W. G. TEMPLE, Commanding U. S. S. Flambeau. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Harbor of Nassau, December 19, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of yesterdays date, in reply to mine of the day previous, relative to my obtaining a supply of coal for this vessel Page 255 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 255 I have nothing further to present on this question, and shall leave it to my Government to obtain the express sanction of her Majestys Government, which you propose; but, in the course of your remarks, you say the obtaining coal here, therefore, can only be with the object of enabling her [the Flambean] to continue what it is in fact, to a certain extent, a blockade of this port, etc. I must protest against such a construction being placed upon my presence in this port, and would assure the authorities here that, in the instructions from my Government,Jam strictly enjoined to respect the rights of neutrals, among whom, I trust, Great Britain may remain classed during the continuance of this contest. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WM. GRENVILLE TEMPLE, Lieutenant Commanding, U. S. Navy. Hon. A. J. THOMPSON, Acting Colonial Secretary of the Bahamas. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Flambean, relative to blockade runner aladiator at Nassau, New Providence. lIT. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nassau, New Providence, December 21, 18G1. SIR: Since my last date the steamer Ella Warley (formerly the Isabel), which was under the rebel flag until our arrival but has since taken out English papers, has coaled ship, and this morning went out- side. I had previous information, however, that she was to go along- side the Eliza Bonsall, clipper ship, and take out of her a cargo of salt. I should not, therefore, have followed her, even if I had not already decided npon a different policy; and she has just returned again, and is fast to the ship. I am anxious to get the approval of the IDepartment to my decision to remain and watch the Gladiator, even if it should allow all these other vessels to pass out under my nose. It is very annoying to me to do so; but as the main object is to prevent arms from reaching the rebels, as the Gladiator is reported to have arms and equipments for 25,000 men, as the military efliciency of the rebels would not be materially increased, even by the success of the Theodora and Isabel, in running the blockade, and as their chance of so doing is so small, now that they are burning soft coal, I have thought it clearly my duty not to hazard being ordered away from this post for any less reason than the capture of the Gladiator. It has already been under discussion in council to order me off anyhow. If that were to occur, and I were obliged to watch outside for her, my supply of coal would not last a week, and she would soon be able to slip away. I can hardly think the Department would justify me in taking the remaining coal schooner to some harbor in the vicinity, and in the face of the governors prohibition, filling up the bunkers from her. If on the contrary, I remain here, she can neither elude inc nor transship her arms, for 1 am within about 100 yards of her, and the coal on hand will llow me to keep banked fires for a month longer, and still have enough to reach Key West. The Gladiator, however (and indeed everybody on shore), is of opinion that we can not hold out many days longer. Of course I do not undeceive them, and they have moored head and stern, waiting for our departure. Meantime these other vessels seem to hay guesse Page 256 256 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. my intention of allowing them to get to sea if they choose, and are making the most of it, except the brig loaded with salt, which is with- drawn from the trade altogether. If the Santiago de Cuba left Havana on the arrival of the Karnak it is possible that these vessels may be captnred before getting into the open ocean; but I have no intelligence of her, except that she was coal- ing there when the Bull Dog aad Steady left, five or six days ago. I find that there are not over 70 tons of coal in the ship at present. iRespectfully, N~. G. TEMPLE, Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Order from Flag-Officer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, commanding South Atlan- tic Blockading Squadron, to Commander Ridgely, commanding Santi- ago de Cuba, to proceed to Nassau, New Providence, in search of blockade runner Gladiator. FLAGSHIP WABASH, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., December 21, 1861. SIR: Please receive my thanks for the prompt manner in which you have repaired to this port and furnished me with the important infor- mation contained in a dispatch to you from Consul-General Shufeldt at The Havannah. In reference to its subject-matter, I deem the interests of the public service will be best subserved by your early departure for Nassau. You will therefore proceed with the Santiago de Cuba under your com- mand to that port, and after receiving from Lieutenant Commanding Temple, of the Flambean, all the information he may have to impart to you, you will communicate with the U. S. consul at Nassau, and get, in an official form, all the facts touching the subject-matter of the consul- generals dispatch. You will perceive by the enclosed letters and extracts from the con- sulate in London that the Gladiator has been purchased by the rebels and the vessel and cargo are rebel property, notwithstanding her English papers. She would be, therefore, according to British rule and practice, open to capture 1 marine league from any British possession; but she is loaded with contraband of war for the rebel States, and you will make prize of her for this and send her to New York, to be libeled. You will likewise inform Lieutenant Commanding Temple of this fact, and direct himn to make a prize of the Gladiator under the above-men- tioned circumstances. Notwithstanding the most unfriendly and indefensible procedure on the part of the authorities at Nassau, as set forth in Consul-General Shufeldts letter to you, you will observe the utmost forbearance amid discretion in all your intercourse with those authorities. At the same time I rely with entire confidence upomi your firmness and judgment to sustain our rights as a nation and as belligerents upon the ocean wherever any unauthorized attempts may be made to encroach upon them. I leave to your sound discretion your own movements, after commu- nicating as above directed with Lieutenant Commanding Temple and the NJ, S. consul at Nassau, whether to return here with informatio Page 257 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 257 to me or to Havana, or to go direct to Baltimore with dispatches to the Navy I)epartment; in case of the latter, showing thcse ordeis as your authority for doing so. Should the cargo of the Gladiator be transshipped at Nassau or havana I shall want early information of that fact. Respectfully, your obedient servant, S. F. Du PONT, Flag- Officer, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Commander D. B. RIDGELY, Commanding Santiago de Cuba, Port Royal. Report of Commander Frailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, of unfriendly feeling against the United States existing in Bermuda. U. S. S. QUAKER CITY, Bermuda, December 22, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival off this port to-day about noon, when I was boarded off the point by Commander LeRoy, of the U. S. S. Keystone State, and from him received intelligence of the bad state of feeling existing ill all classes against the United States. Com- mander LeRoy not being able to procure coal, except under great disadvantages, which he will doubtless detail to you, I have concurred in opinion with him that his best course is to put himself in communi- cation at an early day with the Department. The representations made by Commander LeRoy have determined me solely to comply with my instructions by placing Lieutenant Gamble on board the Keystone State, and not to enter the inner harbor. Mr. Charles M Allen U. S. consul at this place, came on board with Commander LeRoy and fully concurred in the opinion of the propriety of Commander LeRoy not reentering or remaining in the port. I am, sir, very respectfully, JAS. MADISON FRAILEY, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander DeCamp, U. S. Navy, slating the reasons for the return to Hampton Roads of the U. S. S. Keystone State. U. S. SHIP QUAKER CITY, Off the harbor of St. George, Bermuda, December 22, 1861. SIR: We arrived off St. George this morning, having sailed from New York on the afternoon of the 18th instant. Commander LeRoy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, boarded us off the harbor; also Mr. Allen, U. S. consul at Bermuda~. From representations made by Commander LeRoy and Mr. Allen respecting the very unfriendly feeling cxisting here toward all loyal Americans, the refusal of the admiral to supply the Keystone State with coal, their remarkable civility to the officers of the rebel steamer Nasheille, their liberal supplies of coal and other stores to that vessel, 123A1 Page 258 258 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. the ordering our consul not to approach the port (when heretofore we had sociably visited the officers of that establishment), and the general feeling of animosity which is plainly shown toward us by the authori- ties and citizens of the island, as represented by Commander LeRoy and our consul, induce me to advise Commander LeRoy to return with- out delay to Hampton Roads with the Keystone State, and report to the Department. My reasons for so advising are that no coal will be supplied to our ship at this place, the Keystone State can not cruise in this vicinity even for a few days without serious danger of capture by a rebel vessel should she be caught without coal, and I deem it essential to the public interest that the Department be informed of the state of things here at as early a date as possible. Lieutenant Gamble having already gone on board the Keystone State, Commander Frailey has determined not to enter the port, but to pro- ceed immediately to St. Thomas in search of the Iroquois. I pray you to excuse this hurried letter. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN DECAMP, Commander, U. S. Navy. lion. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Flag- Otjlcer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, transmitting letter from Consul- General R. W. Shufeldt, at Havana, Cuba, regarding blockade runners in that port. FLAGSHIP WABASH, - Port Royal Harbor, S. C., December 23, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department that Commander Ridgely, commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Caba, arrived at this port on Saturday, the 21st instant, with an important communication received by him from Consul-General Shufeldt, at The flavannah. A copy of this communication I mailed to you the same day, but I herewith enclose a duplicate copy to prevent accident. I also enclose a copy* of my instructions to Commander Ridgely, directing him to proceed at once to Nassau. He left this morning. Respectfully, your obedient servant, S. F. Du PONT, Flag- Officer, Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Hon. GiDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. [Enclosure] CONSULATE-GENERAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Havana, December 18, 1861. Sw: I have received reliable information from Nassau that an Eng lish steamer called the Gladiator, and loaded with arms sufficient for 25,000 men, has arrived at that port from England, the arms being intended for the rebels. Also that the steamers Ella Warley (formerly * See p. 256 Page 259 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 259 the Isabel, of Charleston) and Theodora had arrived there from Charles- ton under the Confederate colors. The B. Warley changed her flag to the English forty-eight hours after her arrival. The U. S. screw ship Flambeau, Captain Temple, is iii Nassau. Has been refnsed permission by the authorities to take coal either from the shore or from vessels loaded with the article belong- ing to the U. S. Government; at the same time the Theodora and B. Warley are allowed to coal. The party giving us the above information states that the feeling of the people of Nassau is very hostile and volent against the United States and its officers. I deem this of so much importance as to induce me to advise you to proceed immediately to Port Royal and make report to Flag-Officer Du Pont, hoping that our forces may succee in capturing the Gladiator and her cargo and the other vessels engaged in the trade with the Southern ports. I am, sir, respectfully and truly, your obedient servant, B. W. SHUFELDT, Gonsul- General. Captain DANIEL B. RIDGELY, Commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, jpre8ent. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Moore, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Morning Light, of cruise in search of privateers. U. S. SHIP MORNING LIGHT, At Sea, December 23, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report the U. S. ship Morning Light, under my command, as having reached the latitude of 90 36 N. and longi- tude 400 29 W. at yesterday noon. I have kept thus far to leeward of the track of outward-bound vessels, and have uowjust reached the track of the homeward bounders. I propose to work from my pres- ent position as far to windward as the island of St. Paul [St. Paul Rocks]; by that time I expect that my water and provisions will be sufficiently reduced to justify bearing up for New York. Since my last dispatch, under date of the 8th instant, by the John Bunyan, I have to report that on the 9th we spoke, without heaving to, the schooner Alma (British), from Digby, Nova Scotia, for Nassau. The appearance of her decks and course she steered did not, in my judgment, reiider it necessary to board her. On the 11th we hove to and boarded the British bark Rains Castle, from Santiago de Cuba for Swansea. On the 16th instant we sighted, at 8 p. in., a sail steering apparently W. N.W. We bore down upon her and fired a rocket as a signal to heave to. She paid no attention to the signal; filled away again, and rau close aboard her, she acting very suspiciously. After considerable maneuvering, a shot was fired across his bows as a signal, and we threatened him with a broadside. This produced no more effect than our words. After sailing around her for the third time I made him comprehend that I wanted to board him. He then hove to. I sent my executive officer on board, who returned and reported the Spanish brig Slaneiro, from Carillo (Spain) for Havana. It appears that the captain was badly frightened, which accounted for the suspicious nature of his niovements,as everything about his papers, charts, deck, etc., indicated that he was bound on a true voyage. Since that date I have nothin Page 260 260 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. of importance to recount. We have eighty-five full days allowance of water on board, which is being added to whenever we have an opportu- nity. Hoping that my next will have more favorable news, I have the lionor to remain, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY T. MOORE, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. [Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.] Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Plain- beau, regarding transshipment of contraband goods at Nassau, New Providence. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nassau, New Providence, December 23, 1861. SIR: The steamer Ella Warley was engaged all of Saturday after- noon alongside the ship Eliza Bonsall, in taking from her, not salt, as I had been told she would, but cordage, gunny cloth, bale rope, and boxes apparently containing dry goods. I have heard yesterday that the Theodora is at anchor at a place called Spanish Wells, some 33 miles from here, under the lee of the northwest end of the neighboring island of Eleutliera, and nearly opposite the Hole in the Wall. Of course, if I find that any transship- ment of arms is going on between these two steamers and the Gladiator, or any other vessel, I shall change my plans accordingly, and not allow them to escape; but as yet I am sure no such transshipmeiit has taken place, and I feel confident none can without my knowledge. It may not be superfluous to mention that for a few days after our arrival people from these two rebel steamers got into several difti- culties with the police and the soldiery, on which occasions they rep- resented themselves as being officers of the Flambeau; but the differ- ence is understood now, and the unfavorable impression done away with, since our officers have become known. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE, Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. bark W. G. Anderson, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter U. S. BARK W. 0-. ANDERSON, Lat. 260 N., Long. 730 40 W., December 24, 1861. SIR: I had the honor of addressing you last from Key West, under date of November 23. Since then we have returned to the Atlantic, where, under your orders, we have cruised in the track of the West India vessels, ranging from the latitudes of 290 to 2O~, and longitudes 750 to 640. We have boarded and spoken many vessels, but notie of a suspicious character, and nothing of importance has occurred. From one of them we learn that the Sumter was at St. Pierre, Martin Page 261 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 261 ique, on December 15, but escaped the Iroquois, which was watching that port. The W. G. Anderson, since being ballasted, is quite another vessel, and is now all that could be desired. We shall probably touch at St. Thomas from 20th to 25th January, and until then shall cruise as before. I have the hono~r to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WA. C. ROGERS, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. Bark W. a. Anderson. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy of the United States. Report of Commander LeRoy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Key- stone State, ~f arrival at Hampton Roads, 17a., from Lermuda, with news of condition of affairs at that port. U. S. S. KEYSTONE STATE, Hampton Roads, Va., December 26, 1861. SIR: I have to report the arrival of this ship under my command at this anchorage, four days from Bermuda. The Department in its instructions assigned me the vicinity of Bermuda as my cruising ground until otherwise ordered by the Department. I trust, for the reasons below enumerated, the Department will approve of my departure from the order and my returning to the waters of the United States. On Sunday, the 15th l)ecember, as I advised the Department on that day, I anchored in Murray Anchorage, Bermuda, and after com- municating with our consul, Mr. C. M. Allen, proceeded to the naval anchorage, hoping to be enabled to fill there with coal, th epilot object- ing to take this ship into the harbor of St. George, on account of her length, etc. On Tuesday, 17th, I called on his Excellency Governor Ord, and upon Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Miliie, commander-in-chief of the naval forces in the West Indies and coast of North Anierica, the latter, whose flagship was anchored near me, having a residence on shore some distance from the anchorage. On apJ)Jying to the admiral for a supply of coal, he declined, saying his supply was not large or sufficient for his own vessels, and that I could obtain coal at St. George. Learning subsequently from the con- sul that he could obtain coal for me at St. George and that this vessel could enter that port, on Thursday, the 19th, I proceeded to St. George, and after a day or two negotiating found I could get no coal. On Friday, the 20th, the royal mail steamer from Halifax arrived, bringing late news from England, and the following morning I received a communication from our consul, accompanied by a copy of the Royal Gazette extra, under date Bermuda, l)ecember 20, 1861. The intelligence brought by the steamer, together with the marked unfriendly feeling exhibited in various ways toward the United States, and the openly expressed sympathy in words an(l acts on the part of the people of Bermuda toward that portion of oar country now in insur- rection against the legitimate authorities, induced me to believe my most proper course would be to put myself in communication with the Depactment, uncertain, too, how soon hostilities might commence, the impression of not only the civilians but of the military and naval men Page 262 262 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. as expressed openly in conversation, being that war would be declared before many days between Great Britain and the United States unless our Government acceded to the demand said to have been made by the British Government, and the return of the rebel envoys, Messrs. Sli- dell and Mason, a demand I felt satisfied our Government would never accede to. Satisfied no supplies would be furnished the ship by either the Gov- ernment or citizens of Bermuda, surrounded by British cruisers ready for a declaration of war, my every movement closely scanned, a con- stant lookout kept by a Confederate agent, as I was informed, so that in the event of a suspicious vessel appearing she might be warned of my presenceon one occasion, while anchored near the dockyard, a per- son having gone some distance to sea to warn a steamer that was sup- posed to be a Confederate, but that proved to be a British cruisersat- isfied me that all sympathy was with the rebels; that while a rebel steamer could get coal, etc., from piivate sources we would be refused. A message was sent to me through a private source, in return for some little act of kindness, that the pilots were directed, in the event of a rebel vessel appearing off the islands, to notify her of the presence of an American cruiser. On Sunday forenoon, the 23d [22d] December, our consul, Mr. C. 1W. Allen, walked up to Fort George, the signal station, to ascertain what was in the offing, and on approaching that station was told by the sen- tinel that his orders were not to permit any American officer or citizen to be about there. Mr. Allen informed me he had frequently visited that spot before and even gone into the signal station. At the time of Mr. Allemis visit they were signaling a steamer to the southward and westward; the consul immediately came on board to see me, stating he thought there was something suspicious about, and though they soon after signaled her an American I deemed it a duty to proceed to sea at once and intercept her in the event of her proving to be an enemy, as 1 could have no control after she entered the port. The consul accompanied me outside, and before he left I ascertained the approaching steamer to be the Quaker City. On repairing on board that vessel and communicating with Commanders DeCamup and Frailey, and after the consul expressed his views, those gentlemen concurred with inc in thc~ opinion it was my duty to return home and lay these matters before the Department at once. I had determined to have left St. George on the morning of the 23d, but the occasion referred to took me to sea on the 22d. 1 regret to report the appearance of the smallpox on board while at Bermuda, the second case, a severe one, having been reported to inc on Saturday night. I am satisfied if the presence of that disease had become known to the authorities it would have served as an excuse for peremptorily ordering me from their waters, and won ld have, in the event of my returning in a week or two, been used as a reason for pro- hibiting my entering their l)ort at all. On Sunday, the 23d [22d], Lieutenant William M. Gamble, U. S. Navy, reported for duty. I would state that the British naval officers were personally very polite and attentive. Immediately after my return from the Quaker City we parted company. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. E. LEROY, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy, Washington, D. C Page 263 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS-UNION. 263 Seizure of the Danish bark Jorgen Lorentzen, December 26, 1861. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Moore, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Morning Light, of examination of suspicious vessel Union, of Baltimore, and capture of Danish bark Jorgen Lorentzen. U. S. SHIP MORNU~G LIGHT, At Sea, December 26, 1861. SIR: Since my last to you, under the date of the 23d, I have the honor to inform you that in pursuance of my instructions I am endeavoring to reach the line, but being now in the track of homeward-bound vessels, I am somewhat doubtful of my ability to do so. We are now in latitude 6~ 45 N. and longitude 370 30 W., and instead of having N. E. trades, which are usual at this season, we are becalmed, with frequent squalls of rain, and those vessels I have spoken report bringing the S. E. trades to 40 N. I yesterday boarded the ship Union, of Baltimore, Md. Her captain came on board of the Morning Light and asked me to escort him to the next U. S. ship that we might meet to the northward, as he represented the value of his ship and cargo at $350,000. I promised to escort him across the calms until lie got the N. E. trades. In boarding vessels I have given directions that the boats crew shall question the crew of the vessel boarded, with the view of gaining infor- mation that can not sometimes be extracted from the quarter-deck. I boarded the Union myself in the evening and examined her papers casually, but found nothing suspicions; upon my return my coxswain informed me that he had a conversation with the second mate, who said that he overheard the captain of the Union declare that he hoped he would be taken by a privateer, and that he meant to run his ship into a Southern port if he could. Of course under these circumstances I judged it expedient to institute a~ more rigid examination. This morning I again boarded him and placed my first officer in charge of the deck, mustering his officers an(l crew upomi the deck at the same time. I then, with Mr. Spear, third master, Mr. Blunt, act ing paymaster, and clerk, went to the cabin with the captain. I reexamined his papers and feel fully satisfied that the ship wasintended for New York when she left Shanghai. I then determined to investigate the truth of the reports brought me by the coxswain. I placed the third mate (who proved to be the party that was reported to have made the statements) upon oath; he denied them most emphatically, and as I was unable to elicit any- thing more bearing upon the captains supposed intentions, I apologized to him for the injury that his feelings had suffered imi being examined on board of his own ship, at the same time explaining to him that I should not have felt that I was faithfully discharging my duty unless I had held the examination. I hand you herewith for your further information a copy of the pro- ceedings omi board, as taken by Mr. Blunt and verified by Mr. Spear, together with Mr. Girauds (first master and executive officer) state- ment. I amn, during this present writing, in chase of a bark, apparently bound in; should it prove to be an American vessel, I shall detain her long enough to send in this letter. The captain of the Union is stromigly Southern in his proclivities, and I respectfully suggest that his conduct needs watching after his arrival; if his secession sympathies are noth- ing more than political opinions, he has beemm very indiscr6et in their display abroad. 12 m~I have the honor to inform you that my executive officer boarded time bark above referred to, which proves to be the Danish bark Jorgen Lorentzen, bound from Rio de Janeiro to Havana for orders Page 264 264 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. I enclose herewith the ships papers, and, if bound on an honest voyage, no injury is done to the owners of the vessel and cargo; but there is no doubt in my mind of their intention to run into New Orleans if pos- sible. I have dispatched her to New York in charge of Mr. Giraud, acting master and executive officer ou board my ship, and have put 7 men on board with him, taking out 7 of the crew of the vessel, whom I will dispatch to New York by first convenient opportunity. I also enclose a list of the men sent in with the vessel and their accounts. floping that my action in this matter will meet your approval, and that the cargo may be condemned as a lawful prize, I have the honor to remain, Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY T. MOORE, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. Ship Morning Light. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. Letter from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy, advising reparation to Danish Government for detontion of bark Jorgen Lorentzen. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 3, 1862. SIn: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, with the accompanying extracts from the report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Henry T. Moore, commanding the ship Morning Light, relative to his proceedings in reference to the Danish bark Jorgen Lorentzen. In view of the place where that vessel was overhauled, those proceedings can not be justified. If the Jorgen Lorentzen had been met with near the coast of the United States and there had been reasonable cause to suspect an intention on her part to evade the blockade,it would have been the duty of the commander of the Morn ing Light to have warned her off by an endorsement on her papers, and if she had then attempted to enter a port of the United States her capture would have been warrantable. The Danish Government will have reason to expect reparation for the injury in this case, and it seems to me that it would be preferable to anticipate a formal demand therefor. If you concur with me in this view, I wonid suggest that you name some person to act as commis- sioner on the part of the United States, for the purpose of assessing any pecuniary damage in the case, and I will request Colonel I~aasloff, the charge daffaires of Denmark, to name a person on the part of his Government. It has, however, been intimated to be me by Colonel IRaasloff that the behavior of Lieutenant Moore toward the commander of the Danish vessel was unduly harsh and overbearing. Should this have been so, good policy would seem to indicate that lie should in a signal manner be made sensible of the displeasure of his own Government. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD, [Secretary of State.] Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 265 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. 265 Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State, concurring in his opinion regarding the Danish bark Jorgen Lorentzen. NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 5, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of the 3d instant~,in relation to the capture of the Dauish bark Jorgen Lorentzen by the U. S. S. Morning Light. The course of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Moore is wholly inex- cusable, and any damage that may have resulted should be repaired. There can be no objection to the appointment of a commission to make an assessment in the case, as suggested by yon, and the Depart- ment would name Moses Taylor, esq., of New York, as a suitable com- missioner on the part of the United States. The Morning Light is now cruising, but will return in a few weeVs, when Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Moore shall be made aware of the impropriety of his conduct. The Danish minister should be informed that Mr. Moore is not an officer in the regular Navy, but has merely an acting appointment for temporary service. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Hon. WM. H. SEWARD, [Secretary of the Navy.] Secretary of State. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Moore, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Morning Light, stating reasons for seizure of Danish bark Jorgen Lorentzen. U. S. Snw MORNING LIGHT, Brooklyn Navy Yard, March 6, 1862. Sin: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed com- munication of 3d instant. In reply I beg to state that I had not the information in relation to the law of blockade that your letter affords me at the time that I seized the Danish bark Jorgen Lorentzen, and that before I decided to send her into New York as a prize, I carefully searched through the legal works put on board for my guidance and could find nothing that bore upon her case. Her charter party bound her to go to New Orleans if ordered there from Havana, under a penalty of 500 sterling. The port of New Orleans was blockaded at the date of the charter party, and no provision was made in that document to guard the captain against the contingency of its being blockaded when he might arrive at Havana. The mind of the captain of the Jorgert Lorentzen seemed to be relieved when told that I thought I should have to send hint into New York. He stated that it was the wish of the owners of the cargo to have it go to New Orleans, and volunteered information in relation to an American bark that was to have sailed (ten days after he left Rio de Janeiro), under the Bremen flag, and with the same kind of papers that he had. His manner brought to my mind conviction that he felt himself relieved from anxiety in regard to his vessel, and, indeed, he stated that he was glad to go to New York direct. in reply to the informal charge of harsh and overbearing conduct, I deny it most emphatically, and on the contrary assert that my conduct toward him was of the most polite and considerate nature, and that II even exceeded the necessities of the case by sending a polite invitation to the captain to come on board and take lunch with mc. When h Page 266 266 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. came on board of the Morning Light I treated him politely, and when informed by him of a piece of rudeness on the part of one of my officers (a masters mate) I rebuked the officer and apologized to the captain. If further explanation is deemed necessary I respectfully ask to be ordered to Washington to explain in person, or that an inquiry be instituted into my conduct. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY T. MOORE, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding, U. S. N. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Plain beau relative to the Gladiator and other blockade runners at Nassau, New Providence. U. S. S. FLA1~IBEAU, Nassau, Providence, December 28, 1861. SIR: I was glad to learn by the arrival of the U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, on the evening ot the 25th instant, that the Government and each vessel of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron had been notified of the condition of affairs at this port up to the time of the Karnaks depar- ture for Havana, on the 16th. I was further gratified by Commander IRidgelys approval of my course here, after having conimunicated to him all that had occurred since that date. The Santiago de Cuba hay- ing put in here, ostensibly for coal, went to sea again on the afternoon of the 26th, n ominallybound toKey West, but real~y to warn the Gulf Block- ading Squadron of the condition of affairs here. I have remained forty- eight hours longer, partly to give Commander iRidgely that much start of the possible departure of the Gladiator, and partly to be consistent with many things I have been obliged to say as to my intentions and wants; but it was the opinion of Commander Ridgely, as well as my own, that, under the changed aspect of affairs, it was better for me to get to sea soon, and I therefore leave to-day, also for Key West to take in coal, but with other intentions, which will appear presently. In the first place, I know it has been several times under discussion in the executive council whether this vessel should not be ordered away from this port; and I have good reason to believe that the patience of the colonial authorities would become exhausted in a few days more, and that nothing but a little diplomacy has hitherto saved us from being sent away. Again, the fact of my lying here and watching the Gladiator (although compelled to do so in order to render my vessel seaworthy, and on account of my illness) might, in case we followed her out and captured her, render the seizure illegal; in which case the Govermuent would not only have to disavow my acts, but also make restitution aiid reparation. Still, again, I have information that it is in debate with those who have control of the Gladiators movements whether to transship her camgo to smaller vessels in case of further detention by our presence, or to make a dash herself- in which last case I am advised of the route she will take, and, even if she should escape capture by this vessel, it seems next to impossible that she should elude the other United States cruisers on the coast Page 267 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 267 Now, it is clear to my mind that we have delayed her departure from this port for fifteen days past, and in the meantime notice has been given to the blockading squadron, and it would evidently be bad policy either to force her to divide lier cargo among several smaller vessels, or to allow this vessel to be forbidden any further entrance into Nassau. I have therefore decided to take measures to intercept and capture her, according to my instructions. in case my information regarding her intended route should pros e correct. The steamer Ella Warley has nearly completed loading, and although there are several articles in her assorted cargo (such as lead) that can be used for warlike purposes, yet the general character of it is such that no presumption of contraband would be tenable. There was quite an ostentatious display of the passage of muskets this morning from the ship Eliza Bonsall to her, but I am convinced that there were not a dozen in all, and that they were passed back again out of our sight and again displayed, so as to create the impression that they numbered many more. I think it better, therefore, that this vessel should be cap- tured while attempting to run the blockade, rather than by us, before her intention to do so becomes clearly manifest. It is perhaps worthy of remark that H. B. M. S. Steady went to sea on the afternoon of the 26th, about three hours after the Santiago de Cuba; that she returned off the bar about midnight, and exchanged signals with II. B. M. S. Bull Dog; and finally that she came in and anchored at noon of yesterday, when the Bull Dog went out in her place and is still cruising in the offing, apparently under sail alone. Respectfully, WiW. G. TEMPLE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy. Report of Commander Frailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, of arrival at St. Thomas, West Indies. U. S. S. QUAKER CITY, Island St. Thomas, West Indies, December 28, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival in this port yesterday in four and a half days from Bermuda, off which port I couimnuicated with Commander LeRoy, of the Keystone State, and placed on board of that vessel Lieutenant William M. Gamble, who had been directed for duty as her executive officer. We have arrived here at an unfortunate period of time (Christmas holidays) to expedite coaling operations to continue our cruise, as labor- ers will not work; but as the Iroquois is absent on a cruise and is not expected here for several days yet, I presume the Quaker City will be in a state of forwardness to proceed on a cruise in a very short time after her arrival. Nothing certaiu is known of the movements of the Sumter since the boarding of the Miontmorenci. The speed of the ship has not met with my expectations, as at no time since leaving New York has she accomplished over 10 knots per hour. Her starboard forward boiler commenced leaking (a rivet having blown out a few hours after leaving New York), producing considerable inconvenience to the crew on the berth deck by escape of steam, bti Page 268 268 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. which has, in a measure, been remedied temporarily and now occupies the attention of the engineer. Since steam has been discontinued two additional holes have been discovered in the same boiler, but which Mr. Farrer, chief engineer, believes can readily be repaired. The expression of my opinion as made known to you in my letters of the 11th and 14th instant as to the incompetency of the three acting masters detailed for duty in this ship has been fully realized, not one of them being capable of performing the duties which necessarily devolve upon them. The ship being found deficient in many necessary articles, I have deemed it proper to supply the deficiencies, which will, of course, dimin- ish the funds in the paymasters hands, and would respectfully request that authority may be given me to replenish our means by bills or otherwise, as the Department may deem proper. I am, sir, very respectfully, JAMES MADISON FRAILEY, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Commander LeRoy, U. S. Nary, commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, approving his course in returning to the United States. NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 30, 1861. SIR: I have received your communication of the 26th instant, report- ing your arrival at Hampton Roads with the Keystone State, having deemed it prudent, for reasons stated, to return to the United States and communicate with the Department. Your course is approved. As soon as the smallpox disappears from the Keystone State and she is ready to proceed to sea you will inform the Department and await its orders. I am, respectfully, your obedjent servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander WM. E. LEROY, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Keystone State, Hampton Roads, Va. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Plain. beau, relative to blockade runner Gladiator. [U. S. S. FLAMEEAU], AT ANCHOR ON THE BAHAMA BANKS, Lat. 230 5 N., Long. 780 1 W., January 1, 1862. SIR: The information 1 received before leaving Nassau, as to the intended movements of the Gladiator, came to me from such a source that I placed full reliance upon it, and was to the effect that she would get under way openly, and if this vessel followed her out, would go around the northern and eastern sides of New Providence Island, int Page 269 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 269 Coclirane Anchorage, taking care to keep always within 3 miles of the shore. The pilot I had engaged had already been frightened, cajoled, and bribed by the Gladiators people into refusing to go with me, and had been offered $1,000 to take that vessel out and over the banks; and as we could obtain no other, it was not expected that we could follow her in there, even if I were willing to subject myself to the indignation of the authorities by such a course. While, therefore, I was expected to be at a loss what to do next, she was to choose a favorable opportunity and run through to the tongue of ocean, past the southern side of the island, and so down to Washerwoinans Cut and across the Banks into the Old Bahama Channel, and, of course, into the Gnlf of Mexico. Even if I discovered this movement and gave chase, it was reckoned quite correctly that I would be unable to follow on through such iiitri- cate and shallow channels, but would have to come first around the western end of New Providence, and theii through one of the deep chai~. nels at the bottom of the tongue of the ocean, by which means she would get at least 60 miles the start of us. I therefore gave out that it had become necessary for us to go to Key West for coal, and by start- ing at noon and at low water of the 28th Ii prevented her, so far as pos- sible, from getting to sea on the same day, for she was not only moored with two anchors to the bows, but had the stream anchor out for a stern mooring, to prevent hex~ swinging to the tide and grounding, and from my observation of their manner of working I am confident they could not get out for at least twenty-four hours. We had passed Stirrup Cay by sunset (and, I hope, were so reported at Nassau), and crossed the banks on a S. W. and S. S. W. course during the night, having not less water than 2 fathoms. At 4 a. m. of the 29th, and while still steering to he southward and westward, we passed a brig at anchor abreast of Orange Cay, probably waiting for daylight to run to the westward, and agaiu I hope we were so reported. After that wealtered the course and reached this anchor- age without seeing any land or vessel. In laying my plans I have given the captain of the Gladiator credit, without knowing him, for at least as much intelligence and experience as I have myselL I therefore reckon upon his waiting at Nassau until the bad weather attending the new moon which is now upon us shall have passed away, when, I suppose, he will take some small craft in tow, and on arriving at about latitude 230 15 N. and longitude 770 45/ W. will send the pilot back, and stand on nearly for the spot where we are waiting for him. It is not improbable, however, that, no longer having the fear of our immediate pursuit, he may run through one of the deep channels at the bottom of the tongue of ocean and leave his pilot on Lobes Cay, where there is a light-house. I was led to this last supposition by seeing yesterday a vessel passing, about 10 miles dis taut from us, to the southward and eastward, which looked very much like the light-house tender that we left in ~ assan, and I am prepared to believe in any amount of complicity between the authorities of Nassau and the Gladiators people. I doubt if she discovered us, unless (as is unusual with such vessels) she had a lookout aloft expressly for the purpose. But it is impossible for this vessel alone to guard all the ave- nues of escape, and I can only select that omie which, in my judgment, promises the best chance of success. If there were another United States vessel stationed about 40 miles southeast of us I should feel pretty confident of intercepting the Glad- iator; but now, whichever course I pursue, I think the chances of escap Page 270 270 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. are rather in her favor. I shall remain in this vicinity all the rest of this week, and then go to Key West for more coal. Respectfully, Wi~t. G. TEMPLE, Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Report of Commander Ridgely, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Santi- ago de Cuba, of cruise from December 23, 1861, to January 3, 1862. U. S. S. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Key West, January 3, 1862. SIR: I wrote to the Department on the 21st December from Port Royal, S. C., where I had been to communicate with Flag Officer Du Pont. He ordered me to proceed to Nassau, New Providence, and find out the facts in rehition to the letter of Consul-General Shufeldt, aiid communicate them to the Department. I left Port Royal on the 23d i)ecember, and arrived at Nassau on the evening of the 25th December. I saw there Lieutenant Commanding Temple, of the Elambean, and the U. S. consul. They informed me they had written fully to the Depart- ment everything that had taken place at Nassau, three days previously, by the English steamer to New York. I called the next day on the governor and commander of the forces, and omitted none of the courtesies of the harbor. The Santiago drew too much water for the harbor and grounded at low tide. I left the next evening, and having some repairs to make to the engine, came here. I wrote to the consul at Havana that I could be found here, with which port there is almost daily communication. The engine will be ready to morrow, when I shall leax~e to cruise off the north side of Cuba and in a line with Tortugas and Cedar Keys. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DANL. B. IRIDGELY, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. G. WELLES, Secretary of Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander Frailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, from St. Thomas, West Indies, of intention to cruise ~n search of C. S. S. Sumter. [U. S. S. QUAKER CITY,] St. Thomas, West indies, January 3, 1862. SIR: I had the honor to inform you, on the 28th ultimo, of my arrival in this bay the day l)revious, in eight and one-half days from New York, via Bermuda, at which latter port I communicated with Commander LeRoy, commanding steamer Keystone State, and placed on board of her Lieutenant W. M. Gamble, who reported for a passage the day previous to my leaving New York, and in which letter I detailed the difficulties attending the supplying of this ship with coal and other supplies at this period of the Christmas and New Years festivities. Since then I have taken on board 184 tons coal and a quantity of water, with other necessary supplies, besides making repairs both to woodwork as wel Page 271 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 271 as to boilers, and am now awaiting the arrival of Commander Palmer in the Iroquois, which vessel has been absent from St. Thomas nineteen days on a cruise, her destination unknown to anyone here, but which vessel is daily and hourly expected. Nothing has been heard from the Sumter since she boarded the American ship Montmorenci. The general opinion appears to prevail here that she has shifted her quarters to a more northern latitude. Immediately upon the arrival of the Iroquois I will depart on a cruise; eveii earlier should her arrival be delayed beyond the 6th instant, as the consul represents she had but twenty-five days provisions on board at the time of her departure from this port. Be pleased to transmit at an early period authority to draw bills on the Government, with copies of drafts, such as are authorized by the Navy Department, as the expenses of the ship must necessarily be heavy during her stay in this vicinity and the funds on hand amounting only to a small sum. I am gratified in adding that the officers and crew continue to enjoy very good health. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, etc., JAS. MADISON FRAILEY, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, com- mandinq U. S. S. Plambeau, to report for duty to Flag- Officer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 3, 1862. SIR: I herewith enclose a duplicate of the Departments letter of the 31st ultimo, acknowledging the receipt of your several dispatches and approving of your course generally. The Department has decided to withdraw the Plambeau from her present services. If circumstances are such that, in your judgment, you can prudently leave Nassau, you will proceed with the Flarn beau to Port Royal, S. C., and report to Flag-Officer Du Pont as a part of the squadron under his command. Should you not feel able to continue longer in your present command, Flag-Officer Du Pont will assign an officer to the Fiambean and you can return home by the first opportu- nity offering from Port Royal. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant Wwr. G. TEMPLE, U. S. Navy, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commanding U. S. S. Flambean, Nassau, New Providence. Report of Captain Wynn, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship ]lIacedonian, of arrival at Boston, Miass.,from St. Thomas, West Indies. U. S. SHIP MACEDONIAN, Navy Yard, Boston, January 6, 1862. SIR: I sailed with the Macedonian from St. Thomas, West Indies, on the 3d of last month, and the ship is now (at 3 p. in.) being secured at the navy yard wharf Page 272 272 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. There was no occurrence of any particular interest upon the passage beyond that of the unusual peril and suffering of everyone on board after passing, on the 23d December, the parallels of Nantucket and Georges Shoals, in consequence of the continued gales and the extremely cold weather during most of the time since then. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES GLYNN, Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLS, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander DeCamp, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iroquois, of assuming command of that vessel at St. Thomas, West Indies. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, West Indies, January 7, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that, in obedience to your order of the 14th nitimno, I took passage in the U. S. S. Quaker City, and that on the 7th instant, at St. Thomas, we fell in with the U. S. steam sloop of war Iroquois, and that on that day I relieved her commander of the command of that vessel, as authorized by your order of the 14th ultimo. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN DECAMP, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Glendy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Saratoga, to leave Africa and cruise fom pro. tection of commerce. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 7, 1862. SIR: The Department has decided to withdraw the Saratoga from service on the southwest coast of Africa, and directs you to proceed north with that ve8sel and cruise amongst the Western Islands princi- pally. Occasionally you will touch at Madeira, the Canaries, Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Lisbon, communicating with our representatives at those places. You will be vigilant for the protection of American commerce against the piratical cruisers of the rebellious States. Keep the Depart- ment advised of your proceedings and movements. I have this occa- sion to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of October 30, written at St. Helena. I am, respectfully, etc., GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Captain WM. M. GLENDY, Commanding U. S. S. Saratoga, West Coast of Africa Page 273 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 273 Report of Lieutenant Temple, TL S. Navy, commanding U. & S. Plain- beau, of cruise from December 29, 1861, to January 7, 1862. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU Key West, Pta., January 7, 1861 [1862j. SIR: I have to report that having waited six days on the banks, and during that time having been sighted by several vessels, I deemed it highly improbable that we would capture the Gladiator by remain- ing longer; and, as our coal was nearly exhausted, we started for this place on Saturday night, the 4th instant, and arrived here yesterday morning. On our arrival, Commander Swartwout directed me to tow the store- ship Nightingale to sea, as she had been ready and windbound for four days, and as it was important she should get off. That duty having been performed we returned iu the afternoon and made arrangements for immediate coaling. The coal vessel is alongside of us now; and so soon as we are filled up I shall start for Nassau, to get the mail by the Karnak, and from thence (unless otherwise ordered or diverted by cir- cumstances) I shall visit every port in the Bahamas where this vessel~ can get in. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy. Letter from Commander DeCamp, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iro- quois, to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, giving an account of the movements of United States vessels in the vicinity of St. Thomas, West Indies. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, West Indies, January 8, 1862. DEAR SIR: Frailey became so anxious to go to sea that I consented that he go on Monday, the 6th, provided the Iroquois did not come in by that day, to be gone from off this harbor four days, then to return within signal distance with our consul. The Iroquois came in on Sun- (lay morning, and Tuesday, the 7th, I relieved Palmer of his command, and the same day Frailey went to sea, bound east, we having established a mode of communication (to be left at the various islands) by which each can know with tolerable certainty the movements of the other, as well as any information essential for us to know. No reliable news can be had of the Sumter, but Palmer thinks that she is now cruising east of Barbados and that she will return to Martinique in about twenty days from this time. Therefore Fraileys cruise east, and by the time that it will be necessary for him to return to St. Thomas for coal this ship will have relieved him, as it were, and failing to accom- plish the particular object we have in view, a new course will be adopted which will insure a thorough search of the West Indies, the particulars of which you will be informed by the first safe convey- ance. Not a soul knows or will know where I am going. Spies are here disguised as Down East Yankees. Dinners and breakfasts are lavished upon us, beds, etc., are at our disposal, but n one of them have I accepted. When I sail from here the U. S. consul alone will 123A.1 Page 274 274 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. know where we are going. I am well satisfied that the Sumter is not on the coast of Cuba, San Domingo, or Porto [Puerto] Rico. She may be to leeward, but 1 doubt it. Having disposed of the Sumter, I will touch upon coal and our facil- ities here for obtaining it. Mr. Ball (an Englishman) owns the dock on which our coal is stored. Our coal is placed as far from the dock as possible, while his coal (Pitston coal) is stowed immediately at the landing. Mr. Ball has a big pile, I should say 2,000 tons. Mr. Ball is a mer- chant and probably has an eye to a small profit, say 500 or 600 per cent. This coal is clearly meant for our use, and in the event of war with Eng- land, Mr. Ball, being a loyal subject of 0-reat Britain, would not sell his coal to an enemy; nevertheless, I think the coal could be had, prob- ably from a Frenchman here, or a Dane might sell it to us, but the price would be English. All hands here think that we are in for a war with Jlohn] Binlil, and at this coal yard every obstacle is thrown iii our way, except by the person who delivers it; he is civil enough, but we are not allowed to make a hawser fast to either of the neighboring wharves, and only allowed to haul to Balls wharf by a written order. This -shows a hostile feeling to us generally, but all the negroes are our strong friends, and the Danish authorities are with us if they dare. Already there is talk of England taking possession of these islands in the event of a war with the United States, and if they should do so our chance in the West Indies would be but small. There would only remain to us friends in San Domingo and oim the Spanish Main, where harbors are not fortified, and our ships taking refuge there might receive the same welcome and similar protection afforded the Essex at Valparaiso, the Armstrong at Fayal, and the Levant at Porto Praya. I suggest that some other arrangement be made here for the receipt and delivery of our coal, and that myself or the senior officer on this station make the arrangement. I know that we are paying an awful price for but small accommoda~ion; I think I can make a more s4isfactory arrange- ment if authorizeu to do so. In conclusion I will inform you that the moment the engine is ready for operation (tl~e 16th, they say), we will be off the harbor of St. Pierre on the 18th or 19th to meet the Quaker City, when our future track will be decided upon. Pray excuse me for boring you with private letters, but I can only afford to write public dispatches on special occasions. Very truly, JOHN DECAMP. (1. ~T Fox, ESQ., Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington City, D. C. P. ~.The English are sending out Armstrong guns for their ves- sels here. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Flag- Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, regarding a rumored project to fit out a privateer to prey upon commerce in Pacific Ocean. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 8, 1862. Sin: 1 enclose for your information a copy of a communication, dated December 3, 1861, received by Mr. H. B. Forbes, at Boston, from Mr Page 275 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 275 C. Ward, jr., at Yalparaiso, relative to a movement thought to be ou foot, by parties interested in the rebel cause, to fit out a privateer in some port on the Pacific coast to prey upon our commerce in that ocean. The writer of the communication is a man of character. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Flag-Officer CHARLES H BELL Commanding Pacific Squadron, Panama, New arenada. [Enclosure.] YALPARAISO, December 3, 1861. DEAR SIR: My object in writing results from a love of country, home, and our glorious Union. I deeply regret our revolutionary mis- fortunes, and with a desire to serve my country I write to you upon a matter which has come to my knowledge within a few weeks. In cas- ual conversation a short time since with a rank secessionist, who did not recognize me as an American, I learned that an attempt would soon be made to fit out a irivateer for this coast from one of the ports on the Pacific side; that he was expecting some guns from Europe, for which provision had been made. He took with him to the North a box of Colt revolvers, which I saw, and reported that he was to return for muskets and rifles as soon as all was prepared. At first I thought it was mere brag, but I have since seen several Peruvians who have given me information to confirm this account. I think it can be easily done. There are islands where prizes can be taken. Having been a long time on this coast I shall be glad at any time if I can do anything for my country within the power of a true Unionist, free of any charge. C. WARD, JR. R. B. FORBES, Esq., Boston. Report of Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tusca- rora, of arrival at Southampton, England, and of the presence of the C. S. S. Nashville at that port. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Southampton, January 9, 1862. Sin: I have the honor to report that on leaving the United States I decided to touch at Fayal, that I might be enabled to take in coal there, and also that I might, on the way from that place to England, be in the track of any vessels outward bound to the Southern ports. My passage has been of almost constant storms, but I reached this port yesterday, and am glad to find that the Nashville is in port. She is ready for sea and had steam up when I arrived. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AuGS. CRAVEN, Commander, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy Page 276 276 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Greesy, U. S. Nacy, commanding U. S. ship mo, of cruise from September 23, 18G1, to Jauaary 10, 1862. (T. S. SHIP INO, Boston, January 10, 1862. Sin: I have the honor to inform you that I arrived at this yard to-day with the U. S. ship mo under my command. I confirm my let- ter of December 6 to the Department, per schooner Northern Belle, bound for Boston, and placed on board latitude 210 21 N., longitude 590 59 W., which I trust has duly come to hand, failing which, I enclose duplicate. In obedience to the original sealed ordeis of the Depart- ment, dated September 23, I have cruised in the latitudes prescribed, and, to the best of my discretion, carried out the requirements of the and ba Department, and returned to Boston for water, provisions, - llast, and await further orders. My requirements can be supplied, if neces- sary, in thirty-six hours. I regret to state the death of Benj. S. Cloutman, landsman, on the 18th ultimo, by a fall from the fore royal yard. His account will be duly forwarded. I regret to reiterate my statement, as contained iu my letter of the 6th ultimo, as to the incompetency of Acting Masters Charles Endicott and F. J. Dunton. I earnestly request they may be detached from the ship and others more competent ordered. I am happy iii stating that this ship fully justifies the expectations in regard to her as to stanch- ness, sailing qualities, and adaptability to the service required. She carries her battery well, in no way affecting her strength or fastenings. Trusting the Department may approve my course in my novitiate in the U. S. Navy, I am, respectfully, JOSIAH ~. CREESY, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding mo. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from U. S. minister to England to Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, enjoining prudence while within the jurisdiction of a neutral power. LEG-ATION OF THE UNITED STATES, London, January 11, 1862. Sin: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, by the hands of Midshipman Johnson. It gives me great pleasure to learn the object of your visit. The pro- tection of American commerce in these waters is becoming a matter of the first necessity. At the same time I feel it my duty to enjoin upon you the greatest caution and prudence, in avoiding any just ground of complaint against the Government of the United States, whilst you are within the jurisdiction of a neutral power. Already I have received a representation from her Majestys principal secretary of state for foreign affairs in respect to the alleged landing of some of your men to watch the Nashville, and a request that I would warn you from doing any acts that might lead to a collision with the authorities of this Kingdom or with other parties within this jurisdiction. The importance of attend Page 277 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 277 4ng to this is doubtless so thoroughly understood. by you as to render further notice of it superfluous. I regret also to inform you tbat the Government will adhere to the established rule of international law, which does not l)errnit the armed. vessels of two so-called belligerents to leave the same neutral port within twenty-four hours of each other. Thc meaning of this is that if you ~hould sail first, the Nashville can not 1e ye until twenty-four hours have elapsed, and just so if the respective times of departure were reversed. This is agreeable to the rule and iuiast therefore be submitted to. I am likewise bound to let you know, from information received from Paris, that there are projects afloat of combining the movements of four or five steamers under the Confederate flag, to wit, the Sumter, the Nashville, the Bermuda, the Pacific, and possibly one more. I give you this notice in order to prevent your being surprised, although I do iiot believe much will come of it. The telegraph can keep you informed of their respective positions. I understand the Bermuda has sailed from ilavre, but I am not quite sure of the fact. You have the Nashville and the Pacific under your eye. I trust that the Government has sent out sonie other vessels to cooperate with you in this important duty. lam, sir, your obedient servant, CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. Captain T. AUGUSTUS CRAVEN, U. S. Navy, Southampton. Report of Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tusca- rora, relative to C. S. S. Nashville, at Southampton, England, enclosing correspondence on the same subject. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Southampton, January 13, 1862. Sin: I have the honor to report to you that I arrived at this place on the 8th instant, and sent you a letter by the mail of the next day informing you that I had found the Nashville in port. The pirate steamer is ready for sea and is lying at the docks, about a mile from which 1 have anchored; there being two outlets to this port, I can only keep watch for the vessel by lying at anchor inside. Immediately on my arrival I made arrangements for a surveillance over the movements of the pirate by sending on shore an officer and three men, who were to give me notice by signal should the Nashville start at night; by some indiscretion the party attracted attention, and were sent off by the authorities. To enable me to keep my boats and men constantly on board, I hired a pilot boat to attend the ship, and on the second night 1 stationed that pilot boat on the lookout; this also was discovered and objected to. (in the 10th I received from the captain of the guard ship a notifica- tion that I would be required to observe that portion of international law which forbids the sailing of one belligerent cruiser within twenty- four hours of the departure of another from a neutral port, and on the following day I was visited by Captain Patey, royal navy, senior officer of the port, who gave me a second comumunication to the same effect. It being impossible to deny the force of a doctrine which had its origin - in oar own courts, I of course yielded the point, and finding that m Page 278 278 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. guard boat had also given offense, I agreed to withdraw it, and give no~ cause for complaint. I enclose you copies of the notes which passed. You will thus perceive, sir, that it will not be difficult for the Nash- ville to escape me during any dark and stormy night; my only chance rests in my being underway before she can pass me. With this end in view, I have steam constantly ready and slip ropes on my chain, having enjoined the utmost vigilance on my officers and crew. I trust we will be enabled to prevent this pirate from leaving the port. I am informed by Mr. Adams that the rebels have conditionally purchased the steamer Pacific, now lying here, to be delivered at iNassan, and will endeavor to possess myself of all of the facts. I must urge upon the Department the necessity for sending here another steamer as early as practicable; the two outlets could thus be most effectually guarded. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. ~Enc1osures.] H. N. SHIP DAUNTLESS, Southampton, January 10, 1862. SIR: Having observed preparations fOr departure in the U. S. S. Tuscarora, under your command, and also in the C. S. S. Nashville, I beg to acquaint you that I have ret~eived instructions to prevent any hostility takiiig place in British waters, and I beg to bring to your notice the usual laws of nations which require that twenty-four hours should elapse before the departure of one belligerent ship in pursuit of the other. Relying upon your good judgment in this matter and the friendly feeling existing between the two Governments, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, J. A. WILLOOX, Captain. Captain CRAVEN, Commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora. U. S. S. TIJSCARORA, Southampton, January 10, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commu- nication of this evening. I am not aware that I have given any cause for your assuming that I meditate an act of hostility in the waters of Great Britain. Claim- ing the right of free access to and egress from the waters of a nation believed to be in amity with the United States, and sincerely desirous of avoiding all semblance of offeiise, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. Captain J. A. WILLOOX, Commanding H. B. lIT. Ship Dauntless Page 279 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 279 Immediate.] ADMIRALTY OFFICE, ASouthampton, January 11, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acquaint you that I have received orders with respect to the ship under your command and the Nashville, to detain one vessel until the other has had twenty-four hours start. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, CITAS. G. E. PATEY Senior Officer, Port of Southampton. The CAPTAIN lIT. S. S. TUSCARORA, Southampton. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Southampton, January 11, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date. You may rest assured, sir, that I will strictly observe all the laws by which international intercourse is regulated, and will not depart fiom this port within twenty-four hours after the sailing of the pirate Nashville. I shall expect of you a strict impartiality in the matter. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AuG-S. CRAVEN, Commander. Captain CHAS. G. E. PATEY, Commanding H. ill. S. Victory, Senior Officer of the Port, Southampton. Report of Flag-Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Pacific Ocean, of intended departure from Panama for San Francisco. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Bay of Panama [Panama kay], January 13, 1862. SIR: I have th~ honor to inform you that I will sail from this port for San Francisco on the 16th instant. The Lancaster has been anchored at Panama since July 29, 1861, nearly six months. The health of the crew has been impaired by so long a stay in a tropical climate, and the ship requires a general overhaul. She seems to be sound, but her decks leak badly and require, with her sides, from the copper up to the rail, a thorough calking. I have been informed that she has not been calked since she was first put in commission. The crank of her engine is cracked, an(1 we (10 not know at what moment it may give way. The new one has been on board several weeks, but can not be put in place until we arrive at Mare Island, Cal. Everything is quiet here, and has been for some time past, but so little reliance is placed iii the goveriiment of the country that there is constantly a feverish excitement, which produces a desire on the part of the inhabitants to keep as many armed ships here as possible. Another inducement is the advantage to certain parties who supply the ships with what they require, and it is principally by them, although not altogether, that this state of feeling is kept up. I shall leave here the (yane, Commander Bissell, who will soon b Page 280 280 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. joined by the Wyoming, Commander MeDougal. II. B. M. S. Tartar is also in this harbor. On my way to San Francisco I shall stop at Acapulco, and probably at some other of the intermediate ports, but as I am anxious to have the slip in proper order for service, I shall make as little delay as possible. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, CHAS. II. BELL, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Report ~f Commander DeCamp, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, of preparations for cruising in obedience to orders. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, January 14, 1862. SIR: On the 7th instant I had the honor to inform you that I had relieved Commander Palmer of the command of this ship. Since the arrival of the Iroquois at this place on the 5th instant the engineers have been constantly at work on the boilers and engines. By the evening of the 15th they will be in good working order, when we will leave here on a cruise to the eastward as far as Martinique, off which island I expect to meet the steamer Quaker City on the 18th or 19th instant, when Commander Frailey and myself will agree upon a plan of operation which may appear best calculated to carry into effect the instructions we have received from the Navy Department. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN DECAMP, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City, D. C. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, comrn2anding U. S. S. Flam- beau, relative to blockade runner Gladiator. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nassau, New Providence, Jannary 15, 1862. SIR: I have to report onr return to this place on yesterday. The vessel was coaled on the 7th and 8th at Key West. In the meantime I learned from vessels direct from this place that the Gladiator was still here on the 3d, and had made no demonstration of leaving up to that time; and, as I judged it probable that the same blustering weather we had experienced at Key West would exteud to this region, and would necessarily prevent a vessel of her (Iraft from crossing the bar, I determined to wait there until it moderated, in hopes that we might happen to leave Key West at the same time that the Gladiator would leave here, and so perhaps meet her about halfway, when, of course, all doubts as to the legality of her capture arising from our previous relative positions would disappear. With this view I remained until Saturday morning, the 11th, but, contrary to my expectations, the weather, after we got to sea, came on worse than before, and that even Page 281 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 281 ing we anchored on the coast of Cuba at a place marked on the charts l3ahia de Cadiz Cay. The next morning proved fine, however, and, still reckoning upon the Gladiator8 coming out through the tongue of the ocean by the route indicated in my letter of the 1st instant, we ran across the southern part of the banks that night, and reached the deep channels leading into the tongue of the ocean at noon of Monday, the 13th; passed through Queens Channel and, as a last chance of intercepting her, anchored at dark about 50 miles south of this in latitude 240 27 N. and longitude 770 12 W. But on our arrival yesterday I learned that the Gladiator had gone down, some 10 or 12 miles from here, to Coch- rane Anchorage, on the 7th instant, and that she is still there. It is possible that she is transferring her cargo to smaller vessels, and at the same time, perhaps, taking in ballast, in order to preserve the same appearance and draft of water; but if this is so it must be done at night, as several persons interested in detecting such a movement have failed to discover it, and I can hardly suppose that the local authorities would dare to compromise themselves by a complicity with such a pro- ceeding, which they could not avoid if it were done openly. I have called upon the authorities here, and fancylcan seea marked and favorable change in their tone of leeling since I first met thema change mainly due, no doubt, to the action of our Government in regard to Messrs. Mason and Slidell, but also, in a measure, to the conduct of those attached to this vessel; and I have deemed it would meet with the approval of the Department to encourage this friendly disposition still finther by an offer of our services to go down to Rum Cay to the assistance of II. B. M. ship Conqueror, of 101 guns, which has been wrecked there. Commander MeKillop, H. N., commanding H. B. M. S. Bull Dog, to whom I made the offer, was duly sensible of its import, but thought it would not be in our power to render any assistance. He has started this morning for the second time to go there, and the gun- boat Steady is also there; besides which they have sent to Bermuda and Havana for more of their own vessels. Respectfully, [WM. G. TEMPLE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding.] Secretary of the Navy. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Plain- beau, of intended departure for Port Royal, S. C., in obedience to orders. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, Nassau, New Providence, January 16, 1862. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of December 31, approving of my course generally, but no other official letters reached me. I learn, however, from my private correspondence that, considering the excited state of public feeling, the Department thought it in to keep a vessel at Nassau for the present, and that I had been ordered to proceed with the Plambean to Port Royal and report to Flag-Officer Du Pont for duty in his squadron. So far as regards the effect produced by our presence upon the people of this place lam encouraged to believe that it has thus far been highly beneficial, but I cau readily understand that in England it might b Page 282 282 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. viewed otherwise. I am also of opinion that we have already accom- plished the purposes of the Government in sending us out, to the extent of our ability; and that a longer stay among the Bahamas, flow that our opponents have had time for reflection, would but betray our ina- bility to prevent their traffic with the rebel States. I am satisfied from our own observations that the Gladiator is trans- shipping her cargo into schooners and other small vessels, and I shall hope to pick up some of them on the way over. At the same time, as it is possible that my conclusions are hasty and incorrect, I shall remain a few days longer to watch her operations. In view of these considerations, therefore, I have decided to leave here for Port Royal on Sunday, the 19th, and I trust this step will meet with the approbation of the Department. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy. P. S.Should the Department deem it expedient to order the new cogged wheels for our windlass, as I requested in my letter of the 5th instant, would suggest that they be sent to Port Royal instead of to this place. Respectfully, W. G. T. Report of Commander Ridgely, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, transmitting correspondence regarding offer of assistance to II. B. JLL. ship Conqueror. U. S. S. SANTJA& O BE CUBA, flavana, January 17, 1862. SIR: 1 have the honor to report that the Santiago de Cuba left Key West on the 4th of January and cruised off the Colorado reefs and in line between the Tortugas and Cedar Keys. On the 9th of January at sundown we arrived here. A few minutes after coming to anchor I was informed that H. B. M. ship of the line Conqueror was aground at Ruin Cay, and that one of her officers had reached Havana that day to procure a steamer. I immediately went on shore and informed the U. S. consul-general that I was ready, and would cheerfully go to her relief at once. We called together on her British Majestys consul- general and made the offer. He declined the services of this steamer in consequence of the length of time the Conqueror had been on shore, and the assistance which had probably reached her from Nassau atid Bermnda. At the termination of the interview with the British con- sul he suggested I should put my offer in writing. I enclose the cor- respondence which passed between the two consuls and myself. The trade from Tiavona to the States in rebellion against the Gov- ernment has declined considerably in consequence of the vessels being captured or driven on shore by the blockading squadron. Small Eng- lish schooners clear foi- Matamoras with coffee, which finds its way into Texas. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DANL. B. RIDGELY, lion. G. WELLES, Commander, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 283 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 283 [Enclosures.] U. S. S. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Havana, January 9, 1862. SIR: I have just heard, on my arrival here, that II. B. M. ship Con- queror is ashore on one of the windward reefs and that one of her officers is here to procure a steamer. Please offer to Mr. Crawford, her British Majestys consul-general, the services of this steamer to proceed at once and render all the aid and assistance in our power. I will keep steam up nntil I hear from you and will leave at daylight to-morrow morning if the services of the Santiago be accepted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DANL. B. BIDGELY, U. S. Consul-General SHUFELDT. Commander, U. S. Navy. U. S. CONSULATE-GENERAL Havana, January 12, 1862. Mv DEAR SIR: Enclosed I send you a copy of a letter from J .T. Craw. ford, esq., her British Majestys consul-general in Cuba, replying to your offer, made through me, to go to the assistance of her British Majestys ship Conqueror, ashore on Rum Cay. It will be seen that Mr. Crawford acknowledges, in the most friendly manner, the promptness with which you proffered your services, both in person and subsequently by letter. In thus manifesting your sympathy for a fellow-seaman you have evinced a praiseworthy for- getfulness of the many causes which of late have had a tendency to estrange two governments and nations whose policy it is, and whose fortune it has hitherto been, to remain upon the most friendly terms. Such acts of spontaneous courtesy must have a tendency, however, to restore this amicable relation. On this account, I am pleased that the opportunity has presented itself, and, although your services were declined, that the refusal has been accompanied by such good reasons as to preclude any other than that of a sincere desire to show you that Mr. Crawford would have accepted them had he deemed it possible that you could be of any service. I am, sir, truly, your friend and obedient servant, R. W. SHUFELDT, Consul- General. Commander D. B. RIDGELY, U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba. [Subenolosure.] HAVANA, January 11, 1862. My DEAR SIR AND COLLEAGUE: I have the pleasure of acknowledg- ing the receipt this morning of your much-esteemed letter of the 9th instant, enclosing that of Commander D. B. IRidgely, of the U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, offering to proceed immediately to the aid and assist- ance of II. M. ship Conqueror at Rum Cay, where she is unfortunately aground. Although your letter and that of Commander Ridgely have only now been delivered, I have great pleasure in acknowledging the honor of your and his visit at my house on the evening of the 9th, when the considerate offer of the services of the U. S. ship was so frankl Page 284 284 OPERATIONS OP THE CRUISERSUNION. ma(Ie but was declined by me, because I had reason to think that quite effective assistance would have reached the Conqueror from Yice- Admiral Sir Alexander Mimes command at Bermuda before the Santiago de Cuba could arrive at the place of misfortune in the Bahamas. It will, however, afford me much pleasure to report this attention on your part and on that of my friend, Commander iRidgely, to her Majestys Government, as well as to the vice-admiral, commander in chief of her Majestys naval forces on this station, for which, in the meantime, I beg of you to accept my best thanks. I have the honor to be, my dear sir and colleague, your friend and obedient servant, Jos. T. CRAWFORD, B. W. SHUFELDT, ESQ., Consul-General in Cuba. U. S. Consul-General, Havana. Order from Secretary of the Navy to Commander Pickering, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Kearsarge, to proceed at once to Cadiz, Spain, in search of C. S. S. Sumter. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 18,1862. SIR: Instead of going directly to the gulf; in pursuance of the Departments order of the 10th instant, you will proceed with the Hear- sarge with all possible dispatch to Cadiz, in Spain, in search of the piratical steamer Sumter, which vessel is reported to have arrived recently in that place. If you find the Sumter has been at Cadiz, you will continue in search of her until you overtake and capture her, or learn positively that she has been overtaken by some other of our vessels and captured, or that she has otherwise been made way with. Should she not have been there or anywhere (that you can learn) in the East, you will proceed to Key West, by way of the West Indies, and report in accordance with your instructions of the 10th instant. This will be your course also in the event of the Sumter having been captnred or otherwise disposed of. Advise the Department frequently of your movements. Although your chief object will be the search of the Sumter, you will not omit due diligence in all cases during your cruise, and will seize and send into port any vessel of the enemy engaged in depredating on our com- merce or in the transportation of arms, munitions, or contraband of war to the insurgents. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, [GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.] Commander C. W. PICKERING, Commanding U. S. S. Kearsarge, Portsmouth, N. H. Report of Lieutenant Temple, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Flambean relative to blockade runners at Nassau, New Providence. U. S. S. FLAMBEAU, At Sea, Jan~~ary 20, 1862. SIR: I have to report that the rebel steamer Kate (formerly the Caro- lina) arrived at Nassau on the mornin~ of the 18th instant, having run the blockade at Charleston with 230 bales of cotton; and that she wen Page 285 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 285 alongside the clipper ship Eliza Bonsall the same day to discharge, and probably also to take in from her an assorted cargo, as the Ella TVarlcy had previously done. The Kate is commanded by the same Lockwood who lately left Na ssau in charge of the Theodora. He con- firms the report that the Ella IVarley had succeeded in running the blockade into Charleston, as also that the Theodora had got safely into Mobile. The steamer Gladiator has undoubtedly transshipped her entire cargo into small vessels, as L ascertained yesterday that she is drawing 3~ feet less water than when lying in Nassau, and she has moved up some 3 miles nearer to the harbor. In coiinectiou with this transaction, I would inform the Department that Mr. Anderson, the attorney-general at Nassau, read to me a circular from the foreign office in Downing street, London, addressed to all the colonial authorities, directing them not to interfere with the sale, purchase, or transshipment of any mer- chandise, even in the case of its being arms, aminnnition, or equipments, by private vessels in the service of either party to our contest. I sup- pose, therefore, that the Gladiator went down to Cochrane Anchorage on account of the local laws relative to powder, which, by the way, she had been suffered to disregard by lying iii the harbor for so long a time while having 5 tons of that material on board. It was necessary to add that this circular was read to me in the course of a friendly conversation t the attorney-generals office, and not at all as an official matter; and although I deem it my duty to communicate the fact to the Government, it would perhaps be indelicate to base a remonstrance upon this infor- mation. I left Nassau on the morning of the 19th, and the same day over- hauled three vessels, two English schooners and an American bark, in the northeast Providence Channel, but without finding anything informal or objectionable about them. Respectfully, WM. G. TEMPLE, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Lieutenant, Commanding. Secretary of the Navy. Report of Commander Frailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, of two weeks cruise from St. Thomas, West Indies. U. S. S. QUAKER CITY, Island of St. Thomas, West Indies, January 22, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report my return to this port on the 20th instant, after a cruise of two weeks to the eastward as far as 560 west longitude, during which time I spoke and boarded two American ves- sels, the Ben, of New York, thirty-one days from Rio de Janeiro, bound to St. Thomas, also the II. G. Colhurst, of Eastport, Me., from Barbados to St. Thomas; one English brig, the Queen Victoria, thirteen days from New York; and the French bark Perseverant, from Marseilles, bound to Martinique. On my way east I hove to off St. Pierre, and sent a boat in to com- municate with the U. S. consul, and after cruising a week at sea pro- ceeded to Barbados to water ship, thence again to St. Pierre and this port Page 286 286 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Off St. Pierre I communicated with Commander DeCamp, of the Iroquois, en route south and east, neither as yet having received any information of the Sumter. I regret to report that shortly after leaving Sandy Hook the ship commenced leaking quite badly in her upper works, and it has gradually been increasing ever since ~o such an extent that men have been constantly employed, while at sea, on berth deck and in passageways bailing up water, the steerage officers having been obliged to vacate their sleeping appartments. Since my return to this port I have had an examination made, by a good ship carpenter from shore, of her condition, and find, from personal inspection, that she requires extensive calking, some of her butts and seams being very open, and her wood ends in stem on starboard side in very bad condition, which work is now being done, but will require some days to complete. The air, force, and fresh -water pumps require repacking. The forward smokestack has given away and requires considerable repairs, and two large patches are necessary in each of Nos. 3 and 4 boilers, which are found quite defective. Many repairs of an important nature, as reported officially by the acting chief engineer, are rendered necessary ere we again leave port, but which the Department may rest assured shall be accomplished with as little delay as possible. Accompanying, I send a list * of American vessels in port at this time, many of them having been (Iriven in here by stress of weather while attempting [to enter] as well as in departing from our coast, during the early part of January, a number of them requiring quite extensive repairs to enable them to resume their voyages. All well on board. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. MADiSON FRAILEY, Commander, U. S. Navy. HON. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. (J. Report of Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tusca- rora, relative to the C. S. S. Nashville. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Southampton, January 23, 1862. SiR: I have the honor to report that by the mail of the 18th I for- warded to you through the American minister a statement of the position assnmed by the authorities here with regard to the Nashville. In a conversation I held yesterday with Captain Patey, royal navy, the senior officer of this port, with reference to the Nashville,lie, refer- ring tG our l)revious arraimgement that the vessel having the first start should be allowed to proceed to sea, asked me my views as to a clear understanding of what was meant by the first start. 1 gave my opinion that the vessel first passing the guard ship, if only half length ahead, should be considered as having the first start. This he told me was not the ruling of the authorities; that with them the vessel tirst tripping her anchor would be regarded as having the start. Agaiimst this 1 remonstrated as au unfair decision, as my movements were made to depend on those of the Nashville, and her anchor might be lifted at any time, with my having no knowledge of the fact until she should begin to move. He, however, appearing to think there would be less risk of collision with the authorities by this defining of * Omitted Page 287 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 287 the expression, I yielded, though with relnctauceyielded, in short, because there was no alternative. Were there but one outlet to the port, my difficulties would be removed; by keeping at sea, I could prevent the escape of the pirate, but I can not guard both passages, and as my movements are con- stantly made known by telegraph, it is very easy for the pirates to keep themselves informed of my exact position, whether below or outside, and they may at almost any time evade me; with the assist- ance they receive from the authorities, the advantages are all with the pirates. My earnest hope now is that another vessel may soon arrive here to aid me; with two on the watch, it will not be possible for the pirates to escape. but in my present position 1 am made to feel powerless and idle. I am, very respectfully, your obedien t servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Corn mander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Letter from Vice-Admiral H. W. Bruce, B. N commanding H. B. ill. S. Vtctory, to Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tus- carora, explaining error in published statement regarding the latter vessel. VICTORY, at Portsmouth, January 23, 18G2. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22d instant calling my attention to a paragraph extracted, it appears, from the Army and INavy Gazette, commenting upon the sup- posed fact of the U. S. steamship of war Tuscarora, under your com- mand, having anchored off Osborne. In reply I beg to inform you that on Thursday last, the 16th instant, the signalman on duty at the dockyard semaphore reported that the Tuscarora had anchored off Osborne. I therefore directed Captain Coote, of H. M. ship Victory, to proceed in one of the steam tenders to communicate with you, and, with my compliments, to request that you would be so good as to move the ship to some other anchorage. Captain Coote, however, had scarcely got outside the harbor when he discov- ered that the report of the signalman was a mistakethat the Tusca- rora, in fact, had not anchored off Osborne, but that the ship supposed to have been her was H. M. ship Vigilant. I trust that this explanation will remove from your mind any feeling of annoyance you may have experienced from the publication of the paragraph referred to above. I can not myself point out rtol the writer of that paragraph, or to the editor of the paper in which it appeared, the circumstances which probably led to his being misinformed as to the movements of your ship, because her Majestys officers are forbid- den to publish anything in the newspapers bearing on questions arising in the public service, and I never have any communication with public prints. I have the honor to be, sir, your humble servant, II. W. BRUCE, Vice-Admiral, Commander in Chif. Commander T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Of the U. S. S. Tuscarora Page 288 288 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Order from Secretary of the Navy to Commander Mann, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. sloop St. Louis, to cruise in search of piratical vessels and for the protection of commerce. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 24, 1862. SIR: As soon as the U. S. sloop of war St. Louis, under your com- mand,is in all respects ready for sea, you will proceed with her to the Azores or Western Islands. The islands will be the limit of your cruising ground on the west, which will extend south to the Canaries, north to the port of Lisbon, and east to the Strait of Gibraltar. Any communications that the Department may have for you will be sent to Lisbon, care of our minister there. You will also touch at Cadiz occasionally. You will not go out of these limits unless in search of piratical vessels, upon reliable information received by you of the appearance of such vessels at any l)articular point. You will exercise vigilance and be active in cruising for Ihe pro- tection of our commerce, and will seize and send into l)ort any vessel you may meet with engaged in transporting arms, munitions, contra- band of war to the insurgents. In exercising your rights as an American man-of-war, you will be careful of those of neutrals. Keep the Department advised of your movements. Before sailing from Philadelphia, forward to the Department a mus- ter roll of the crew and a separate list of the officers of the St. Louis. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander M. C. MARIN, Commanding U. S. Sloop of War St. Louis, Philadelphia, Pa. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to J. 241. Forbes, esq., of Boston, Mass., authorizing him to charter vessel to go in pursuit of C. S. S. Sumter. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 26, 1862. It is understood that one of the iron boats built to run to New Orleans is ready for sea at Boston. You are requeste(l and authorized to char- ter this vessel on the most favorable terms for three months or more, to go in pursuit of the pirate Sumter. Before closing the arrangement, however, telegraph the Department the price of charter. The Govern- memit will furnish a lieutenant commanding, and three acting masters, gulls, and ammunition, all else to be provided by the owners. You can authorize such preparations to the vessel as are necessary, without sending her to the navy yard. You may suggest to the Department a proper person for command and three others for acting masters. The commander can probably obtain a good crew from Volunteers. Let the owners take all but the war risks and have a favorable proviso to enable the Government to take the vessel at any time. Answer by telegraph. When will the other boat be ready? I am, respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.] 3. N. FORBES, Boston Page 289 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 289 Report of Go mander Graven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tusca- rora, regarding requirements ~f the authorities at Southampton in regard to ieavinq port. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Southampton, January 27, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that since my letter of the 23d an additional rule has been supplied to me, viz, that I be required to give twenty-four hours notice before leaving port. As it has evi- dently been the desire of the authorities to hamper me, I determined to meet all of these orders withont exhibiting any annoyance and give them no chance for complaint of me. I have accordingly yielded to these last instructions, and have at the same time notified the com- manding officer of my intention to depart. I intend being absent no more than twenty-four hours, and on returning to my anchorage shall immediately repeat my notice to depart again. In explanation I should say that the rule adopted is that the vessel which gives the first notice shall have priority of exit, ud so long as I can keep this in my own hands the Nashville can not escape. I find nothing in international law which justifies this last rule, but have yielded rather than have any discussion on the questiou. Should any further exaction be made, sir, I shall feel it to be my duty to make no more concessions. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AIJGS. CRAVEN, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Gommander. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G. Report of Gommander Prailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker Gity, of intention to leave St. Thomas, West Indies, in search of G. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. QUAIS~IER CITY, St. Thomas, January 28, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to forward the accompanying letter, which is a translatioii from a Porto [Puerto] Rico paper, received here this morn- ing by our respected consul at this port, John T. Edgar, esq., a copy of which has been kindly placed by him at my disposal. The l)urport of it, however, will have doubtless been received by you long ere this reaches you, and I hope soon to be advised of the views of the Department in relation to the course now to be adopted by this vessel as to the pursuing the Sumter to the station she has chosen for further scenes of depre- dation. Having nearly completed the important repairs to the engine, boilers, and forward smokestack, as well as the recalking of almost the entire length forward of the afterpart of the starboard wheelhouse I shall endeavor to leave this port early to-morrow to comply with a previ- ous arrangement made with Commander DeCamnp, on the 18th instant, to communicate with him oft Martinique, on or abont the 1st proximo, so as to act in compliance with your instructions of December 14, to act in concert so as to insure a thorough search, after which interview my fur- ther action iii the premises will be determined. I have the honor to report the arrival at this port to-day of the U. S. bark Win. U. Anderson, 123A.4 Page 290 290 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Lieutenant Commanding Rogers, putting in here for water, having been on a cruise since November 18. All well. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. MADISON FRAILEY, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [fnclosure.] The following is a translation of an article in a paper of St. Johns 5J1 Porto [Puerto] Rico. The information it contains was ioug tto St.Johns [San Juan] by a Spanish steamer that left Cadiz Jannary 10,1862. The Sumter arrived at Cadiz on January 6, and was still there January 10, 1862: The Madrid newspapers published a long series of telegraphic dispatches from Cadiz, without (loubt of official origin, in which they refer to all that has occurred in reference to the arrival at our port of the South American steamer Sumler. This boat, of 750-horse power and 5 guns of heavy caliber, arrived from Rio de Janeiro and Martinique, had destroyed in her passage 3 Northern vessels and brought 43 prisoners on board. The American consul solicited [the authorities] to give her no assistance, and to make her leave, and the commandant general asked for instruc- tions from the Government. In the meantime the captain of the boat declared that he had entered Cadiz in distress, wishing to repair his vessel in the Arsenal de la Carraca, and that his object was to cruise without a fixed direction. The Sumter was considered from the beginning nuder quarantine restrictions, for having no bill of health. In the first instance the Government instructed the authorities that in their rela- tions with said steamer they should be strictly guided by what the royal decree of the 17th July last disposed about the mode of considering vessels coming from the Sonthern States, which S-pain did not recognize but as a belligerent party. Afterwards the captain of the steamer requested the commandant general to be permitted to deliver up to the U. S. consul the 43 prisonels. He could not accede to this request, because, as we have stated, the steamer found herself in quaran- tine, the quarantine having, however, to be short, for in virtue of the new orders from the Government, the Sumter was received on the 7th instant, the prisoners remaining under the protection of Spain and the American consul. The above is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant, JAS. MADISON FRAILEY, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Mann, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. sloop St. Louis, to proceed to Cadiz, Spain, in search of C. S. S. Sumter. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 28, 1862. SIR: Referring to your instructions of the 24th instant, the Depart- ment so far modifies them that your first object will be the pursuit of the piratical steamer Sumter, which was at Cadiz, Spain, when last heard from. You will lose no time in reaching that port, unless on your course you should obtain from merchant vessels, or otherwise, positive information of the appearance of the Sumter at some other point, in which case you will go in pursuit of her regardless of the limits designated as your cruising ground. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander M. C. MARIN, Commanding U. S. Sloop St. Loui8, Philadelphia Page 291 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 291 Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship mo, to proceed with dispatch to Cadiz in search of C. S. S. Sumter. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 28, 1862. SIR: Your orders to the Gulf Squadron, dated yesterday, are hereby revoked, and you will proceed with all possible dispatch to the coast of Spain in search of the piratical steamer Sumter. Wheu last heard from the Sumter was at (Jadiz, to which port you will proceed, unless you should obtain positive information that she is at some other point in the East. You will continue the pursuit of her, directing your course according to the best information you can obtain regarding her move- nients, and will not abandon it until you learn that she has been cap- tured or otherwise made way with, or it becomes necessary for you to return to Boston for supplies, or other urgent reasons. Should you be so fortunate as to fall in with her, the Department relies upon your ability to capture and destroy her or bring her into port. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Acting Volunteer Lient. JOSIAH P. CREESY, U. S. N., Commanding U. S. Ship mo, Boston. Report of Flag-Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Pacific Ocean, of arrival at Acapulco, Mexico. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Acapulco, Mex., January 28, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I arrived here yesterday in eleven days from Panama. Our passage was delayed by being under canvas a portion of the time, and the great care necessary in running our engine to prevent the cracked crank from being entirely disabled. I enclose you a copy of my instructions to Commander Bis sell, of the Gyane. I received a letter from him yesterday, dated the 18th January. He informs me that the governor of Panama has informed the agent of the Panama Railroad Company that he shall make no attempt to collect the tonnage duties, and that everything is quiet at Panama and Aspinwall. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, CITAS. H. BELL, Flag-Officer, commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [EneloBure.] U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Panama, January 14, 1862. SIR: As important duties connected with the flagship require her to be withdrawn for the present from Panama, I shall leave here, for the protection of American interests, the U. S. ship Gyane, under your command. You will remain at this anchorage until further orders Page 292 292 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. and will communicate with me by each steamer, directing your letters to San Francisco. I enclose you a copy of a letter to my predecessor from the Secre- tary of the Navy, dated June 3, 1861, by which you will be governed, should any difficulties occur oii shore. You will endeavor at all times to encourage and promote good feeling w~ith the authorities of New Granada, and be very particular not to compromise the neutral charac- ter of the port. Placing every confidence in your good judgment to perform the duties assigned you, I am, very respectfully, yours, CHAS II. BELL, Flag- Oflicer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. Commander S. B. BISSELL, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Cyane, Panama. Report of Flag. Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. naval forces, Pacific Ocean, of precautions taken against the fitting out of Con- federate privateers in the ports of South America. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Acapulco, ililiex., January 28, 1862. SIR: I have received your communication of January 8, enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. C. Ward, jr., to 11. B. Forbes, esq., of Boston, stating that au attempt would soon be made to fit out a privateer somewhere along this coast. The Wyoming has recently been to Yalparaiso, with orders to touch at several places along the coast on her way to Panama, and obtain all the information possible on subjects of this nature. On her return from this cruise she will take the place of the Saranac, Captain Ritchie, who will proceed to Panama to relieve the Cyane, Commander Bissell. The Cyane will then be sent down the coast as far as Yalparaiso, with instructions to Commander Bissell to attend to the matter referred to by Mr. Ward, and all matters connected with this important sub- ject. By the Saranac being stationed at Panama, where she will have to remain some time, the Department will have in its power, if thought advisable, to make the changes recommended in my letter of yester- day (No. 5). * * * I have the honor to be, CHAS. H. BELL, Flag. Officer. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. Letter from Secretary of the Navy to T. B. Satterthwaite, president Board of Underwriters, New York, relative to the action of the Department in regard to the C. S. S. Sumter. NAvY DEP~RTMENT, January 29, 1862. I have received your letter of the 27th instant relative to the action of this Department in the matter of the pirate steamer Sumter. Nearly a month since the Saratoga was ordered up to Cadiz from the coast of .~.frica, and the Kearsarge at Portsmouth, N. H., the Lao at Boston, an Page 293 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 293 the St. Louis at Philadelphia are about to sail in pursuit, having received their final orders. The Iroquois and the Quaker City are in the West Indies and the Constellation at Portsmouth is destined for Gibraltar, but is waiting for a crew. The contractors for machinery for the small, swift gunboats are in nearly every case months behindhand, thereby embarrassing the action of the Department in several very important operations. I am, respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, T. B. SATTERTHWAITE, [Secretary of the Navy.] President Board of Underwriters, New York. Report of Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, comnianding U. S. S. Tusca- rora, relative to C. S. S. Nashville, and transmitting official correspond- ence on the same subject. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Off Yarmouth, January 29, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that since my communication of 24th instant I have had a correspondence with the commanding officer of the port of Southampton, and of which I send you the enclosed copies. I have not yet replied to the extremely uncourteous note sent me by Captain Patey on the 28th, but immediately sent an officer with copies of all the correspondence to our minister at London. It was my inten- tion to have remained at my anchorage rather than leave it under such instructions, but from some information conveyed to me last night I have reason to suspect that the Nashville has also been ordered to leave the port. I therefore got under way this morning at 8, although it is blowing a gale of wind, and have dropped down to this place. If my surmises are correct as to the same orders having been given to the Nashville, that vessel will be required to leave to-morrow, when the tweiity-four hours after my departure will have expired. I accord- ingly intend going to sea in the morning to try my only and last chance of obtaining possession of or destroying that ship. Should she escape me, and I must say the chances are now in her favor, I will at once pro- ceed to the Mediterranean and search for the Sumter, which is doing great damage there upon our commerce. I will first, however, take care to drive the Nashville off this coast. The U. S. consul for Southampton has so little tact that I think he has added somewhat to my difficulties in those waters by imprudent and unauthorized conversations. I shall not and can not prudently give him any information of my movements, but will by private note to our minister communicate my address when changed, as I doubt not I will be directed to leave this place, and it is at all events my decision not again to anchor off Southampton, nor do I believe you would wish me to do so. An additional frigate was sent into the waters yesterday to watch me, but nothing except the belief that the Nashville also was ordered out would have induced me to leave or give up my ship. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AuGS. CRAVEN, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 294 294 OPERATJONS OF THE CRUISER$UNION. [Enclosures.] ADMIRALTY OFFICE, Southampton, January 26, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to state that I am directed to obtain from you, as well as from the commander of the Nashville, a written promise that you will not leave your present position without giving me twenty-four hours notice of your intention to depart. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, CHAS. 0-. E. PATEY, Additional Captain, IL B. ill. S. Victory, and Senior Officer at Southampton. Commander T. AUGS. CRAVEN, U. S. S. Tuscarora, Southampton. U. S. S. TIJSCARORA, Southampton, January 26, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day. I most cheerfully agree to the requirement of giving you twenty-four hours notice of my intention to depart from this anchor- age. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander, U. S. Navy. Captain CHAS. 0-. E. PATEY, Senior Naval Officer, Southampton. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Southampton, January 27, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I intend to proceed to sea to-morrow (Tuesday) at H a. m. I am, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. Captain CHAS. 0-. E. PATEY, R. N., Senior Naval Officer, Southampton. ADMIRALTY OFFICE, Southampton, January 27, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this days date, acquainting me that you intend to proceed to sea to- morrow (Tuesday) at 11 a. m. A notification of your intention so to proceed has been communicated by me to the lieutenant commanding the Nashville. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, CHAS. 0-. E. PATEY, Additional Captain, 11. iVI. Ship Victory, and Senior Naval Officer present. Commander T. Auo-s. CRAVEN, U. S. Navy, U. S. S. Tuscarora, Southampton Page 295 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 295 U. S. S. TIJSCARORA, Southampton, January 28, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to advise you that in consequence of the inclem- ency of the weather, I shall defer my departure until to-morrow (Wed- nesday), or the first fair day. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. AuGs. CRAVEN Commander, U. S. Navy. Captain CITAS. G. E. PATEY, Senior Naval Officer, Southampton. ADMIRALTY OFFICE, Southampton, January 28,186211 a. m. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this days date advising me that, in consequence, as you allege, of the inclemency of the weather, you intend to defer your departure until tomorrow (Wednesday), or till first fair day. Not seeing anything in the state of the weather to prevent your proceeding to sea in accord- ance with the intimation expressed in your letter to me yesterday, I have to request you will lose no time in leaving the Southampton waters and proceeding to sea accordingly. Having received from you a written notification of your intention to proceed to sea this day at 11 a. m -, I did not deem it necessary to con- vey to you my instructions which were to desire that you would leave the Southampton waters and proceed to sea to-day at 12 oclock at noon. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, CHAS. 0-. E. PATEY, Captain, Superintending, Senior Officer. Commander T. AUGS. CRAVEN, U. S. Navy, U., S. S. luscarora, Southampton. Letter from U. S. minister to England to Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, urging that conflict with the British authorities be avoided. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, London, January 29, 1862. SIR: I have duly reflected npon the contents of your letter and its enclosures. I propose to address to her Majestys Government a note, asking for an explanation of Capt. Pateys letter to you. In the mean 4- dine I recommeimd it to you not in anyway to put yourself in conflict with the authorities of the Government, however disagreeable their action may beto you. I am, your obedient servant, CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. Commander T. AUGUSTUS CRAVEN, U. S. Navy, Southampton Page 296 296 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUMON. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Moore, U. S. ~ commanding U. S. ship Morning Light, of cruise in the path of ressels from India and California. IT. S. SHIP MORNING- LIGHT, At Sea, January 30, 1862. SIR: Since my last to you under date of December 26, 1861, I have to report that 1 have been cruising in the tracks of homeward-bound vessels from India and California, but have seen very few vessels. The weather since my last report has been remarkably unfavorable, having a continual succession of rain squalls and baffling winds from the line to 110 north. I boarded on the 23d instant, latitude 110 iN., loimgi- tude 400 30 W., the American brig Ada, forty-three days from Monte- video for Queenstown, Ireland, and on the 27th the British bark Sarah, seven days from Pernambuco for Liverpool. This a. m. I was in chase for six hours of a vessel about 14 miles to windward, when the vessel by which I send this dispatch hove in sight on the lee bow. I shall be compelled to bear away for New York in a few days, as my water and coal are rapidly running low. I have but thirty-eight days water and forty to fifty days fuel, using the latter with great economy. The health of the men has suffered somewhat from exposure to the wet. We have six upon the sick list, but no serious cases among them. I have been compelled ~o purchase a few stores to make umy outfit com- plete, as the haste with which we were fitted out and dispatched from ~ ew York did not admit of obtaining a proper supply of a few neces- sary articles. Hoping to have the pleasure of addressing you again soon, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY T. MOORE, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. [Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.] Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. bark W. G. Anderson, of cruise in the vicinity of the West Indies, searching for privateers. U. S. BARK W. G. ANDERSON, St. Thomas, January 30, 1862. SIR: Being in the vicinity of St. Thomas, and our water much reduced, I have under your instructions touched here for information. Since my last letter to the Navy Department, dated l)ecember ~?4, per Dutch bark Venus, for New York, we have been cruising in the usual tracks of West Indiamen, but without any success in meeting priva- teers. Having heard indefinite rumors of a large privateer schooner being seen off the Hole in the Wall, I have since leaving Key West cruised a week there, hoping to fall in with her, but though we saw or boarded about twenty sail (American), none had seen or heard anything of such a vessel. I infer they are very scarce, as we have spoken, boarded, or seen ninety-five vessels, and but one proved a Southern privateer, having sailed up to our arrival here about 11,600 miles. We arrived here in good order, and all well, on January 28, at 6 p Page 297 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 297 in., and are slowly filling the water, in which we experience considera- ble delay, but trust to report myself ready for sea by to-morrow night. * * * * * * * Having no dispatches from the Navy Department to acknowledge, I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, W~. C. ROGERS, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commanding U. S. Bark W. G. Anderson. Secretary of the Navy of the United States. Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Craven, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, to give special attention to the search for the C. S. S. Nashville. NAvy DEPARTMENT, January 31,1862. SIR: Your letter of the 9th instant, reporting your arrival at South- ampton, has been received. The Kearsarge and several other vessels are under orders to search for the Sumter, and, therefore, you can give your special attention to the Nashville. Jam, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy. Commander T. A. IXI. CRAVEN, Commanding U. S. Sloop Tuscarora, Southampton, England. Order of Flag-Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Pacific Ocean, to Commander Bissell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cyane, to proceed to Valparaiso, Chile. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Acapulco, January 31, 1862. SIR: On the arrival of the Saranac, Captain Ritchie who is ordered to take your station at Panama, you will furnish him with a copy of the instructions I left with you. You will then, without delay, proceed to Valparaiso, where you will obtain from our consul, or such other sources on which you may depend, every information connected with the safety of our commerce on this coast. On yonr way north you will touch at Coquirubo, Cobija, Arica, and Pisco, from thence to Callao, where you will replenish your stores from the storeship, and then l)roceed to Payta; from thence, if the season is not nnfavorable, you cami touch at (Auayaquil. You will then proceed to Panama, where instructions will await you. 1 do not wish you to confine yourself strictly to the places enumerated, but should you think it advisable to communicate with the consul or authorities at any of the intermediate ports, you are at liberty to deviate so far from your instructions. The object of sending you on this cruise is principally for the protection of American commerce from marauders, suspected of fitting out vessels to rob our commerce on the high seas. L enclose you a topy of a letter sent to me by the Navy Department from Mr. C. Ward, Jr., of Valparaiso, from whom you ma Page 298 298 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. obtain some information connected with this matter. I can not suffi. ciently impress upon your mind the necessity of a courteous intercourse with the authorities of the various places yo~ visit, and the strict neutrality to be observed should you meet any vessel bearing the flag of an enemy or rebel in a friendly port. You will communicate frequently with me, directing your letters to San Francisco until May 1 next; after that time, to Panama. Should you have information to communicate to the Government which will not admit of delay, you will write direct to the Secretaryof the Navy, sending me a copy of your dispatch. With much reliance on your good judgment and discretion, and wishing you a pleasant cruise and safe return, I am, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. II. BELL Flag-Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. Commander S. B. BISSELL, Commanding U. S. S. Cyane, Panama. Report of Flag- Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Pacific Ocean, of matters relating to various vessels of his command U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Acapulco, iViex., February 3,1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the U. S. S. Narragansett, Commander Hunt, joined me here on the 30th ultimo from Manzanillo, from whence she sailed after the departure of the Panama mail steamer St. Louis, which touched at this port a few days sincewith upwards of two and a quarter millions of treasure. In my communications to the Department, dated January 27 and 28, and numbered 5 and 7, I stated the condition of the Saranac in regard to her officers. I have since inspected that ship, and, in justice to Captain iRitchie, will state that whatever difficulties he has or may have had with his officers his ship is in fine order, both in regard to her sanitary condition and the perfect drill of her crew. Captain Ritchie seems to have been indefatigable in his exertions in this respect. With no regular officers to assist him, he has beei obliged to perform duties beyond his strength, from which he is now suffering, and he asks to be relieved from his command, in order that he may retuin to the United States, where he can obtain such relief as his present situation requires. As I conceived it important to send the Cyane to Yalparaiso as soon as possible, I have sent the Saranac to Panama to take her place. She left here on the 1st instant. As the Saranac will have to remain at Panama for some time after this letter reaches the Department, should it be thought advisable to make the changes in the officers and crew of that ship recommended in my previous letters, it can be done without any inconvenience to the service. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, CHAS. H. BELL, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington Page 299 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 299 Report of Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tusca rora, relative to C. S. S. Nashville. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Cowes Roads, February 3, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that by the late rule of pre- tended neutrality, issued on the 31st January by the Government of Great Britain, I am effectually driven from these waters; not only am I not permitted to remain in any port more than twenty-four hours, but am prohibited taking in coal more than once in three months, being thus deprived of the ability of cruising on this coast. My previous letters will have informed you of the several orders, rapidly following each other, by which I have been, from day to day, confined within narrower limits, by such stringent rules as gave every advantage to the privateer Nashville, and wonld have enabled her at any time, during the last two weeks, to have escaped from Southamp- ton without a possibility of any opposition, and this final decree of Earl Russell renders my presence here perfectly idle and useless. Most scrupulously desiring to observe even these arbitrary rules of neutrality, and that I should give no pretext for offense, an dthus throw the onus on the British authorities, I have adhered to every rule laid down for my guidance. I left the port of Southampton on the 29th in a gale of wind, anchor- ing off Yarmouth; on the 1st, the gale being over, I went to sea, mimade a short cruise, and have to-day returned to this anchorage to fill up my coal, and enable the paymaster to settle the ships bills at Sowthamnp- ton, which done I see nothing better for me to do than to go in pasuit of the Sumter, which is still in the neighborhood of Gibraltar, hoping most earnestly that I may fall in with her. It is my intention to sink her. The Nashville is still at the docks, but feeling no doubt his advantage over me, I presume the captain of that vessel will depart when he is ready, having the full protection of the British forces here. I have written to Mr. Adams, informing him of my intentions. Should I not be able to learn any news of the Sumter, I will return to this coast, and await your further orders at Havre or Hamburg. I will keep Mr. Adams constantly advised of my address. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AUG-s. CRAVEN, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Since writing the preceding, the Nashville, under convoy of a British frigate, passed close by this ship and went to sea, at 5 p. m. During the time of her passing I was visited by Captain Patey and cautioned to observe the rule of delaying my departure for twenty-four hours. The whole transaction appears to me, sir, to have a strong inipress of collusion on the part of the authorities to effect the escape of the privateer. I had no sooner anchored here than my arrival was made known at Southampton by telegraph; then, and not till then, did the Nashville leave Southampton. The British squadron communicated the fact by signal to the Shannon, lying near me, and that ship was at once got underway to convoy the Nashville out. No consideration except the observance of good faith on my part prevented my getting underway also and testing this question at once. Whether I hav Page 300 300 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. acted judiciously or not, I have solely been guided by a desire to give no cause for a breach of the peace. I told Captain Patey that good faith toward me had not been observed~ I had been ordered out of the port six days since,butthe Nashville remained until notified of my anchoring here and then sailed as above. Very respectfully, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. Letter from Captain Patey, R. N., Senior Officer at Southampton, to Com- mander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, relative to required notice before sailing. ADMIRALTY OFFICE, Southampton, Febrnary 3, 18623:/dO p. m. SIR: As you have returned from sea and anchored in Cowes Roads in the Tuscarora, and as the Nashville has given notice to sail from Southampton to-day, I am directed to inform you that you are not to sail again in the ship nuder your command until twenty-four hours after the departure of the Nashville. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, CHAS. G. E. PATEY, Captain, Superintendent, Senior Officer. Commander T. AUG. CRAVEN, U. S. Navy, U. S. S. Tuscarora, Off Cowes. [Endorsement.] Delivered at 5:10 by Captain Patey. T. AuGs. CRAVEN. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. bark W. G. Anderson, of intention to leave St. Thomas, West Indies, for cruise in search of C. S. steamers Sumter and Nashville. ST. THOMAS, February 3, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report myself ready for sea and will sail to-day for our former cruising ground in the Atlantic. We have experienced some delay in obtaining water, and iiow leave without a full supply, the party who monopolizes it here declining to give us any more, except at considerable detention. We are, how ever, but 1,200 gallons short, which does not materially interfere with the length of our cruise. My superior officer, Captain DeCamp, of the Iroquois, now in port, suggested to me the propriety of not sailing before the arrival of the English mail, which would bring information of the whereabouts of the Sumter and Nashville. rphis arrived last night, and I now sail with full knowledge. Referring you to my dispatch of January 30, per American ship Moutmorenci, from this port, for further details of our cruise, I remaiw respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. ROGERS, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. bark W. ~L Anderson. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy of the United States Page 301 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS~-UNION. 301 Order from Secretary of the lVavy to Commander MoDougal, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Wyoming, to proceed from San Franci8co to Philade~phia via China and Cape of Good Hope. NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 3, 1862. SIR: After refitting the U. S. S. Wyoming at the Mare Island navy yard you will proceed with her to China, touching at Japan on the way. You will remain on the coast of China at least two months and longer than that should you receive information of the appearance in those waters of armed piratical vessels fitted out by the rebels now engaged in waging war against the Government of the United States. From China you will continue on to the Atlantic States and enter the Port of Philadelphia. You will touch at the Cape of Good Hope, St. Helena, one or more of the principal places on the northeast coast of South America, and at the important points in your route through the West Indies. If on your homeward passage you should hear of privateers or piratical vessels within reach, you can divert from your course for the purpose of pursuing them. Robert H. Pruyn, esq., the recently appointed minister to Japan, is now in San Francisco and would like a passage to the seat of his mission in a public vessel. You are authorized to convey him thither in the Wyoming; but as no allowance is made for the subsistence of m inisters on board men-of-war, Mr. Pruyn will, as is customary, have to defray his own expenses while on the passage. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, [Secretary of the Navy.] Commander DAVID MCDOUGAL Commanding U. S. S. Wyomi~g, San Francisco, Cat. Report of Commander Ridgely, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Santiago de Cuba, of cruise from January 18 to February 5, 1862, transmitting information received from the consul-general at Havana, Cuba. U. S. S. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Key West, Fla., February 5, 1862. SIR: 1 wrote to the Department from Havana, January 17. The next day 1 sailed for Matanzas, Cuba, where Ireceived the enclosed letter from Consul-General Shufeldt. Considering the information contained in the letterof great public importance, I touched at Key West to intercept some vessel going to Ship Island. Not finding any Vessel about leaving, I sailed for the Southwest Pass, and arrived there in fifty-six hours. I gave a copy of the consul-generals letter to Captain Bailey, of the Colorado, the commanding officer of the Vincennes, off the Northeast Pass, and to Com- mander Steliwagen, off Pass ~ lOutre, and then left for Ship Island to give the communication to Flag-Officer McKean. There were more provisions at Ship Island than could be properly taken care of, and the flag-officcr requested me to take in as much as I could stow conveniently and land them at Key West. I took on boar Page 302 302 OPERATLONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 500 barrels and delivered them to th~ naval storekeeper at this place, and shall remain here until I hear from Consul-General Shufeldt, at Havana. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DANL. B. IRIDGELY, Commander, U. S. Navy. Hon. 0-. WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. P. S.I enclose a copy of the communication referred to above, received from the consul at Havana. [Enclosure.] U. S. CONITLATE-GENERAL, llarana, January 22, 1862. SIR: The information I herewith transmit you is of sufficient impor- tance, I think, to warrant you in conveying it at once to Flag-Officer McKean. I can not develop the source from which I received it, but I deem it entirely credible. NEW ORLEANS, January 18, 1862. There were eight steamers bound to Havana, but the Government seized all but the Tennes8ee. However, I think some will be released. The others were the tow- boats Whitney, Day, and Webb; steamers Atlantic, Florida, Jllatagorda, and America. The Day will draw about 6 feet loaded. The captain had an idea that upon his return he could run into St. Josephs, lila., and cart his cargo over to Apalachicola. All of these vessels can come out of the southeast bar, where 11 feet draft can pass over. It is a very narrow channel, the latter part right between the breakers. The pilots take small boats with lights, anchor them upon the breakers, and then take the vessel out between. The Tennessee can only pass out of Southwest Pass or Pass ~ lOutre, as she will draw 161 feet water. I think a demonstration will be made by the fleet of gunboats now ready and getting ready. The Vanderbilt went into the Sabine with her cargo, and will return from there, probably on her way here now. The Manassas went down to try her powers upon the fleet on the 1st January and was aground over twelve hours. Had the fleet made any demonstration to approach her she could have been destroyed. The Confederate fleet at New Orleans are the McRae, four32-pounders, one 9-inch shell gun; Ivy, one rifle 30-pounder; Jack8on, two 8-inch shell; Livingston, two ritle 30-pound- ers, four shell guns; Mason, five guns forward, three aft; Slidell, five guns forward, three aft; Manassas, now in dock repairing. There are a brig and two schooners lying below Fort Jackson, which might be cut out. You will perceive that by sailing immediately you may be able to capture the Vanderbilt, now expected here, and give to Flag-Officer McKean such information as will prevent the exit of the other vessels mentioned through the Southeast Pass. I wrote this morning in reference to the Vanderbilt, but have obtained this more recent and reliable information. If you conclude to sail, please inform Mr. Chandler that you are carrying out the intentions of this letter, but do not divulge its contents to anyone. I am, sir, truly, your obedient servant, R. W. SHUFELDT, Consul- General. Commander D. B. BIDGELY, Commanding Steamer Santiago de Cuba Page 303 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 303 Report of Commander Dc Camp, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iro- quois, of return to St. Thomas, West Indies, after two weeks cruising. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, West Indies, February 8,1862. Sin: I have the honor to report to the Department the arrival of this ship under my command at this place, after a cruise of two weeks to the eastward, touching at St. Pierre twice, Barbados twice, and at the island of Tobago, and Trinidad. Learning nothing of importance from our consuls at either of these places, I steamed to the eastward of Barbados as far as the track of homeward-bound vessels from China and the Pacific, and then shaped our course to the northward as far as the French Islands, looking into the bay of Fort Royal, Martinique, then bore away for St. Thomas. I received a visit from Commander Frailey, of the Quaker City, at St. Pierre on the 18th ultirno, and I recommended him to remain in that vicinity as long as possible, as I am convinced that should there be any rebel privateers cruising in the West Indies, they would be better received at those islands than at other places, and from their position and the general open character of those harbors, escape from our cruisers would be more certain than from most harbors in thes seas. The U. S. bark Win. U. Anderson, Captain Rogers, sailed from here the 4th instant to cruise north of this island. Today, while cruising off the harbor of St. Thomas we fell in with the bark George B. Hunt, Captain Woodbury, of Portland,Me., dismasted in a gale, Jannary 28, in longitude 610 W., latitude 350 N. Took her in tow, and brought her into port. By the 13th instant, I purpose leaving here on a cruise, the particulars of which will be made known to the l)epartment before our departure. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN DECAMP, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, ~iJommander, U. S. Navy. Secretary ~t the Navy, Washington City, D. C. P. S.The U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp anchored in this harbor to-day, February 9, from Dominica. J. DEC. Report of Flag-Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. naval forces, Pac~jmc Ocean, of intended departure for San Francisco, transmitting copies of instructions to commanding officers of U. S. S. Wyoming and St. Marys. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Acapulco, February 10, 1862. Sin: I respectfully enclose you copies of instructions sent to Com- mander MeDougal of the Wyoming and Commander Middleton of the St. Marys. I shall leave here to-morrow for San Francisco. The Narragansett is now here, but will leave in a day or two for a cruise up the coast as far north as San Blas. 1 have the honor to be, very respectfully, CHAS. H. BELL, Flag-Officer, Gommanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington Page 304 30-I OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Enclosures.1 U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Acapulco, February 4, 18G2. SIR: After filling up your provisions, taking ou board as much as you can conveniently stow, you will proceed in the U. S. ship St. Marys, under your command, to the vicinity of Cape Sau Lucas, Lower Cali- fornia; oii your way dowu you will look into [Santa] Maria and Magda- lena bays, keeping as close to the shore, on your way to Cape Sa;i Lucas, as safety will allow. You will then cross the Gnlf of California and touch in at Mazatlan and San Blas. You will consider your crilis- ing ground as extending from [Santa] Maria Bay, California, to Cape Corrientes, Mexico, in latidude 200 25 uorth. As it is strongly sns- l)C~:tCd that vessels may be fitted out by the traitors who arc in arms against our Government, for the ~ll~~O5C of intercepting the mail steamers from Sau Francisco to Panama, you must exercisc the utmost vigilance in the examination of every vessel you may encounter, and endeavor to speak the steamers down from San Francisco. At the end of each month you may extend your cruising ground as far as Man- zanillo, where your letters will be sent. In order to render the small naval force now on this station effectual for the purposes just stated, the vessels composing the squadron must be kept at sea as much as possible. You will therefore remain in the ditfrrent ports you visit only a snificient time to fill up your wood and water and to obtain such supplies of fresh provisions as will keep yonr crew in good health. In your visits to the various ports of Lower Cal- ifornia you will endeavor to obtain the most reliable information in regard to the attempts on the part of the seceding traitors to obtain possession of that country. You will be pleased to write to me by every opportunity, directing your letters to San Francisco. I am, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. II. BELL, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Ocean. Commander EDWARD MIDDLETON, Commanding U. S. ship St. Marys, San Francisco. U. S. FLAGSHIP LANCASTER, Acapulco, February 6,1862. SIR: On your arrival at Acapulco, you will, with the U. S. S. Wyo- ming under your command, relieve the Narragansett, now stationed on this part of the coast. You will consider your cruising ground to extend to San Blas, but should you receive information which would make it advisable to have the presence of an armed vessel higher up the gulf, you are authorized to extend yonr limit in that direction. The mail steamers from San Francisco to Panama will touch at Man- zanillo on or about the 27th of each month. As one of them has on board at all times a large amount of treasure, it is important that you shonld be at that point on their arrival. Manzanillo, I am informed, has no harbor defenses, and it is here that an attempt might be made to seize the ships with treasnre. You will therefore endeavor to be off tL t port at the time tIme steamer arrives, and accompany her down to Acapulco, the eastern limit of your cruising gronnd Page 305 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 305 As it is strongly suspected that privateers may be fitted out along this coast by the traitors now in arms against our Government, you will exercise the utmost vigilance iii examining every vessel you may suspect of being engaged in that business. To render the small naval force now on this station effectual, the vessels composing the squadon should be kept at sea as much as possible. You will therefore remain in port only a sufficient time to replenish your fuel, etc., and to obtain such supplies of fresh provisions as may be necessary to preserve the health of your crew. You must endeavor to economize your coal, so expei sive an article on this coast, by using your sails as much as possible; by banking up your fires, when circumstances will admit, and vigilance on the part of the chief engineer at least one-third of the fuel uoxv expended could be saved. You will be pleased to communicate with me at least twice a month, directing your letters to San Francisco. I am, very respectfully, yours, CHAS. H. BELL, Flag- Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces Pac Commander D. MCDOUGAL, , ific Ocean. Commanding U. S. S. Wyoming, Acapulco. Letter from U. S. consul at Gibraltar to Secretary of the Navy, stating that the authorities at that port decline to birnish coal to the C. S. S. Sumter. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, Gibraltar, February 12, 1862. SIR: I beg to inform you of the arrival this day of the U. S. S. Tus- carora. As the official dispatch from Earl Russell to the lords commissioners of the admiralty, laying down certain rules with regard to United States vessels of war and Southern cruisers, has been published in this garrison, and the same is now in force, Captain Craven proposes to proceed with the Tuscarora to Algeciras either tomorrow evening or the following day, where he will endeavor to replenish his stock of coal. The steamer Sumter remains in this port. Private coal companies refuse to sell her coal; her commander has applied to the British author- ities for a supply, but they have refused. I hear they have telegraphed to the home 0-overment on the subject. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, HORATIO J. SPRAGUE, U. S. Consul. The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY OF THE U. S. OF AMERICA, Washingtou City. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Rogers, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. bark W. G. Anderson, of cruise in search of blockade runners rn rncrnmty of West Indies. U. S. BARK W. G. ANDERSON, Off the Virgin Passage, February 12, 1862. SIR: I avail myself of a homeward-bound schooner, just out from St. Thomas, to report the W. G. Anderson as having been cruising off this passage the past seven days in the hope of catching the Florida bark American Eagle, which vessel intended, when we sailed from St. Thomas, to run for some American port, regardless of cruisers. 123A.-2 Page 306 306 OPERATIONS OP THR gRUlSERSUNTOTh There was also another bark, the Angela Brewer (owned three-six- teenths in Mobile), lying in port, with some intention of sailing. I have since ascertained that the American Eagle left a few nights since, and has probably gone direct to New York, the captain stating that although she has a Southern register, she is really owned by Northern creditors, whom he expects to benefit by being condemned in New York. I shall therefore shift our cruising ground, steering along westerly in our usual track. I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. (15. ROGERS, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. Bark W. U. Anderson. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy of the United States. Report of Commander Frailey, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Quaker City, of cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. S. QUAKER CITY, St. Thomas, West Indies, February 18, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report my return here this day from a cruise to the eastward, during which time I visited the port of St. Pierre, Martinique, aud there received information from a colored man that the rebel steamer Sumter was in Trinity ~La Trinit~] Bay, on the north- east side of the island, taking in coal, and to which port I proceeded early on the following morning; but, to my regret, learned on my arri- val off the harbor that the report was without foundation. I steamed back to St. Pierre and thence towards Barbados, St. Yincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica, looking in all the bays which abound among those islands, and stopping a reasonable period in the harbors of Bridgetown, Kingston, Castries, Rosean, and Prince Rupert Bay, taking in, at the latter port, a quantity of water without expense and with little trouble, three rivers famishing a most abundant supply. * * * * * * * I beg leave to further report that while at anchor in Rosean, Island of iDominica, the lieutenant-governor, Thomas Price, expressed a desire to visit Prince Rupert Bay, situated some 20 miles to the north, ovi the same island, and to which I was bound. To this request of Lieutenant- Governor Price I immediately complied, landing him at Prince Rupert in a couple of hours after our departure from Rosean. He expressed himself in grateful terms for the kindness extended to him. During our absence from St. Thomas not a single vessel was seen by us on the ocean. I am, sir, very respectfully, etc., your obedient servant, JAS. MADISON FRAILEY, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Commander DeCamp, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Iro. quois, of affairs in general in the vicinity of the West Indies. U. S. S. IROQUOIS, St. Thomas, February 18, 1862. SIR: Having taken on board this ship all the coal we had stored at this place (39 tons), we shall go to sea to-morrow and cruise southwar Page 307 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 307 as far as La Guayra and Cura~ao. A recent revolution in Venezuela induces me to touch at the former place in view of communicating with our minister at Caracas, and my object in calling at Cura~ao is merely to supply this ship with coal, after which we will return to this island and hold ourselves ready to act as may seem best calculated to insure the safety of our commerce in the West Indies. 1 can not learn that there are any rebel armed vessels in these waters; nevertheless we will keep a sharp lookout, and should any make their appearance within the limit of our station I trust to give a satisfactory account of them. As I informed the Department in a former letter, I am convinced that the French Windward Islands will form the base of their operations, and either the Quaker City or this ship will be kept in that vicinity. In my letter of instructions from the Department no mention is made of any other vessels of our squadrou in these seas than the Iroquois and Quaker City. I therefore concluded that it was not con- templated that I exercise any authority (except absolutely necessary) over either the Shepherd Knapp or the Win. U. Anderson. The Shepherd Knapp arrived here on the 9th instant from Prince Eupert Bay, Dominica, and is still in port. In view of the Sumters return to the West Indies, it is all essential that a cruiser be stationed to the northeast of the Anegada passage, and as this region is embraced in the cruising ground marked out by the Department for the Shepherd Knapp, I shall direct Captain Eytinge to proceed at once to his station, and I trust that the. Depart- ment will approve of my action in the matter. At the solicitation of Captain Rogers I inspected the Win. U. Anderson and found her in all respects ready for service, clean, and in good condition. The mail steamer has this moment arrived from England, bringing the intelligence that hereafter vessels of war of the United States are only to be permitted to enter their ports under certain restrictions. The Iroquois will not be subjected to any such disgraceful conditions, and. I anxiously hope to hear from the Department upon the subject. As yet we are treated with all respect in this island, and it will be my endeavor to preserve the good will of these people. I have found it necessary to send two sick men to the Shepherd Knapp for passage to the United States whenever she may return, and the necessary papers in the case are forwarded to the Department. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obebient servant, JOHN DECAMP, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Captain Powell, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S.frigate Potomac, relative to the movements of the allied powers in Mexico. U. S. FRIGATE POTOMAC, Off Vera C~ruz, February 19, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report that I anchored this ship, under my command, near Green Island on the afternoon of the 14th instant, from the Southwest Pass, where 1 touched to fill up our water. My instructions from the flag-officer commanding the naval forces i Page 308 308 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. the Gulf of Mexico simply ordered me to come here, to place myself in communication with our minister in the City of Mexico, and to corre- spond directly with the Navy Department. I have written to Mr. Corwin accordingly, and have had a satisfactory interview with our consul at Vera Cruz. A courier will be sent oft to the City of Mexico speedily and Mr. Corwin will be informed of our arrival. The superior officers of the united forces are all living in the city, so that I had not the pleasure of seeing either the English, French, or Spanish chiefs when I visited their ships on the 17th, but I was received with great politeness by the commanding officers, and with marks of friendly consideration from each. Yesterday I had a friendly visit from Captains Osborne, of the Done- gal, and Caidwell, of the ]Jiliersey, who told me in conversation that they were about to leave and were all going home. They spoke as if their duties and business in this quarter had [ended or was about to end. They also assured me that the combined forces would certainly march for the interior at an early day. The two statements are not easily reconciled unless, indeed, a small naval force is intended to be left to look after the small land force which constitutes the English contingent now on shore. The British naval force now before Vera Cruz is numerous and pow- erful, consisting of Sans Pareil and Donegal, screw ships of the line, Mersey, and an unknown 50 which came iii this morning, Ariadne, Chal- lenger, and some ten others of inferior ratings, all screw ships. The French force is less, but the screw line-of-battle ship Massena at the head of them. The Spanish force is less in numbers and of smaller vessels. As you will have learned from other sources, the harmony of the united forces is not of the most earnest character; the English are dis- gusted, and if my information as above be accurate are about to with- draw the principal naval forces. The climate begins to tell upon the strangers. The Spanish force has been already reduced by sickness and death bordering upon 2,000 men; the French land forces are not healthy; the English do better, but their sick list is already large, and two seamen have died in the last two days from yellow fever. I shall write by the British mail steamer via Havana, expected to arrive here on the 26th, and have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, [L. M. POWELL,J Captain. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Report of Acting Volunteer 1~ieutenant Bytinge, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp, of extended cruise in search of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. Sui~ SHEPHERD KNAPP, St. Thomas, February 19, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to apprise you of the touching at this port of the ship nuder my command, after procuring her water at Prince Ilupert Ba~, Dominica. The Shepherd Knapp has now a supply for the rest of her cruise. I have made the entire circuit of the West India Isle Page 309 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 309 three several times, going as far to eastward as the Leeward Islands, as far to the westward as Ahaco nearly, and nearly as far north as Bermuda. No other ship or steamer has cruised the same distance and kept so continually in the waters of the & tmter. I have used every effort to fall in with the pirate and hope to take him yet, for I feel assured he will return to this station if he escapes from the Mediter- ranean. I advised you by letter, duplicated to Captain Fox, two months since that he would reach the Mediterranean and the late news gives a verification to my belief. I wish, earnestly wish, that I might have received orders to have pursued him there, and called at the consulate here hoping to have dispatches warranting my wish. I have waited the last few days the arrival of the mail steamer here, bnt she is behind time, and npon consultation with my senior officers here, Captain DeCamp and Captain Frailey, in the Iroquois and Quaker City, I have determined to proceed at once to sea to cruise as hereto- fore. The Shepherd Knapp was to-day inspected by the above-named gen- tlemen, who pronounced her thoroughly efficient and her batteries in fine condition. I have labored hard day and night to make her a per- fect ship and I am happy to state I am fully repaid by the compliments of my senior officers. For the last hundred and ten days I have spoken, boarded, examined, and searched every vessel I have seen, giving aid, comfort, and convoy to loyal ships, and narrowly watching all of doubtful character, and I assure you I prefer to die at my guns rather than return while my country is in danger. If any vessels are to be sent to the Mediterranean after the pirate will not the Department honor me by their order to still further pursue the traitor? I am exceedingly familiar with the Mediterranean, having been in that sea constantly for eight years; and speaking all the foreign lan- guages, together with my knowledge of all the principal people of every city from Gibraltar to Trieste, would give me signal advantages which might redound to my success in sighting and engaging the Sumter or other privateers in that sea. I hope the Department will nol think me de trop in thus urging a claim for distinction, but I am re~ d at any momeut to sacrifice mylife to sustain my countrys honor, and I earnestly hope I may be awarded any post of danger wTorthy an honest seamans life. I shall cruise to the eastward for a month, and then, agreeable to order received from Captain DeCamp, after having looked in at ports of Basse Terre, C nadeloupe, and St. Pierre, Martinique, without anchoring, will return, touching here for reply and further instructions from your honorable body. My ship was provisioned for six months; we have nearly three mouths on board. Officers and crew all well. I beg the Department to dispatch orders for this ship forthwith to St. Thomas, and I will send in may boat for the same in about thirty or forty days. The European news is embarrassing and I urgently beg further instructions from my Government, and trusting that a kind Provi- dence may watch over and protect my country, I am, dear sir, respectfully, yours, HENRY S. EYTINGE, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, U. S. Navy, Hon. G. V. Fox, Commanding U. S. Ship Shepherd Knapp. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Page 310 310 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERS---UNION. Seizure of Messrs. Myers and Tunstall at Tangier, Morocco, February 19, 1862. Report of Captain Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, relative to arrest at Tangier, by the U. S. consul, of Messrs. Myers and Tunstall, and their subsequent disposition. U. S. S. TUSOAROHA, Off Algeciras, March 1, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report to you that, on the 22d of February, I received from the U. S. consul at Tangier, James DeLong, esq., a notification that he had apprehended at that place Mr. Tunstall, late U. S. consul at Cadiz, and a Mr. Myers, the parser of the pirate Sum- ter, lying at Gibraltar; he stated that these persons were on their way to Cadiz to purchase coal for the Sumter. On investigating the question of jurisdiction, I was satisfied that Mr. DeLong had authority to arrest these persons; the governor of Tangier furnished him with a guard, and thus recognized the power of the consul. It was impossible for me to relax my watch on the Sumter, but on the arrival here on the 25th of the mo, I ordered that vessel to Tangier to take on board the prisoners and bring them to this place. The mo, having performed this service, returned here on the 27th I communicated to the governor of this town the fact of the presence of the ship in these waters, with prisoners on board; and also that, to avoid complaint on the part of the enemies of the United States, I had ordered the mo to sea. My orders to Acting Lieutenant Commanding Creesy were to cruise in the vicinity until he should fall in with a homeward-bound vessel, on board of which he is directed to place the prisoners, for passage to the United States, to be surrendered to the proper authorities. I have the honor to be, sir, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Letter from the U. S. consul at Tangier to Captain Craven, U. S Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, announcing arrest of Messrs. Myers and Tunstall. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, Tangier, February 21,1862. SIR: Have learned that two secessionists landed here yesterday from a merchant French steamer, Yule de Malaga, proceeding from Gibraltar on their route to Cadiz. One of them I am informed, from undoubted authority, is a lieutenant of the pirate Sumter; the other, Mr. Tunstall, has been acting as U. S. consul at Cadiz up to some time last summer, both of whom are commissioned to purchase coal at Cadiz to supply the Sumter, by her captain. This state of facts being presented to me, together with other relia. ble information in reference to the disloyalty of these men to the Fed- eral Government, induced me to take the necessary steps for their arrest, which I have done, and they are now held as prisoners in the U. S. consulate at this place. I now make the request that you come here at your earliest convenience possible, so that I may deliver the said Tunstall and Lieutenant John Smith, alias H. Myers, into your custody Page 311 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 311 to be conveyed by you to the United States on your return, and on your arrival there to be placed by you under the proper authority of the Federal Government of 1~ie United States of America, to be dealt with according to law, and this shall be your warrant for so doing. Given under my hand and the seal of the U. S. consulate at Tangier, Morocco, aforesaid, the day and year above written. [SEAL.] JAMES DE LONG, U. S. ConsUl. COMMANDER OF THE U. S. SLOOP OF WAR TUSCARORA. Letter from U. S. consul at Tangier to Captain Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, relative to prisoners Myers and Tunstall, and asking for Federal man-of-war in bay. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, Tangier, February 24, 1862. SIR: I have been expecting you daily since the 20th instant, but suppose you can not leave the Sumter. I have the united good will of the British minister here and all the consular corps, as well as the Moorish authorities. The first parties named are, of course, strictly neutral, but at the same time I am very unpleasantly situated. My guards are all Moors and the piisoners have tried several times to bribe them. First, they offered a valuable gold watch and $ too in gold. This is very tempting to semi-barbarians. They finally offered to secure to them $5,000 to assist them in making their escape. I had to put them in irons, and Myers got a case knife and sawed off the rivets, and got the irons off and jumped oat of the second story of the consulate, but fortunately into the consulate lot. He then got over the wall into the house of a Moor and was again arrested and taken back to his room, and the number of guards increased. I understand that there is a bitter feeling against you and myself in Gibraltar; against me for what I have done in this matter, and against you for some remarks you seem to have made. I have never had the honor to know you, but you will please excuse me for advising you to keep cool and calm and give no offense to anyone; it is hard to do so, for the English, a great many of them, are extremely insulting to the Federals, and are nearly all on the side of the rebels. I am informed that a Federal man-of-war arrived at Cadiz ou the 19th instant, and if you can not come after these men, will you dome the favor to telegraph to the captain of that man-of-war to come here immediately. It may be that the rebel portion of Europeans might combine with the Moors to raise a mob and try to have these men released. The captain of the Sumter is trying to get up a feeling in his favor for that purpose in Gibraltar, so by all means these persons should be placed on board of a Federal man-of-war as soon as possible, and I trust you will consider the very disagreeable position I am in and release me as soon as possible. Myers is a desperate man. He was commissioned in the Federal Navy on the 21st day of June, 1854, as paymaster with the rank of lieutenant, and is a citizen of the State of Georgia. About this there can be no possible doubt; I found out his name and his residence through Tunstall, and then referred to the U. S. Navy Register, on page 46, for the year 1861, and find Henry Myers as paymaster, etc., as above stated Page 312 312 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Excuse any mistake in my letter, as I write in great haste to get it ready for the boat about to leave. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedie~t servant, JAMES DELONG, U. S. Consul. COMMANDER OF THE TUSCARORA. P. S.I learned last evening that there is a secret movement on foot. The captain of the Sumter is making many false representations to accomplish some deep plot. I want the presence of a Federal man-of-war in the bay. J. DEL. Order from Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, to Acting Volun- teer Lieutenant 3. P. Creesy, commanding U. S. ship mo, to receive Confederate prisoners Myers and Tu.ustall. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Off Algeciras, February 25, 1862. SIR: You will proceed with the mo under your command to Tan- gier. On reaching that place you will confer with the U. S. consul, Jas. DeLong, with reference to the two rebel prisoners held by him, and deliver to him the accompanying letter. The consul will deliver to you the prisoners, whom you will receive on board and bring to this place for further instructions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. Lieutenant Commanding JOSIAH P. CREESY, U. S. Ship ho. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship mo, relative to arrest of Messrs. Myers and Tunstall at Tangier, and subsequent disposition of prisoners. U. S. SHIP INO, April 12, 1862. SIR: The above eommunication* must have been received by Captain Craven the next day (21st) [22d], and on the 22d Captain Craven sent telegram to Mr. Eggleston at Cadiz asking why the Leo did not come up. The consul, Mr. Eggleston, returned answer, The mo is a sail- ing ship, and will leave the first wind. The next morning the ho sailed, and arrived up at 3 a. m. of the 24th, twenty-onehours from Cadiz, against half a gale of wind from the eastward, going in with very dark weather. Burned two white and two red lights and sent up three rockets for the purpose of getting him to indicate to me his position, that I might anchor near him; but no notice was t~ ~e~t of my signals, and I was obliged to find my way in in the dark as beK I could; however, I was fortunate enough to anchor quite near him, and at daylight, sails being furled, I ordered the ships numbers hoisted, when he responded by hoisting two numbers with cornet over, and which F did not under- stand, consequently, having been up all nightin fact, had not left the deck for ten minutes from the time of getting nuder way at CadizJ went and turned in, with the hope of getting some sleep, bnt a half an hour after an officer was on board from the Tuscarora. I got up, gave him some newspapers, but asked no questions of the officer, which I *See p. 310 Page 313 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 313 might have done had he not been recalled by signal while selecting some papers for him. Alter this got breakfast and prepared to go on board the Tuscarora and on shore. At 11 oclock went on board.. Cap. tam Craven met me on deck and invited me below intr his son, who is, I believe, his clerk. oduced me to After a few preliminary remarks, he asked me if I had brought my papers with me. I replied I brought none, when he intimated I ought to have done so. Told him as a matter of conrtesy I might have done so, but did not feel that there was any obligation about it, as my instructions were specific; still I had no objection to his seeing them. Why, said he, I could send you to Rio de Janeho if I chose. Well, said I, perhaps that is so. Not wishing to argue any point with him, turned the conversation by asking what signal it was that he had made in the morning. He replied, I do not know, as I have no books. This struck inc as being very strange, his having the sig- nals and not the books; however, I made no ftirther allusion to it, but dropped the subject, when he commenced conversation by informing me that he had sent a telegram to Mr. Eggleston (to have me remain at Cadiz) yesterday, 23d. Told him [I] should not have been satisfied short of a sight of the & imter. He said he was very sorry I came up, as he did not want those of that vessel to see the ship. No allusion was made to the prisoners at Tangier during this inter- view. (Wind from eastward, and liable to change at any moment, when I could not have gone to Tangier with westerly wind.) This was the suiii and substance of the sanie. I next went on shore; was met by Mr. Robert Foreman, acting as the vice-consul, who introduced himself to me as the vice-consul. As such, I requested that he should go with and present me to the governor, He did so, and Ihadavery agreeable interview, after which he accompanied me on board the admirals ship to make my respects to him, and here, too, I was received with the greatest kindness and consideration. This over, I returned to my ship, and found no time to put foot upon the soil of Algeciras afterwards. The next day, at about 3 oclock p. in., Captain Craven made his first call on board the mo. I received him kindly amid had a pleasant iiterview, in the course of which asked what it was about two prisoners said to have been arrested by the consul at Tangier. He looked enquiringly at me, and made some apparently evasive remark, such as, I believe there were two men arrested there. I said to him that I inferred from his dispatch (of the 22d to Mr. Eggleston) that it was imnl)ortant 1 should be here, otherwise should have stopped there on my way up. (Here I would ask why he did not advise my doing so on my way up, when asking why the mo did not come up, and why should he telegraph to Mr. Eggleston on the 23d to have me remain at Cadiz ~ The reason given by him for this move and herein expressed would hardly appear to be. sufficient, under the circumstances.) Had I been passing through the straits in the daytime, should have called there upon the information I had already obtained by rumor at Cadiz. At this point the conversation changed by his asking how much provision I had on board. I informed him I had three or four months provisions, when he said he had only sufficient for a fortnight, and talked in such a way as to leave me with the impression that he wished me to negoti- ate for provisions for him, as he was not allowed to even send his boat to Gibraltar, owing to his having made himself obnoxious, as he had informed me verbally, by threatening under certain circumstances (cir- cumstances not explained) to fire into one of their men-of-war and let - the Government settle it afterwards. About this time Captain Crave Page 314 314 OPERATIONS OF TifE CRUiSERSUNION. returned to his ship and was back again before 4 oclock with letter of instructions, No. 2,* of this correspondence, and a letter to James De- Long, esq., U. S. consul at Tangier, Morocco, copy of which has been forwarded the Department. On receipt of these documents, Captain Craven having informed me that he had a mission of diplomacy to send me upon, I informed him I was most happy in the prospect of making myself useful, and should proceed to sea the moment there was sufficient wind to get underway. Made all preparations, hove short, and set all sail. Previous to this, however, received an anchor from the Tuscarora, which came alongside while preparing to leave. Got underway at dark, but wind failing, anchored in a few moments afterwards. At 2:30 a. m. of 26th, civil time, light breeze sprung up fortunately from E. N. E., made one stretch to the northward, tacked ship, and proceeded to Tangier, anchoring in that harbor at 7 a. in., in 10 fathoms water, letting go two anchors with 50 fathoms on each chain, wind blowing hard from the eastward. About 9 a. m. the health officer came alongside; took my bill of health, saying I was at liberty to go on shore. About 10 oclock proceeded to the landing, and to the U.S. consulate, accompanied by my paymaster, Mr. Train, Dr. Burge, and Mr. Turner (boat officer), masters mate. Here we niet Mr. DeLong, in a state of great excitement, aiid oveijoyedat seeing the long-looked-for relief. After relating the story of the arrest of the pirates, and complaining bitterly of the omission of Captain Craven tonotice his (consuls) letters, Mr. DeLong and myself proceeded to the residence of the , and had a pleasant interview with the governor. I informed him I should be glad to exchange the usual national civilities with him in the way of a salute. He requested to know at what hour, and I appointed 1 oclock, to which he assented, and at which time it came off, and then allusion was made to the object of my visit. On being made acquainted with it he offered no objection, but seemed to acquiesce in the movement. After alluding to the efforts made, and protests against such pro- ceedings by the captain of the Sumter and his emissaries, feeling that all was right, we returned to the consulate, where, in a very short time, an immense gathering of people had surrounded the consulate build- ings, and the first notice of it was the calling out of Mr. DeLong by one of his servants. A minute or two only had elapsed when Mr. DeLong returned, exclaiming: For Gods sake, gentlemen, what shall we do; there is a mob surrounding the building to prevent the prison- ers being removed. At this, a voluntary move was made by all to rush to the door and see what was up. On reaching the same Mr. DeLong, my officers, and self made our way into the court leading to the con- salate, cansing the mob to fall back, the same being very clamorous for the liberation of the two prisoners. Some of them, and one in particu- lar, who spoke English fluently and appeared to be one of the principal leaders of the mob, called loudly for the captain. On being informed who that person was, he addressed himself to me in a very boisterous manner, saying there were 200 men present ready to sign a paper that those prisoners should not be taken away from Tangier. I informed them that they would go, nevertheless. Libertad seemed to be the watchword with them. We then returned to the consulate, where I wrote a note and sent on board for 30 men, to be accompanied by my first and second officers, and armed with revolvers and cutlasses, bringing at the same time a sufficient number of pistols for the use of those already on shore. *SOe p. 312 Page 315 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 315 This over, the men and officers came on shore, when soon a report came that they had all been shut up in the custom-house. Upon receipt of this information J at once proposed to go again to the governors, and demand that they should be immediately released and allowed to proceed to the consulate, etc. Consequently the consul, myself, Mr. Train, and Dr. Barge went through the greatest crowd of rabble that in all probability ever congregated in the streets of Tangier to the governors, which, after a long interview, and Mr. De Long informing him that he should haul down his flag and leave the Moorish dominions, was complied with r8ic]. The governor acqniesced, and sent a messenger to allow them to proceed to the consulate, where they were met byus on return to the consulate. At this time Isaw and had my first interview with the prisoners, who were disposed to complain; but cutting that short, I asked them if they were disposed to go quietly with me on board the mo. They desired to know what I was going to do with them. I told them it was my purpose to take them to Algeciras, when Tunstall, ex-consul at Cadiz, alinded to Captain Cravens being over there, and stated that he was a relation of his. I then demanded an answer to my question, when they both expressed their readiness to go. I then retnrned to the audience room, where my officers, men, and the consul had remained during my interview with the prisoners. Here I addressed my officers and men, also the consul, informing them of the danger and risk to be incurred in this determination I had come to to take the prisoners at all hazards, stating to theni we were engaged in a righteous cause, and that the Government of the United States expects every man to do his duty; consequently, this being our duty, we will proceed to perform it, knowing as I do that every man in this room will go with me to the death. At this three hearty cheers were given, every man manifesting his readiness for the work. Here Mr. IDeLong also made some remarks to the purpose, and which were well received, after which Sir Drammnond Hay, British minister, called upon Mr. J)eLong, apparently to discourage his action in the matter of send. ing these men away (the prisoners), but as Mr. IDeLong has probably communicated to the Department the object of his visit, it is useless for me to make further comment. At about 5:30 p. m. the prisoners were taken, each carried by two men. Officers and men formed in line, double file, and proceeded to the landing, the multitude falling back at our approach. No attempt was made to rescue them after leaving the con- sulate. I arrived safely on board the ship, Mr. DeLong having accom- panied me on board, where he remained until 9 oclock p. in., and returned home, expecting to see me in the morning, as I had prom- ised him I should expect him off so as to give him the accustomed salute. It was calm at this time, but at midnight a light breeze springing up off the land, and having some doubt about the propriety of remaining, concluded it best to depart. Accordingly got underway at midnight and proceeded to Algeciras, where I anchored at 5 oclock a. In., having been absent twenty-six hours. In coming to in this place, I was unfortunate in giving some of the Spanish vessels a foul berth, from which was enabled to extricate her without the aid of steam. It was blowing fresh throughout the day, which prevented the ship from swinging and from colliding with one of the steamers. Notwithstanding my men were nearly worn out from real hard work and want of sleep, they were obliged to be on deck the most of the day heaving in chain and paying, as occasion required, to prevent trouble and damage; weather rainy. Having anchored at 5 oclock I received before 10 my second commun Page 316 316 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. cation (No.3) from Captain Craven, which was replied to by mine (No. 3), to which I refer you, the same being sent to him by his messenger, the bearer of No. 4 to me. On receipt of my No. 3, no notice having been taken of his No. 4, he called to see me, and his object appeared to be to ascertain what I intended to do with the prisoners. I informed him that I intended to crnise near the rock till falling in with some American ship to send them home by, after which should convoy her to 90 west and return to this vicinity. He seemed a little excited, but no unpleasant words passed between ns. The above was the substance of this interview. I had expected the wind wonid moderate toward sundown, at which time I intended to get underway and had run a hawser to the Spanish frigate ahead of me to a~sist me in doing so. I had by this time got one anchor and had hove in to the 30-fathom shackle on the other chain by which was holding on, when I set the topsails; but instead of moderating it was increasing, consequently, was very anxious, fearing a gale of wind, which might result in great damage to the mo, one of the Spanish steamers, and the loss of my prisoners. These circumstances induced me to apply to Captain Craven to tow my ship into safety, when I could get to sea. Having sent No. 5 note, and getting No. 5, declining to assist inc before morning, was induced to send note No. 6, at 10 oclock p. in., when he returned answer saying he would help me in the morning; also that I might have got underway at any time during the day, and, therefore, he was not responsible for the delay, and took no notice of my appeal in behalf of the safety of the ship, which came as near being destroyed as she could be and yet miss it. After receiving this last refusal I then sent a note to the captain of the Spanish frigate, to which vessel I was then fast by a hawser. He immediately had his own boat manned with 20 men, took my officer with him, and went to the admirals ship to see if he would be allowed to do so. I refer you to the note of the admiral. During the absence of the boat it came to blow a very heavy gale, during which the ship broke adrift (topsail furled at this time), the second anchor let go, and when she brought up she swung to the wind, clearing another man-of-war steamer by not more than a foot space between the mos spanker boom and tIme steamers bow, and only about 25 or 30 feet between the vesseis, as they lay head to the wind. My boat was unable to get back before half past 2 oclock in the morning. At daylight the commodore or admiral sent to know if he could assist me when I informed him I would be glad of assistance if he could send me some men to assist in getting my anchors. At this time wind had abated very much. They sent 60 men on board to heave in my chains, but after awhile they gave that up, returned to the steamer, got up steam, and moved out of my way. The steamer which was lying the other side of me was also ordered to do the same thing. This gave me all the chance I wanted for getting away, and I never shall forget or cease to feel thankful for the kindness they manifested toward me in givingthis timely aid. Notwithstanding Captain Cravens assertion that he would help me in the morning, he did not offer to do so; in fact, he never came or sent to see if he could aid me, but when nearly underway he sent his last communication, of which I took no notice, but proceeded to sea, with everybody pretty well used up. Cruised to the eastward of the rock for five days, with wind from the westward. On 5th March, with wind to the eastward, proceeded through the straits; called off Cadiz to forward dispatches, feelin Page 317 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 317 doubtful of those sent from Algeciras ever reaching their intended destination. Off Cadiz fell iii with the Harvest Home, put my prisoners on board, and accompanied her down off Cape St. Vincent, then returned to Cadiz on the 8th. Left there on the 11th, and anchored at Tangier on the 12th. Found Mr. IDeLong, apparently a little annoyed at my apparent abrupt departure when leaving with the prisoners; but on explaining the importance of the move, he appeared to be quite satis~ fled. He informed me that he had received 110 letters from me in explanation of my leaving. This I was fearful of that my letters would not reach him, but on showing him copies of the letters I had sent him from Algeciras (including Captain Cravens letters to me), he was quite satisfied that I had acted wisely in leaving as I did. He stated that if Captain Craven came within his jurisdiction he would arrest and send him home. During my absence from Tangier he was over to Algeeii as, and returned to the same place with me on the 13th instant. When reaching Algeciras, I fonnd the Kearsarge, Captain Pickering, very desirous that I should proceed to Palermo in search of two steamers, the Oreto and Bermuda, reported to be bound to that l)lace to fit away as privateers; con sequently, feeling that the Sumter could not possibly get away from Gibraltar, and that the Department would approve of this course, I gladly assented, and left the following day for said place. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, JOSIAH P. CREESY, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. Ship Inc. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. 0. Letter from the U. S. charge daffaires at Madrid to Captain Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, relative to receiving Messrs. Myers and Tunstall on board of Tuscarora. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Madrid, February 26, 1862. CAPTAIN: After welcoming you to this coast, where the presencc of the privateer Sumter has long called for the attention of our Navy, I beg to say that Mr. Sprague, U. S. consul at Gibraltar and consular agent for Algeciras, has reported to me the arrest, by U. S. Consul DeLong, at Tangier, of a person calling himself a lieutenant of the Sumter, in company with Mr. Tunstall, late U. S. consul at Cndiz, who was deprived of his consulate for alleged infidelity to the Goveriiment he was serving. In reference to this case I feel it my duty to inform you that I do not regard the proceeding alluded to iii the way it seems to have struck Mr. Sprague, according to his communication to you of 19th instant. The rules of nentrality vary in different states, and especially the rules which obtain among civilized nations are not applicable to the Mohammedan or senil-barbarous powers. Consuls enjoy in Morocco an almost absolute jurisdiction over the persons of their fellow-citizens or subjects, to the exclusion of the local jurisdiction of the town or that of the Emperor. Mr. DeLong therefore infringes no rule of public law in arresting a citizen of the United States found within his jurisdiction, for the crime of treason or for robbery on the high seas, any more tha Page 318 318 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. if the arrest were for any other crime, and I beg you, if you can manage it without losing sight of the Sumter herself, to attend to Mr. IDeLongs request and to receive the persons he has arrested aboard your ship as prisoners to be taken home to the United States for trial under our laws. A telegram to the same effect has been sent you to-day, of which please find a copy enclosed. Respectfully, etc., your obedient servant, HORATIO J. PERRY, U. S. tiihargJ dAffaircs. Captain CRAVEN, Commanding U. S. Steam Corvette Tusoarora, at Algeciras. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship mo, relative to disposing of prisoners Myers and Tunstall, and enclosing correspondence relating thereto. U. S. Snir INo, Algeciras Roads, February 27, 1862. SIR: Enclosed with this please find accompanying documents, which will explain the object of my going to sea to-day. Shall cruise near the rock of Gibraltar till falling in with an American ship to send home my prisoners, succeeding in finding which, shall convoy her through the strait as far as 90 west longitude and return to this vicinity, where I shall hope to find the Sumter still remaining; shall look out that she does not pass out without being intercepted. I am so much fatigued for want of rest and sleep that I can not write you so fully as I wish. Owing to rough weather had no opportunity to do any writing on my passage from Boston to Cadiz, and on arrival was so much fatigued as to be unable to give my mind to it. After getting clear of my prisoners, or previous to that, I may have an opportunity to finish up to date of my next. I regret to say that in coming to in this road I lost an anchor and 15 fathoms of chain in 11 fathoms of water. The place where lost was buoyed, and Captain Craven has volunteered to get it for me. This was when I left for Tangier; but while away the weather was bad and he could not get it, but says he will do so after I leave. I obtained from him another anchor and receipted for same. I left my boat davits to be straightened at Algeciras when leaving for Tangier, but to-day I learn they have not as yet been sent from the Tuscarora to the smiths. Captain Craven says to-day he will have it attended to. My boat lost on passage out I have not replaced, nor other damage sustained have I had replaced. Perhaps the whole, anchor and chain exclusive, will not amount to more than $200. I beg to call your attention to the fact of having no specie on board. That which was promised by the paymaster at Boston navy yard did not come, but Treasury notes were substituted for the same. This I did not know till about leaving the pilot, at which time I wrote to Com- modore Hudson requesting him to notify the Department, that I may be placed with credit to supply my wants at Cadiz, and feeling I may be in this vicinity some time I should be glad to be relieved by draft on Cadiz or at Algeciras or at Gibraltar. Either of the consuls would be able to communicate with mc at iutervals and signify that I should b Page 319 OPIA~PiONS 013 THE CRULSERSIJNION. 319 :it liberty to draw when in possession of the necessary credit without more time. I am, sir, with the highest respect, your faithful servant, JOSIAH P. CREESY, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Hon. GIDEoN WELLES, Secretary United States Navy. [Enclosures.] [U. S. S.] TUSCARORA, February 27, 1862. DEAR SIR: If you have not yet sent the pirates on shore I would like to see you on the matter. Very respectfully, T. AUGS. CRAYEN~ Commanding. Lieutenant Commanding J. P. CR~sy, U. S. Ship mo. [Endorsement.] Commander Craven came to see me. J. P.C. U. S. S. TUSCARORA, Off Algeciras, February 27, 1862. SIR: On examination into the laws of neutrality I find we have no Tight to detain prisoners in the port of a neutral; the alternative is presented of going to sea or releasing the prisoners and sending them on shore. Under such circumstances, you will therefore release the rebel prisoners you have on board. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN. Commander. Lieutenant Commanding J. P. CREESY. U. S. SHIP INO, Off A igeciras, February 27, 1862. SIR: I am in receipt of your favor of the above date, and note its con- tents. Without further comments than to say I positively decline to give these men up, and in coming to this conclusion, having no other alternative, shall proceed to sea immediately, where I can carry out my instructions quite as much to the interest of the Uovernment as to be lying here. Meantime remain, your most obedient servant, JOSIAH P. CREESY, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Captain T. AUGS. CRAVEN, U. S. Ship Tusearora Page 320 320 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Telegram.] MADRID, February 27,186212:25 p. m. (Received Algeciras, 1:15 p. in.) Pray take the Tangier prisoncrs in custody aboard your ship, if it can be done without losing sight of the Sumter. Letter to-day. HORATIO J. PERRY, Oharg~ dAffaires. Captain CRAVEN, On board Steamer Tuscarora. Report of Commander Pickering, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Kearsarge, relative to cruise from Portsmouth, N. II., and that the C. S. S. Sumter was last heard of at Gibraltar. U. S. STEAM SLOOP KEARSAR~E, Madeira, February 22, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival of the Kearsargc at this port to-day at 5 oclock p. In., with 67~ tons coal in her bunkers, after a rough and boisterous passage of seventeen days and three hours from Portsmouth, N. H., having been seven days and eight hours under steam. Before leaving Portsmouth I was directed per telegraph to touch at the Western islands, and it was my intention, though against my judg- ment, to have obeyed the order literally, ami to have touched at Fayal, but after the loss of my boats, ar stated below, and the necessity of relieving myself of the launch, which encumbers my forward pivot gun, I determined to run for this port, where I shall leave the boat and pick her up on my return westward. I learn from the U. S. consul at this place that the Sumter has left Cadiz and was last heard of at Gibraltar, which port she was ordered to leave within twenty-four hours. I shall lose no tune here further than is necessary to water and coal, though I much thar, from the engineers report (respectfully enclosed) that the machinery will unavoid- ably detain me two or three days longer, in which case Ii shall repair and extend hammock nettings, and replace the head fixtures, etc., the want of which is a serious inconvenience to the crew. I wish 1 could make a favorable report of thevessel,but am con- strained to say that with her present weight of armament she is only adapted to river and harbo. defense. Her bulwarks and combings of hatches are so extremely low, and she rolls so deeply, as to force the necessity of battening down the hatches even in moderate gales. During the passage there has not been a day in which it would have been at all safe to cast loose the pivot guns. On the third day out my waist boats were driven from their fit sten- ings and the weight brought upon the davits which, being inadequate in strength, were doubled up like so many priming wires. The lee boat, containing the diughey, was swept from the ships side. The weather boat, or launch, after great exertion, was got inboard and secured, though not until she was stove. The straps of the waist boats being secured or supported by iron rods, toggled in the middle of the hammock nettings, tore adrift the hammock cloths, and hurled some dozen hammocks into the sea. As n~ davits or any preparations were made for carrying the gig, I was obliged to leave her at Ports- mouth. Thus it will be seen that after the loss of the first cutter an Page 321 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSTJNION. 321 dinghey, and the bilging of the launch, I was left with but two quarter boats, and they so curiously secured as to render it impossible to get either into the water, even in smooth weather, in anything short of twenty minutes. On the second day out, immediately after getting into rough water, I found my cabin aiid stateroom flooded from two sources, the imper- fect fitting of the quarter gallery water works (rendering this con- venience useless during the passage) and the flow of water over the rudder head, which is cut off near a level of the water line; and the steering quadrant preventing a sufficient height to the rudder easing renders it almost hopeless of remedy. In moderate weather 1 have been obliged to walk about the cabin on gratings, and in rough weather in India-rubber boots. Notwithstanding the constant bailing of water from the cabin day and night, it found its way into the wardroom and endangered the magazines, from the passage of which, in moderate weather, the water was bailed out before it overflowed the risings at magazine doors. It is hazardous in any vessel, especially a steamer, and at this season, to be fitted without spare tiller or relieving tackles. This vessel has neither, while her wheel ropes are badly fitted. The hammock nettin gs are so shallow, and extend so short a distance from forward aft, that with the best stowage not more than three. fourths of the hammocks can be stowed, leaving some forty to be stowed about deck. The shell rooms also being found wanting in capacity for the accommodation of shell, one of the sail rooms was diverted from its object to meet the requirements in the ordnance department, thus leaving ships and boats awnings, wind sails, etc., to be stowed about decks. On the 10th of February the head railings and head fixtures were washed away, and hammock nettings stove, which circumstance, together with the constant and suffocating smoke upon the berth deck, occasioned by the diminutive diameter of the galley smoke pipe, has rendered the crew exceedingly uncomfortable and swelled the sick list during the passage. .The air ports fore and aft the ship leaked badly, in spite of all the screwing that was safe to put npon them none of them could be removed until our arrival here, when it was found they were packed with satinet instead of fearnaught, and that furnished in the ships stores I find but little better, being one-third cotton. The engines have performed well during the passage out, for new engines, requiring stoppages only for keying up and heated journals. The greatest speed, under the most favorable circumstances, without the assistance of sails, has been 84 miles per hour; under sail, without steam, scudding under close-reefed topsails and propeller disconnected, she has frequently made 10 and 11 knots per hour; lays to perfectly well with propeller disconnected under close-reefed fore and main top- sails and close-reefed spanker, cirrying two spokes lee helm. I would respectfully suggest that in steamers of this class 3 or 4 feet additional beam would add to their stability, capacity, buoyancy, and efficiency, enabling them to fight their guns with safety in a sea- way, give space for the stowage of ammunition, stores, etc. (the want of which in this ship is a lamentable and serious evil), and dimiuish the draft, all of which points are of the highest importance. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, C. W. PICKERING, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Commander. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. 123A 2 Page 322 322 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Letter from Acting Volunteer Lieutenant (Jreesy, U. S. Navy, command- ing U. S. ship mo, to Commander T. A. Craven, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, expressing desire to cooperate in pursuit of C. S. S. Sumter. U. S. Snip INO, Algeciras Lloads, February 25, 1862. SIR: Being here in pursuit of the pirate Sumter, and supposing you to be on the same mission, viz, the capture or destruction of that ves- sel, I beg to say that I am ready to cooperate with you for the further- ance of that object so far as it is consistent with my instructions from the Navy Department. Any suggestions from you upon the subject will be received with the highest consideration for your rank, station, and personal worth. Meantime I remain, sir, Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSIAH P. CREESY, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding U. S. ship mo. Captain T. A. CRAVEN, U. S. S. Tuscarora. Report of Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tusca- rora, of his arrival at Gibraltar and enclosing correspondence with the colonial authorities there. U. S. S. TITSCARORA, Off Algeciras, February 25, 1862. Sin: I have the honor to report to you that, in pursuance of my intentions, of which you were informed in my letter of 3d instant, I, after the escape of the Nashville, caine direct to Gibraltar, fortunately find- ing the pirate Sumter at anchor on my arrival there, February 12. Immediately after my arrival I was visited by one of the governors aids, who served upon me a printed copy of the neutrality notice of 31st January, accompanied by a letter from the colonial secretary, who, under the direction of the governor, requested me to signify my com- pliance with the rules laid down. My reply to the secretary is exhib- ited in the accompanying copy, marked A. In accordance with the rules, I left the waters of Gibraltar in about twenty-four hours after my arrival there, and anchored on the Spanish side of the bay. On the 19th I sent a boat across the bay, with the surgeon and pay- master, to place an invalid on board of a homeward-bound vessel then underway; this service performed, the officers had my permission to land at Gibraltar and send the boat immediately back to the ship. On the 20th instant I was surprised to receive a letter signed jointly by the governor and senior naval officer, copy ot which, marked B, is herewith enclosed. This letter I consider as offensive and insulting throughout, and as offering indignity to my Government. Upon the mere accusation of a deeply dyed traitor to our country, a man who had violated his oath of fidelity to the laws and Constitution of the United States, a man whose chief boast is that he has plundered, robbed, and destroyed the unarmed merchant vessels of our countryI say, upon the bare complaint of this perjured man, I found myself con- demned, without a hearing, of having committed an official impropriety in taking undue advantage of my position, and thus summarily sen- tenced to abstain from sending my boats across the bay Page 323 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 323 Fully satisfied that under the rules I had a right to proceed to Gibraltar at any time, with this ship, and remain there twenty-four hours, I can not perceive any impropriety in sending a boat to that place, nor did I for one moment suppose that such an act could be tor- tured into a breach of neutrality. I could not but feel that the joiiit letter of the two officers named instigated as it was by the complaint of a pirate, was an affront to the tlah under which I have the honor to serve; my l)atience had been already taxed to the utmost at Southampton, and it was hardly to be expected that nuder this new indignity I should remain silent. It must be remembered that the charge against me came from the avowed and bitter foe of my country, who. in add ition to the other evils inflicted by him on the citizens of the United States, now sought to annoy and obstruct me in the discharge of my duties~ How could I, under all the circumstances, be expected to meet with patience a grave accusation from such a sourcean accusation which resulted in seriously inter- fering with mel If I have used harsh epithets in speaking of the captaiu of the Sum- ter, they are only such as his course for the past year has entitled him to, and it is vain to say that inasmuch as the British Government have made a quasi recognition of the rebel States, I, an officer of the United States, must so govern my language as to suit the taste of those who afford comfort, if not aid, to the enemies of my greatly suffering country. It was an injustice to me, as well as an offense , thus to have condemned and censured me without having given me an opportunity for explanation. A copy of my reply to the joint letter is marked C, and there is noth- ing in it that I can wish to change. Early in the morning of the 22d instant I dispatched a boat to Gib- raltar, with a communication (copy marked D) for the governor; in the course of the same day I received by mail a letter (copy marked E) dated 21st, to which I was preparing an equally courteous reply when I was visited by an officer having two letters (copies marked F and G). To neither of these last documents have I made any reply, believing that a correspondence of such asperity is productive of no benefit, and even in my own defense I can not, with dignity, communicate through the only channel left to me, which I consider as a restriction not becom- ing to my position. In submitting to you this correspondence I have but little to add. To a calm and dispassionate examination of the case it will be evident that whatever of offense has occurred was not through initiation on may part. I was yesterday visited by the U. S. consul for Gibraltar on the subject of this correspondence; he had received a visit in reference to the matter from Captain Warden, at whose instance he called on the governor, with whom he discussed it. It appears they wanted an apology, or some explanation from me. As I had none to make, I declined further writing unless the unbecoming restrictions were removed. I told the consul he might say to the governor that I intended no disrespect to him personally or officially; that I had felt that an indignity had been inflicted on me, and had met it with what I considered a becoming tone; that the governor had no right to take offense at my having applied to the pirate captain the only epithets which, under the laws of the United States, appertain to him In the course of the interview previously held with the governor by the consul, the governor informed him that by his construction of th Page 324 324 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. rules, the Sumter might remain at Gibraltar as long as the captain desired. This intimation will of itself indicate the true position of affairs. In direct contrast with the remarkable treatment I have received from the British authorities, I am gratified to speak of the courtesies of the Spanish officers on shore and in the large squadron at anchor here. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. [Enclosures.] SECRETARYS OFFICE, Gibraltar, February 12, 1862. SIR: I am directed by his Excellency the governor to enclose an official copy of rules laid down with regard to belligerent vessels enter- ing this port. These rules are a confirmation of those which have pre. viously been imposed upon and observed by the commander of the C. S. S. Sumter, by a letter dated 28th ultimo, an extract from which is as follows: You are aware of the determination of her Majestys Government to maintain the strictest neutrality in the hostilities which are now being carried on between the United and the Confederate States of North America. In order to cause that neu- trality to be effectually respected throughout the Queens dominions, her Majesty has directed (in accordance with a long-established European practice) that no ship of war, privateer, or other armed vessel helongiug to either of the belligerents, which shall anchor in any British port, shall be allowed to quit her anchorage within twenty-four hours after any vessel helonging to the adverse belligerent, whether armed or unarmed, shall have left the same port. In order to give effect to her Majestys orders I am to desire that, on the arrival of any such armed vessel in any port or roadstead within your Government, you will notify this rule to her commander, and will inform him that in case he should infringe it, his Government will be held responsible by that of Great Britain for violating the neutrality of British waters. I forward the extract in order that there shall be no misunderstand- ing as to this rule being in force at once at Gibraltar. It is necessary to inform you that any act of hostility attempted within the jurisdiction of Gibraltar will be at once prevented by all means at the disposal of the English authority. It would be agreeable to the governor to know that your understand- ing of the obligations of international law is similar to that herein laid down, arid that you will act accordingly, in which case he would repose full confidence in you (as he has in others) that the neutrality of this port would not be infringed. The governor communicated on the 6th instant to the commander of the Sumter his desire that no person under the rank of an officer should land or be sent to the water port or other parts of this fortress armed, and he requests you will give similar orders to those under your com- mand. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, S. FREELING-, Colonial Secretary. [Commander T. A. CRAVEN, Commanding U. S. S. Tusearora. Page 325 OPI~1IATIONS OF TH1~ CRUIS sUNION. [Enclosure.] NOTICE. SECRETARYS OFFICE, Gibraltar, February 10, 1862. The following copy of a letter from Earl Russell to the lords com- missioners of the admiralty is hereby published for general information. By command. S. FREELING, Colonial Secretary. FORETA~N OFFICE, January 81, 1862. Her Majesty, being fully determined to observe the duties of neutral- ity during the existing hostilities between the United States and the States calling themselves the Confederate States of America, and being, moreover, resolved to prevent as far as possible the nse of her Majestys harbors, ports, and coasts, and the waters withiii her Majestys terri- torial jurisdiction, iii aid of the warlike purposes of either belligerent, has commanded me to communicate to your lordships for your guidance the following rules, which are to be treated and enforced as her Maj- estys orders and directions. Her Majesty is pleased further to command that these rules shall be put in force in the United Kingdom and in the Channel Islands on and after Thursday, the 6th of February next, and in her Majestys terri- tories and possessions beyond the seas six days after the day when the governor or other chief authority of such territories or possessions, respectively, shall have notified and published the same, stating in such notification that the said rules are to be obeyed by all persons within the same territories and possessions. I. During the continuance of the present hostilities between the Government of the United States of North America and the States calling themselves the Confederate States of America,~~ or until her Majesty shall otherwise order, no ship of war or privateer belonging to either of the belligerents shall be permitted to enter, or remain in the port of Nassau, or in any other port, road stead, or waters of the Bahama Islands, except by special leave of the lieutenant-governor of the Bahama Islands, or in case of stress of weather. If any such ves- sel should enter such port, roadstead, or waters, by special leave, or under stress of weather, the authorities of the place shall require her to put to sea as soon as possible, without permitting her to take in any supplies beyond what may be necessary for her immediate use. If; at any time when this order is first notified in the Bahama Islands, there shall be any such vessel already within any port, roadstead, or waters of those islands, the lieutenant-governor shall give notice to such vessel to depart, and shall require her to pat to sea within such time as he shall, under the circumstances, consider proper and reasonable. If there shall then be ships of war or privateers belonging to both the said belligerents within the territorial jurisdiction of her Majesty, in or near the same port, roadstead, or waters, the lieutenant-governor shall fix the order of time in which such vessels shall depart. No such vessels of either belligerents shall be permitted to put to sea until after the expiration of at least twenty-four hours from the time when the last preceding vessel of the other belligerent (whether the same shall be a ship of war, or privateer, or merchant ship) which shall have left the port, roadstead, or waters, or waters adjacent thereto, shall have passed beyond the territorial jurisdiction of her Majesty Page 326 326 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUfSERSUNIO~. II. During the continuance of the present hostilities between the Government of the United States of North America and the States calling themselves the Confederate States of America, ~ all shipsof war and privateers of either belligerent are prohibited from making nse of any port or roadstead in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or in the Channel Islands, or in any of her Majestys col- onies or foreign possessions or dependencies, or of any waters subject to the territorial jurisdiction of the British Crown as a station or place of resort for any warlike purpose, or for the purpose of obtaining any facilities of warlike equipment; and no ship of war or privateer of either belligerent shall hereafter be permitted to sail out of or leave any port, roadstead, or waters, subject to British jurisdiction, froni which any vessel of the other belligerent (whether the same shall be a ship of war, a privateer, or a merchant ship) shall have previously departed, until after the expiration of at least twenty-four hours from the departure of such last-mentioned vessel beyond the territorial juris- diction of her Majesty. III. If any ship of war or privateer of either belligerent shall, after the time when this order shall be first notified and put in force in the United Kingdom and in the Channel Islands, and in the several colo- nies and foreign possessions and dependencies of her Majesty, respec- tively, enter any port, roadstead, or waters belonging to her Majesty, either in the United Kingdom or in the Channel Islands, or in ai~yof her Majestys colonies or foreign possessions or dependencies, such ves- sel shall be required to (lepart and to put to sea within twenty-four hours after her entrance into such port, roadstead, or waters, except in case of stress of weather or of her requiring provisions or things nec- essary for the subsistence of her crew, or repairs; in either of which cases the authorities of the port, or of the nearest port, as the case may be, shall require her to put to sea as soon as possible after the expiration of such period of twenty-four hours, without permitting her to take in supplies beyond what may be necessary for her imme- diate use; and no such vessel which may have been allowed to remain within British waters for the purpose of repair shall continue in any such Port, roadstead, or waters for a longer period than twenty-four hours after her necessary repairs shall have been completed: Pro- vided nevertheless, That in all cases in which there shall be any vessels (whether ships of war, privateers, or merchant ships) of both the said belligerent parties in the same port, roadstead, or waters within the territorial jurisdiction of her Majesty, there shall be an interval of not less than twenty-four hours between the departure therefrom of any such vessel (whether a ship of war, privateer, or a merchant ship), of the one belligerent, and the subsequent departure therefrom of any ship of war or privateer of the other belligerent; and the times hereby limited for the departure of such ships of war and privateers, respect- ively, shall always, in case of necessity, be extended so far as may be requisite for giving effect to this proviso, but not further or otherwise. IV. No ship of war or privateer of either belligerent shall hereafter be permitted, while in any port, roadstead, or waters subject to the territorial jurisdiction of her Majesty, to take in any supplies, except provisions and such other things as may be requisite for the subsist- ence of her crew, and except so much coal only as may be sufficient to carry such vessel to the nearest port of her own country, or to some nearer destination; and no coal shall be again supplied to any such ship of war or privateer, in the same or any other port, roadstead, or waters subject to the territorial jurisdiction of her Majesty, without specia Page 327 OPERATIONS OF TILE CRUISERSUNION. 327 permission, until after the expiration of three months from the time when such coal may have been last supplied to her within British waters as aforesaid. I have, etc., RUSSELL. A. U. S. S. TUSGARORA, Gibraltar Bay, February 13, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of the 12th instant, enclosing a copy of the rules respecting belligerents. His Excellency the governor may rest assured that it is my intention to comply with all the requirements of British neutrality. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. S. FREELING, Esq., Cobujal Secretary. B. GIBRALTAR, Pebruary 20, 1862. SIR: A boat from the Tuscarora, now at anchor at Algeciras, came across the bay yesterday morning. Captain Semmes complains that she pulled round the Sumter as if watching her. It is necessary for the maintenance of the neutrality of this port that advantage should not be taken of the close proximity of a foreign anchorage, in some places only 2~ miles distant, in aid of any warlike purpose. Considering, as we do, that the presence of the boat repre- sents the ship herself, we are of opinion that its presence under such circumstance is an infringement of the rules of which you were given a copy on the 12th instant. We therefore request you will be good enough, during the stay of the Tuscarora in the Spanish waters of this bay, to abstain from sending your boats at all into these waters. We have 1iie honor to be, sir, your obedient servants, W. J. CoDRI~GToN, Lieutenant- General and Governor. FRED. WARDEN, Senior Captain. [Commander T. A. CRAVEN, Commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora.] C. U. S. S. TUSOARORA, Off Algeciras, February 20, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of this day. The complaint of the captain of the pirate Sumter is without a shadow of truth. I summoned before inc the coxswain of the boat, and in the presence of the officer who brought me your letter asked him as to what course he steered in returning from Gibraltar yesterday. He said he came straight across, passing somewhat to th Page 328 32$ OPERATIONS OF THE ORUISEIISUNION. southward of the Warrior. The boat was sent over on business of the ship, and from the course taken by the officer of the boat I know, from my own observation, that he made a great circuit to the southward. I am mortified, sir, in being compelled to make these explanations against accusations of one who is regardless of truth or honorable sentiment. Your request that I will not send boats to Gibraltar deprives me of sending for mails or communicating with the U. S. consul, and I must in good faith enquire of you whether it is right that on the false accusation of a notorious corsair you should desire to prohibit me from intercourse with the town under your command. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. AuGs. CRAvEN, Commander. General Sir WILLIAM [J.] (I5ODRINGTON, Governor of Gibraltar. D. U. S. S. TUSOARORA, Off Algeciras, February 22, 1862. SIR: II have the honor to submit to you that, on my arrival in the waters of Gibraltar on the 12th instant, I received from the colonial secretary, under your instructions, an official copy of Rules laid down with regard to belligerent vessels entering the port. In accordance with those rules, I, with the vessels under my command, promptly departed from British waters. I observe, however, that the corsair Sumter remained iu undisturbed possession of her anchorage at Gibral- tar. May I ask, sir~, under what section of the ~ that vessel is permitted to remain in British waters [from] which a vessel belonging to the United States is excluded ~ In behalf of the Government of the United States, and under the well- defined ruling of international law, I have to protest against what appears to be a departure from these ~ which require that neu- trals shal] be strictly impartial and honest. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. AUGS. CRAVEN, Commander. General Sir WM. [J.] CoDRINGToN, Governor of Gibraltar. E. GIBRALTAR, February 21, 1862. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday, and to express my regret that you should think it necessary to use such terms in your correspondence with me as the captain of the pirate Sumter, notorious corsair, and a man regardless of truth or hon- orable sentiment. I do not wish unnecessarily to be made the recipient of terms of abuse leveled against a~nyone; still less against an officer who, in his written and personal communications with me, under circumstances of annoy- ance and difficulty to himself, has not forgotten what is due to his ow Page 329 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 329 position and to the position of those with whom he was in correspond- ence. The Government of England has recognized the United States and the so called Confederate States of America to be belligerents, with belligerent rights. You are aware of this fact, and it renders your terms of pirate and notorions corsair, applied to a Confederate ves- sel in this anchorage, incorrect and offensive to the anthority thus granting and maintaining the rights of neutrality. You have not touched upon the main ground of the decision of Cap- tain Warden and myself as to your boats coming into Gibraltar from Algeciras, viz, that they are in law part of the ship itself, and that their presence here, coming from Spanish waters close to Gibraltar, is an infringement of rules which must be observed. With regard to your being deprived of sending for mails or communicating with the U. S. consul of Gibraltar whilst you are at Algeciras, and your enquiry as to my desire to prohibit you from intercourse with this place, I can only say that the decision of Captain Warden and myself, in our joint let- ter of yesterday, refers only to the point mentioned in that letter. The use of this anchorage will be given and limited to both belligerents equally; but it is not right for one belligerent to obtain for his ship the advantage of absence in a neighboring foreign port, and of presence at the same time in this port by means of his boats. It would have been better to have made strict enquiry into the facts as to the course taken by your boat before you declared the complaint to be without a shadow of truth. I have to inform you that your boat did not pass straight across from the water port to you, and that it did not pass somewhat to the southward of the Warrior. Your boat went out of its straight course materially; it passed to the east, to the north, to west, and pretty close to the Sumter; it passed north and west of the port vessel; afterwards between the P. and 0. hulk and II. M. S. Warrior, going to the north of the Warrior. These i~tcts are established by English officers who saw your boat. I regret the necessity of having thus to remark upon the expressions and statements in your letter. Difficult questions arise, and official differences may take place under the painful circumstances of the war between the Northern and Southern States of America; but it has ever been, and will still be a pleasure to me to show to the Navy of the United States the consideration and hospitality which the English Government wishes to afford to all those who make use of the harbors under its control. Jam, sir, yourobedientservant, W. J. CODRINGTON, Lieutenant- General and Governor. Commander T. A. CRAVEN, U. S. S. Tusearora, Algeciras. F. GIBRALTAR, February 22, 1862. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this days date, delivered to me by one of the officers of the Tusearora. I enquired how he came over. He informed me, by one of the Tuscaroras boats, which, after the joint letter from Captain Warden and myself, I was surprised to see passing into these waters. This will be the subject of a separate communication to you Page 330 330 OPERATIONs OF THE CRtYISERS4TNION. You state that, in accordance with the rules which I had communicated to you on your first anchoring in Gibraltar, you promptly departed from British waters. You certainly did so, aiid entirely by your own free will. I had nothing to say to your departure or to your interpreta- tion of the rules communicated to you. The Confederate steamer Sumter remains here under proper authority, and I decline to discuss with you the rules to which you refer, your particular interpretation of them,, or to account to you for my proceedings under them. In reference to the last sentence in your letter (I quote your words), that you protest against what appears to be a departure from those rules which require that neutrals (meaning, I presume, the English Government and myself as governor of Gibraltar) shall be impartial and honest. If you are aware of the effect of this latter epithet, you have communicated to me for the English Government a direct and insulting insinuation, as indecorous for you to have written as it is improper for me to receive. If you are not aware of it, it is right for me to show you the effect of language which I trust a regard for your own position will prevent you from repeating in your correspondence with me. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, W. J. CODRIWTON, Captain CRAvEN, Lieutenant- General and Gorernor. Commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora. GIBRALTAR, February 22, 1862. Sin: Notwithstanding the notice which you received on the 20th instant, requesting you to abstain from sending any boat at all, belonging to the Tuscarora, into these waters while you were in the Spanish waters of this bay, we observe that your launch containing three officers passed to the water port this morning from the Tuscarora. A courteous message was sent to the officer of that boat when at the water port by a lieutenant of II. M. S. London, requesting him to withdraw and return immediately to hi~ own ship, which he did, taking, however, a quantity of supplies which, nuder the circumstances in which the Tusearora is placed, heought not to have done without permission. This occurrence places us under the necessity of acquainting you that for the fntnre orders will be given to the officers commanding her Majestys ships in this anchorage, to pre- vent any boat whatever belonging to the Tuscarora from repeating this breach of our notice conveyed to you on the 20th. This order does not prevent your communicating with your consul, or with the British territory generally, inasmuch as there is a daily com- munication by means of a merchant steamer, and the regular post affords the necessary opportunity for your correspondence. In the event of your wishing to make any communication to us which can not be trusted to other means, we desire that the approach of your boat be limited to a direct course to II. M. [ship] London, now at anchor in the north part of the harbor, the captain of which ship will trans- fer your communication to us. We have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servants, W. J. CODRINGTON, Lieutenant- General and Governor. FRED. WARDEN, Senior Naval Officer. Commander CRAVEN, U. S. S. Tuscarora Page 331 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 331 Letter from the U. ~. consul at Gibraltar to Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, relative to correspondence between the governor of Gibraltar and Commander Craven. [Confidential.] SATURDAY, 3 P. ~L, February 22, 1862. M~ DEAR SIR: The British senior naval officer here has called upon me on the subject of the tone of your correspondence with the governor, and at his request I called upon his Excellency, who expressed not only his surprise but regret at the wording of your notes to him, which he somewhat considers as an insult upon the British Government and also to himself. In fact, our interview was a long and very frank one, and I now write to say that I shall endeavor to go to Algeciras to-morrow morning to see you on the subject and explain to you exactly how matters stand. As I stated to you when I first had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, endeavor to abstain from doing anything that might be considered a violation of neutral rights. Your boats are prohibited from coming over, because they are legally a part and parcel of the ship. If you require provisions yon are at liberty to cross over in ship and remain twenty-four honrs. As to the Sumter, I am still of opinion that the report that she takes in coal at night is incorrect. I mentioned the circumstance to the general and the senior naval officer, amid they inform me neither party can receive any coal without an order from them. I further learn that the Sumter having arrived here before the rules laid down by Earl Russell were put in force she can remain here as long as she likes, and it would also have been the case if the Tuscaroi a had arrived here before they were in force. I have found his Excellency very frank in all he had to say to me, and, while I have no control over your own actions, may I beg to solicit in the name of our Union a conrse of action to prevent any further bad feeling and irritation, which can do no good, but may bring about serious consequences to our Government. To-morrow 1 shall converse fully upon these points and hope you will give me a hearing. Y6urs, sincerely, H. J. SPRAGUE. Captain CRAVEN, U. S. S. Tuscarora. Report of Commander Pickering, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Kear. sarge, relative to departure of his ship from ]Jladeira to Cadiz. U. S. S. KEARSARGE, Madeira, February 27,1862. SIR: I have the honor to report my departure front this port for Cadiz at 4 p. m. to-day. * * -* * * * * I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, C. W. PICKERING, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C Page 332 332 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Order and instructions from Secretary of the Navy to Commander Thatcher, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. sloop Constellation, relative to protection of United States commerce from Confederate privateers and cruisers in the Mediterranean Sea. NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 28, 1862. SIR: As soon as the U. S. sloop of war Constellation is ready for sea, proceed with her with all practicable dispatch to the Mediterranean, touching on the way at the Azores, Lisbon, and Cadiz. The maiu object in sending the Constellation to the Mediterranean is the protection of our commerce from the piratical depredations of ves- sels fitted out by those in rebellion against the United States. The principal one of these vessels, the Sumter, which has so far eluded our cruisers, when last heard from was in the vicinity of Gibraltar. Your chief duty will be the pursuit of that vessel should she remain in that quarter. At the same tinie, however, you will exercise vigilance in all cases. Keep the Department advised of your proceedings and movements, and inform it, from time to time, at what point letters will be most likely to reach you. Before sailing from Portsmouth, N. II., transmit to the Departincn ~ a muster roll of the crew and a separate list of the officers of the Con- stellation. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, ~jSecretary of the Navy.] Commander HENRY K. THATCHER, Commanding U. S. Sloop Constellation, Portsmouth, N. 11. Passage of the C. S. S. Nashville into Beaufort, N. C., February 28,1862. Report of Commander Armstrong, U. S. Navy, commanding ~J. S. S. State of Georgia, of the escape of C. S. S. Nashville into Beaufort, N. C. U. S. S. STATE OF GEORGIA, Off Beaufort, N. C., February 28, 1862. SIR: I have to report to you that at daylight this morning a steamer was discovered near the land, and, notwithstanding I chased and fired at hcr until well within range of the guns of Fort Macon, she succeeded in making good her entry into the harbor of Beaufort. The steamer is said to be the Nashville by officers acquainted with her. Deeming it highly important that you should be informed of this fact as soon as possible, I have under cover of the night run down to the westward and dispatched a boat to communicate with the senior officer off Wil- mington. I have notified him that having been on this station since January 29 my coal is getting so low that a proper regard for the safety of this ship will compel me to leave in a short period for Fortress Mon- roe, and that owing to the facility of egress from Beaufort by three channels it is impossible for us alone to detect a vessel attempting to escape on a dark night, and I requested his assistance. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. F. ARMSTRONG, Commander. Flag-Officer L. M. GOLDSEOROUGH, Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Hampton Roads, Va Page 332A UNITED STATES SHIP CONSTELLATION Page 332B Page 333 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 333 Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Narston, U. S. Navy, senior officer, Hamp- ton Roads, requesting further reports regarding escape of the C. S. S. Nashville. NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 6, 1862. SIR: Your dispatch of the 5th instant, conveyin~ the intelligence of the successful escape of the Nashville into Beaufort, N. C., has beeii received. The Department requires a more full statement from Com- mander Armstrong of this most unfortunate occurrence. Let the other commanding officers who were present make a report; also the first lieutenant of the Georgia. * * * * * * * The Department is unable to learn what measures you can take to keep the N~ishville in Beaufort, but they should be characterized by energy, as that point is threatened by General iBurnside, and the Nash- ville must seek the first opportunity to escape. Two gunboats have been ordered from Boston to proceed to Beaufort, but I fear too late to be of service. Endorse on all your envelopes the date of mailing. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GIDEON WELLES, Captain JOHN MARSTON, [Secretary of the Navy.] U. S. S. Roanoke and Senior Officer, B[ampton Roads, Va. Detailed report of Commander Armstrong, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. State of Georgia, of the escape of C. S. S. Nashville into Beaufort, N. C. U. S. S. STATE OF GEORO-JA, Hampton Roads, March 18, 1862. SIR: On my arrival yesterday at this place from Beaufort, N. C., I received a communication, of the 16th instant, from Flag-Officer Golds- borough, inforniing me the Department required from me and from my flrst lieutenant a fuller statement concerning the escape of the Nash- ville into the harbor of Beaufort, N. C., and to require from the other commanding officers who were present a report of it. No other vessel was present. Since January 5 [251 only one vessel has been off that port, the U. S. bark (iernsbok, from that date to Jan- uary 29, when this ship arrived from, and the Gemsbok left for, Hamp- ton Roads for supplies. She returned on March 2, two days after the escape of the Nashville. I furnish the following statement and enclose that of the first lieutenant: On the morning of the 28th of February, at daylight, a sail was seen, which proved to be a steamer, apparently at anchor a inshore of us to the Westward with , bout 3 miles the American flag and signals fly- ing. This ship was got under way, when the strange steamer started ahead, then turning toward us, as if to speak, dashed off at great speed for the channel. This ship gave chase and the Parrott gun (the only gun bearing) was fired at her several times to bring her to, but without avail. After she passed through the channel she fired one gun at us, a rifle gun of small caliber, which fell short, when she hoisted the rebel flag. This ship kept on until well within range of the guns of Fort Macon and came round as thesteamer was passing in behind it, and all the - port guns were disch raged at her, all falling short except the Parrot Page 334 334 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. gun, which for the first time passed beyond her and the angle of the fort. No guns were fired from the fort, though the men were at them and could have beeii counted. Although she had the American flag and signals flying, that did not slacken my preparations to move. My guns have been cast loose, at all times ready, one watch in readi- ness at the guns, and when from signals at the fort or other indica- tions I had reason to suspect a vessel, alt hands were at quarters. In order to remain on my station as long as possible, this ship whemi at anchor had been lying with banked fires. On the morning of the 28th, although steam was got up as quickly as possible, the steam, in working oft, was reduced, reducing the speed of this ship, and as the rebel steamer was under a press of steam she outran me. The Nash- ville is said by officers acquainted with her to have a speed of 13 knots, greater by from 2 to 3 knots than I have ever gotten out of this ship. The bar off the entrance of Beaufort has three channelsthe slough channel nearest the fort, with a depth of 10 feet; the south channel, by which the Nashville entered, with a depth of 18 feet, and the old southeast channel, mentioned as the channel on the chart of 1857, with a depth of 14 feet. To blockade the coast of Onslow Bay effectually requires a force of five steamers, three of which should be off Beau- fort. I can not blame myself for any want of vigilance or endeavor to prevent the escape of the Nashville. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES F. ARMSTRONG, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Report of Lieutenant Haxtun, U. S. Navy, executive officer U. S. S. State of Georgia, of escape of C. S. S. Nashville into Beaufort, N. C. U. S. S. STATE OF GEORGIA, Off Fortress ]lilionroe, March 17, 1862. SIR: In obedience to the instructions of the Department, received by me this day through Commander James F. Armstrong, I have the honor to make the fohowing statement of the successful entry of the rebel steamer Nashville into the harbor of Beaufort, N. C.: On the morning of February 28 this ship was lying alone at anchor off time entrance to the harbor of Beaufort. Shortly after 6 oclock the messenger boy came to my room and informed me that there was a sail in sight. I went on deck and found the captain there and the crew heaving up the anchor; I also discerned a boat coming toward us under sail; went on the hurricane deck and observed the vessel. She proved to be a steamer inshore of us, and on our port bow, distant over 2 miles, apparently at anchor. The boat arrived alongside; she contained four contrabands; had her discharged and dropped astern; returned to the hurricane deck and resumed my observation of the steamer. She had an American ensign flying at her peak and a signal at the main. The muen were being hurried at the windlass, and at about the time the anchor was aweigh, she was moving slowly and had turned partially toward us as if intending to run down and speak us; her speed was increased and she was not turned any farther in our direc- tion. Commander Armstrong said to me he thought she was a me Page 335 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 335 chant steamer trying to run the blockade, and he gave the order to go ahead and to pipe to quarters, the men being then at the catfall. There ~vas some delay in our moving and his orders were reiterated. When I next noticed her she was ahead of this ship, going at great speed; we were moving at a comparatively moderate rate. The only gun that could be brought to bear was the rifled Parrott gun on the topgallant forecastle, mounted on an ordinary truck carriage, and we had to yaw for that. Our fire was of no avail; she reached the passage leading directly to the fort, turned short, dashed ahead, and then hoisted the rebel flag. We followed her well within range of the guns of Fort Macon and turned, discharging our port broadside as we came around, the shot all falling short except the one from the Parrott gun, which passed beyond her. I think she was not at any time within 2 miles of this ship. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, MILTON IIAXTUN, Lieutenant and Executive Officer. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. 0. Abstract of log, U. S. S. State of Georgia, Commander 3. F. Armstrong. February 28, 1862.At 5:40 a. m. reported a vessel to the W. S. W., distant about 3 miles, apparently lying still. Made her out to be a steamer; same time saw a boat coming oft in the direction of the fort. Hove up anchor and steered in to intercept the steamer, she showing American colors and No. 9 at the main and making fast headway for the entrance of the harbor. Fired at her three times with our Parrott and four times with our port broadside guns, but failed to stop her. After she got over the bar she fired one shot at us, but it fell short. Hauling down the signal and ensign and substituting the English flag aft and the Confederate flag forward, then again hauling down the English ensign and setting the Confederate one. At 0:20 a boat came alongside containing three contrabands, Cape Lookout light-house bearing E. by S., Fort Macon flagstaff bearing N.~ W. The search for the U. S. ship Vermont, March 1April 12, 1862. Report of Commander Baldwin, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Vermont, of the helpless condition of that ship. [U. S.] SHIP VERiVIONT, LAT. 400 23 N. by OBSERYATION; LONG. by 1). It., 680 43 W., March 1, 1862, meridian. Ship drifting to the S. E. half E. 2 knots, at the mercy of wind and sea. Entirely helpless; rudder and sails gone. Require prompt and powerful steam assistance. A. S. BALDWIN, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secrctar~ of the Navy, Washington Page 336 336 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. [Telegram.] (1~eceived March 1, 1862, from New York.) The following telegram was received this evening at 9 p. in.: ON BOARD SCHOONER FLYING MIST, Off Chatham, Mass., March 1, 1862. At 2 oclock p. in., Thursday, 27th ultimo, I left the U. S. ship Vermont in disabled condition in 17 fathoms water, Cape Cod Highland lights being lcr compass XV. by N. half N., distance 95 miles. She had lost her rudder, both bower anchors, a set of sails, and 4 boats. Was drifting then N. by W. Send to her assistance without delay the largest and stron gest tugs you can provide. I would suggest tbat a stealner from Boston be dispatched to lay by the Vermont until two powerfnl tngs reach her from New York. A duplicate of this I telegraphed to Commodore Hudson, navy yard, Boston. I proceed to Boston by first conveyance. A. S. BALDWIN, by E. A. BIRNIE, Acting Assistant Paymaster and Storekeeper. COMMANDANT NAVAL STATION, New York. The Dacotah is ordered to proceed and a tug sent for. The Monitor will not be ready for a trial trip until Monday. H. PAULDING-. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Order of commandant navy yard, New York, to Commander McKinstry, U. S. Navy, com- manding U. S. S. Dacotah, to proceed to the relief of the U. S. ship Vermont. NAvY YARD, New York, March 1, 1862. CAPTAIN: Proceed with the greatest possible dispatch to the relief of the U.S. ship Vermont. Accompanying this [is] a telegram from the pay- master of that ship. When he left her on the 27th ultimo, she was 95 miles from Cape Cod, the Highland lights bearing W. by N. ~ N., and the ship, with the loss of rudder,both bower anchors, and 4 boats, was drifting N. W. by W. Subsequently, as the wind here was strong from the northward and westward, the ship must have drifted to the south- ward and eastward, and it is now so moderate that the ship may not be distant from where the paymaster left her. It is not improbable that assistance will have been sent from Boston before you can reach the locality indicated. Be prompt and zealous, and when yonr services are no longer necessary, retnrn to this port and report yonr proceedings preparatory to obeying your orders from the Department. I have sent for the tug .4ehilles to aid you in the rescue and safe return of the Vermont to the port of Boston. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. PAULDING-, Commandant. ~Commander J. P. MOKrNSTRY Commanding U. IS. S. Dacotah.] Report of the commandant navy yard, Boston, of measures employed for the relief of U. S. ship Vermont. COMMANDANTS OFFICE, Navy Yard, Boston, March 2, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram relative to the Vermont, and have to state in reply that immediately upon the receipt of Acting Assistant Paymaster Birnies telegram las Page 337 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 337 evening (a copy of which is herewith enclosed) every effort was made to obtain a steamer and tugs to send to her relief, and we finally suc- ceeded in engaging the steamer AS1aXOn, which runs to Philadelphia, and two tugs. The latter have leftfor the cape. The Saxon was discharging cargo, and had to fill bunkers and put an extra quantity of coal in her hold for this service, and she will l)e off to-night. I have sent to the Vermont a suit of sails and all the additional tow ropes and hawsers which can be required. Lieutenant Spicer, Boatswain Grace and Ma hams will go in the Saxon. sters Mate Henry Wil- The Aroostook has been ordered to cruise in the vicinity of the place where the Vermont was last seen, not longer than two or three days, and if she falls in with her to remain by until relief reaches her, and then proceed to Ship Island without delay in obedience to your orders. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. L. HUDSON, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Secretary of the Navy, Washington. [Telegram.] (Received March 3, 1862, from Boston.) Mr. Birnie is here from the Vermont. He informs me she has not struck or touched bottom, and does not leak; rudder gone, and suit of sails blown away. Kensington had her in tow until 7:30 oclock Mon- day night, since which time the Kensington has not been heard from. WM. L. HUDSON, Commandant Yard. Hon. G. WELLES. [Telegram.] (Received March 3, 1862, from New York.) I can charter the Baltic for $1,500 a day, the Government taking the risk of the ship at $275,000. She can not leave until to-morrow. I have authorized the ships being coaled, but want authority from the Department to charter before 1 make the contract. Please reply quickly. H. PAIJLDJNc~, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. [Telegram.] NEW YORK, March 3, 1862. Your telegram of this day is received. By mine of this morning I meant to convey that the owners of the Baltic require the Government to take the usual marine risk, as well as war risk. The steamer is coaling day and night, and if not chartered I ani to pay them expense 123A 2 Page 338 338 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. of taking out the coal. Be pleased to instruct me without delay. The Monitor made her trial trip to-day, and is in all respects satisfactory. She goes forward with good weather. II. PAULDINO-, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. Report of commandant navy yard, New York, of departure of vesselsthe U. S. S. Dacotah to the relief of the U. S. S. Vermont. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, March 3, 1862. SIR: I have received the Departments telegram of the 2d instant. The Cayuga went to sea on the 27th instant. The Dacotah left yester- day morning for the purpose of rendering assistance to the Vermont. The Oneida also went yesterday on trial trip, as also the Octorara. The Monitor, with a commission on board to report on her perform- ance, left the yard this morning for the lower bay. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ~ PAULDINQ Commandant. [Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.] P. S.I dispatched the steamer L. Boardman yesterday to search for the Vermont. [Telegram.] (Received March 4, 1862, from New York.) Your dispatch of this date is received at 1:45 p. m. I telegraphed to the Department last evening that the owners of the Baltic refused to take the usual marine risk. Capt. Comstock has just left me. He says you may put an officer on board the Baltic, but that the Govern- ment must assume the marine and war risk. The ship will be ready to leave this evening. Be pleased to instruct me. H. PATJLDING, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. Report of Commander Baldwin, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Vermont, of damage to that ship in gale of February 24, 1862, near Cape Cod light. U. S. SHIP VERMONT, At Sea, long. 680 8 W., tat. 380 45 N., Thursday, March 6, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inforni you that on the eveniiig of the 24th of February, when near Cape Cod light, this ship was struck by a violent northwest squall, and, refusing to obey her helm, broached to, and in a few minutes had her sails torn from the yards. In the belie Page 339 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 839 that we should drift upon Cape Cod beach in a few minutes, by the advice and wish of the coast pilot, who had been ordered to this ship and who was familiar with the locality, I anchored in 24 fathoms water. The gale continued with unprecedented violence for upwards of fifty hours. During this time the ship drifted nearly 100 miles to the east- ward and near Georges Shoal. The ships iron tiller, 6 inches square, snapped short off at the rudder head, and in a few moments the rudder was torn from the sterupost and broke entirely adrift from the ship. A drag was constructed and launched overboard, and the cable slipped in an effort to cast the ships head so as to clear the shoals and stand to the southward. Soon after the schooner Flying Mist, of Gloucester, Mass., was dis- covered and spoken, and was signaled to our assistance, when an arrangement was effected with the captain to convey Naval Storekeeper I3iruie to the nearest port to report the condition of the ship, and he accordingly left at noon of the 27th ultimo, since when strong northerly gales have prevailed, with the exception of part of two days. All efforts to control the ships course known to seaman have failed, and she is driven hither and thither beyond the control of any power on board of her. On the 1st instant the schooner J. ill. Chapman, of New London, Conn., Captain A. J. Chapman, was attracted by our signals of distress and came to our assistance, and an agreement was made with him to lay by us, which lie has done up to the present time, and I now dispatch him to the nearest port with this letter. This last-mentioned vessel was employed with the hope and expectation that easterly winds would drift us to the vicinity of some one of the ports adjacent to New York, where information could be given of our locality. The winds, however, that have prevailed have been from the northward and westward, which have defeated the expectation. Our drift during the prevalence of the N. W. wind has been nearly due south and upon the meridian of 68~ longitude W. from Greenwich. The probabilities are that for the ensu- ing five or six days the ship will be drifting between the parallels of latitude 350 and 390, near the before-mentioned longitude of 68g. The officers and crew have suffered greatly from frost, privation, and over- exertion, and more than 50 of the crew are prostrated, chiefly by being frost-bitten, our decks and rigging having been much of the time cased in ice. A large proportion of the crew being composed of landsmen and boys, the few seamen on board have made extraordinary exertions in saving the ship. I have received from officers and crew generally proml)t and efficient service. Great embarrassment has been experi- enced and much additional labor imposed upon the physical resources of the crew by the inefficiency of the pumps to free the ship from water, great quantities of which accumulated upon the berth deck, the ship being so deeply laden as to render the passing off of the water throngh the scuppers impossible, thereby making it necessary to pass the water in buckets to the deck above by hand. All the sick were driven from the apartment appropriated to them, and taken in the wardroom and cabin. The great violence of the gale caused almost every movable article in the ship to be broken from the fastenings; and among other considerable damage sustained, all the medical stores in the surgeons department were entirely destroyed. The defective model of the ship, or her great depth of water (24 feet 8 inches), or perhaps both causes combined, renders her almost, if not entirely, unmanageable, unless she is towed by powerful steaniers in a seaway Page 340 340 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. I enclose a diagram indicating the course of our drift, and latitude and longitude of such day, and also a copy of the assistant surgeons report for to-day, the surgeon being ill. Very respectfully, your obedient, AUGS. ~. BALDWIN, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] (Received March 8, 1802, from Boston.) Dacotah arrived for coal. San Jacinto reported coming in. They have heard nothing from Vermont. Saxon still searching. Vessel reported last night merchautman. WM. L. HUDSON, Commandant Navy Yard. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. Report of Commander McKinstry, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Dacotah, of cruise in search of U. S. ship Vermont. U. S. S. DACOTAH, Boston, March 8, 1862. SIR: In compliance with your order of the 1st instant, this stearner cast off from the navy yard at 10:30 a. m. on the 2d, and proceeded through Long Island Sound. At 10:30 p. m. we passed Gull Island light. The following were our positions at meridian of the dates. The weather has been cloudy and cold, the 7th instant only affording clear observations: March 3. Latitude, 400 49 N.; longitude, 700 02 W. March 4. Latitude, 40~ 12 N.; longitude, 680 05 W. March 5. Latitude, 41~ 27 N.; longitude, 640451W. March 6. Latitude, 40~ 43 N.; longitude, 660 16 W. March 7. Latitude, 40~ 54 N.; longitude, 670 46 W. March 8. Cape Cod bore S. E. by S. On the 4th instant, at 4 p. in., latitude 400 14, longitude 670 31, in a fresh gale from the southward and westward, a boat from this ship brought from the wreck of the English schooner Idalia the crew, named as follows: William Welch, master; William Jeffers, mate; Robert Jamieson, seaman; James Nixon, seaman; Henry George, seaman; Dennis Keith, boy. The Idalia was dismasted on the 25th ultimo, some 55 miles N. E. of Nantucket. According to the masters account, she was seven and one- half days drifting 135 miles S. E. by S. From his statement it would appear that the disaster to the Vermont occurred about the time his vessel was dismasted. He represents it as having been a violent gale, which no canvas could withstand. After replenishing the coal and water and a few stores, this ship will be ready for sea. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. P. MOKINSTRY, Commodore HIRAM PAULDING, Commander. Commandant Navy Yard, New York Page 341 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISEI~SUNION. 341 [Telegram.] (Received March 10, 1862, from New York.) Schooner J. IC. Chapman arrived with letters from Vermont. Lay by her for five days, rendering her assistance. March 0, latitude 380 45/ N., longitude 680 8 W. Brought letters. Ship drifting S. S. E. ~ 2 knots, at the mercy of the wind and sea; entirely helpless; rudder and sails gone; requires immediate and powerfal assistance. H. PAULDING, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Gommandant Yard. & cretary Navy. [Telegram.] (Received March 12, 1862, from Brooklyn.) This morning at daylight the steamer Tonta sailed in search of the Vermont. To-morrow morning, as soon as coaled, the steamer Blackstone goes in search. H. PAULIDING-, Commandant. Hon. G. WELLES. Letter from Lieutenant Blake, U. S. Navy, executive officer U. S. frigate Sabine, to Captain Ring. gold, U. S. Navy, commanding same vessel, conveying order from Flag.Offlcer Goldsborough to proceed in search of U. S. ship Vermont. U. S. FRIGATE SABINE, Lynn Haven Bay, Va., March 12, 18626:30 p. m. SIR: Agreeably with your orders, J proceeded from this place in the steamer Freeborn to Hampton Roads to communicate with the flag- officer commanding. On my arrival J went~ on board the flagship Minnesota, and was directed by Flag-Officer Goldsborough to return immediately with verbal orders for you to proceed wIthout delay in search of the U. S. ship Ver- mont, taking the steamer Baltic with you, at the same time giving me the enclosed order, which I supposed to be an extract of a telegraphic dispatch from the honorable Secretary of the Navy. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. C. BLAKE, First Lieutenant and Executive Officer. Captain CADWALADER RING-GOLD Commanding ~3abine. [Enclosure.] MARCH 12, 1862. On the 6th instant Vermont was seen in latitude 380 45 N., longitude 680 08 W., drifting S. S. E. ~ E., 2 knots, at the mercy of wind and sea, entirely helpless. Rudder and sails gone. Tow her into Port Royal, or nearest port if preferable. Most respectfully, L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH, Flag- Officer. Captain RING-GOLD, ~2ommanding U. S. Frigate Sabine Page 342 342 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. Instructions of Captain Ringgold, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. frigate Sabine, to Captain 3. 3. Comstock, commanding chartered steamer Baltic, regarding search for U. S. ship Vermont. U. S. FRJA~ATE SABINE, At Sea, March 13, 1862. DEAR SIR: I enclose to you a reduced copy of the Atlantic, indicat- ing the position of the Vermont on the 6th instant, to wit, latitude 380 45 N.; longitude 68~ 8 W.; also her position to-day, allowing her a daily drift of 20 miles, S. S. E. ~ E., distant about 360 miles from us to-day. If you will proceed with all dispatch, without regard to my movements, steering a little to the southward of the Vermonts position to-day, I will endeavor to join you at the earliest moment. My present plan is to cruise north of Bermuda, and to the eastward and westward, on each tack, say 60 miles, and it may be that I shall look in there for information. Should you deem it advisable, in the event of my not hilling in with you very soon, I request you to do the same; also, without delaying on your way to the Vermonts probable position, communicate with any vessels you may fall in with, as you may gain some tidings of iler. My orders are very brief from Flag-Officer Goldsboroughsimply an extractof a telegraphic dispatch frointhe Secretary of the Navy, in view of the importance, however, of the discovery and rescue of the Vermont, I shall not hesitate to assume any necessary responsibility, and in the event of your exhausting your supplies I will, when we meet, authorize, and hereby do authorize, you to procure coal and all other necessaries at Bermuda, in order that we may make as thorough a search as liossible. Salt provisions I can furnish in any quantity from my ship, and what- ever else you may require. I am thankful to you for the great assistance rendered my ship by the Baltic on our way from New York, and regret not having the oppor- tunity to pay my respects to you in person. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CADWALABER IRINGGOLD, Captain, Commanding Sabine. Captain COMSTOCK, ASteamer Baltic. Reportof Commander Baldwin, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. ship Vermont, of intention to proceed to Port Royal, S. C., with the assistance of chartered steamer Saxon. U. S. Snip VERMONT, At Sea, Lat. 360 32 N., Long. G4~ 50 W., March 15, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the steamer Saxon, sent to onr assistance, reached us to-day. The steamer Aroostook, Lieutenant Commanding Beaumont, which has been in company with us for the past nine days, having suffered considerab]e damage, I have left it to the discretion of Lieutenant Beaumont in respect to his future move- ments. He concludes to put into the nearest port for repairs, and in the event of reaching port in safety will inform you of the present con- dition of the Vermont. On the 12th instant a jury rudder was launched, but became unserv- iceable in a short time and was taken on board and alterations com- menced, when the Saxon arrived. She having brought a spare rudder, we are now endeavoring to get it on board, but experience much diffi- culty in so doing, from the fact of its having been launched overboar Page 343 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 343 from the Saxon prematurely. The condition of the crew is much improved since my last communication, the sick list having decreased about one-half. My present intention is to proceed to Port Royal, which port I expect to reach in five or six days, with the assistance of the Saxon. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, AUG. S. BALDWIN, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. [Telegram.] (Received March 21, 1862, from New York.) Baltic has returned, having failed to find the Vermont. Owners are coaling her. Shall I dispatch her again in search ~ Captain Corn- stocks report will be forwarded by mail. H. PAULDING, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Letter from commandant navy yard, New York, to Secretary of the Navy, forwarding report of Captain 3. 3. Comstock, commanding chartered steamer Baltic. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, March 21, 1862. SIR: For the information of the Department I enclose Captain Corn- ~ report of his search in the steamer Baltic for the Vermont. The owners of the Baltic are recoaling the ship, and I have to ask the instructions of tho Department as to sending her again on this service. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, II. PAULDING, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. [Enclosure.] STEAMSHIP BALTIC, New York Harbor, March 21,1862. SIR: I beg to announce to you the arrival of this ship at this port from a search, per order of Captain iRinggold, of the frigate Sabine, for the U. S. S. Vermont, disabled at sea. After towing the frigate Sabine to Hampton Roads and from thence to sea, in pnrsuance of instruc- tion from Captain Itinggold, I ran to the eastward and made a thorough search for the Vermont between the parallels of 36~ and 400 N. and between the meridians of 610 and 67~ W., with out finding the ship or any traces of her. I have spoken several vessels, but could learn nothing from them either in relation to her. Captain Ringgold in his instructions to me suggested the propriety of touching at Bermuda if stores or coal should be required for a longer search than we were pro- vided for, which at first I determined to do, but upon reflection deemed it more expedient to return to New York and report to you, for the following reasons, which I trust will meet your views: The distance to New York from the probable position of the missing ship is not much greater than to Bermuda, with much greater oppo Page 344 344 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSIJNION. tunities of hearing from her than at the latter place. Again, the facili- ties for dispatching the ship for a second search are far better and more economical, as also your Department have the opportunity of giving such instructions as they may desire for the more efficient per- formance of the service, as well as electing if it is desirable ~or not to continue the search. This ship can sail in thirty-six hours for any length of time, andl will await your orders. I spoke the Sabine on Tuesday at 8.30 a. in., in latitude 390 9, longitude 630 5, standing to theN E i tinue the search in that direction. . ., ntending to con- Respectfully, your obedient servant, Jos. J. CoMSToCK. Commandant H. PAIJLDING, Navy Yard, New York. [Telegram.] (Received March 22, 1862, from Brooklyn.) The Baltic will leave to-morrow morning. The provisions will be sent at once to Hampton Roads. H. PAULDING, Commandant Navy Yard. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. [Telegram.] (Received March 23, 1862, from Boston navy yard.) Saxon returned here last night. Reports Vermont left in good con- dition, all sails bent. She received the rudder from Philadelphia and has lost it; otherwise in perfect order. Is trying to make her way to Port Royal. Shall the Saxon be sent again with the Virginias rudder, which can be fixed in a short time ~ Will report by letter this evening. Answer by telegraph. WM. L. HUDSON, Gommandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES. Report of Commander Almy, U. S. Navy, for commandant navy yard, New York, of the return of chartered steamer Blackstone from search for U. S. S. Vermont; extract of log enclosed. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, April 8,1862. SIR: I have to inform the Department that the steamer Blackstone, chartered for the purpose of searching for the U. S. ship Vermont, returned yesterday after an unsuccessful cruise. I enclose herewith an extract of the log book of the steamer. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. J. ALMY, Commander, for Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington Page 345 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. 345 [Enclosure.] Steamer Blackstone, I. E. Barstow, master, from a cruise in search of the Vermont, left New York March 23 and cruised as far east as longi- tude 59 and between the parallels of 340 and 390 IN. March 28.Passed large quantities of wreck stuff. March 29.Heavy gale, lasting thirty-six hours. April 1.Heavy gale corn. 2 [sic] ending N.W., increasing to a hnrri- cane, doing ns some damage by shifting cargo, provisions, etc. April 6.Heavy gale, with rain, thunder, and lightning, and very heavy sea. Letter from commandant navy yard, New York, to Secretary of the Navy, transmitting report of Captain 3. 3. Comstock, commanding chartered steamer Baltic, of search for U. S. ship Vermont. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, April 14, 1862. SIR: I enclose herewith the report of the commander of the steam- ship Baltic of his cruise in search of the U. S. ship Vermont. Very respectfully, your obedient Servant, H. PAULDING, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES Secretary of the Navy, Washington. [Enclosure.] STEAMSHIP BALTIC, New York, April13, 1862. SIR: I beg to inform you of the arrival of this ship, after an unsuc- cessful cruise of twenty days for the Vermont, over that part of the ocean where experience of the usual winds, weather, and cnrrents would warrant the search being made. We have experienced much heavy and thick weather, during which little could be done but hold our own, yet we have steamed over 3,000 miles, and spoken many ves- sels, without learning anything of the ship, excepting a very vagae report from a Scotch bark of a large ship being in distress in the longitnde of 550, to which point I cruised, but saw nothing. On the 7th instant I ran into Bermuda, and there learned from the officers of her Majestys gunboat Landrail, late from New York, that on Sunday, the 30th of March, 50 miles N. N. W. from the northern- most point of Bermuda, they saw a ship of the line and a frigate in company standing to the westward, which I was led to believe might be the Vermont and the Sabine. Since that date there has been much strong easterly wind. I immediately left port again and worked to the westward of the mouth of the Chesapeake, but seeing nothing have returned to port. The captain of the schooner Olirer 11. Booth, who was on board the Vermont several hours on the 15th of March, and who is now in Ber- muda, informed me that the ship was in good order and condition, excepting her rudder, althongh the one they had made and used for several days answered a good pnrpose, but it was then nnshipped to repair and to ship the one bronght by the Saxon, which was then alongside, and they were preparing to ship it. From the report of th Page 346 346 OPERATIONS OF THE CRUISERSUNION. ship given me by this captain, 1 have no doubt of the safe arrival at port of the Vermont. 1 have seen no other vessel in search of the ship. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Jos. J. COMSTOCK, Commander. Commandant HIRAM PAULDING~ Navy Yard, New York. Report of commandant navy yard, New York, of return of U. S. frigate Sabine from search for U. S. ship Vermont. NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, April 17, 1862. SIR: I have to report the return to this station yesterday afternoon of the U. S. frigate Sabine, Captain Ringgold. I also report the arrival this day of the U. S. ship Shepherd Knapp, Acting Volunteer Lieuten- ant II. S. Eytinge, from a cruise. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. PAULDING-, Commandant. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Report of Captain Ringgold, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. frigate Sabine, regarding the find ing and condition of the U. S. ship Vermont. U. S. FRIc~ATE SABINE, New York, April 16, 1862. SIR:. I have the gratification to announce to the Department my safe arrival at this port from a perfectly successful search after the missing line-of-battle ship Vermont. I left Lynn Haven Bay on the evening of the 12th ultimo, in company with the Baltic (as reported in mydispatch,per ship Union, 15th March, at sea), from which, however, it was thought best to separate next day ~11 pursuit of the interesting duty assigned us. My course was shaped so as to intercept the Vermont in her supposed drift S. S. E., as reported on the 6th of March by the Chapman, in latitude 350 45 N., longitude 670 50 W. Heavy S. S. E. and S. W. gales carried me further to the N. E. than I desired, and you will perceive by the diagram (hereto annexed) that the Sabine crossed her path of the 8th, and intersected her position of the 12th March about 3 a. m. of the 16th, on which day the wind abated and we hauled to the southward and eastward oii a line with the Vermonts assumed drift, at a distance of 100 miles to the east- ward and as near her track as the winds would permit. On