has gone, it is said, to Barbados, respecting a prize to the Florida, burned and drifted on shore on the Cobblers' Rock, on the 20th instant.

"The prize-officer was recognized as belonging to the Florida, and he states that the vessel had been kept as a coaling-vessel and tender to the Florida. Not being able to reach a confederate port, they determined to burn her, and the crew landed at Barbados while the Phaeton was there.

"The bark seems to have had a quantity of tobacco on board, but there is no trace of coal.

"The vessel's name on her stern was obliterated, and a great many handcuffs and irons have been found.

"Though there seems every probability she is a prize, the story of the prize-crew does not seem quite clear, and the obliteration creates suspicion ; but more particulars may be elicited before the court of vice-admiralty.

There were some irregularities by wreckers, which were put down by the police. "It is reported, apparently on good authority, that Santa Anna, former President of Mexico, and now resident at this island, has been called to Mexico by some party under French protection, and he goes there by the next packet.

"If the French really desire to escape from their position, this might be a means to such an end, but far from the programme announced by the Emperor, and very disappointing to British interests.

"The depot-ship Gansbok is now the only Federal in this port.

"The lieutenant-governor of this island has been appointed governor of Santa Cruz, and the Danish corvette Dagmar has returned to Europe."

No. 63.

Governor Rawson to the Earl of Kimberley.

WINDWARD ISLANDS, Barbados, September 8, 1871. MY LORD: I have the honor, in reply to your lordship's circular dis patch of the 24th July, calling for information regarding the proceed. ings of the so-called confederate cruisers in these seas, to forward a report from the harbor-master, detailing the circumstances of the visit of the Florida to Barbados in February, 1863.

2. I have written to the other islands to ascertain whether any of the cruisers in question visited them. I have as yet only received a reply from Saint Lucia, where none of them made their appearance. I expect a similar answer from the other islands.

3. I will not pass over without notice the occurrence of the stranding of a burned bark on the eastern coast of this island, on the 20th June, in the same year, which proved to be the Lapwing, of New York, a prize of the Florida, which had cruised for nearly two months as her tender, and which is supposed to have been set on fire by her crew, on finding themselves beset by Federal war-steamers, as, on the day of her stranding, a ship's boat, manned by two officers and eight men, part of the crew of the Florida, arrived in Carlisle Bay.

4. I have taken these details from Governor Walker's dispatches of 24th June and 7th July, 1863, respectively. I have only to add that the hull and materials saved were sold by the vice-admiralty court, and that, after payment of salvage and expenses, the balance, amounting to £170 Ss. 11 d., was handed over to the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, which had established its claim to it. I inclose the certificate of the registrar of the court to the above effect.

I have, &c.,
(Signed)

RAWSON W. RAWSON.

I certify that the Confederate States war-steamer Florida, of 8 guns, Maffit commander, arrived at this port the 24th of February, 1863, about 11 a. m., from Mobile, in want of coal and provisions, which were supplied by mercantile firms of this city; and that she left the port the next night, (25th.)

That no captured vessels were brought into port with her, nor was there any molestation by her of any American vessels then in port, or approaching it.

That the Florida was the only confederate war-vessel that visited this port during the American rebellion, and that no captures arrived at this port during that period. Given under my hand and seal, at the harbour-master's office, the 31st day of August,

1871.

(Signed)

E. M. CLAWSON,

Harbor-Master, and Captain of the Port.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 63.]

Vice-admiralty court of Barbados.

On the 23d day of June, 1863, a warrant on the petition of Samuel Taylor, esq., Queen's proctor, who was also a party to the proceedings in the cause, was issued out of this court, to arrest a derelict vessel, her tackle, apparel, and furniture, lying stranded in a bay called Cole's or Mottley's Bay, on the windward coast of this island; and the same was duly executed by Charles Tinling, esq., the marshal of this court; the name of the vessel was unknown, but was afterward ascertained to be the Lapwing. Certain portions of the sails, cargo, and portions of the vessel were saved and brought on shore by various persons, who claimed salvage for the same, which was awarded by the court, and paid to the several parties who respectively filed their claims on oath. The hull of the vessel and articles saved were sold by auction, and the same paid into the registry, after deducting the expenses of sale, amounted to the sum of 2344 168. 2d. This sum was subsequently claimed by the agent here of the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company of New York, United States of America; and after proof before the court, a balance or a sum of £170 88. 114d. remaining, after payment of the salvage, and costs of arrest, the petitioners for salvage, and payment of such balance paid to Peter Chapman, proctor for said Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company.

(Signed)

SAML. HUSBANDS, Registrar, Vice-Admiralty Court.

SEPTEMBER 8, 1871.

No. 64.

Consul Lennon-Hunt to Earl Russell.

PERNAMBUCO, May 1, 1863. (Received May 22.)

MY LORD: The French bark Bremontier has just arrived at this port, bringing fifteen seamen belonging to various merchantvessels lately sailing under the flag of the United States.

Prisoners landed at Pernambuco, May 1, 1863.

The master of the Bremontier reports that he was brought-to by the steam-vessel Florida, of the Confederate States of North America, in latitude 10 south, longitude 31° 30' west, and was asked by the commander of the Florida his destination, and the number of passengers he could take.

The master replied that he could only take six, but the commander of the Florida insisted upon his taking fifteen.

The French master says that, being under the Florida's guns, with the crew at quarters, and the guns run out, he believed that violence was intended if he refused to comply with the demand, and that, under compulsion, he received the men on board his vessel.

On arrival he applied to the consul of the United States for payment of the passages of these men, and to request that they might be taken from his vessel at once. The consul has declined to receive them, or to

pay anything on account of their passages, and endeavors to throw [106] upon the master of the Bremontier the cnus of having *consented to relieve the Florida of such an embarrassment as these men might be supposed to prove on board.

It is reported that the Florida has taken and burnt fifteen vessels sailing under her enemy's flag.

The bark Lapwing, of Baltimore, 504 tons, one of the prizes of the Florida, is being fitted out as a confederate cruiser, according to the statement of the masters of the captured vessels, thirty-five men and guns having been placed on board.

I have, &c.,
(Signed)

G. LENNON-HUNT.

No. 65.

Consul Lennon-Hunt to Earl Russell.

PERNAMBUCO, May 13, 1863. (Received June 2.)

MY LORD: I have the honor to inform your lordship that the steamArrival at Pern-in- Vessel of the Confederate States of North America, Florida, buco, May 8, 1963. entered this harbor on the 8th instant, and that permission to remain for twenty-four hours was conceded to the commander. A representation was, however, made to the president that her machinery was out of order, and that it would be impossible to proceed with safety in less than three or four days, and the authorities consented to permit the vessel to stay for that time.

The defective machinery was repaired on shore, and the Florida left this port, steering almost due south, at 2 p. m. on the 12th instant.

The United States consul here addressed the government protesting against the facilities that had been granted to a vessel which he described as piratical.

The president replied that there had been no infringement of the letter or the spirit of international law in the course pursued by the authorities, that he could not agree with the consul in regarding the Florida as a piratical vessel, and that he could not admit his protest. I have, &c.,

(Signed)

G. LENNON-HUNT.

Salute to Florida at Bermuda.

No. 66.

Lord Lyons to Earl Russell.

WASHINGTON, August 7, 1863. (Received August 19.)

MY LORD: Mr. Seward told me some days ago that he had been in formed that a confederate ship had been saluted at Ber muda. He said that this intelligence had produced a pain. ful impression, and that he should be glad to know what had really occurred.

I answered that I did not think it likely that the confederate flag

would be saluted in any part of the Queen's dominions; but I avoided making any engagement to obtain the information for which Mr. Seward asked. I thought it very undesirable to encourage a habit of asking and giving explanations concerning similar rumors respecting occurrences in the British colonies, and I was not sure that it would be right to admit that the fact of a confederate vessel's having been saluted would justify a demand from this government for an expla

nation.

I have, however, thought it well to write to the governor of the Bermudas the private letter of which I have the honor to inclose a copy, and in which I have asked his excellency to let me know whether a confederate flag or a confederate ship has really been saluted at Bermuda, and if so under what circumstances. I shall be guided by his excellency's answer in determining whether or not to revert to the subject with Mr. Seward.

I have, &c.,
(Signed)

LYONS.

[Inclosure in No. 66.1

Lord Lyons to the governor of Bermuda.

WASHINGTON, August 7, 1863.

SI: Mr. Seward, the Secretary of State of the United States, told me a few days ago that he had been informed that a confederate ship had been saluted at Bermuda. Mr. Seward said that a painful impression had been produced by this intelligence, and that he should be glad to know what had really occurred.

[107] *I answered that I did not think it likely that the confederate flag would be

saluted in any part of Her Majesty's dominions; but I did not engage to obtain the information for which Mr. Seward asked, because I deemed it undesirable to let a habit arise of asking and giving explanations concerning reports of this nature. For the same reason I do not now address your excellency officially on the subject. It would, however, be useful to me to know whether the confederate flag or a confederate ship was, in fact, saluted at Bermuda; and, if so, under what circumstances. If your excellency will kindly give me this information, in whatever form you may deem nost convenient, you will very much oblige me, and you will enable me to determine whether or not to return to the subject in my communications with Mr. Seward.

I have, &c.,

(Signed)

LYONS.

L.

No. 67.

Major General Sir E. Lugard to Mr. Hammond.

At Bermuda, July

WAR OFFICE, September 4, 1863.—(Received September 5.) SIR: I am directed by the secretary of state for war to transmit to you, for the consideration of Earl Russell, the accompanying copy of a letter which has been received at the Horse Guards 16, 1963, to walute from the major general commanding the troops in Nova Scotia, commenting upon the conduct of the officer commanding in Bermuda, in having returned the salute of the confederate war-steamer Florida.

there.

Earl de Grey will be glad to be informed of the opinion of Earl Russell as to the course pursued by Colonel Munro.

I have, &c.,
(Signed)

EDWARD LUGARD.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 67.]

Major General Doyle to the military secretary.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, August 18, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to transmit the accompanying letter from Colonel Munro, commanding the troops in Bermuda, informing me that under the circumstances detailed therein he had returned the salute of a confederate man-of-war, which I request you will have the goodness to submit for the consideration of his royal highness the field marshal commanding-in-chief. I beg leave to submit that, in returning the salute in the present instance, the commandant (who was assisted by the opinion of the governor of Bermuda) has erred in judgment, inasmuch as the salute was offered, and should have been declined upon the grounds of the confederate flag not having been recognized by Her Majesty's government, although I consider the case would have been otherwise had the confederate man-of-war first saluted the British flag without asking any questions.

I would beg to be favored with his royal highness's instructions on this matter, as a similar circumstance may at any time occur in this garrison.

I have, &c.,
(Signed)

HASTINGS DOYLE.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 67.]

Colonel Mouro to Major Nugent.

[Confidential.]

BERMUDA, August 7, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report for the information of the major general commanding, that on the 16th of last month the Confederate States steamer of war Florida came into the harbor of Saint Gencis by permission of the governor of Bermuda. Shortly after its arrival the commander sent me a message to say that he was desirous of paying the usual compliment of a salute to Her Majesty's flags and forts, and inquiring whether the salute would be replied to.

I had previously consulted the governor on the subject, and as he considered that the salute should be returned if offered, I accepted the salute and returned it gun for I have, &c., (Signed)

gun.

WILLIAM MONRO.

[108]

*No. 68.

Mr. Layard to Major General Sir E. Lugard.

FOREIGN OFFICE, September 9, 1863. SIR: I have laid before Earl Russell your letter of the 4th instant, inclosing a copy of a letter received at the Horse Guards from Major General Doyle, commenting upon the conduct of the officer commanding in Bermuda in having returned the salute of the confederate war-steamer Florida.

Salute should not have been offered.

I am to state to you, in reply, for the information of the Earl de Grey, that Lord Russell concurs in the view taken by Major General Doyle of this proceeding, and thinks the salute should not have been offered.

I am, &c.,
(Signed)

A. H. LAYARD.