Mr. Wise to Mr. Stuart.
Sir: Adverting to my previous communications respecting the British steamship Bermuda, I now beg leave to inform your excellency that Mr. Coffey, the district attorney, stated in the prize court, on Thursday, the 16th instant, that the Secretary of the Navy had remitted to him the sum of $120,000, the amount which the United States government have offered for the Bermuda.
My counsel at once reminded the district attorney that he had instructions from his client not to comply with any such arrangement, and that the cause must take its regular judicial course; and Mr. Wheaton, at the same time, notified to Judge Cadwalader his intention, should an adverse decree be pronounced in the Bermuda case, of resisting any application on the part of the United States for a transfer of the vessel, pending an appeal from the decree of the prize court.
I respectfully submit to your excellency that the remittance in question is one of two things: it is either a confirmation of Mr. Davidson’s statement relative [Page 450] to the delivery of the Bermuda to the United States government alleged to have been already made, or it is a most unprecedented proceeding on the part of the Secretary of the Navy in regard to a British vessel not yet the subject of condemnation.
I content myself with acquainting your excellency of the bare fact of the funds having been transmitted, not doubting that the communication will have your excellency’s early and considerate attention.
I have, &c., &c.,
Hon. William Stuart, &c., &c., &c.