You will much oblige me by making inquiry in regard to the
representations of Mr. Whiting upon this subject.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your lordship’s obedient
servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Navy
Department,
February 12, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith an
extract from a despatch, dated the 26th ultimo, received from Consul
Whiting at Nassau, relative to the arrival of the rebel steamer
Oreto at that port, and the permission given her to coal. This is in
strong contrast with the conduct of the same authorities, who would
not permit the United States steamer Dacotah, the cruiser of a
friendly nation, such privilege. The semi-piratical vessel, whose
special object is to depredate on the peaceful commerce of a
friendly nation, has every facility to aid him from the colonial
authorities at Nassau, while the public ships of that nation which
is striving to protect commerce is denied these privileges.
I appears to me proper that the attention of her Majesty’s
representative should be called to these extraordinary proceedings,
in order that they may be
[Page 510]
communicated to his government, and it is with that view that I have
the honor to submit these suggestions, and the accompanying extract
from Mr. Whiting’s despatch.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
[Untitled]
No. 2.]
United States Consulate,
Nassau, N. P., January 26, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you of
the arrival at this port, this morning, of the confederate
steamer Florida, late the noted Oreto, Maffit, late of the
United States navy, commander.
This pirate ship entered this port without any restrictions, with
the secession flag at her peak, and the
secession war pennant at the main, and
anchored abreast of her Britannic Majesty’s steamer Barracouta,
Maffit and his officers landing in the garrison boat, escorted by the port-adjutant,
Williams, of the 2d W. I. regiment.
* * * * * * * *
The privateer soon after anchoring commenced coaling, by
permission of the authorities—an evidence of the perfect
neutrality which exists here, where the United States steamer
Dacotah, but a few months since, was only permitted to take on
board twenty tons of coal from an American bark, off Hog island;
and only then, on Captain McHinstry and myself pledging
ourselves, in writing, that within ten
days after leaving this port she would not be cruising within five miles of any island of the Bahama
government. * * *
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
SAMUEL WHITING, U. S.
Consul.
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy,
Washington.
