Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

No. 5.

Consul Archibald to Earl Russell.—(Received January 9.).

New York, December 23, 1863.

My Lord: I have the honor to transmit, herewith enclosed, for your lordship’s information, a copy of my despatch of this date to Lord Lyons, reporting the arrival at this port of the bark Saxon, in charge of a prize crew.

I have, &c.,

E. M. ARCHIBALD.

[Enclosure 1 in No. 5.]

Consul Archibald to Lord Lyons.

New York, December 23, 1863.

My Lord: I have the honor to report to your lordship the arrival at this port, in charge of a prize crew from the United States ship Vanderbilt, of the British bark Saxon, of Cape Town.

The Saxon was captured by the Vanderbilt at Angra Pequena, on the west coast of Africa, on the 29th October last. Her cargo consists principally of wool, and is stated to have been part of the cargo of the American bark Conrad, heretofore captured by the Confederate States ship Alabama. The enclosed slip from the newspapers of this morning contains all the information I have as yet obtained in reference to this capture.

I have, &c.,

E. M. ARCHIBALD.

[Enclosure 2 in No. 5.]

Report of the capture of the Saxon.

THE BARK SAXON, CAPTURED ON THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA BY THE CRUISER VANDERBILT.

The bark Saxon, of Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, arrived at this port last evening, from Angra Pequena, west coast of Africa, in charge of Acting Master E. S. Keyser, of the United States steamer Vanderbilt. The Saxon was captured by the Vanderbilt on the 28th of October, at the above place, about four hundred miles north of the Cape of Good Hope. She had on board part of the cargo of the bark Conrad, which vessel was captured by the privateer Alabama, and afterwards converted into the privateer Tuscaloosa. The cargo is principally wool.

The Saxon was formerly the American bark Lucy Johnson, of New London, but was wrecked at Table bay, and was subsequently purchased by Messrs. Anderson and Saxon, of Cape Town; she is about 250 tons burden.

The Vanderbilt also found at Penguin island 200 tons of coal, which had been left there for the benefit of the rebel privateers. It was confiscated by the captain of the Vanderbilt. All on board the Vanderbilt are well.