Navy Department,
Washington,
November 10, 1863.
Commander H. Rolando, who seized the Sir William Peel, gives the
following reasons for his action: She had cotton on board which he
believed to be the property of the Confederate States, and was being
shipped by confederate agents to England or other points. He felt
assurd the vessel herself is the property of the confederates. At
the time of her seizure she laid in American waters, and from thence
had discharged a cargo of contraband articles, of which fact there
were sufficient witnesses. He also believed she had on board guns
and munitions of war intended to be used to convert her into a
privateer. He found on board about one hundred and fifty axles for
field artillery, several casks of iron rings for artillery harness,
and on deck were two guns below and under her cotton.
The vessel is now in the hands of the prize court at New Orleans.
The papers enclosed with your letter are herewith returned as
requested.
Very respectfully, &c.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
P. S.—I have extracted from the protest of the master and other
officers of the Sir William Peel that part containing serious
charges against the conduct of Commander Rolando and others, of
the Seminole, to forward to them for explanation; also the copy
of a paper which professes to give the substance of a
conversation between Commander Woolsey, of the navy, and the
master of the Sir William Peel, relative to the capture of that
vessel, which will be transmitted to Commander Woolsey to
confirm or refute.