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Most Excellent Sir: In compliance with the orders received from your excellency, I have intimated the commander of the war steamer Florida to leave this port within twenty-four hours, and in reply to said intimation I have received from said officer a communication, of which I have the honor of transmitting a copy to your excellency, wherein the said commander declares he was forced to come into this port in want of water, bread, and coals, and that, consequently, it is impossible for him to quit this port without those articles.

Your excellency will decide whatever is just, and I await your excellency’s orders on this head.

God preserve your excellency.

JOAQUIN PEDRO DE CASTELBRANCO, Post Captain R. N. and Captain of the Port.

His Excellency Dn. Jacintho Antonio Perdigao, Civil Governor of the Funchal District.