Mr. Burnley to Mr. Hunter
Washington,
April 18, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to lay before you copies
of correspondence which have been communicated to me by his excellency
the governor of the Bahamas, respecting the movements of United States
ships-of-war, in contravention of her Majesty’s proclamation in the
roadstead off Matthew town, Inagua, one of the out islands of the Bahama
group.
Governor Rawson informs me that he has requested the United States consul
to represent the irregularities committed by the officers of these ships
to the United States admiral at Key West, enclosing at the same time the
answer of this official, of which I enclose the copy.
As the United States government appears to have given instructions to
their officers cruising in those seas to pay respect to her Majesty’s
desire that belligerent vessels-of-war should refrain from visiting the
islands of that colony,
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I feel
convinced that they will see the necessity of taking proper measures to
see that their orders are executed.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient,
humble servant,
Hon. William Hunter,
&c., &c., &c.
Mr. Kirkpatrick to Mr. Nesbitt
United States Consulate,
Nassau,
March 22, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your favor of yesterday’s date, enclosing me a copy of a
letter from W.H. Pinder, esquire, acting resident justice at Matthew
town Inagua, in regard to infractions said to have been committed of
her Majesty the Queen’s proclamation, and desiring me to forward a
copy of Acting. Justice Pinder’s letter to the admiral on this
station.
Present my compliments to his excellency the governor and say that I
shall immediately lay before Admiral Stribling your letter, and the
copy alluded to. And I have no doubt he will cause steps to be taken
to ascertain why these irritating irregularities were committed by
these officers, and see that future ones are prevented. I shall also
lay a copy of yours and Justice Pinder’s letters before the
government at Washington, that steps may be taken there also to
prevent similar occurrences.
I have, &c.,
Hon. C. E. Nesbitt, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Pinder to Mr. Nesbitt
Matthew Town,
Magua,
March 11, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to report to you, for
the information of his excellency the governor, the arrival of the
under mentioned United States gunboats in the roadstead off this
town, they having had frequent communication with the shore, but
none whatever with the local authorities, viz: the Gallatea,
Commander Nickelson, arrived on the 1st instant at 2 p. m., and left
on the same day at 6 p. m., and arrived again on the 7th instant at
8 a. m., leaving at or about 6 p. m., without coming to an anchor,
steaming, however, up and down over the anchorage places, within
one-quarter of a mile of the shore.
The Neptune, Commander Sanford, anchored off the town on the evening
of the 8th instant, and remained at anchor until the morning of the
11th, when she left.
I have, &c,
H. H. PINDER, Acting Resident
Justice.
Hon. J. E. Nesbitt, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
