Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Sir: I have to state, for the information of the Department, that I have taken a valuable prize this morning, now called the Susan Jane, of Nevis, West Indies. This schooner was called the Charles McCees when she cleared at Newbern, (N. C.,) two days before the blockade went into effect on this coast. She took a cargo of spirits of turpentine to the West Indies, and at Charleston, Nevis's Island, obtained an English register, but without a bill of sale or endorsement of any kind on the part of the master or agent, and without any other paper required under English law. She sailed from Nevis to Halifax, (N. S.,) and there took on board an assorted cargo, consisting of blankets, cloth, iron, steel, brogans, axes, &c., all of which were purchased in New York and Boston, as is shown by bills of lading from different leading houses in those cities.

I send the prize to Philadelphia or New York, at the discretion of the prize-master, Lieutenant Crosby, so that he may be authorized to enter the port most accessible at this stormy period of the year.

I send all the papers found on board the prize, in charge of Lieut. Crosby, to be handed to the proper admiralty officer, also Capt. Ireland and four of the crew. I shall detain for the present two passengers, believed to be supercargoes; also the mate. When this duty is completed, I have to request that Lieut. Crosby may be permitted to return to his important duties at this post, as post captain, under the orders of Gen. Wool. I send Capt. Crosby on board of the prize because he is the important witness of what occurred after we boarded the schooner. This vessel, like the three already captured, stood in under the belief that the forts were still in the hands of the enemy, (the Pawnee, showing no colors, was taken for an English cruiser,) and were not boarded until they were inside the bar.

We are beginning to see signs of the enemy on the southwestern side of the entrance, where it is believed a picket guard frequents to watch our movements.

I enclose a letter found among the papers of the so-called Susan Jane, which may give the Department some idea of the policy in Nova Scotia.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,