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Consular Visit.--The marine reporter of the Charleston Courier, under date of May 31, gives the following information:
‘
At present, there are two steamers off this bar — the
Minnesota,
Commodore Stringham, and another, name unknown, apparently a ship about 600 or 700 tons, and of light draft, as she appears to roll very much; she keeps very near the larger vessel, and could be captured by a couple of ordinary steamers well manned and armed.
On Thursday,
Mr. C. O. Witte, Consul at this port for
Sweden and
Norway, visited the
Minnesota to inquire if the Norwegian Bark
Admiral Peter Tordenskfold, now in this harbor, (which vessel arrived here after the steamship
Niagara had been off this port, and while the entrance to the harbor was unobstructed,) could load for a place in
Europe, and the permission was refused, and he was informed that the
Bark could only be allowed to depart in ballast, and even that much was perhaps more than orders justified.
The officers made enquiry about the state of feeling here; if any action had taken place in
Virginia since the occupation of
Alexandria; spoke of
Ellsworth's death, and wanted to know the price of provisions in
Charleston.
Their position in reference to the seceded States was regretted.
They spoke friendly, and hoped the difficulties of the country would soon be settled.
The ship A & A was spoken off, and some surprise apparently exhibited that she should have been allowed to depart.
This vessel, it will be remembered, came into port while the
Niagara was off here.
The schooner seen near the steamer yesterday turns out to be a vessel they brought to and ordered off. Her name we could not learn.
They expect an addition to the squadron in a few days, when the port will be completely closed.
The fleet have a supply of provisions and water for 30 days, at the expiration of which time they expect to be replenished or relieved.
The
Minnesota draws twenty-four feet aft and twenty-two feet forward, and is entirely unable to keep small vessels out, the steamer
Gen.
Clinch, from
Santee, having been chased by her yesterday, but the
Clinch keeping in shoal water the frigate could not approach her.
A small British schooner now here is expected to sail to-day or to-morrow for the Bahamas, with a cargo, and we will be anxious to see if
Commodore Stringham will stop her and send her back to port.
’
