The steamer Nashville.
Decidedly an improvement in the condition of the public mind was manifested Saturday by the report that the C. S. steamer
Nashville had arrived in a Confederate port, and that her commander,
Capt. Pegram, was in this city.
The extensive and mischievous rumors which for some days have been busily circulated for the especial benefit of timid men and alarmists, caused this statement to be received with distrust; but when it was proven true beyond the possibility of a doubt the news was hulled with general pleasure.
The news published but a few days ago was, that the
Nashville had left the port of
Southampton, and that twenty-four hours after the
Tuscarora had started in pursuit.--The next information concerning her is that she lies safely moored under the guns of
Fort Macon, Beaufort harbor, and that the gallant
Pegram is in the
Confederate capital.
It seems that the
Nashville, after leaving
Southampton, steamed directly across the
Atlantic.
After passing
Bermuda she fell in with a U. S. merchant vessel, which she captured, taking on board the stores and the crew as prisoners.
On approaching the coast of
Carolina came the most serious moment of the whole trip.
Raising the U. S. flag and also a signal of distress, he steamed up to the blockading ship, seemingly preparing to run alongside.
After coming within musket shot the
Nashville changed her course, raised the
Confederate flag, and soon ran out of the reach of danger.
That night she lay safely under the guns of
Fort Mason.
It is generally understood that the
Nashville brought over several million dollars worth of Post-Office stamps, bank-note paper, dies, etc. The report that fifteen thousand stand of arms were on board is undoubtedly untrue.
The
Nashville was admitted into the
English ports on an equality with the ships of any nation, and her officers were treated with great consideration on shore — Arms and munitions of war must have been smuggled on board in violation of the
English law. To have received them would have been a breach of courtesy on the part of
Captain Pegram.
Besides, she is a national vessel, and would be used for fighting purposes, instead of a transport.
Capt. Pegram and
Paymaster Taylor arrived in
Richmond on Saturday, and have delivered the invoices and ship papers to the Treasury Department.
Capt. Pegram speaks in high terms of the hospitality of the
English people, and thinks the general feeling of the people is decidedly in favor of the
Confederate States.
He thinks
Belgium will be the first Government to recognize the
South, where her interest chiefly lie.
The
Sumter was at
Gibraltar, and had been very active in her operations among the
Federal shipping.
At last accounts she had captured and destroyed twenty-one Yankee vessels.
Running out of a Confederate port, making a voyage to
Europe and returning safely,
Capt. Pegram has demonstrated the fact that the blockade is simply of no account and decidedly in effective.
