s of France had been violated by manoeuvre and by menace, though the actual attack had been withheld, sent up from Fort de France the steamer-of-war Acheron, Captain Duchatel, with orders to Captain Palmer, either to anchor, if he desired to enter the harbor, or to withdraw beyond the marine league, if it was his object to blockader, on the first night after his arrival, and claiming the neutral protection to which I was entitled.
His Excellency having replied to this letter, through Captain Duchatel, in a manner but little satisfactory to me. I addressed him, through that officer, the following, in rejoinder:—
Confederate States steamer Sumter, Stinique, that it does not enter into his intentions, to exercise toward the Iroquois, either by night, or by day, so active a surveillance as you [I] desire.
Mr. Duchatel, commanding H. I. F. M's steamer Acheron.
As the lawyers say, I took nothing by my motion, with Governor Conde.
The United States were strong at sea, an
ee whether this promise is complied with.
In addition to the violations of neutrality reported by me, yesterday, I have, this morning, to report, that one of my officers being on shore, in the northern environs of the town, last night, between eight and nine o'clock, saw two boats, each pulling eight oars, the men dressed in dark blue clothing, with the caps usually worn by the sailors of the Federal Navy, pulling quietly in toward the beach; and that he distinctly heard a conversation, in English, between them—one of them saying to the other, Look Harry!
there she is, I see her,— in allusion, doubtless, to this ship.
These boats are neither more nor less than scout, or sentinel boats, sent to watch the movements, within neutral waters, of their enemy.
Now, with all due deference to his Excellency, I cannot see the difference between the violation of the neutrality of these waters, by the enemy's boats, and by his ship; and if no surveillance is to be exercised, either by night o
