The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-15

Important Correspondence Concerning the
Blockade-Intsresting from Psnsacola-
The Coast Defences OF the Coast % be
BIockaded, sc.
INTERESTING CoRREsPoNDENsE-LETrERF FROM TIE
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The annexed correspondence has been handed 70 ua
for public information
WASHINGTON, Nay Q, 1851.
sIR-ReferriD9to the conversation had the honor 70
mold with you this morning, have TO say that I'M
der date Of Gath Of April, Messrs. -, merchants,
shipped on board the British ship James Yeo, now at
that port for Liverpool two hundred and fifty bales OF
cotton They inform that many parties are in the
same condition and all learn the views Of
the government TO the effect Of the blockade which
be disputed at least in this country, where the most
liberal views have been maintained, that a. neu-
trails the blockade dates from The time when in
fact is establishedto wit when there ia power pre-
nent to enforce it-and that 1t does not operate
seutral vessel found in port when 1t was instituted,
fore its commencement 1t clearly the interest OF
the government as that Of the shippers that whatever
therefore, on behalf OF my clients respectfully request
to be informed at your earliest leisure whether any
squadron that may receive such other inform
as win enable me to give to the parties an authoritative
Hon. GIDEON wnIEs, Secretary OF the Navy.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 10, 1891
SRI have received your communication Of the I'd
instant All neutral vessels will be allowed a reasonable
ime fifteen days, to leave port with without cargo,
after the blockade is actually instituted II the vessels
to which you refer exercise ordinary diligence IL pre-
sumed they will have no dih'ty IN leaving port within
the time allowed GIDEON WELLE3
P. PHILIPS, Eq., Washington.
INTERESTING FROM PENSACOLA.
THE BLOCKADE BEING ENFoRCED--ACTIvITY AMONG
THE REBEL TROOPs-BRAGG's ACTIVITY IN
ERECTING NEW BATTERIES, ETC.
We have received intelligence from Pensacola to the
sth instant, detailing interesting facts c,ncernng
fho M M clada ~
movements Of General Bragg. Tho steam transports
Dick Keys aud Lewis, which left Mobile the 7th with
provisions for Pensacola arrived Off the Pensacola bar
five O'Clock p NJ Of the same day, when they were
stopped and boarded by the United States war
steamer Powhatan and their papers and cargo examin
ed. Commodore Porter granted them permission tn
proceed to Pensacola rema king that he thought that
yeying troops TO Santa Rosa Island and that they
would be badly whipped after Bragg got them
and getting under way the Brooklyn came ur and or
dered them 70 follow her to the Sabine Through some
bar when the Powhatan and Brooklyn both fred across
her bow. She rounded to and q boats crew Of armed
men were put aboard Of hex They were compelled to
when Lieut. Brown warned them not 70 attempt en-
trance into the harbor he would send them North
prisoners OF and their boats would be sold prizes
The Powhatan followed the Keys and Lewis their
turn home till they passed Perdido river They returned
TO Mobile on the 9th, after an unsuccessful attempt to
General Bragg had recovered somewhat from his grief
at the reinforcement Of Fort Pickens, and again at
work try 10 concentrate metal enough to reduce that
work. Bragg's batteries extend esmicircle OF
four and zone half ilee This semicrcle commences at
the Navy Yard and terminates at the water battery be-
yond McRas. AT short intervals, for two miles and
half there s an uninterrupted line Of batteries along
this semcirce. new battery has been constructed
one and half miles from Fort Pickeus, named the
Quitman, consisting OF two thirty two Founders and
one howitzer 1t Is between Fort Barrancas and Fort
AcRae, and ands the eastern entrance OF the chan
mel Resides the two forts thee nineteen batteries
on the Confederate SIDE, between Pensacola AMI
Fort NcRae The batteries masked, SO that
they are rot visible from the sea or bay, aud
have strong parapets Ct sand bags OF grea. thick
ness, with covered redoubts OF mines, into which tho
gnnners retreat. These mines bomb proof
there continuous line Of these batteries the
Navy Yard and Barrancas aud between Barrancis and
NcRae. They all manned by select artillery compl-
drilled constantly at these batteries With McRae Bar
semicrcle of fire upon Pickens OF over hundrez
eight and ten inch columblads These batteries will have
while Pickens will be under the necessity Of scattering
and diflusiDg rs fire along line Of several mics
There is but little or no sickness prevalent among the
soldiers. Many persons residing ia Pensacola be-
coming alarmed lest the city should be attacked by
United States forces and moving their families into
the country General Bragg it is stated, has caused
number OF vessels to be sunk ia the haroor
vent the approach OF the feet of the harbor