Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-20
Gbe Ohio 6tatesnram
TIL RMs
correspondence or Captain Palmer
or the eIrOquois..-The Sumter,s Es-
cape,
~ Y. 8. s2EAnsHIf IRoouoIs, I


saf v. 3. STEAMsHIP IRoouos,
% zi OFF ST. PIERRE, Nov. Is, 1861
Sir: AS circumstances prevent my paving m
personal respects to your Excellency or Won
representative at this place, write to announc
my arrival IN the afternoon of yesterday. a
Wen as TO inform you that TO my surprise / iin,
notorious steamer, called the Sumter, auietl,
coaiing at the wharves and enjoying the hospi
talities of the port. Us - 1o.'1'- .'7r'
AS your Excellency cannot be aware of tn,
character OF this vessel, denounce her to yo,
as one that has been for some time engaged Il
Pirating upon the commerce OF the United
states, robbing, burning or otherwise destroy
lDg all American vessels that come within he
reach. ..I..l r.I - -
May not hope. therefore, that yout Excel
lency, upon this representation, will not ALLOW
her to enjoy the privileges complain Of but di
rect her to leave the protection of the Frencl
hag and the mmunites Of q French port.
have the honor to be-, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
JAS. S. PALMER,
Commanding u. s. steamship Iroouois
10 his Excellency, the Governor Of Marti
nique. -.
f@ Translation
OS'hhtsmhNN IL LA OABINET 4
DEs GouVERNEUR, No. 43O, DE-FRANcE,}
le 18th Nov. 1861.
MONSIEUR LIE CoMMANDANr: have the homo,
to reply to the letter which you addressed nt
this morning 1-s.I
l am not ignorant, Mons. 10 Commandant, O.
the presence, in the roads OF st. Pierre, of 8
vessel belonging to the States of the South
VINO profess TO have formed separate Confed
GRAFTON. .- -
To accomplish the generous intentions of tb,
emperor, wish to be hospitable to the vessels
OF the Two belligerent parties, but | will not
neitner cannot, without violating the orders Of
his Majesty, divest myself of the absolute neu
trality that ought to observe. yIl .I'7-
This is TO say to you, None. le Commsudant
that If it s not my intention to refuge an an
ohorage to vessel belonging to the States O
the South, offer to you, on the other hand
the same hospitality. and the same facilities
to the vessel belonging to the Governmen
OF the Union, which you have the homer TO com
mand. % -
There exist, besides, international laws tha
every civilized nation scrupulously observes, AM
which need scarcely recall to you, Mons. |,
Commandant, nor to the Commandant of tn,
Sumter. sr.,,.. at.tr
Accept, Mons. le COmmandant, the assurauc,
OF my most distinguished consideration
ur LIE ADMIRAL,
Gouverneur de Ia Martinique, etc
Monsieur le Commandant de le Iroquols.
U. 8. s. IRoouoIs, OFF ST. PrRRRE,l
MARTINIQUE, Nov. 20, 1861.
SIR; think It is well in my present pro
voking and anxious position to Keep The Gov
eminent informed by whatever opportunity may
offer. =
Il Is now the ninth day that / have beer
blockadng the Sumter. She lies still AZ tbt
wharf, surrounded by more or less of a crowt
day and night, all anxious for her successful
escape, sympathizing with their fellow French
men of the State of Lonisisna, 20 which Stat
they believe the Sumter to belong. The au
thorities, from the Governor down, I believe T.
be all IN thet favor. / directed the Consnl Oh
other day to call upon the Governor and inforr
him that regarded the attitude of the author
tiles as unfriendly to the United States. Iquot
you the Consul's reply: -
| al called on the Governor on Monday night
but could do nothing more than ask an audi
enoe for next day, as his salon was full of peo
pie, among them the Captain of the Sumter
When ! saw him he said the sanitary regulation
were such as were enforced on Monday, an,
he had no control over them. The vessel hav
ing gone beyond the regular health and custom
house limits, has lost the rights of regular pra
tique, the Governor of course repudiating any
thing like unfriendliness, and regr citing the ne
ceesity OF submitting to the laws in your case
ana would be glad to see you here at anchor /
prove the sincerity Of his good wishes.''
Unfortunately for me, the coming to an an
chor involves the necessity of waiting twenty
four hours after the departure Of the Sumter
for l have consented to the Governors express
ed hope that would abide by all rules Of inter
national law; consequently / am obliged /
cruise outside, and run the risk of her escapin
every night. .. -,
Thus far we have had the moon, but il is no,
waning fast, and, with the most intense watch
ling and devotion, | fear may have TO repor
her escape. Would that there were another fas
steamer to yatch the other point of the bay. =
II have some understanding with some loya
people on shore to notify by signal Of her dc
parture.
The French will doubtless think it a gres
outrage upon their neutrality, but they wi
have to pocket this, as have been as forbesl
ing as they can expect, and nothing but th
feeling of the impolicy of Bringing on hostil
ties between my country and France makes m
submit with anything like grace.
| have the honor to be, very respectfully,
| Your obedient servant,
JAS. s. PALMER, Cong.
Hon. GIDEON WELLS, Sec'y of the Nav,
Washington, D. G.