Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-10-28
EXCITEMENT AT BERMUDA !
Admiral Wilkes takes his Fleet in for Coal
He is Ordered to Leave in "a Hours
THEY ARE FEARFUL THAT HE WILL DESTROY SIX
REBEL STEAMERS,

1 From tbs AcAdian Recorder, oct II.
The Royal Mail steamer Merlin, Captain
sampson, arrived this morning at . O'Clock,
from St Thomas and Bermuda. We learn
from the Captain that while entering the har-
of ST. George ON Monday last, from st.
Thomas, his vessel was brought to by blank
slot from Union gunboat cruising of the
harbor. 1t afterward turned out that this
vessel was the Sonoma, belonging to the fleet
of the notorious Admiral Wilkes, which had
been in the harbor for some days, and which
had itsu left.
The following letter from our correspon-
dent in Bermuda, written Immediately pre-
yious to the departure Of the Merlin on Tues
day last, details the circumstances an affair
which, we doubt not, will strike with aston
lshment even those who consider themselves
proof against astonshment ut anything in
the way Of folly and outrage on the part of
our Federal officials. We understand that
dispatches to the Admiral here came in the
Merlin, aud were forwarded Immediately on
the arrival Of that steamer
We have been sadly insulted by three
Ships of the Union Navy, under the command
Of the notorious Wilkes Three ships arri-
we'd here, direct from New York, in four
days on the 25th ult,, said to he in want of
coal. The Admiral, with one of his fleet
after being presented with a copy of the
Queens proclamation, relative to the twenty
four hours limit, entered the port of St
George for coal, with the understanding that
She was TO leave on Monday morning, at the
latest
Monday came-thc diver represented that
the Admiral's ship required some repairs to
her bottom-but no repairs were attempted
Un Tuesday the ships were still in port -
Our Governor and the commandant of the
troops went ON board, to eXpostuale with
Admiral Wilkes, and he promised To leave
ON Wednesday Wednesday came--stil
the obnoxious vessels were in the limited
water of the port, and no symptom of their
intention to move. On Thursday morning.
however, the Admiral and the gunboats he
brought in with him left, and the one that
was blockading the port was moved in to
take coal and undergo repairs.
The Admiral was induced to leave at
length, it seems, by IL communication from
the Governor, telling him that if he did not
he would compel him. The dlniral after he
got to sea, wrote very offensive letter to
tile Governor, accusing him Of many things,
things indeed, as such men only us Wilkes
could and were guilty OF IN the port of 81.
George
1t would seem that Wilkes had Il double
object in coming to Bermuda, first, to insult
the authorities, for he must have known
what Il delenceless state we were in, and
secondly, to capture or destroy the vessels in
that port--sx steamers--that are engaged,
either directly or indirectly, with the Con.
federate ports, and to destroy the powder, Of
which there is said to be Il large quantity
stored ON one of the small islands in Castle
llarbor The Admiral ana one of his
steamers have gone out Of sight of land, but
the other one, having coaled and repaired, is
cruising outside of St George.
During this rebellion, the Americans have
taken many liberties with the British, but
do not think any Of them equals this.
The poor Coniederates were sadly fright.
ened, for knowing the character of the Ad-
mira they knew he would do anything, how
ever Illegal to destroy them; and the inhabi-
tants OF st. George were under great appre
henson lest some turn might take place
which would result in row, when they would
suffer materially.
MONDAY EyENlNG.--Two Of the Admirals
gnnboats still close in with the harbor of st. |
George.
The Halifax Reporter of the same date
says;
Considerable excitement was caused this
afternoon by rumOr extensively circulated
w tue huthoTlty ol several gentlemen who |
proessed 10 have enquired into the facts of
the case, that the Royal Mail steamer Merlin,
on leaving Bermuda suffered an indgnity
somewhat similar to that which the Trent
experienced on previous occasion, and ut
the hands of the same valiant individual.
The statement is that Capt. Wilkes, smart |
ing under the atticton OF some slight re-
celved at Bermuda, stood of the port until |
Tie Merlin made her appearance when she |
was brought to by the firing of gun across
her bows, and detained until she underwent
close examination Of her papers &c."