Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-11-24
LETTER OF CAPT. n0LANDo REYNOLDS.
SABINE Pass. Oct. Sd, 1868.
n 9 Steamer Seminole.

Mr. DEAR Fox: am sorry that have been
ordered bv the Commodore to blockade OF this
Mace. as | felt l could have been OF more
service at the Rim Grande. where had seized
the "Sir VIM. Peel" on the 18th OF Septenl-
Der.
| could stand the hocus focus of those Eng
)ishmen there; they were in open day light
| landing cargoes of rontraband, with the con-
uiyance of the Mexicans, and sending mi"
Texas everything they could which would a'd
the rebellion. l knew It, but could not detecl
the act; consequently had to keep quiet until
had sufficient grounds fr making the seizure
I did.
The "Sir VIM. Pecln is about $40 feet long
on deck, and has splendid engines, all belo"
the water line, and built for tnan-ot'WaT,
iron stanchions and knees fore and att on her
main deck, and could be converted INTO PR
| vateer on. very short notice.
I expected to find guns on board, but did
not, with the exception Of two iron eighteen,
pound guns OF contraband articles touh"
about $50 ax!es for gun carriages, and Two
casks of iron rings for artillery harness
The vessel is perfectly ventilated with air
ports. and would ne comfortable for n crew OF
400 men. She will make US splendid single
deckcd sloop, with pivot guns, razee tile spar
deck: -.
No one knows, who has not been to the Ria
Grande, tho immense value that river IS TO the
Southern Confederacy. Steamers are cam
stautlv landing observation-disclosures
90 to Texas 10 the small steamers and barges
which re towed up the river and landed; Oh
returning, bringing carg0es OF C:nleacra'e
cotton-iust as bad as contraband, as It buys
tho arms and munitions Of war.
When took the "PceP' she had steam up
and thought she was going TO run tor 1t; 30
took her at anchor, which l would haze no,
preferred, as l feared the Englishman woul':
cry out neutrality, as he did; but l infrrmeH
him that he was in error: that | had the al
vantage; he was on my side Of the line: nc
was quite near the line, but little to the
uorthward.
I did not take any bearings myself Of the
position, as my instructions to the master are
general, that "he should always take bearing
when we stopped near the land" lie did $"
while was on board the Peel" as seized
her myself. and the day after the seizure
found that in the log was noted the bearing o
the river Rio Grande, W. hy S.. at the time OF
the seizure, which puts us little IN American
waters.
I an glad it wasdonc by the master, as
interest, personally.
Il rallied me to have q scoundrel Of an Eng
lishman CRYING out neutrality, when he knew
as we'll az did that he had been trafhcing in
the blood Of my counlrymcrs and making
money out of our misfnrtunes. That he had
landed arms and contraband of every klnn
before nv arrival, II was only ten DAYS at the
Rio Grande,) and had started with the inten.
ton of being privateer, and had so boosted
in Matamoras, is we'll known, but the misera.
bic Mexicans who are helping the trade, and
vet will no doubt sustain claim Of neutrality,
which they themselves are violating: for the
Hawkins, the Celt, Labannon and peel had
all discharged their cargoes. which were con-
sraband, and forwarded to Texas by Mexican
authorities in the Custom House.
When it is so palpable to any ono of our
statesmen that Mexicans are hourly, through
the Custom House at the Rio Grande. VIOLA
rine their neutrality BY assisting and giving
aid and comfort to the enemy think 1t
deyilish hard that any plea for the observance
or a neutrality. which they don't observe
themselves, should be listened to by our gov
eminent. and hope MIR. Seward will remind
them of what they are now DOING ana nave
done in the way of violating neutrality, by
sending to Texas contraband cargoes through
the Rio Grande; it is go easy, as the river at
it's mouth is about three hundred yards wide,
with four feet water on the bar, and grows
narrower as you 80 up.
| think the government should sustain my
course without listening to any plea OF neu-
tra,ity from either English or Mexicans..
The ship will condemn herself, for you know
her cargo, from information from abroad, and
what she must have landed the Mcxicans orc
themselves violating neutrality, "a 1t ~ the
duty of a neutral to show favor to neither
side. but be an honest friend to both belllge'
rents.
| can take good care of my position when
the fight comes on neutrality, as the course
have taken is fully sustained by my officers
and the master who placed the ship by bear
ings, in our own waters, so you see my rcek-
oniug is all right and I can rebus the English
version. ,,
You saw from that English Captain Hoods
desnatch how the drift would he. The damned
nuprv. / wonder if he recollected how his
consul, Mr.. Bunch, and some of his brother
officers, raised The blockade off Charleston by
nm imaginary line of horizon. | suppose the
boundary of Texas and Mexico is one of the
same to him; but have one of ';luisSs COM
passes. which give a blunter line than theirs.
! hone Mr. Seward will assume higher
law i. :ae case comes before him, as Mexico
and England are violating neutrality them