Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-02-06

sent lack in tug-boat, and the "290,
as had been previously arranged, neglect.
ed to return to Birkenhead, but steamed
direct for the island in the Atlantic where
she was TO take in her guns, ammunition,
&C. On leaving England, the "290" had
a crew Of ninety-three men, for the most
part belonging to the English Naval Re-
serve, all being trained gunners, and the
majority old men-oi-war's men. She was
temporarily commanded by Captain Bull
lock ia strange coineidenee), who had un-
der him the proper complement of CONF
mssioned and petty officers. Captain
Bullock having learned that a Federal
man of-war (the Tuscarora) lay in wal.
for him in st. Georges Channel, thus
cludng his Federal enemy; though even
had he been intercepted the Northerner
would have found himself in dilemma,
as the 900" had a set of English papers,
and other presumptive proofs Of her neu-
trality, in the face of which it might have
been difficult for her captor to have acted.
The "29o" at this time carried no guns or
other warlkc stores, bat consisted merely
Of the bull, spars, and engines, excepting,
Of course, Goa! and other requisites to en-
able her to reach her destination, which
was Tarlssl, one of the Azores or West
ern Islands, belonging to Portugal. This
destination the 900 duly reached, after
fine run Of eight days, and came TO an
chor in Tarissa Roads, nothing of any
moment having occurred to break the
u ual monotouy OF a sea voyage.
Some time before the departure of the
"290s from the Mersey, large barque
left the Thames Cleared for Dcmerara,
West Inlies) to meet the 200" at Tar
issa, and there transfer to the latter ves-
sci the guns and stores destined for her,
and which formed the cargo Of the bark.
Some reason required to be assigned to
the Portuguese authorities for the "290"
having anchored in their bay, and accord
ngly the excuse furnished to them was
that her engines had broken down. This
plea was accepted as a valid one, and dur
ing the week that intervened betwixt the
arrival at Tarissa OF the 900" and the
barque, the crew of the former vessel
were engaged, ostensibly, in repairing her
engines, but really in preparing her to re-
ccive her guns, &c. During this interval
large parties of the inhabitants of Tar
issa made daily visits to the "29O," their
curiosity evidently excited by the warllke
appearance Of what laid claim to be an
English mcrcant vessel Many pertinent
questions were asked by the Portuguese,
and were as ingeniously evaded or met by
the officers of the 600" Amongst other
things the Portuguese wantel to know
why the vessel had 50 many ports; and
were told that as she was bound for a
warm climate they were necessary for
ventilation and when they asked Why
there was such numerous crew, the re-
ply was that. as she was going on sur
yeying expedition, she req Ill ed to be well
manned. Many similar questions were
pat and in like manner answered; but 1T
was all in vain to attempt to undercelve
the Portuguese, and ihey would persist in
calling her "Frigata Inglosi."
About the elapse OF week from the
arrival of the '290' the barque above
mentioned sailed in and anchored, her
captain alleging IS reason to the Portu-
ruesc officials that his vessel sprung
leak, which would require to be repaired
ere she could resume her voyage; and OH
this understanding the Portague at once
placed her in quarantine (Which IN the
Azores lasts three days.. On the day
after the barque's arrival Capt. Bullock
l5f the ''290'9, being anxious to get his
guns on board, hauled alongside Of the
barque, and erected a pair Of large shears
to effect the transfer OF her cargo from tho
barquas hold to the "290's" deck. This
brought oil the Portuguese in fury that
their rules should have been broken by
the "2J0' having dared to communicate
with vessel that had still two days
quarantine to run, and they angrily de-
mandcd to know the reason why them
regulations had been iu!rinred. They
yerc told that the barque Was in a sink
ing state, and the erection OF the shears
VAS accounted for by urging the necessity
for an immediate temporary transfer OF
her cargo, that the leak might be reached
and stopped, and Captain Bullock finally
succeeded in bearing down all opposition
by ieigaing to get in passion, saying he
was dony no more for the barque than
any Engiishman would do for country
man in distress. The Portuguese left the
vessel and the transhipmeut proceeded,
without further hiulrancc from those on
shore.
About the afternoon of the second day,
and when the transfer was nearly COM
pete, the British screw steamer Bahama
came in, having on board Captain Semmes
and the other late officers OF the Sumter,
besides tae remainder of the Coos" ar
mament. aud an addition Of twenty odd
mea 10 her crew. On the Bahamas ar
rival aal anchorage on somewhat SINH.
lar preteEt 10 those given to her two pre-
deees-orS, the Portuguese fairly lost all
patience, and peremptoriy insisted on tho
instant departure OF all three vessels
The b hama at once communicated with
the "310," and having handed over to .he
latter vessel everything destined for her,
got ap steam AID left, followed BY the
900 towing the now empty barqae.-
All three, went not u sea, as they had
bcen ordered to do, but to Angra Bay Ia
ibay in the same island, and only few
leagues distant from Twissa Roads).-
Here they remained unmolested until
moon the following day "a Sunday when,
lor the second time, all three vessels were
- l,, ,t nf tho pDrturne~n WATERS