Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-16

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and responsible Government
The confession of MARINES Abrantes, the
Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs
shows that the Florida's cbief rem
devious were on the islands around, which
are dependencies of Brazil. G17
APPOINTMENTS.
Gen. Vessel: has received orders TO re.
lieve Gen. Hoffman, Commanding General
of Prisons
Gen. Vessel is to have charge of all
the prisons east ofthe Mississippi.
Gen. Hoffman has been ordered to the
West and will have charge of all prisons
West of the Mississippi.
NDIsPosITIoN.
Secretary Stanton is still unable to be
at his Office.
Major Gen. Meigs is also confined to his
house by indisposition. 12s azE
EVACUATION OF PETERSBURG.
There is runaor freHa-the Potomac
army, which is pretty well authenticated,
that the rebels are about evacuating Pc
tersburg. .l N
ANXIETY FOR SHERMAN.
Great anxiety is attached to Sherman's
movement. The first news from him is
looked for by the way of Richmond.
THE FLORIDA AFFAIR.
The Worlds Washington special says ::
1t is understood that Secretary Seward
has prepared and transmitted to the Bra
LILLIAN Government letter, wherein he
tenders the most ample apology for the
recent violation of the neutral law by the
Wachusetts seizing the Florida, while
at the same time, it does not offer return
of the captured vessel to the port where
she was seized.
This letter, it is hoped, will allay any
irritation which may be felt at the conduct
of the Federal officer.
The opinion at Washing gton is tnat the
seizure of the Florida was gross viola
ton of the law of nations, and strict
reparatiOn would include the returning of
the Florida, dismissal from service of Cap
tain Collins and the return of our Consul
to Bahia, together with full apology for
the unjustifable conduct of the United
States.
Mr.. Seward will endeavor to save our
nation from such humiliation, and at the
same time satisfy the Brazilian govern
ment that the ofense was not wanton
one.
ARMY NEWS.
No news ofimportance from the army
of the Potomac.
Little news from Sheridan since yes
terday.
1t is said both Longstreet and Breckin-
ridge have recently reinforced the rebel
valley army.
THE PIRATE FLORIDA.
The Heralds Fort Monroe eorrespon-
dent thus describes the Florida:
Her masts are unusually tall, her yards
very short, her hull is not dissimilsr to
our third class sloOps, only that she sits
lower in the water and has more space
in her lines. Her smoke-stackss, are too
close together for symmetry. A bright
coat of black paint gives her much the
appearance of a man of-war The breach
in her side caused by the stern Of the Wa
has not been repaired, but was
covered with canvass in order TO enable
her to perform the journey to this port
An ordinary observer would pronounce
her a Ane-loOking craft, but when lying
alongside sloops of our navy, the contrast
is very striking, and greatly to the Flori-
da's discredit.
Everything about her is British, includ-
ing guns, ammunition, and most Of her
crew. She is ITO feet long, &c feet beam,
20 feet hold. Has three mssts. One was
carried away in the collision and broke
short of at the deck. Bow very sharp.
Gives indications of great speed. She is
supplied with double engines, and bears
the name of the makers-Fawcett, Preston
s. Co., Liverpool. On boarding her, the
6rst fight is the artillery deck incumbered
fore and aft with exceedingly clumsy
travere for sliding. One finch Blakley
gun on the pivot next to the broadside.
The guns are homely and the carriages are
hard to manage, having only two wheels
and very unhandy tackle. Between her
decks it was very filthy, Notwithstanding
the constant scrubbing of our men.
On the 4th the Florida arrived at Bahia
Bay, and anchored inside the harbor. On
this day the plan was arranged on board
the Wachusetts for attacking the Florida
with tug, to run into her under full
head of steam and sink her while at an
ehor.
Lieutenant Commanding Beardslee and
q number of men from the Waehus etts
volunteered for this enterprise, and with
1srmigsion from Captain Collins he went
able tug. He found light craft, But SBe
had no coal, and there was no way of get
ting supply. Next day the Florida mo
we'd towards one of the forts, On the 7th
q council of war was called by Captain
Collins, after mature deliberation it was
decided to attack the Florida in the night.
The particulars do not differ from those
already given.
rs chronometers, and large number
of books and papers we're found on board,
alsoa list of 80 vessels destroyed since jan
usry 16, 1864.
The Wachusetts and Florida will soon
sail for New York.
NEWS FROM RICHMOND.