Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-08

XPEDITIOUs-- Wilmington n. c., ought to be an
expeditions place. for expeditions said to have
been fitted out against it than against any other two
places the continent, and they keep doing it for
says the telegraph An important movement of the
Navy, under PORTER, is expected. Its probable dest
nation is Wilmington. Porter was sick at the last
accou4tg.
Seizure OF ihe EIurida-g.itu'. Morsis's Official
Statement.
The London Index publishes the following account of
capture Of the Florida written by Captain Morris, her
'i B4HIl Oct Is ls64sir: with pain that
have 10 report the seizure OF thu Confederate States
steamer Florida. lately under my comnapd.
arrived at this port the Al instant, ut r n: to
repairs of 81 days Just att6f anchoriDg,
eceVins cur reply stated that the nat was IT ON
Her Britaanic hajestys steamer CureE Next morning
found the United States steamer WschUaett was at
Choir but English steamer, SO at once con
ore from the Wschusett.
We were visited morning Of the 5th By Brazil
ian officer, uhon stated my wants. and Informed
that u4tl received We could hold no com
InuDicat with the shore At noon ceived commu
nic (Which lett board the Forlda from me
President stating that ne READY TO receive u.s. At our
Interview he informed Us that A hours would be allowed
fl ord repair, but hat should his Chief engineer
whom he woul send board t. examine the machinery
tie time shor ne would grant the n CESAR eX
te?siOu. H urgent in his q1ss that should
~. a tIat He hal T4revsd the rsost solemn assn.
United Sta Cousin that the Unted states
steamer would nothing in port contrary to the laws OF
nations and of Braz and that he desired ire same rom
me- whica unhesjatiDgly gave. The Braz liam admiral
present at the interview, suggested that had
better move vessel in between his ship and the shore
as our D. oximity to the W8chusetJ might some d
Guilty by 20 the PFesideIt seemed TO set his
mini m rest On the score of any collision the
vessels and upon leav,g him Immediately repaired
board aud moved the Fl rda cloe il ehore to the
or board and informed by him that would require
four day repair tie pipe OF the condenser. teeng
apprehension OF any difficulty occurring Whle IN
nor vi
only he OF good conduct but aTo OF healh
for twelve hours and sent the portwatch of that alter
About 1880 P. s.. boat came alongsd9 stating
that she from the United states steamer Wschusett
with The United Consul. who had official commu
mic alton for the commander of the Florida The letter
with the card t Consul, handed to First Leuten
Porter, who after it, and finding 1t directed
Captain Morris Shop Florida returned 1t UNOPENED
that the vessel wes Confederate States steamer Flor
Ca and hen the letter directed would be
The next dag (6tb) Fir. de Vidky board, hay
ing received letter from the United states Consu lnclo
sing ore for me. BE requested before receiving my
letter TO Permit to real to the one sent to him. 1t
request AIR: de Vidky to carry challenge to the
commander # tie Florida and in case OF its acceptance
to (he ConuPs) Influence in having the repairs
of the Florida speedily finished INFORMED MI. de VIdlky
re still improperly addressed declined receiving but
at The time said to him that hao come 10 b"ha oI
special purpose, which being accompanied: l should
leave that would neither seek avoid contest with
the Wacbuse shood encounter her outs de OF Bra
lillian waters, would my utmost enoeavors desIoy
her. afternoon the port watch the other halt OF The
With several of the ofcois From
chuset persons boGd OF that vessel GOULD well see
At $3.50 4 N. awakened by the proprietor of the
no which taying, and told that mere was some
cheering in the direction the vessel but of
the darkness unable to discern yhing immedia'
eIv haste ned to the landing and Informed by Bra
zian officer that the United States steamer Wachuseett
had into AID seized the Florida ana was tnen
s told by him hat he was at once gong Ii puf-
t. which he did aeon az steam was RAISED on poaTd
| rtot he
being saing vessel sloop of taken ia TOW bV
tie steamer, and went out OF the harp r rs aetnf ~
oyertake hs Wachuset Upon m1st&riDg the officers and
rev efr On shore found there four officers viz
Lieut. Barrnp Psvmaaer Taylor. nidshipman Dyke and
Masters Nate King aud seVenfy-one men OF whom Fix
has ped by swimming from tne florua ai'er hef se
OF the actual occurrences snd loss of life On board the
Florida have been able to ind very little. cub
stance of what have gathered ths six men VITO es
capped is IS fclows That at 3:l5 A. M on October T.
Master r T. Hunter Jr berg charge of the eek the
EFT left her anchorage, taking advantage the
darkness steamed for the Florida, from whom she
seen until close aboard that she was hailed by Mr Hu1
olarters Before the officers aud al CD deck
tbs Wachuset struck the Florida her quarter
ing her rail down the deck ard carrying away
mizenna.t at time pouring volley OF ksry
cur d. cks The Wachusett then backed of and demAr
surrender 20 whleh aea man p9fter Geoinea t'
which reformed by the officers AID crew O
the FoYida. Another demand UGs then made cur
render aid Lii Porter answer ed " vi" turTsndeT CTR
dir. any, \ re enemy then STOPPED fling and the n
| 18Th
| P1Itn- aT y ed that Cspt4iI &c. 3 hora,
that he as commanding Ofcs ~ou )1e gu beard
soon "a ho c0nA get boat ready. the ENEMY theu
nnher of am boats AXE BcssIoa OF tie FoS: Ia.
a. soon os Iieu5 Porter heard to sutreRfa-
cra i1nnsd overheard to escape capture OF ~hCm on
six remaining nine having been shot in thu
water b the the tOecase and 10 the boats of th
| Wacbusatt, Mr.. Hunter was wounded and number o
, men killed Tbs enomy made last hawer to the fore
m2q f tre Florida, and after slipping her CABLE tswe
her out to sea-
called il person the President as possible
bn+ cond Cet TO further information from him. On tn
Nh cent protest President, OF which send 20
a cow naked Z the lO,h, agent nform me
swfr nv noteet as Confederate Government had
been by BAIL that could f-d all the 81
fetal carrespou6ence the newspapers. thsn Wrot
letter marked 3. which rattrence IL made to letE6
rked 4 Just before leaving Baha having received
nsWpr cent our agent, &r JAS. DFyer the Preaiden
The rea1lt Of his visit contained il hs letter marked
S.ha contain number OF reports az to III
t;lIad on5 Cnuled on boaTd+he Florida, ali Of which
b~ve Thoroughly gted and Il I'd no foundation for til
o sane u -.
tons of coal on board, most CT which was dust he liz
Of oecers nred is cOntaiped 10 tte report of Pa5
q ter Taylor marked D.
The enclosed newspaper an oclai extract contsli
all the Brs lillian official Correspondence IN reference 20 tn
10 Florida.
am, very respectfully,
Q Your obedieut sefv ant, - ~
(Signed) g. MANlGAULT NORRIS,
Litat. Congo ). Navy.
: Every eheershes in his heart some object-som
1l-.-.