Year: 1861

An officer of the war steamer Powhdtdn
sends to the National Intelligencer loug &C.
count of that vessels chase of the privateer
Sumter. The following are extracts:


We found curious state of affairs exist
ing in Marsnhsm, the people, from the Gov
eIpor down, being SumteT-mGd, and politics
running as high as they ever did in the
South-the Brazilians sympaLhizing almost
to o man with the Secessionists, under the
impression that the South was fighting the
battle Of Brszil-6ghting to protect their
property in slaves.


Addresses were made by Captain Semmes
to the Governor and people of Maranham, in
which he used the most specious arguments
to prove that after the North had abolished
slavery in the Southern States she would
turn her attention to abolishing slavery in
the Brazilian Empire. OF course the arrival
of the Po10hdtdn was looked upon with dis
trust, and re ward of five hundred dollars
(made by an American) to auy one who
would knock hole in her bottom 80 that
she could not follow the Sumter was received
with great favor, the Government taking no
steps TO stop such proceedings.


In all communities there are weak minded
people who can not keep a secret intrusted to
them; there we're some such in Maranham.
Captain Semmes' particular friends let out
many facts in relation to his movements
which he would rather have kept secret.
We found out all we wanted to know about
the Sumter, what coal she could stow, what
was her speed, what number of men aud
what kind of crew she had, and where she
would likely turn her attention to capture
lrizes.


A description of the Sumter, taken
from faithful photograph, may not be un-
interesting to merchant captains who may
wish to avoid her. She is an awkwardly-
rigged bark, half man Of war, half merchant
man. Her mizzen mast is long way of
from her mainmast, and her sails bear great
disproportion to her hull, being too little
canvas for 30 long vessel She carries three
! try sails, all being larger than those carried
by sailing vessel. She carries fore stay.
sail and jib, and her bowsprit and head.
booms have no stove. She has two large
! quarter bosts and one hanging at the stern.
She carries topgalants, and has seven foot
royal pole without stays. Her courses are
deep, particularly the mainsail, and her top.
sails look as if they have a reef in them, being
short. She carries no guns on the spar deck
and her pivot gun being nearly in the middle
of tie ship, it can not be used in chasing
without yawing the ship six points.
l. Any smart sailing vessel can run away
from her on an easy bowline, for on a wind
under sail, she can do nothing of consequence
and she can not carry her sail on that course
without its shaking or getting aback, Tn,
range of her largest gun is only two thou
sand ysrds at high elevation, and she coulC
not hit anything at greater distance thar
fifteen hundred yards and could not CARR
her ports out with heavy sea on.


trust that with the above description
(Which may be relied onlamerchant ship
may be able to avoid her.


My opinion is that the Sumter will fnall,
turn pirate against all commerce. She ha
crew composed of all nations, the creates
portion being Portuguese, Spanisrds an,
English. a7sl