Year: 1863

A correspondent of the Buffalo Commercial
Advertiser, writing from Nassau, New Provi-
dence, on the 18th of February, says:


The steamers which run to Charleston are all
painted light lead color, which renders them
almost undstinguishable from the horizon
They leave here at such time that a common
run will bring them off Charleston about mid
night the third day from here, then as they can
easily see our feet, they steer quietly between
the bockaders, and being of this dull lead color
and with their single mast, and smoke-pipe
lowered, and wi.hal being wonderfully long low
and swift they are almost certain OF getting in.


Coming out is still more a certainty, for at
sunset they take from Fort Sumter very precise
compass observations of our feet at anchor,
and then, as our vessels do not change their DO.
sitons after dark, it is perfectly simple matter
to steer solely by compass out into the open sea.
Once out there is no danger, for they can show
a clean pair of heels to any of our gunboats:--
Communication is truly more frequent with
Charleston than New York, and we have New
York dates six and seven days later this way
than direct. Since have been here, now six
days, one steamer, the Calypso, has arrived from
Charleston laden with cotton, and five, the
Ruby, Giraffe, Antonica, Nicholas 1st, and
Leopard, have sailed for the same place, besides
several sail vessels which have cleared for
Northern ports, hut with cargoes that make it
certain they will see Charleston or Wilmington
| if possible.


tits great matter of wonder here to Union
men, and Sontherners too, that our Govern
ment has not put forth every exertion to caps
ture Charleston, for it has been by that port,
and from this place, that their immense sup
plies of arms have been drawn. Now. fit is
captured, it will be shutting the barn door too
late, for their supplies are so ample that large
quantities Of gun carriages and guns are lying
in this place, and not sent across because there
is no call for them. These successful affairs
and particularly the naval affair at Charleston
(of which we heard before you DID, have
made the Secessonsts very jnbilant, of course
and had contrary effect upon us Of the North.
We can feel it the more because there was no
necessity fer it. AS long ago as June last,
our consul here, Mr.. Whiting formerly, by
the way lake captain, running out OF Buftalo)
officially informed cur Government that the
machinery and iron plates for ram were here,
and being sent to Charleston as fast as oppor-
unity offered. Later he wrote that, from in
finished and would be at work very soon.
Every cargo of cotton is worth from quarter
to a million dollars, and as the Antonica has
made six round trips and the Leopard the same
they may we'll put their fingers to their noses,
and laugh about their packet and their ferry
to Charleston. The authorities here are Of
course not ignorant of all this. The cearan-
ces are taken to Halifax or st. John, but they
know perfectly well the real destination
Nearly every white person is in sympathy
with the South, and all are more or less en-
gagsd in these blockade ventures, which are
perfect game of chance, with chances on the
side of the risk. Large quantities of cotton
are piled up, waiting shipment to England
Storekeepers put their stocks on shipboard and
take their pay in cotton, on return trip. Cot
ton sells for sixty cents per pound, specie, and
Mr. Storekeeper gets rich.