On the day following, in the midst of coaling, a mail steamer arrived, bringing information that the Sumter had just put in on the 9th to Port Royal, Martinique, in want of coals. I had been often led astray by false reports, but this seemed so positive that I instantly ceased coaling, got my engines together, and was off at 2 in the mid-watch for Martinique, arriving at St. Pierre in thirty-six hours. On turning into the harbor I discovered a suspicious steamer, which, as we approached, proved to be the Sumter, flying the secession flag, moored to the wharf, in the midst of this populous town, quietly coaling. The town and shipping in the harbor were instantly all excitement, I could not attack her in this position, for humanity's sake, even were I disposed to be regardless of the neutrality of the port. I did not anchor, but cruised around the harbor within half gunshot of her during the night. In the morning a French man-of-war arrived from Port Royal, the seat of government, only twelve miles distant. The Sumter had been there for the last two days. The government, it is true, had refused to give her any of its coals, but had allowed her to come around to St. Pierre, where she readily obtained them from some merchants, (English, I believe.) She evidently had been received with courtesy at the seat of government, and this farce of the non-recognition of the Confederate flag is played out of both France and England in the most flagrant manner. I now addressed a letter to the Governor, assuming him to be ignorant of the character of the Sumter, a copy of which I enclose. I also enclose a translation of his reply. The Department will observe that from the generous disposition of the Governor, the Sumter has the same privileges as this vessel. The captain of the French war-steamer also addressed me a letter, saying he was directed by the Governor to request me no longer to compromise the neutrality of the French waters by establishing a blockade within their jurisdiction, but to anchor, when every hospitality and facility should be afforded me, or to take my position without the distance of a marine league from shore. At the same time, that, while anchor weigh it was contrary to the police regulations of the port to communicate with the shore. I consequently decided upon anchoring, which I had no sooner done than the French commander paid me a visit, offered me every civility and attention, saying that he did not doubt that all international law would be respected by me; and in the course of conversation, quoting from Wheaton, reminded me that one belligerent could not depart until twenty-four hours after the other. I instantly got under weigh, with him on board, fearing that the Sumter should do so before me, as her steam was up. I have now accepted the alternative, and established myself at the mouth of the harbor, without the marine league, with much anxiety, lest during the darkness of the night, under cover of the high land, the Sumter should be able to get off without my being aware of it. The majority of the town is in favor of the Sumter, and with the utmost vigilance, which all on board exert, she may yet escape some night for want of signals from the shore to give us notice of her departure. I am also in want of coal, and shall send over to St. Thomas to-morrow for a supply, as well as provisions, stores, &c., for when I left I did not bargain for this blockade. The The Sumter seems in good condition. consul informs me she has one hundred and twenty men. She does not certainly appear to be in the disorganized state in which late accounts have represented her. She has latterly captured but two American vessels-one the brig Joseph Parke, of Boston, on the 25th of September; the other the schooner Daniel Trowbridge, of New Haven, on the 27th of October. She has landed here fourteen prisoners on their parole. Three of the Joseph Parke's men (all foreigners) joined the Sumter. I regret to give the government so long and unsatisfactory a letter, but must avail myself of the opportunity for St. Thomas, which offers to-morrow. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES S. PALMER, To Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Commander. P. S.-November 18.-I feel more and more convinced that the Sumter will yet escape me, in spite of all our vigilance and zeal, even admitting that I can outsteam her, which is a question. To blockade such a bay as this, which is almost an open roadstead, fifteen miles in width, the surrounding land very high and the water very bold, obliged, as we are by the neutrality laws, to blockade at three miles' distance, it would require at least two more fast steamers, and a vessel of war of any description in port to notify us by signal of her departure, to give any reasonable hope of preventing her escape. Even now, moonlight though it be, she may yet creep out under shadow of the land, and no one be able to perceive her, she being always able to observe my position, open to seawards. Though I have made arrangements to be informed by signal of her departure from shore, I fear I cannot depend upon the parties, so fearful are they of the authorities and of popular indignation. I have done all I can, and if she escapes me, we must submit to the distress and mortification. I believe we have no vessel on this station except the Macedonia, and there is no knowing when she may get up this way to learn our situation. I wish the Sumter were anywhere else except in this port, or under French protection. The authorities herc, under plea of neutrality, are throwing every obstacle in my way, in the way of communicating with the shore. They are so full of punctilio, and, withal, so polished, that it is provoking to have any thing to do with them. CORRESPONDENCE. UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP IROQUOIS, OFF ST. PIERRE, Nov. 15, 1861. SIR: As circumstances prevent my paying my personal respects to your Excellency or your representative at this place, I write to announce my arrival in the afternoon of yesterday, as well as to inform you that to my surprise I find a notorious steamer, called the Sumter, quietly coaling at the wharves, and enjoying the hospitalities of the port. As your Excellency cannot be aware of the character of this vessel, I denounce her to you as one that has been for some time engaged in pirating upon the commerce of the United States, robbing, burning, or otherwise destroying all American vessels that come within her reach. May I not hope, therefore, that your Excellency, upon this representation, will not allow her to enjoy the privileges I complain of, but direct her to leave the protection of the French flag, and the immunities of a French port? I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. S. PALMER, Commanding U. S. steamship Iroquois. To his Excellency, the Governor of Martinique. TRANSLATION. GOUVERNEMENT DE LA MARTINIQUE, CABINET DES GOUVERNEUR No. 430, FORT-DE-FRANCE, Le 15th Nov., 1861. MONSIEUR LE COMMANDANT: I have the honor to reply to the letter which you addressed me this morning. I am not ignorant, Mons. le Commandant, of the presence in the roads of St. Pierre of a vessel belonging to the States of the South, who profess to have formed a separate Confederation. To accomplish the generous intentions of the Emperor, I wish to be hospitable to the vessels of the two belligerent parties, but I will not, neither cannot, without violating the orders of his Majesty, divest myself of the absolute neutrality that I ought to observe. This is to say to you, Mons. le Commandant, that if it is not my intention to refuse an anchorage to a vessel belonging to the States of the South, I offer to you, on the other hand, the same hospitality, and the same facilities to the vessel belonging to the Government of the Union, which you have the honor to command. There exist, besides, international laws, that every civilized nation scrupulously observes, and which I need scarcely recall to you, Mons. le Commandant, nor to the Commandant of the Sumter. Accept, Mons. le Commandant, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration. LE ADMIRAL, QUE,} U. S. S. JROQUOIS, OFF ST. PIERRE, MARTINIQUE, SIR: I think it is well in my present provoking and anxious position to keep the Government informed by whatever opportunity may offer. It is now the ninth day that I have been blockading the Sumter. She lies still at the wharf, surrounded by more or less of a crowd day and night, all anxious for her escape, sympathizing with their fellow Frenchmen of the State of Louisiana, to which State they believe the Sumter to belong. The authorities, from the Governor down, I believe to be all in their favor. I directed the Consul the other day to call upon the Governor and inform him that I regarded the attitude of the authorities as unfriendly to the United States. I quote you the Consul's reply: "I called on the Governor on Monday night, but could do nothing more than to ask an audience for next day, as his salon was full of people, among them the Captain of the Sumter. When I saw him he said the sanitary regulations were such as were enforced on Monday, and that he had no control over them. The vessel having gone beyond the regular health and Custom House limits, has lost the rights of regular pratique, the Governor of course repudiating any thing like unfriendliness, and regretting the necessity of submitting to the laws in your case, and would be glad to see you in here at anchor to prove the sincerity of his good wishes." Unfortunately for me the coming to an anchor involves the necessity of waiting twentyfour hours after the departure of the Sumter, for I have consented to the Governor's expressed hope that I would abide by all rules of international law, consequently I am obliged to cruise outside, and run the risk of her escaping every night. Thus far we have had the moon, but it is now waning fast, and, with the most intense watching and devotion, I fear I may yet have to report her escape. Would that there were another fast steamer to watch the other point of the bay. I have some understanding with some loyal people on shore to notify by signal of her departure. The French will doubtless think it a great outrage upon their neutrality, but they will have to pocket this, as I have been as forbearing as they can expect, and nothing but the feeling of the impolicy of bringing on hostilities between my country and France, makes me submit with any thing like grace. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES S. PALMER, Com'g. HON. GIDEON WELLES, UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP IROQUOIS, SIR: As I expected, I have to report the escape of the Sumter, to the great dejection of us all, for never were officers and crew more zeal ous for a capture. Doc. 215. At eight o'clock on the night of the 23d, the MOVEMENTS NEAR PORT ROYAL, S. C. signal was faithfully made us from the shore, that the Sumter had shipped to the southward. Instantly we were off in pursuit, soon at full speed, rushing down to the southern part of the bay, but nothing was visible on the dark background. A small steamer, apparently one plying between St. Pierre and Port Royal, was off the point making signals, doubtless for the benefit of the Sumter. But we could see nothing of her as we proceeded on, so dark was the shadow thrown by the high land. Still we went on, all searching the darkness in vain. So soon as I had opened Port Royal Point, and seen nothing on the now open horizon, I concluded that we had passed her, or that she had doubled on us and gone to the northward. I then turned, keeping close on the shore, looking into her for mer anchorage, thinking she might possibly have returned. No sign of her there. We continued on to the northward, but when we opened the port nothing of her this way. We were now at fault which way to steer. Something like smoke being reported to seaward, I determined to start out, taking the direction to St. Thomas, to which place I was anxious to return, ere the vessel with our coals and provisions should leave, and thus check at least a small evil, for I now became hopeless of ever discovering the Sumter. I reached this port this morning, and found that the Dacotah, which had arrived on the 21st from the East Indies, had taken in tow my vessel, with her stores, and gone to meet me. DECEMBER 4-6, 1861. REPORTS OF COMMODORE DUPONT. PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C., December 4, 1861. I have also despatched Commander C. R. P. Rogers to make a reconnoissance of Warsaw Inlet, in order to ascertain the position and force of the enemy's battery there-information to me is his desire to obtain before landing troops which the Commanding-General has expressed on Tybee Island. observe that, in the necessary occupation of St. Very respectfully, your most obedient ser- vant, UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP WABASH, PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C. December 6, 1861. It is, of course, all conjecture, where the SumSIR: I have the honor to inform the departter will next cruise. I learned at St. Pierre ment that the fortifications at Warsaw Island that she had purchased sea jackets for her crew, have been abandoned by the rebels, after movwhich may look like a cruise on our Northerning the guns, cutting up the platforms, and coast, though I question whether she is calculated for winter service in that quarter. Should she continue in this vicinity, I will soon hear of her from the constant arrivals here. I shall be glad to understand from the Government whether they wish me to respect international law in the case of the Sumter, which gives her so great immunity, and makes every foreign port her asylum. I was informed at Martinique, that France would regard it as an act of war if I attacked her within the marine league of the island. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES S. PALMER, Commander. HON. GIDEON WELLES, breaching one face of the fort. For the circumstances attending this important discovery, and the temporary occupation of the waters of Warsaw Sound, as well as for a knowledge of the inner and ultimate line of defences selected by the enemy, I have the pleasure to refer to the accompanying report of Commander C. R. P. Rogers, upon whose judgment and skill I relied for the execution of this undertaking. Warsaw Inlet and Sound constitute a second entrance into Savannah River; and, as twenty-one feet can be carried over the bar at high water, this passage is but little inferior to Tybee entrance. The highest point reached by Commander Rogers was about eight miles from Warsaw bar, about ten from Savannah, and between four and five from Thunderbolt on one side and Montgomery on the other. These two last places are described in the coast survey memoirs and reports. I attach the highest value to this pos session. I have the honor to be sir, respectfully, your ces. gun placed there, as the point upon which the spar is raised is the southeastern point of observation. I have to thank Lieutenant Commanding Stevens for the most earnest, cordial, and efficient co-operation, and also Lieutenant Commanding Ammen and Bankhead, whose vessels were always in the right place, and always well handled. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. R. P. ROGERS, Flag-Officer S. F. DUPONT, Commanding. Doc. 216. Commander. THE CONFEDERATE FLAG. THE Richmond Dispatch of the 7th of December held the following language on the subject of the rebel flag: The adoption of our present flag was a natural, but most pernicious blunder. As the old flag itself was not the author of our wrongs, we tore off a piece of the dear old rag and set it up as a standard. We took it for granted a flag was a divisible thing, and proceeded to set off our proportion. So we took, at a rough calculation, our share of the stars and our fraction of the stripes, and put them together and called them the Confederate flag. Even as Aaron of old put the gold into the fire and then came out "this calf," so certain stars and stripes went into committee, and then came out "this flag." All this was honest and fair to a fault. We were clearly entitled to from seven to eleven of the stars, and three or four of the stripes. REPORT OF COMMANDER C. R. P, ROGERS. UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP WABASH, PORT ROYAL HARBOR, December 6, 1861. SIR: On yesterday morning I left Tybee Roads before daylight, with the steamers Ottawa, Seneca, and Pembina, and crossed the bar of Warsaw Sound, at half tide, not having less than eighteen feet of water upon it. We approached the fort on Warsaw Island within a mile, and, seeing neither guns nor men, we did not fire, but I sent Lieutenant Barnes to it with a white flag. He found it an enclosed octagonal work, with platforms for eight guns on the water faThe land faces were protected by abatis. The work was well constructed. The guns had been removed, the platforms cut, and the magazine blown up. From the freshness of the footprints and other signs, it appeared to have been abandoned very recently. Adjoining the fort are huts or sheds for a large garrison. Some lumber and bricks remain. Everything else had been carried away. We immediately pushed on to Cabbage Island, where we had been led to look out for another battery; but there was nothing of the kind there. We went to the mouth of the creek, through the Romilly Marsh, and to the mouth of Wilmington River. From the mouth of Wilmington River we observed a battery bearing from us about northwest by west, one-half west, and distant about three miles. It is on the river, and just above a house with a red cupola, which is one of the coast survey points of triangulation, and is about ten miles from Savannah. Between the house and the fort was a large encampment; but we could not count the tents. We counted five guns, apparently of large calibre, on the face of the battery toward us. We could only see one gun upon the other face; but there may have been more. We were near enough to see the men on the ramparts, and the glittering of their bayonets. We saw several small vessels. Some of them in Romilly Marsh were in tow of a small steamtug; but they were beyond our reach. Upon Little Tybee Island we could see no earthworks, but could not get nearer to it than two miles, because of the shoals. In coming out of Warsaw Sound, at high tide, we had not less than twenty-one feet of water on the bar. Returning to Tybee Roads at one o'clock, I landed and made a reconnoissance on foot, with the marines of the Savannah and detachments of small-arm men from that ship and the Ottawa. Upon reaching the mouth of Lazarus Creek, having no boats in which to cross, our progress was stopped. We waited until low tide; but the creek was unfordable. I was able, however, with the assistance of Lieut. Luce, to obtain from the top of a tree the position in which a battery has been supposed to exist, and I am satisfied that there is no battery there. The spar which was mistaken for a derrick is simply a place of lookout, and there was no appearance There is but one feature essential to a flag, of any earthwork or position for guns. A bat- and that is distinctness. Beauty, appropriate tery at such a place would be of no use what-ness, good taste, are all desirable, but the only ever. There may, however, have been a sigual | thing indispensable is distinctness-wide, plain, Indeed, as we were maintaining the principles it was intended to represent, and the North had abandoned them, we were honestly entitled to the whole flag. Had we kept it, and fought for it, and under it, and conquered it from the North, it would have been no robbery, but all right and fair. And we should either have done this, i la kept the flag as a whole-or else we should have abandoned it as a whole and adopted another. But if we did not choose to assert our title to the whole, was it politic or judicious to split the flag and claim one of the fractions? We had an equal right also to "Hail Columbia" and "Yankee Doodle." We might have adopted a part of "Yankee Doodle," (say every third stan za,) or else "Yankee Doodle," with variations, as our national air. In the choice of an air we were not guilty of this absurdity, but we have perpetrated one exactly parallel to it in the choice of a national flag. There is no exagger ation in the illustration. It seems supremely ridiculous, yet it scarcely does cur folly justice. unmistakable distinction from other flags. Un- | add some other considerations in another article fortunately this indispensable thing is just the on the same subject. thing which the Confederate flag lacks. And failing in this, it is a lamentable and total failure, absolute and irredeemable. The failure is in a matter of essence. It is as complete as that of writing which cannot be read-of a gun which cannot be shot-of a coat which cannot be worn. It is the play of "Hamlet" with the part of Hamlet left out. A flag which does not distinguish may be a very nice piece of bunting-it may be handsomely executed, tasteful, expressive, and a thousand other things, but it has no title at all to bear the name of flag. Doc. 217. AFFAIR NEAR WILLIAMSPORT, MD. CAPTAIN ROBINSON'S OFFICIAL REPORT. Col. S. H. Leonard, Commanding Williamsport SIR: I have the honor to report that, on Friday afternoon, the 6th inst., my pickets at Dan No. 5 and Back Creek were fired on by the enemy, by cavalry at the former place, and infantry at the latter. The sergeants in charge of each of those pickets immediately communicated with me here, and I despatched rein We knew the flag we had to fight, yet instead of getting as far from it, we were guilty of the huge mistake of getting as near to it as possible. We sought similarity. Adopting a principle diametrically wrong, we made a flag as nearly like theirs as could, under favorable circum-forcements to both places; but after some shots stances, be distinguished from it. Under unfavorable circumstances (such as constantly occur in practice) the two flags are indistinguishable. In the wars of the Roses in Great Britain one side adopted the white and the other the red rose. Suppose that one side had adopted milk white and the other flesh white, or one a deep pink and the other a lighter shade of pink, would there have been any end to the confusion? When a body of men is approaching in time of war it is rather an important matter to ascertain, if practicable, whether they are friends or foes. Certainly no question could well be more radical in its influence upon our action, plans, and movements. To solve this important question is the object of a flag. When they get near us there may be other means of information; but to distinguish friends from enemies at a distance is the specific purpose of a flag. Human ingenuity is great, and may conceive some other small purposes-presentations, toasts, speeches, &c.-but that this is the great end of a flag, will not be denied; and it is in this that the Confederate flag fails. had been exchanged all remained quiet during the remainder of that day and night. The sergeant at dam No. 5 reported three wounded on the side of the enemy, but none of our men were hurt at either place. On Saturday afternoon, about half-past three o'clock P. M., I was apprised of the advance of the enemy in strong force in the direction of Dam No. 5. I immediately took my second lieutenant and twenty men of my command toward the Dam, and sent my first lieutenant with ten men to Fankell's Ferry, that point being opposite and in close approximation to the road leading from Little Georgetown to the Dam. The enemy perceived this party, and at once opened fire on them; he returned the fire, and he believes with effect. Before I could arrive with my party at the Dam, rifle-shots had already been fired there, and within a short distance of the Dam myself and party were fired on with shot and shell from rifled cannon. The enemy ceased their fire at the Dam, and kept up an incessant fire at us until dark, bringing all their guns to bear on us, the number There is no case in history in which broad being six; their firing was very regular and acdistinction in the symbols of the combatants curate, and although none of my party were was more necessary than it has been in the hurt, there were many narrow escapes. Under present war. Our enemies are of the same race cover of the darkness I succeeded in reinforcwith ourselves-of the same color and even ing the picket, and on my return to head-quarshade of complexion-they speak the same lan-ters also despatched what available men I had guage, wear like clothing, and are of like form left, as a reinforcement, to my first lieutenant at and stature. (The more shame that they should Fankell's Ferry, at which place an incessant make war upon us.) Our general appearance firing on the enemy's side, from rifles, was kept being the same we must rely solely upon sym-up all night, and answered by us with musketry, bols for distinction. The danger of mistake is great after all possible precautions have been taken. Sufficient attention has never been paid to this important matter, involving life or death -victory or defeat. Our badges, uniforms, flags, should be perfectly distinguishable from those of the enemy. Our first and distant information is dependent solely on the flag. To argue this objection further would be a waste of words. And yet this one objection is vital and insuperable. We shall, nevertheless, | which appeared to be unheeded by them, although my lieutenant reports seeing several fall, until I obtained from the reinforcement sent to the Dam by you a squad of six men armed with the Enfield rifle, the sound of which they seemed to fear. At the Dam, musketry firing recommenced about nine o'clock P. M., on the part of the enemy, the object of which seemed to be to cover a party endeavoring to destroy the wooden cribs of that work, as we could plainly hear the noise made in endeavor |