into our ports of captured property purchased at sea, and tendered for entry at the custom-house in the usual form from a neutral ship.  I have consulted the Acting Attorney-General on the subject, and he is not prepared to state that the customs authorities would be justified in making a seizure under such circumstances; and therefore, as there is great probability of clandestine attempts being made to introduce cargoes of this description, I shall be glad to be favoured with the earliest practicable intimation of the views of Her Majesty’s Government on the subject.

Captain Semmes, C.S.N., to Sir P. Wodehouse.  August 5, 1863.

I have the honour to inform your Excellency of my arrival in this bay, in the Confederate States steamer Alabama under my command.  I have come in for supplies and repairs, and in the meantime I respectfully ask leave to land in Cape Town thirty-three prisoners, lately captured by me on board two of the enemy’s ships destroyed at sea.  The United States Consul will doubtless be glad to extend such hospitality and assistance to his distressed countrymen, as required of him by law.

Sir P. Wodehouse to Captain Semmes, C.S.N.  August 5, 1863.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter announcing your arrival in this port, and to state that I have no objection to offer to your landing the prisoners now detained in your ship.

I have further to beg that you will be good enough to state the nature and extent of the supplies and repairs you require, that I may be enabled to form some estimate of the time for which it will be necessary for you to remain in this port.

Captain Semmes, C.S.N., to Sir P. Wodehouse.  August 5, 1863.

I have had the honour to receive your letter of this day’s date, giving me permission to land my prisoners, and requesting me to state the nature of the supplies and repairs which I may require.  In the way of supplies I shall need some provisions for my crew, a list of which will be handed you to-morrow by the paymaster, and as for repairs my boilers need some iron work to be done, and my bends require caulking, being quite open.  I propose to take on board the necessary materials here, and to proceed with all despatch to Simon’s Bay for the purpose of making these repairs.

Mr. Adamson to Captain Semmes C.S.N.  August 6, 1863.

I am directed by the Governor of this colony to acquaint you that he has received from the Consul for the United States at this port a representation, in which he sets forth that an American barque was yesterday captured by the ship which you command, in British waters, in violation of the neutrality of the British Government, and claims from him redress for the alleged outrage.

His Excellency will be glad, therefore, to receive from you any explanation you may wish to give as to the circumstances in which the capture was effected.