I trust your Grace will see how desirable it is that I should be fully informed of the views of Her Majesty’s Government on these points, and that I shall be favoured with a reply to this despatch at your earliest convenience.

Rear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to the Secretary to the Admiralty.  January 5, 1864.

I request you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the barque called the Tuscaloosa, under the flag of the Confederate States of North America (referred to in my letter of the 19th of August last), termed a tender to the Alabama, returned to this anchorage on the 26th ultimo from cruising off the coast of Brazil.

2.  In order to ascertain the real character of this vessel, I directed the boarding officer from my flag-ship to put the questions, as per inclosure No. 1, to the officer in command, Lieutenant Low, of the Alabama; and having satisfied myself from his answers that the vessel was still an uncondemned prize captured by the Alabama under the name of the Conrad, of Philadelphia, I communicated the circumstances to the Governor of this Colony, who, concurring in opinion with me that she ought to be retained under Her Majesty’s control and jurisdiction until reclaimed by her proper owners, for violation of Pier Majesty’s orders for the maintenance of her neutrality, I caused the so-called Tuscaloosa to be taken possession of; informing Lieutenant Low, at the same time, of the reason for doing so.

3.  Lieutenant Low has entered a written protest against the seizure of the vessel, a copy of which, together with the reply of the Governor, I inclose for their Lordships’ information, as well as a copy of all the correspondence which has passed on this subject.

4.  Lieutenant Low having informed me that he expects the Alabama shortly to arrive at this place, I have allowed him and his crew to remain on board the Conrad for the present; but should the Alabama not make her appearance I have acquainted him that I will grant him and his officers (probably only one besides himself) a passage to England in one of the packets.  The crew he wishes to discharge if there is no opportunity of their rejoining the Alabama.

5.  The vessel in question is at present moored in this bay, in charge of an officer and a few men belonging to Her Majesty’s ship Narcissus, where she will remain until she can be properly transferred to her lawful owners, as requested by the Governor.

Questions to be put to the Officer in Command or Charge of the barque Tuscaloosa, carrying the Flag of the so-called Confederate States of America.

Ship’s name and nation?—­Tuscaloosa.  Confederate.

Name and rank of officer in command?—­Lieutenant Low, late Alabama.

Tonnage of the ship?—­500.

Number of officers and men on hoard?—­4 officers and 20 men.

Number and description of guns on board?—­3 small brass guns, 2 rifled 12 pounders, 1 smooth-bore-pounder.