Captain Semmes continues his short diary as follows:—­

Fresh wind and cloudy.  Painting ship, and making preparations for the reception of coal.  We are looking anxiously for the arrival of the Rio mail steamer, as we have a report brought by a Portuguese vessel from Pernambuco that a great battle has been fought; that we have beaten the enemy; and that we have marched upon Washington.  God grant that our just cause may thus have triumphed!  The whole town is agog discussing our affairs.  Different parties take different views of them:  the opposition party in the legislature, which is in session, being disposed to censure the government for its reception of us.

Thursday, September 12th.—­Clear, with passing clouds; trade-wind fresh, as usual at this season of the year.  Indeed, these winds will continue to increase in force until December, when they will gradually give place to the rains.  It has been a favourite project of mine from the commencement of the cruise, to run off Cape St. Roque, and there waylay the commerce of the enemy in its transit both ways; but the strong gales and strong current which now prevail, will interfere for the present with my plan, and I must postpone it for awhile.  If the war continues I shall hope to put it in execution at the proper time.  It was at one time reported to-day that there were two United States vessels of war awaiting us outside, off Santa Anna; but the report proved to be the offspring of the excited imaginations of the townspeople.  Had a conversation this evening with Senor Rodrigues, an intelligent lawyer and the Speaker of the Deputies, on the subject of the war.  I found him pretty well informed, considering that he had received his information through the polluted channels of the Northern newspapers.

He seemed to think that we had been precipitate in breaking off our connexion with the North; but I told him we had been the most patient, long-suffering people in the world, and waited till the last moment possible, in hope that the fanaticism which swayed the North would have passed away; and that the responsibility of breaking up the once great government of the North rested entirely upon the propagandists of that section.

Friday, September 13th.—­Cloudy, with the wind very fresh from the eastward.  The town is still busy discussing our affairs.  A deputy asked me seriously yesterday if the President had not ordered me to haul my flag down, as not being recognised.  He said that the Assembly had called upon him for an explanation of the course he had adopted towards us, but that he had declined to respond.

It is reported, too, that there are two ships of war awaiting us outside near the Santa Anna light.

Saturday, September 14th.—­Cloudy, with fresh trades.  Having finished coaling and receiving our other supplies, we are engaged to-day in paying off our bills.  I have been enabled to negotiate a draft for two thousand dollars upon the Secretary of the Navy; Mr. T. Wetson, one of our fellow-countrymen temporarily here, having been patriotic enough to advance me this sum on the faith of his government.  He not only thus aided us, but was very anxious to come on board in person, if he could have wound up his business in time.  In the evening at 7 P.M.  I removed on board from the Hotel do Porto, preparatory to going to sea to-morrow.