has been pronounced, like provisions, innoxious; and this being the case, it can make no difference whether it be supplied by the Government or an individual (the Government being reimbursed the expense), and this even though the market were open to me.  Much more, then, may the Government supply me with an innocent article, the market not being open to me.  Suppose I had come into port destitute of provisions, and the same illegal combination had shut me out from the market, would the British Government permit my crew to starve?  Or, suppose I had been a sail ship, and had come in dismasted, and the dockyard was the only place where I could be refitted, would you have denied me a mast? and if you would not deny me a mast, on what principle will you deny me coal, both articles being declared by your Government innoxious?  The true criterion is, not whether the Government, or an individual may supply the article, but whether the article itself be noxious or innoxious.  The Government may not supply me with powder—­why?  Not because I may have recourse to the market, but because the article is noxious.  A case in point occurred when I was in Cadiz recently.  My ship was admitted into a Government dock, and there repaired; firstly, because the repairs were innocent, and, secondly, because there were no private docks in Cadiz.  So here, the article is innocent, and there is none in the market (accessible to me); why then may not the Government supply me?

In conclusion, I respectfully request that you will supply me with 150 tons of coal, for which I will pay the cash; or if you prefer it, I will deposit the money with an agent, who can have no difficulty, I suppose, in purchasing the same amount of the material from some one of the hulks, and returning it to her Majesty’s dockyard.

I have, &c.,

   (Signed) R. SEMMES.

   Captain E. Warden, Senior Naval Officer,
   Gibraltar.

Monday, February 10th.—­* * * * Received a visit from Captain Cochrane, of the Warrior, son of the late Earl of Dundonald, notorious in the war of 1812, and distinguished in the South American service.  Wrote the following letter:—­

   C.S.  Steamer Sumter,
   Bay of Gibraltar, Feb. 10, 1862.

SIR,—­I have the honour to inform you that I have this day caused to be paid to the Spanish Consul at this port the amount of the bill contracted by this ship under my command while in the dock at Caracca.

I have, &c.,

(Signed) R. SEMMES.

To the Captain of the Port, Cadiz.

Tuesday, February 11th.—­* * * * Five men in confinement!  The d——­seems to have got into my crew.  I shall have to tighten the reins a little.

Wednesday, February 12th.—­* * * * Called on the Governor to have a talk with him on the subject of my deserters.  He took the ground that in the absence of treaty stipulations he could not deliver a fugitive unwilling to be returned.  Whilst I was with him the Tuscarora was announced by the telegraph.  This ship came in and anchored near us about 12 noon, disguised with her mainyards down, so as to resemble a merchant steamer.  I saw Captain Warden on shore also.  He informed me that the question of my being coaled by the dockyards had been referred by telegraph to London.