no doubt, to bring all this about. The military governor is telegraphing
my reply back, and we shall see what the answer will be.

I was mistaken in the above. The order to proceed to sea was begotten in
the wise brains of the local authorities. My reply to it having been
telegraphed to Madrid, the authorities were overruled; and the Queen
despatched an order to permit me to land my prisoners, and to make such
repairs as I needed. So this business, which has troubled us a couple of
days, is at an end. This evening, just before dark, a Spanish
steam-frigate came down from the Navy Yard, and anchored near us.

_Monday, January 6th._--Last night I was aroused at 2.30 A.M., by a boat
from the shore, with a note from the military governor, requesting me to
delay proceeding to sea, that the _benevolent_ intentions of her
Majesty's Government in regard to me might be carried out. The "muddy
heads" on shore had received a despatch from Madrid, in reply to my
letter to them. Weather clear and bracing. Wind from the North.
Thermometer at noon 59. deg. The steam-frigate disappeared somehow during
the night. Protested, as under, against the presence of a health
guard-boat:--

C.S. Steamer "Sumter,"
Cadiz, January 6th, 1862.

SIR,--I have had the honour to receive your Excellency's note
of to-day, in which you inform me that the proceedings of the
local authorities of Cadiz, commanding me to proceed to sea
within twenty-four hours, have been overruled by the Government
at Madrid, and that the Queen had graciously permitted me
to land my prisoners, and to remain to put the necessary repairs
upon my ship. Do me the favour to communicate to her Majesty
my thanks for her prompt and friendly action in the premises.

In the meantime, allow me most respectfully to protest against
the presence of the guard-boat which has been placed in surveillance
upon my movements, as though I were an ordinary ship
of commerce. Compliance with the laws of quarantine should
be left with me as a matter of honour, and the presence of this
boat implies the suspicion that a ship of war of a friendly Power
could so far forget herself as to infringe the regulations of the
port--a suspicion as unworthy the health authorities of the port
of Cadiz as it is offensive to me.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c.

(Signed) R. SEMMES.

Senor Igna