cio Mendez de Vigo,
Military Governor of the Port of Cadiz.

_Tuesday, January 7th_.--To-day I received a note from Senor
de Vigo, the military Governor, informing me that the Queen's
Government had consented to permit me to land my prisoners,
and to remain for repairs. He puts my remaining, however, on
the ground of necessity arising out of my crippled condition. Received
also a reply from the Yankee Consul to my note about the
prisoners: declined to receive it on account of its being improperly
addressed.[5] Landed all the prisoners. Received another
note from the Governor, requesting me to hurry my repairs, &c.
Sent to the Captain of the port on the subject. Referred by
him to Captain-General.

[Footnote 5:

CAPTAIN SEMMES, C.S.N., to U.S. CONSUL, CADIZ,

C.S. Steamer Sumter, Cadiz,
January 7, 1862.

Sir,--Your note of this morning having been sent off to me by a common
boatman, I could not learn the name of the writer without breaking
the envelope. Having done so, and ascertained it to be from yourself,
I decline to receive it, as being improperly addressed. My address
is as follows:--

COMMANDER H. SEMMES,

Confederate States Navy,
Commanding C.S. Steamer Sumter.
E.S. Eggleston, U.S. Consul.]

_Wednesday, January 8th_.--Complained to the Civil Governor of the
Paymaster and Surgeon having been called alongside the guard-boat
(whilst coming on board in a shore boat). Despatched a Lieutenant to San
Fernando to see the Captain-General about docking the ship. He returned
at nightfall, with word that the Captain-General would reply in the
morning.

_Thursday, January 9th_.--Visited by Engineer of docks at San
Fernando, to learn the extent of the repairs which we shall require, and
to take the dimensions of the ship, to ascertain whether she can enter
the only dock that is empty. A fine, clear day, with a pleasant wind
from the N. Bar. 30'34., the highest that I have ever seen. No answer
from the Captain-General yet (noon), as to our being docked. Besides the
six ships which Mr. Welles says have been in pursuit of me--viz., the
Powhattan, the Niagara, the San Jacinto, the Iroquois, the Keystone
State, and the Richmond--the Ino and the Dacotah are also employed in
this fruitless business. We are fairly in the hands of the
circumlocution office. I suppose they are telegraphing Madrid. The
greatest excitement prevails all over Europe to learn the result of the
English de