However, in this instance, he would issue one if I
wanted it. I believed my land-service commission would protect me, but I
asked for the letter-of-marque as an additional safeguard. Captain
Pegram, after considering the matter in conference with his executive,
Lieutenant Fauntleroy (formerly of the United States Navy), determined
not to make the attempt, and the matter was dropped.

Perhaps it is well that the "Nashville" arrived, and that Captain Pegram
declined to act; for I had the money ready to deposit, and what seems
now to me a madcap scheme might have been attempted.

The ship sailed, and delivered her cargo in New York. The projectors of
the scheme stood to receive double payment for the arms and ship, the
insurance against war-risk having been assumed by the U. S. War
Department. The arms were from the Vienna arsenal, from which I
received, later, the same number of small arms and several batteries of
field artillery.

At the time the "Nashville" arrived in Southampton, I had a large
quantity of supplies ready for shipment, but was deterred by the
endeavors of agents of the United States Government to stop me. The
problem was finally solved by a hint from the British authorities to
clear them for Australia, which was done. The shipment was made on the
steamer "Economist," bought for the expedition, and Lieut. Fauntleroy
was detached from the "Nashville" to command her; of course a British
captain in nominal command. Although the "Economist" had speed of not
more than eight knots an hour, Lieut. Fauntleroy made a successful run
into Charleston and delivered his cargo in excellent condition.

An incident worth relating is connected with this period of the war. A
ship which Lieut. Fauntleroy and I visited one morning was loading in
London Docks for Nassau. In the same dock were two very handsome
steamers which had been built for the opium trade, but for some reason
had not sailed for China. They were now for sale. Lieut. Fauntleroy,
after examining them, was most eager that I should buy one and put him
in command. To do so, however, was impossible; I had no money. Several
months afterwards I was asked to buy a steamer and her cargo of arms,
clothing, shoes, ammunition and medicines, then lying at St. George's,
Bermuda. The ship was one of the two opium smugglers. She had been
bought by a company of Englishmen, and, loaded with a most desirable
cargo, had started for Wilmington or Charleston. On arriving at Be