Navy Yard
New York April 6/61
Sir,
Your orders of the 5th were received by Captain Mercer
to-day. Captain Meigs, Lieut. Porter and Captain Mercer after consultation,
concluded that Lieut. Porter should go out in the Powhatan as the arrangements
were vital to success, at least so I was informed, not being present at the
consultation. A few minutes before the Powhatan sailed, I delivered a telegram
to Captain Mercer, signed H. Berrian, saying that Paymaster Gulick will deliver
a despatch to me this evening. But at 2½ o'clock the Powhatan sailed. At 3
o'clock, when the Powhatan was out of sight, I received a despatch directed to
Lieut. Porter, from Mr. Seward, telling him to proceed without the
Powhatan as directed in the despatch to Captain Meigs. I have sent to New York
a Lieutenant with orders to charter a steamer and chase the Powhatan unless there
is no hope of overtaking her. It is time to close the mail and I will write
fully by next mail.
I have the honor, &c.
A. H. Foote
for Commdt
Captain Mercer leaves the Powhatan at Staten Island. I am
informed that Captain Meigs has sailed this afternoon.
A. H. F.
SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright,
Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential
Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865,
Volume 1, p. 27-8
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