Mr. Bayman to Mr. Harvey.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 14th instant, also one from the consul with the same information.
The screw steamer Laurel arrived here on the 13th instant, for Liverpool, reporting cargo merchandise for Bermuda and Matamoras; crew, forty men, and twenty-nine passengers, said to be Poles going to enlist in the rebel army; none of them came on shore. The Laurel took in 140 tons of coal, and was to have left yesterday evening, but a screw that had to be made was not finished as promised till this morning, when the vessel left quite early, but previous to her departure a steamer was signalled and reported as the port’s African packet, but when it came off the port she hoisted English colors and signals, indicating, according to the code, Laurel, and, as the other vessel went out about the same time, it was generally thought it was to give armament to the other to start a fresh pirate. I did not see the vessel, but those who did describe her as a fine-looking three-masted screw, about the size of the Kearsarge, but not strong enough to carry heavy guns.
I give you this statement and leave you to communicate with the United States government as you may think proper.
I believe the pirate Laurel meant to leave on the evening of the 17th instant, yesterday, and, consequently, the other steamer was another Laurel, and, as frequently occurs here, hoisted her real name in order that she might be reported by Lloyd’s agent at this place. Had the meeting been previously arranged, it seems to me that some means of communication would have been adopted unintellegible to the student of Marryat.
I have the honor to remain, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. James E. Harvey, United States Minister, Lisbon.