| U. S. S. Massachusetts |
| Off Pass a l'Outre, June 25, 1861 |
| |
| Flag Officer Wm. Mervine |
| U. S. Navy |
| |
| Sir,
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| I have to report that
on the 23d instant I captured in Mississippi Sound, with the boats
belonging to the vessel, five schooners, four claiming to belong to
a government not recognized by the United States, and having on
board the flag adopted by the States that are in rebellion, and one,
a Mexican vessel, from New Orleans, that had violated the blockade.
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| The Mexican schooner Brilliante,
cargo 600 barrels flour, 2 dismounted guns, and one gun
carriage, had been warned off by the boarding officer of the steamer
Brooklyn, and her register was properly endorsed. She cleared
for New Orleans four days after the expiration of the notice given
to neutral vessels to depart. Captured the schooner Trois Freres (under
Confederate papers), from New Orleans, bound to Mobile, with a cargo
of salt and oats; schooner Olive Branch, from Mobile, bound
to New Orleans, Confederate papers; cargo, 100 barrels spirits of
turpentine; schooner Fanny, from New Orleans, bound to
Mobile, and loaded with 602 bars of railroad iron {about
1 1/3 miles of track, both sides}; schooner Basilde, from
New Orleans, bound to Mobile, with coasting license from Confederate
States custom-house; cargo, 30,000 bricks.
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| These vessels were
sent forward to Key West, under charge of Lieutenant George L.
Selden and Acting Master Sawyer, with prize crews numbering 25 men.
*****
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| Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
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| Melancton Smith
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| Commander
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|