(Signed) JOHN LOW,
Lieut.-Commander, Confederate States barque Tuscaloosa.
(Signed) FRANCIS L. WOOD,
Lieutenant and Boarding Officer, Her Majesty's ship Narcissus.
Rear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Lieutenant Low, C.S.N. December 27, 1863.
As it appears that the Tuscaloosa, under your charge and command, is a vessel belonging to the Federal States of America, having been captured by the Confederate States ship of war Alabama, and not having been adjudicated before any competent Prize Court, is still an uncondemned prize, which you have brought into this port in violation of Her Britannic Majesty's orders for the maintenance of her neutrality, I have the honour to inform you that, in consequence, I am compelled to detain the so-called Tuscaloosa (late Conrad) with a view of her being restored to her original owners, and I request you will be so good as to transfer the charge of the vessel to the officer bearing this letter to you.
Rear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Sir P. Wodehouse. December 28, 1863.
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that, acting upon your concurrence in my opinion with reference to the instructions received from home by the last mail, I have detained the barque Tuscaloosa (late Conrad of Philadelphia), because she is an uncondemned prize, taken by the Confederate States ship of war Alabama, and brought into British waters in violation of Her Majesty's Orders for maintaining her neutrality, and with the view to her being restored to her original owners.
I shall be ready to hand her over to the Consul of the United States at
Cape Town, or to any person you may appoint to take charge of her.
I should add that Lieutenant Low has given up the Tuscaloosa (late Conrad) under protest, which he is about to make in writing, a copy of which shall be transmitted to your Excellency as soon as received.