ALLEN, Consul to William H. Seward, March 1, 1865

Mr. Allen to Mr. Seward

Sir: Your despatch, No. 83, with enclosure, is at hand.

Sixteen of the crew formerly belonging to the Florida, with many other seamen, are here, under the charge of the rebel agent. Either the Shenandoah, or a rebel iron-clad called the Stonewall, are hourly expected here.

The steamer City of Richmond, under the British flag, arrived here a few days since; one of her seamen informs me they took from Cherbourg sixty men, which they put on board the Stonewall, near Belle Isle, France; they also transferred a large quantity of arms and ammunition to the Stonewall then under command of a Captain Paige, formerly of the United States navy.

The authorities here are using their utmost vigilance to prevent the men of the late Florida going on board any rebel armed vessel. It having been supposed that the City of Richmond would take them from here, the lieutenant governor ordered an officer of the customs to remain on board to prevent these men leaving in her.

The United States steamer Connecticut came to anchor off these islands on the evening of the 26th, and left the next day.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,