Robert Bullock to William H. Morris, January 14, 1864

Captain Bullock to Captain Morris

Dear Morris: I received your letter of the 8th instant, day before yesterday, and I have only delayed replying to it that I might look about a little to see how you could best be helped out of your difficulty. As all the matter of shipping men for the vessels in France, that is for your ship and the Rappahannock, had been intrusted to Mr. Bold, I desired first to see what arrangements he had made and whether they could be extended.

Before I could do it a rumor got abroad that the members of the firm of Jones & Co., who you know are partners of Mr. Bold, were about to be taken up for violation of the foreign enlistment act, and yesterday the newspapers stated the fact openly. It appears that Jones & Co. are summoned to appear before the magistrates on Friday, (to-morrow, ) charged with enlisting men for the Confederate States naval service; and although mention is only made of the Georgia, yet it is said that important revelations concerning the conduct of Confederate State officers here will be made. This result has not surprised me, for the indiscreet manner in which men have been engaged and sent about has been freely commented upon, and in anticipation of trouble, I have kept entirely clear of the parties engaged in these movements. This action of the authorities absolutely closes England to you as a recruiting ground, unless you in person make an arrangement with someone in France to deliver you men at so much a head. That is the manner in which I managed in the crew of the Alabama, and thus did not come in contact with any of the men until they were actually on board ship, and were beyond the jurisdiction of England. For any Confederate States officer to attempt engaging-men here now would insure his getting into trouble, besides ending in failure; because I am sure that agents of the Yankee consul would offer their services with the express intent of lodging information.

Hamilton has written you about Read, who would be an excellent man for the work if he can be spared. Suppose you ask your agent in Brest if there is not some shipping-master there who would engage to furnish a certain number of men, you paying all expenses of transportation and a specified sum for each man delivered on board.

I have written Commodore B., suggesting that the Georgia’s men be transferred to your ship. I am told she has some excellent men who are willing to remain in the service, I regret exceedingly that you should have such embarrassment in the very outset, especially as neither foresight nor discretion on your part could have prevented it, and because, moreover, I can render you no direct aid. I will, however,, endeavor to send you a man who I think can be trusted on some assumed business, and you can make him a direct offer to pick you up some men.

It is probable that I shall go to Paris on Tuesday next. Write me to the care of Mr. Senac. In the mean time, if the man alluded to above will go, I will let you know in advance. If arrangements have been made, Tesier I am sure he will carry them out faithfully and iudiciously.

I am very truly yours,