Dudley to James E. Harvey, March 19, 1865

Mr. Dudley to Mr. Harvey

Dear Sir: The English brig Fairline, now lying at this port, has taken forty bales of clothing, blankets, supplies, &c., marked C, and numbered from one to twenty; eight large guns, weighing eight and a half tons each, with equipment or fixtures; a quantity of small-arms, and a large quantity of shot and shells suitable and no doubt intended for these guns, and enough coal to supply such a steamer as the Alabama. The shot and shell are computed to weigh one hundred tons. The vessel is entered for Rio de Janeiro, but the men say she is to go to Lisbon. There can be no doubt but what these guns and supplies are intended for some war steamer. There is everything to fit her out for a cruise. I fear they are intended for some piratical craft to destroy our commerce. Her crew were shipped yesterday, but it is not probable that she will sail before Wednesday. It would be well to communicate this information at once to our consuls in the islands, and to tell them to keep a lookout for the suspicious steamers.

Very respectfully yours, &c., &c.,