Mcmath to Horatio J. Sprague, United States, March 9, 1864

Mr. McMath to Mr. Sprague.

Sir: I have to inform you that I this day received information from my vice-consul at Mogadore that on the 4th instant a number of Arabs arrived at Mogadore, and gave information that a large black steamer, having a large crew and a number of guns, displaying no flag, had been and then was lying in a small and secure inlet near the bay of Agadeer. Said vessel reached her anchorage on or about the 27th February. The vessel had not communicated with the shore. There are no Christians or Jews residing at or near Agadeer, and the latter is not a legalized port of entry, has no batteries, and, in fact, is nothing but a wild and dreary coast. The conclusion I have come to is that said vessel is either the Georgia or Florida, put into this secluded place with a view of receiving a cargo of coal from a tender. Agadeer is about sixty or seventy miles west of Mogadore, and is itself a safe harbor. I think, as I have all along thought, that in view of the late order in the British council restricting the rights of belligerent vessels, an attempt would be made to receive tenders with cargoes of coal, and perhaps other supplies, from such secluded and almost unknown ports on the west coast of Africa. From Mogadore to Tetuan the authority of the Sultan is supreme, but at the place mentioned we could not expect an enforcement of the royal order of 24th September. I give you this information, leaving you to decide whether it would be advisable to suggest a cruise at once of some of our vessels that may be in reach.