MORSE, Consul to Charles Francis Adams, United States, December 15, 1863

[Untitled]

Sir: I herewith forward to you an official copy of the register of the priva teer Scylla, or Rappahannock. You will notice that she stands this day regis tered at the proper department of the English revenue service as a British ship. There has been no legal transfer, and the legal ownership at 3 o’clock this day was in Robert Gordon Coleman, No. 28 Clement’s lane, London. So far, then, as the true ownership is shown by the papers required to make a legal transfer, she is a British privateer under the rebel flag.

* * * * * * * * * *

English boiler-makers from Sheerness, and other mechanics, are still at work fitting her out, and seamen are almost daily sent to her from this country in small numbers at a time.

I remain, sir, your obedient servant,