RANDOLPH, Commanding United States Ship Albany, and senior officer afloat in the Gulf of Mexico to the persons encamped on Round Island, near Pascagoula, August 28, 1849

Commander Randolph, United States Navy, to the persons encamped on Round Island, near Pascagoula.

Friends and fellow-countrymen: The proclamations of the President of the United States, and other instructions which I have received from the Government at Washington, make it imperative and proper that I should immediately take measures to break up your unlawful assemblage, and send you back to your homes; and when I have said a few words to you in proof of your assemblage being unlawful, and of the utter impossibility of your evading the vigilance of our squadron and getting out of our waters to proceed upon your contemplated wild expedition to make war against nations at peace with our own, I feel sure you will at once disperse, and seek honest and peaceful occupations.

[689] *First. The very mystery which m arks the movements and actions of your officers, and the blind ignorance of the men as to the destination of the enterprise, clearly show that the objects and purposes of those at the head of your affairs are known to be unlawful, and that plunder is the inducement held out to all who embark in this reckless expedition.

Second. We have proof that some of you have acknowledged that your destination was Cuba, and that others of your number have said that the expedition was fitting out for the invasion of the Sierre Madre States of Mexico, showing conclusively that your enterprise is one of a military character.

And lastly. You are vagrants in the eyes of the law and in fact, and therefore cannot be allowed to occupy your present position, and must immediately disperse.

I will now prove to you that we have the means of not only preventing your embarkation to foreign parts, but that we can force you to abandon your present headquarters.

I shall employ all the vessels now in this vicinity, or which may hereafter arrive, in such manner as will most effectually bring about the ends desired:

[690] First. I shall certainly prevent the steamers Fanny, Maria Burt, or any other steamer or steamers, *vessel or vessels, of whatever description, from furnishing the adventurers on Round Island with arms or other munitions of war.

Second. If said steamers or vessels have arms or other munitions of war on board, I shall take possession of said arms, &c., and detain said steamers or vessels until the men congregated on Round Island are dispersed.

Third. I shall prevent the band of men on Round Island from embarking on board of said steamers or vessels, or from having any communication with them at all.

Fourth. I will make said steamers or vessels anchor within range of our guns.

Fifth. After to-day, (28th August,) in accordance with a notice before given them, I shall cut off all supplies of provisions which may be intended for the persons on Round Island, and shall rigidly enforce this blockade or embargo until they abandon the spot and go home.

Sixth. I shall gladly give the persons on Round Island every facility to get away, taking particular care, however, that they do not embark in sea-going vessels.