Rawson to Commander Baldwin, U. S. N, October 23, 1863

The Colonial Secretary to Commander Baldwin, U. S. N.

Sir: I am directed by the governor to acquaint you that he has given his best consideration to the letter which he had the honor of receiving from you yesterday, as well as to the verbal representations you made to him relative to the issue of coals to American vessels-of-war by the “special permission” of the governors of other British colonies, as an exception to general directions of the British government on the subject.

Looking to the stringent nature of the instructions he has received, the governor entertains some doubt whether the authority to grant “special permission” be really vested in himself. But he considers that there are special circumstances affecting the ship under your command sufficient in themselves to guide him in dealing with your application.

It has been the unvarying desire of her Majesty’s government to abstain, as far as practicable, from affording to either of the parties engaged in the American civil war assistance in the prosecution of hostilities towards each other; and accordingly, in regulating the issue of coals at British ports to their ships-of-war, the object has manifestly been to restrict those issues to the supplies needed for carrying them to some defined destination in foreign parts, or from some foreign port to their own country, and not to facilitate their cruising for an indefinite period for purposes of the war.

Applying this principle to the case of the Vanderbilt, the governor finds that on her way from South America to the Cape she coaled at the British colony of St. Helena; that shortly after that she coaled again at Simon’s bay, and that after remaining in the neighborhood of our ports for a time, she proceeded to Mauritius, where she coaled again, and then returned to this colony.

It is also matter of notoriety that the object of her movements has been to intercept the confederate cruisers which have lately visited our shores. Under these circumstances, with the information now before him, the governor believes that he would be acting in opposition to the spirit of her Majesty’s instructions if he were to grant “special permission” for the issue of coals within the limited term of three months.

His excellency has no objection to offer to your remaining in port for the time required for the completion of indispensable repairs.

I have, &c,