SPENCER, United States Consul to D. A. Armstrong, March 9, 1872

Mr. Spencer to Mr. Armstrong,

Sir: I am in receipt of your dispatch of the 4th instant, with its Inclosure from Mr. Marsh, relating to the Shamrock.

Referring to the same, I may say that the crew of the Shamrock were set at liberty after complying with certain formalities at the health-office, while the captain was detained, and, as he states, against his will. This to me is the most unaccountable feature of the whole proceeding, with regard to which I have failed to obtain any satisfaction, though I at once addressed a communication to the prefect and the captain, of the port, giving a detailed statement of the case.

I understand that the captain of the vessel knew nothing of the release of the crew from the lazaretto until after they were gone, which will probably account for his having failed to send a message by one of their number to the consul or the captain of the port. One of the seamen, as already stated, spoke a little French, but after he left, the captain, in the absence of an interpreter, to which he was entitled, was unable to communicate with any one. I am not surprised that the statements as to time are somewhat vague considering the circumstances. With regard, however, to the time when the captain of the port arrived at the scene of the disaster, he himself informed me that it was about 11 o’clock, the delay being occasioned by the fact that it was necessary to wait until one of the steam-tugs should get up steam.

I learn from the captain of the port that the investigation of the case has been concluded and a copy of the proceedings sent to the minister of marine. I also understand that while it severely censures the conduct of the health-officer it also attaches some blame to the captain of the vessel, on the ground that he declined the services of some boatmen who offered to move his vessel for the sum of three pounds sterling. I may state on behalf of the captain that this was before he realized that his vessel was in danger, and while he was waiting for a pilot and tug-boat.

The agent of the insurance companies informed me that he has reported the case to the underwriters and referred them to my official report to the Secretary of State, but that up to the present time he has received no instructions as to what course he is to pursue.

I am, &c.,