Wodehouse to the Duke of Newcastle, October 26, 1863

Sir P. Wodehouse to the Duke of Newcastle.

My Lord Duke: I have the honor to report to your grace that the United States war-steamer Vanderbilt has again visited this colony.

On her arrival in Table bay, the commander landed and delivered to me a letter, in which he represented himself to be in want of coals and repairs. On my objecting, with regard to the former, that three months had not elapsed since he had taken in a supply at Simon’s bay, he urged, that under her Majesty’s instructions the governor of a colony possessed the power to grant “special permission,” as an exception to the general regulations on the subject, and he added, that it was within his own knowledge that the confederate steamer Georgia had called at Barbadoes twenty-seven days after coaling at the Bahamas; that the Florida had at Bermuda taken in coals sufficient for a month, when three days would have taken her to a confederate port, and that he himself had lately been allowed to coal at the Mauritius, although the governor was aware of his having coaled at Simon’s bay. I informed him that I would send an answer to his application on the following day, and accordingly, after duly considering all the circumstances of the case, I directed the colonial secretary to acquaint him that I did not feel at liberty, under all the circumstances of the case, to grant “special permission” for the shipment of the coals.

I enclose copies of the correspondence, and trust your grace will approve of the decision.

I have, &c.