Hon. J. C. Bancroft Dayis, &c.
[Inclosed memorandum.]
Legation of Spain in
Washington,
August 21, 1869.
[108] According to information received
from the consular agent of Spain at Jacksonville, Florida, who
has likewise charge of the ports of Fernandina, Cedar Keys, and
Tampa Bay, large quantities of arms, ammunition, and powder are
being landed at Fernandina and Cedar Keys, marked “Galveston,
Texas.” This unusual transportation of war-material, and the
extraordinary manner in which it is accomplished, at*tracted the
attention of the above-mentioned consular agent of Spain, who
expresses his conviction that the arms, ammunition, &c., are
in reality destined for shipment to the coast of Cuba, either
direct from the port where first landed, or from those to which
they are subsequently forwarded, the better to, escape the
vigilance of the authorities.
From this information, as well as from that which is derived from
other sources, it is evident that extensive preparations are
being made, if they have not already been completed, on the
Florida coast and in Texas, to send men and war-material to
Cuba, for the purpose of assisting the insurgents there.
In view of these circumstances the Spanish minister asks that
instructions be sent, as speedily as possible, to the proper
authorities in Florida and in Texas, in order that strict watch
may be kept for the prevention of said illegal shipments.
It is suggested that orders similar in spirit be transmitted to
the naval forces of the United States stationed at or cruising
in the vicinity of Key West.
