Wilmington, Del., May 18, 1861.
Honored Sir: It is with extreme pleasure that I announce the fact
that I have now about ready for sea, the fine steamship Phenix and I solicit a letter of marque, and will you forward the same, if the following description of the ship is satisfactory to you and your cabinet. It is understood by the people here that the ship is for the Spanish Government. Length of ship, 245 feet. Breadth of beam, 34 feet. Depth of hold, 19 feet. Measures 1,643 75/95 tons. She is brig rigged and scroll head, and sets well by the stern. She draws, with her coal (643 tons), provisions, and armament on board, 14 feet 4 inches aft and 11 feet 9 inches forward. She has six A1 rifle cannon, with a superior 32-pound pivot, 276 Burnsides rifles, 320 boarding pikes, 210 cutlasses, 176 boarding knives (Sumners make); also 6 grappling irons which are of the latest improved style, and with an abundant supply of powder and shot. I have had the fortune of obtaining 24 Southern officers and 219 picked men. I shall leave here in about 10 days for Havana; please forward my commission to Apalachicola, Fla., where I will call for it, and if possible will proceed to Montgomery at once if my commission is not ready at Apalachicola. If I find the latter place blockaded, and can not cope with them, you may then expect me at Caillou River, La. You will please inform the Cabinet that I am prepared to whip any one ship of the line. I have drawn the wool over the eyes of the black hearted Republicans; they think I am Union entire. Do not fail to have my letter of marque ready, for I wish to overhaul some of the homeward bound California steamers, for money is required. Any instructions you may give will be carried out to the letter.
that I have now about ready for sea, the fine steamship Phenix and I solicit a letter of marque, and will you forward the same, if the following description of the ship is satisfactory to you and your cabinet. It is understood by the people here that the ship is for the Spanish Government. Length of ship, 245 feet. Breadth of beam, 34 feet. Depth of hold, 19 feet. Measures 1,643 75/95 tons. She is brig rigged and scroll head, and sets well by the stern. She draws, with her coal (643 tons), provisions, and armament on board, 14 feet 4 inches aft and 11 feet 9 inches forward. She has six A1 rifle cannon, with a superior 32-pound pivot, 276 Burnsides rifles, 320 boarding pikes, 210 cutlasses, 176 boarding knives (Sumners make); also 6 grappling irons which are of the latest improved style, and with an abundant supply of powder and shot. I have had the fortune of obtaining 24 Southern officers and 219 picked men. I shall leave here in about 10 days for Havana; please forward my commission to Apalachicola, Fla., where I will call for it, and if possible will proceed to Montgomery at once if my commission is not ready at Apalachicola. If I find the latter place blockaded, and can not cope with them, you may then expect me at Caillou River, La. You will please inform the Cabinet that I am prepared to whip any one ship of the line. I have drawn the wool over the eyes of the black hearted Republicans; they think I am Union entire. Do not fail to have my letter of marque ready, for I wish to overhaul some of the homeward bound California steamers, for money is required. Any instructions you may give will be carried out to the letter.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Eugene Delany,
Commander Steamship Phenix.
Hon. Jefferson Davis,
Of the Confederate States of America,
Montgomery, Ala.
P.S. I was in Mexico with Beauregard and he knows my courage.