Report of Flag Officer Sands, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Brazil Squadron, of departure of U. S. S. Seminole for Philadelphia, in obedience to orders.
U.S. Flag Steamer Pulaski,
Montevideo , May 31, 1861.
Sir: Since my last, No. 18, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your order of April 8, directing me to order the steamer Seminole, Commander Thomson, of this squadron, to the port of Philadelphia.
On the 14th of this month I ordered the steamer to proceed to Rio de Janeiro for stores and provisions for the use of the squadron at this point, with instructions to Commander Thomson, in the event of meeting dispatches there for me, to open, and if finding, as I supposed there might be, from the nature of circumstances at home, anything relating to the steamer under his command, to act in accordance without further reference to me. I am happy to state, for the information of the honorable Department, this day, per French mail, I received a letter from Commander Thomson, informing me of having opened your communication, and that he was then (23d May) preparing to sail for the United States, and in five days would be ready to proceed, in obedience to your order of the 8th April, which I had happily anticipated, and thereby gained time, which I believed might be of importance to the Department.
Commander Thomson speaks in favorable terms of the Seminole since some alterations have been made on her while here, and I have every reason to believe that, with some further alterations when she shall arrive in the United States, she may prove a useful and valuable vessel to the Government.
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
Joshua R. Sands,
Flag Officer, Commanding U. S. Brazil Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.