even perhaps, beltcr. Tl1is last idea I have from a person who knows Lhe Invincible well and is moreover a good judge of such matlcrs. There is however this consolation in regard lo them, that when thoroughly fitted for service, with their Guns and all on board, they can not draw less than seventeen feet; a circumstance you know thal will effectually shut them oul of all our inland walcrs. It is to be observed thal they will sail from Ballo. in no state of preparation for service; their Guns-powder-ball etc etc being all to be pu l down in the hold. This I know will be done in such a way, that they will be under the necessity of discharging every thing on shore, al some point in Mexico, before they can be in a condition to assume their character of Vessells of War. And there is no doubt that Vera Cruz must be the point for which they will be dispatched, as there is not I believe sufficienl waler for them, to enter any other suitable port in the country. A consideration of Lhese last mentioned circumstances has brought me lo think a good deal of the possibility of intercepting one or both of these Vessclls, before their reaching the protection of any Mexican port. .I know nol what our Government has thought on the subject, or whether any expcdicnl Lhal seemed practicable has occurred to them, of gelling rid of these fearful odds, that seem likely lo come against them. Uninformed as I am, of their Views in the malter, I may be permillcd to mention a suggestion that has been made to me, of a plan lo effect the object spoken of; say at present the interception of the Vessell that is first lo sail. I can say that Lhe suggestion is from a person versed in such affairs, and warmly inlercslcd for the success of our cause.' He proposes that 3 or 4 of our vessells of War should repair in good Lime to the waters near Vera Cruz, where with Lhe advantage of good pilots, slanding off and on, they can await the arrival of the Brig, which can easily be distinguished by her port holes etc, and her color, which I understand is to be black and while. She is, to be sure, to sail undcr Amcrican Colors, but as she is certainly lo carry contraband of War; she will conscl1ucntly be liable to search-seizure and delenlion. Our vessclls on seeing her can hoist American Colors selling the proper signal to speak, can easily approach her so near, as to become masters of her al once. As she
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