Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/237

 n Tli<ii<i- .! n /''///. 229

the Stonctcall, and the subsequent failure to accept her invitation to come out and engage her was a good deal criticised at the time. I have no means of knowing what explanation of his conduct he made to his own government, and I should be sorry to repeat any of the gossip of the period which might cast a slur upon his courage. His reputation in the United States navy, while I held a commission in that service, was such as to place him above any suspicion. He \\ .is certainly an able and efficient officer, and I mention the incident with the Stonc-a'cill as an historical fact, and without the slightest purpose to cast an imputation upon his memory.

At Lisbon, Page was made to feel that he was the representative of the losing cause. He was permitted to get a supply of coal, but it was manifested that the authorities wished him clear of the port.

He got away as soon as possible, proceeding to Santa Cruz, in the Island of Tereriffe, replenished his fuel there, and thence stood down into the northeast trades. On April 2.5th he hauled up for Bermuda, but encountered northwest winds and heavy head swells immediately after leaving the trade winds, and being in rather short supply of coal, he shaped his course for Nassau, arriving there May 6th. From Nassau he proceeded to Havana.

At the time of Page's arrival at Havana, the war was practically at an end. In a few days he learned of General Lee's surrender, and soon after of the capture of Mr. Davis. Manifestly he could not venture upon offensive operation. The small amount of funds he took from Ferrol was exhausted. Major Helen, the Confederate agent, could do nothing for him in that way. The position was per- plexing and (juite exceptional. As a last resource, negotiations were opened with the Cuban authorities for the surrender of the ship to them if they would advance money necessary to pay off the crew.

When it was known through a resident merchant that the Captain- General was willing to make the necessary advance and take the ship, Carter was sent to state the requirements and get the money, and his brief report of the interview is as follows:

After five minutes' conversation the Captain-General asked for the sum we required. I said " $16,000." He said, "say $100,000." I replied that my orders were to ask for $16,000. He then turned to an official at a desk and bid him write, continued asking questions, and then the document was handed to him for perusal. He looked at him and said: "Shall we make it $50,000?" But I obeyed orders, and $16,000 was ordered to be paid..