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 crews could "relieve their quarters," and proceed to the routine work of the morning watch.

It was not long before messengers from the English and American consuls brought word off that Señor Bureau, finding that the control of affairs was slipping from his grasp, had deserted his post, and fled—no one knew how, nor when, nor where. It was thought that he had gone on board the "Elizabeth," and Mr. Saulnier, in his report to the Department of State, said that such was the case. The only circumstance to throw any doubt upon that was that the Austrian vessel had gone to sea, to New Orleans, the evening before, at 6.30, and if he had sought refuge on board of her, it must have been in broad daylight, and the fact must have been known to some of his subordinates. It seemed possible that he might have gone on board the Phlégéton, and afterwards, when affairs had become more settled. Captain Roe said, jokingly, to the French commander: "Come now, Pritzbuer, where have you got that fellow stowed? and what are you going to do with him? "But the only answer to be elicited was: "Ah, well, now, capitaine, nevair mind, nevair mind."

At all events the Imperial Commissary had not stood upon the order of his going, but had gone; and the city was without a municipal government. The senior military commander was General Gomez, and there was much speculation as to the line of