We wanted no war--we wanted peace; we had dear friends among those who were making war upon us, and for their sakes, if not for the sake of humanity, we hoped to be allowed to separate in peace; but it could not be; they forced the war upon us--they endeavoured to destroy us.

For this, and for this alone, we burn their ships and destroy their commerce.

We have no feeling of enmity against them, and all we ask is to be let alone--to be allowed to tread the path we have chosen for ourselves."-- "_Cruise of the Sumter_," from the "_Index_" May 1st, 1862.] The following day saw two more prizes fall into the Sumter's hands.
These were the brigantines Cuba and Machias, both of Maine.

The captures were taken in tow and carried off in the direction of Cienfuegos.

The next day, however, the Cuba broke adrift from her hawser, and on being recovered, a prize crew was sent on board the vessel, with directions to carry her into Cienfuegos, for which port Captain Semmes was now shaping his course.
Arrived off that harbour on the evening of the same day, it was found too late to attempt to enter, and two more vessels being descried in the offing, the Machias was cast off, with orders to lay-to until the morning, and the Sumter started off in chase.