Captain Palmer informed his Excellency the Governor that there was a pirate at anchor in the port of St.Pierre, and requested permission to destroy her; but this was refused emphatically, and the irate commander furnished with the proclamation of his Imperial Majesty Napoleon III., according belligerent rights to the Confederate States, and decreeing strict neutrality on the part of France.

He was informed that it was necessary for the Iroquois either to cast anchor, or leave the waters of the isle, and if accepting the former alternative, that an interval of twenty-four hours must elapse between the departure of either belligerent; also that, in case of any breach of neutrality occurring, the forts would open on the offending party.

After remaining stationary for some two hours, her boat returned.

The Iroquois stood out of the harbour, taking a position a short distance ahead of us, and commenced backing and filling across our bows.

Meanwhile the crew of "the pirate" were not idle; every preparation was made to repel boarders, and to defend our ship to the last extremity.