Protested, as under, against the presence of a health guard-boat:-- C.S.Steamer "Sumter," Cadiz, January 6th, 1862.
SIR,--I have had the honour to receive your Excellency's note of to-day, in which you inform me that the proceedings of the local authorities of Cadiz, commanding me to proceed to sea within twenty-four hours, have been overruled by the Government at Madrid, and that the Queen had graciously permitted me to land my prisoners, and to remain to put the necessary repairs upon my ship.

Do me the favour to communicate to her Majesty my thanks for her prompt and friendly action in the premises.
In the meantime, allow me most respectfully to protest against the presence of the guard-boat which has been placed in surveillance upon my movements, as though I were an ordinary ship of commerce.

Compliance with the laws of quarantine should be left with me as a matter of honour, and the presence of this boat implies the suspicion that a ship of war of a friendly Power could so far forget herself as to infringe the regulations of the port--a suspicion as unworthy the health authorities of the port of Cadiz as it is offensive to me.
I have the honour to be, &c.

&c.
(Signed) R.SEMMES.
Senor Ignacio Mendez de Vigo, Military Governor of the Port of Cadiz.
_Tuesday, January 7th_ .-- To-day I received a note from Senor de Vigo, the military Governor, informing me that the Queen's Government had consented to permit me to land my prisoners, and to remain for repairs.

He puts my remaining, however, on the ground of necessity arising out of my crippled condition.