AUGUST 18TH, 1864: The CSS Tallahassee, Commander Wood, put into Halifax to replenish its coal supply. U.S. Consul Mortimer M. Jackson wire Secretary Welles: "Tallahassee has just come into port. Will protest against her being coaled here."
Welles in turn, wired the USS Pontoosuc which had put into port at Eastport, Maine, the preceding day to steam to Halifax without delay.
Consul Jackson protested the sale of coal, but was informed that "...his excellency does not consider it his duty to detain the Tallahassee, or any man-of-war of a belligerent state, on the chance of evidence being hereafter found of her having violated international law, and in the absence of proof to that effect he cannot withhold from her commander the privilege of obtaining as much coal as may be necessary to carry him to a port in the Confederate States...."
--Old B-R'er
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