ected with her. There was
a sharp struggle between rival claimants for the possession of the ship,
but the Gordian knot was cut by the British Government which placed the
"broad arrow" upon her. The public funds were also transferred to
Captain Bullock and his receipt taken for them. Here I beg leave to
affirm that I neither appropriated nor desired to appropriate any of the
spoils of the perishing ship of state.[16] But as memory recalls the
many opportunities placed in my way of making a fortune during the war,
without detriment to the cause, and consistent with every obligation due
to the Confederate Government, there are times when I cannot decide
whether I acted the part of a fool, or that of a patriot. We are told
that when Lord Clive was arraigned before the British Parliament for
profiting by his high position in India to enrich himself, he exclaimed
at the close of his defence against the charge, "By G----d, Mr. Chairman,
at this moment I stand astonished at my own moderation!" His idea of
"moderation" was L300,000. A "dead broke" Confederate would have
considered himself fortunate to possess 300,000 cents! Some of the crew
of the Chameleon, who had served for years in the Confederate Navy,
brought a claim against me for pay due them while in the public service,
and it was with some difficulty that their counsel, a pettifogging
lawyer, could be induced to consent to arbitration; but the matter was
finally settled through Bullock's agency, although it appeared probable
at one time that I would be obliged to take a hasty departure from
England.

The end was close at hand. News of the capture of Richmond arrived on
the 15th, and a few days afterwards, intelligence of the surrender of
General Lee's army. The Chameleon was soon afterwards given up to the
United States Government which claimed the assets, but repudiated the
liabilities of the Confederate Government. Her officers and crew were
turned adrift with "the wide world before them where to choose."

FOOTNOTE:

[16] The proofs, which I hold in my possession, of this affirmation can
have no interest for the general reader. Shortly after the close of the
war, I learned through a friend in Washington that I was charged with
appropriating many thousands of dollars belonging to the late
Confederate Government. Although I was then living in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, and beyond the jurisdiction of the United States Government, I
forwarded to the Hon. Secretary of the