de is to have placed
on file in that office such a statement of facts as will, on a fair
investigation, vindicate all the officers of the Confederate States
Navy concerned from the odium of infamous conduct unjustly
attempted to be fixed upon them by those of the United States Navy;
against which and the infliction of punishment as directed by the
Navy Department I enter my solemn protest.

I most emphatically assert that the Louisiana, when abandoned and
fired by my order, was not only not "turned adrift" or intended to
injure the United States forces as charged by Commander Porter; but
that she was actually left secured to the opposite bank of the
river and distant quite three-fourths of a mile from the said
forces, for the very reason that they were flying a flag of truce,
and for that reason I dispatched the warning message to Commander
Porter respecting the magazine. That it is not only the right, but
the duty, of an officer to destroy public property to prevent its
falling into the hands of an enemy does not admit of question; and
in addition to all which, it must not be overlooked that the forces
under my command flew no flag of truce, and that I was not in any
way a party to the surrender of Forts Jackson and St. Philip.

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
(Signed) JNO. K. MITCHELL,
_Commander C. S. Navy._

Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

_Copy in Substance._

NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862

SIR,--The explanations of Commodore J. K. Mitchell are
satisfactory, and the restrictions imposed on him and his
associates by the department's order of the 2d instant will be
removed, and they will be treated as prisoners of war.

This does not relieve Beverly Kennon from the restrictions imposed
on him.

(Signed) GIDEON WELLES.

Colonel Justin Dimmick,
Commanding Fort Warren, Boston.

(_Copy._)

NAVY DEPARTMENT, June 25, 1862.

SIR,--The letter of John K. Mitchell of the 20th inst., concerning
the restrictions imposed on you, by orde