THE CREW OF THE FLORIDA IN LIVERPOOL
The Liverpool Post says:- "The crew of the Florida are now
in Liverpool. They are 95 in number and are nearly all in a
state of great destitution. The paragraphs in the pro
Confederate papers stating that immense sums as wages and
prize money were paid to them were pure fabricatons. Many of
the men are Irishmen - all fine athletic fellows, full of
determination. The [they?] were originally taken from the
Confederate army, and, according to their statements, pressed
on board. On their arrival at Brest they asked for wages;
for, during 18 months, they received only 100 dols.[dollars?]
cash. There was no money forthcoming; and being in a neutral
port, they were bold in their demands. Captain Maffitt
[Moffitt?],they say, then charged them with mutiny, and some
of them in irons, but ultimately discharged them all. Before
discharging them he gave each an acknowledgement for sums
varying from 100 dols. to 130 dols. The order was signed by
Paymaster Davis and Commander Maffit. This money they were
to receive from Messrs.Fraser and Co., Liverpool, and they
were accompanied by an officer who paid their passage. On
arriving in Liverpool, Messrs Fraser and Co. repudiated the
claim. The officer who accompanied them had a letter to
Captain Bullock, but has been unable to see the captain. The
men are in great distress, and are full of anger with every
party concerned. They even threaten to go back to Brest and
burn the Florida. They had better not."
Other advice from Liverpool state, however, that the above
account is totally devoid of truth. The men, we are told,
were certainly discharged from the Florida, but at this they
are not at all incensed, because, as the repairs to the
vessel will occupy several weeks, there was nothing to do at
Brest. The men received notes from Captain Maffit to the
agents of the Confederate Government in Liverpool, stating
the amount of wages due to each; but as the agents had not
received any communication direct from Captain Maffit, they
naturally decline to cash the notes.- Globe.
