Commodore George C. Remey, Commandant, Key West Naval Base, to Commander William S. Cowles
NAVAL BASE, KEY WEST
U. S. Flagship Lancaster, August 12, 1898
Sir:
Proceed with the vessel you command with despatch to deliver the enclosed letter for the Commander of the First Squadron, North Atlantic Fleet,1 U. S. F. S. San Francisco, or, in his absence, deliver it to the Senior Officer Present off Havana. The letter encloses the President’s proclamation2 of suspension of hostilities.
(2) Immediately upon delivering this letter, proceed around Cape Antonio, and communicate with one of the vessels on the blockading station between the Isle of Pines and Cape Frances. Deliver the second letter enclose, addressed to the Senior Officer Present on the blockade off Cienfuegos-Batabano, which also contain a copy of the President’s proclamation, and direct the officers to whom you deliver the letter, to notify the other vessels on the Cienfuegos-Batabano blockade.
(3) You will then return to Key West.
(4) Fly the despatch flag by daylight until these letters are delivered.
Very respectfully,
Geo. C. Remey
Commodore Commanding
Source Note: CbCyS, DNA, RG313, Entry 71, p. 393. Addressed below close: “The Commanding Officer,/U. S. S. Topeka,/Key West, Fla.”
Footnote 1: Commo. John A. Howell, Commander, 1st Blockading Squadron.
