The Chapman

Late in the month of February, 1S03, the revenue officers at this port were informed that certain persons in this city were engaged in fitting out the schooner Chapman as a privateer, to-cruise under the flag of the Confederate States, against the commerce of the United States. A search for the schooner was at once instituted, and on ascertaining where she lay, detective officers were placed on watch, with instructions to report everything that took place on board of her either in the daytime or during the night. She shortly afterward commenced receiving cargo, amongst which were some very heavy cases, subsequently ascertained to contain guns.

On the fourteenth of March the vessel was cleared at the custom-house, and the authorities became satisfied that her preparations were completed and that she was about to sail. Fearing that she might attempt to get to sea at high tide in the evening, a steam-tug was chartered and placed, with fires banked, in an adjoining slip, ready to start at a moment’s notice. On board of her were the collector, the naval officer and the surveyor, together with Mr. Lees, a detective officer, and a squad of policemen. No movement was made by the schooner…