U. S. STEAM SLOOP PAWNEE
Off Cape Henry, April 10, 1861
To: Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department that I am at sea, in obedience to orders dated the 5th instant. I was prepared to leave at daylight yesterday morning, but was delayed by a very heavy easterly gale that has been blowing since Sunday last.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. C. ROWAN
Commander