The army was now in occupancy of Fernandina,, and vessels despatched in the performance of duties as above shown, when the Wabash, now the flag-ship, left her anchorage off Fernandina, accompanied by a bevy of gunboats, and anchored off St. Augustine on the evening of March 8th. The fact was ascertained that no armed resistance was practicable or intended at that point, and the gunboats were ordered to the mouth of St. John's River, some forty miles north, to buoy out the entrance and to cross when the tides and state of the sea permitted. The Wabash remained off St. Augustine, and sent a boat on shore as soon as the state of the sea permitted. Commander C. R. P. Rodgers went in with a flag of truce. As the boat approached a white flag was hoisted on Fort Marion. The boat landed at the wharf, and Commander Rodgers was there received by the Mayor, who conducted him to the town-hall, where the municipal authorities were assembled. He stated that a vessel of war had arrived off the bar for the purpose of restoring the authority of the United States; it was deemed more kind to send an unarmed boat to inform them of the fact than to occupy the town by force of arms. He wished to calm any apprehensions of harsh treatment, and would carefully respect the persons and property of all citizens who submitted to the lawful authority of the United States; so long as they respected this authority and acted in good faith, municipal affairs would be left in the hands of the citizens.
The Mayor informed Commander Rodgers that the place had been garrisoned by two companies of Florida troops who had left the previous night; that the Mayor and council gladly received the assurances given, and placed the town
