Peter,

See http://www.ahoy.tk-jk.net/MaraudersCivilWar/CSSFlorida.html
which states in part "The fact that Florida had been allowed to escape from Mobile was debated in the Congress at Washington, and Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, was given a hard time. Next we find the New York Times wanting to know why Commander Preble had been sacked for allowing the Raider to reach Mobile, but no one received censure for allowing this ship to get away again , this time escaping the waiting Union net. As we will soon learn, Welles would have plenty of opportunities to rue the fact that Florida was out, about, and operating with devastating effect."
This is from the Naval History Society of Australia. Although not footnoted/documented, it could provide a clue to where to find the information you want.
By the way, I'm working on a biography of George Foster Emmons, who commanded R. R. Cuyler during the incident, and went in chase of Florida with Oneida. Let me know when your book is available!

Regards,

Tom Ledoux
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Retired)
ledoux2011@yanoo.com