The native American., 1837-08-26
LIFE IN HAVANA.


II lately stated in the papers, that General Ta-
CON- the Governor of Cuba had been recalled by the
Spanish Government. This report, which, however,
proved to be unfounded gave rise to regret the
part Of those who have been familiar with the police
regulations Of Havana for some years past and
aware of the great and important changes which Gen.
Tacon introduced after his accession oAice-by
which the lives and properties Of foreigners well
citizens rendered comparatively safe and gaming
and other vices of magnitude have received sautary
check.
| We happened to be in Havana during the summer
| of 1922, short time before General Wives assumed
the rens of the Government and the cases of shame
u violation of all laws, human and divine, both night
ly and daily, cvertly and openly, numerous and
appalling. We will relate few instances, that our
readers may see that when Wives appointed to the
Office of Governor General of Cuba, he could not boast
of having obtained sinecure.
| An American shipmaster belonging to Boston had
to visit the Regas, an island in the harbor,
whence molasses honey, &C. are generally furnished to
American vessels. Being stranger, he landed at
the wrong quay, and left his boat go to the head of
the wharf to make inquiries He had hardly turned the
corner when he seized by the collar by two fero-
cous looking men, and of whom held knife to his
throat, making at the same time some expressive,
though by graceful gestures, but without
speaking word. third very adroitly took possess
sion of his watch, turned his pocket inside out, and
picked up a few halt doubloons, pencil case, &c.
which had fallen from them. His coat of fine broad
cloth, and hat, handsome drab, next doomed to
change propIietors; when with the finishing ceremony
OF sturdy kick en- denere, he dismissed and re-
turned chop fallen to his boat, the great asonish-
ment of his crew-having been absent less than five
minutes
i Several American gentlemen undertook one after
noon to make an excursion along the beach the
ward OF Moro Castle in search Of marine Shells which
were said to be abundant in that place. AS this beach
IS distant two or three miles from Havana and there
being hardly any inhabitants in the neighborhood they
jnhOSntahla treat me and
left the different vessels which they commanded,
which they regarded as their temporary home, well
dressed personable looking men, in fine spirits and
ready Tor any froic. They returned in about two.
hours almost In state OF nature; having met with
band OF ugly looking fellows, who did not take the
trouble TO examine their pockets, but strpt them, with
the exception of single garment, Of all their clothes
this state they were compelled to return to the land
ing place. nearest to of the ships, object Of
much curiosity to the few Spanish women and children
they met-and when the boat landed they returned
board, with wo-begone countcnances and saddened
hearts, wiser if not better for the result of their
IN that branch of natural history called
chology.
Several instances occurred during tha, summer of
vessels, anchored at the Reglas taking in cargoes of
molasses, being attacked and plundered in the night
by bands OF piratcal wetches. In every instance the
crews made their escape by swimming, concealed
themselves In the hold and were not discovered
These vessels were Of unarmed, which circum-
stance was known to the pirates, whose cowardce was
as remarkable as their propensity for vany. A brig
belonging to some port in Maine, lying at the Re-
glas, when one morning about o'clock the watch
hastened below with the alarming intelligence that
} boat filled with Spanards was coming alongside. In
moment afterwards they coming on deck, and
the officers and justly alarmed for their lives, escaped
from the cabin windows into the long boat, that was
to the sern cut the painter and went on board
another vessel. But the cook of the brig, surly,
athletic negro who owed the Spaniards grudge for
what he conceived to be illreatment while he
shore the previous Sunday, armed himself with car.
wing knife and concealed himself behind the seerage
Stairs After the pirates had struck light, they has
tened below for punder The leader had hardly reached
the hoor, ere the carving knife Of the cook sheahed
IN his body, and he fell giving utterance to horrible
oath. The cook then sprang into the water from the
cabin window and swain to the vessel In the
morning the captain returned board, where he found
much wanton destruction Of property. The floor of
the steerage stained with blood, which was traced
up the steps across the dech to the gangwayshowng
that the pirates had conveyed away the bleeding vic
tim OF the cooks revenge. The captain aware
that It was useless to complain to the authorities, to
solicit any protection for himself and yesse and fear
ing that he would again be- visited by these williams,
the purpose of taking sanguinary revenge for the
death Of their comrade he hastened his departure and
eft the harbor before he had completed his cargo.
brig belonging to Bristol, r. l. had cleared at the
lCustom-house, and was to sail on the following morn
ling Captain b. had ordered good watch to be kept,
as usaal-but towards day-break in the morning, while
III H tic oPcn CduiH, "dS dWd
kened by loud whispers, apparently in his immediate
vicinity. He had presence of mind enough to keep
perfectly still, and soon became that Of
these pratica scoundrels entering the cabin win
dow, within few feet Of his head. He reached up
his hand and gasped large horse pistol we'll primed,
and loaded with some of the best glazed gunpowder,
and an ounce ball. He fortunately succeeded in cock
ing the pistol without alarming the pirates, who did
not dream Of such formidable weapon the hands of
brave and determined man, and about to scatter
death and terror among them. Capt. B. enjoyed the
advantage of being able 10 note their movements while
they were unable to witness his. He watched his op-
potunIty, and as as had silently entered the
window and was crawling the tIansom, and another
had SO far entered as to bring his head in line with
the body OF the first he presented his pistol, placing
the muzze within few inches of the breast of one
Of the pirates, and fired. The bullet did its work
and passed through the body of of the victims and
lodged in the head Of the other Capt b. then rushed
on deck with second pistol in his hand, followed by
his mates, who were awakened by the report. On
looking over the stern, they beheld large boat
with fourteen men, pulling rapidly away from the brig.
They mustered light and went below, where they
found the two Spanards dead upon the transom Capt
B. at once decided the proper to be adopted
He knew that if the affair was reported to the proper
authorities he should be detained and perhaps subject
led tn MN 40 nd and rhonc