The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-21
From the .NetC Orleans Commercial Bulletin.
THE ISLAND OF FERNANDO 20.

The news Of the occupation of this island by the
Spanish, was received some two months since by way
OF England. The following account of the ceremo-
mes used upon the occasion an extract from the log
book of the Spanish brig ot-war Nirpion, which YES
sci, seems, dispatched for the purpose of TAX
ing possession of the Island is amusing at least
The act which is recorded was not original seiz-
ure-Spain having previously laid claim to the island
and exercise some powers over it)--but merely a
formal assertion of the rights of the Spanish crown
We translate from the Matanzas .4,tro,a which pa
per has the account under date Cadz, lst July
Proclamation of H. NJ the Queen Donna ISABEL II.
the Island of Fernando Pc, February II, lS43,
according to the log book of the principal officers
of the brig ol-war Nrpion
The detachment of marine ordered to place the
flag staff on the northeast side of the cone left at 9
A. M.-ihe point being mounted 10y thirty two
FOUNDER, which thanked the guns Of the battery below
The name of the Spanish Point was given to this
tongue of land. On board the brig the portrait of
her Majesty was decorated by encircIing with
NINE tapestry ripged with gold and silver, the
ribbons of Charles Ill. and Isabella the Catholic
surrounding the whole with crown over the ma
tional arms. While the officers who were to form
the escort of The picture, under command Of Don
Fernando fernandez, were preparing to appear
u1 uniform, others were erecting a second flag a
height in front OF the city, under tree 40 feet
high, where st gpg was also erected, covered with
carpetng with white and red borders and fringes of
gold. Al II O'Clock, all being in readiness and the
brig being put little distance from the shore, the
Spanish flag was hoised all the small vessels
(which proceeded IN the following order In the
launch her MsJesty portrait the escort and the Off
GERS, Francisco Monlero and Jose Espinosa in the
canoe, the capsin Of The ship, Juan Josa Serena :;
and on both sides, in other boats the rest Of the prn-
cipa officers of the brig. On landing the troops
led the way, with music and drums, followed by the
portrait of her Ma esty, sustained by two officers
holding the ribbons In the rear followed the com
mander and officers, armed marines and crew of the
boats, carrying in the centre the national flag On
arriving at the spot determined on the portrait was
placed under canopy, and the whole force formed
on both sides and IN the rear, the bayou creek being
IN iront) when the Commander pronounced the fol-
lowing " In the name Of the Regent of the King
dom, proclaim the Queen Of Spain Isabel III. the
only legitimate sovereign Of this island of Fernando
70 j. ptrd' which was responded to with the great
est enthusiasm by all the force and by many OF the
natives.
salute fired as the national flag was hoisted
on both The flag stalls and Immediately thereafter
the brig ran up all her colors and signals having
the yards OF the main mast the flags of France, Bri
tam, Holland and Portugal which were saluted with
II guns The British vessels hoised their colors fore
and att and at the conclusion Of their ing quan-
uty OF Isabella gold and silver money was thrown To
the natives. AT o'clock the Captain returned
board the br &, accompanied by his officers and seve-
raj of the natives, who were well entertained The
portrait Of H. NJ. was left ashore guarded 10y senti-
nels on both sides At 5 z. M they disembarked
again for the purpose of conveying the portrait thro'
the village, during the performance OF which
mony runf and tobacco were distributed TO the
tyes. The company returned to the vessel at sun
set and concluded the whole ceremony by the firing
of guns and Iuminstions till IL o'clock at night.