Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-21

uDoORcSo "a . II
aYhal's the report, sir:' ne said sharply TO the OH
Ger who had returned. 'ls our squadron IN s'sht:
eyes, sir, hull down, but coming on with q spanking
breeze"
" approaching under easy sail. The leading vessel, q
seventy-four, carried the Admirals flag, whilst the
cross of Saint George waved over the tahra'i. me
American lay broad. side on to the British cruiser, Ter
ma;nsail hove to the mast. The same maneuvre was
performed by the British man ofwar, and those Two
ocean cavaliers, at the distance OF some hurdfed Ia
tnoms apart, as it in ~knightly courtesy, gracefully Sd.
luted as they rose and fell upon the waves. a BOAT
dropped from the quarter OF edch vessei al 'ne sa"e
moment. For an instant the gittering oars were held
adoat; at the words s'let fall, " 'gIve way: they pom
sprung from the respective ships, with a speed lha'
quickly brought them together.
"What ship is that, slr?' said the BRUSH oHicei'
slightly touching his hat. =.
"The United States Ship Of the Line Pennsylvania
replied The American.
"And her Commander
"Commodore Charles Stewart. What ship is that,
sir:'
"Her Britannia Majesty's Ship BellerOphon."
"Her Commander
"Admiral Sir George Brooke
"And permit me 10 ask, continued the American
Lieutenant, "where are you bound, and for what Pur'
pose?" >.
In a clear, firm voice, the prompt reply was, "Io
the Havana, to sake posse ssion of the Island OF
Cuba"
"a am directed, BY the orders of Commodore Stew
art, 10 repeat to you, for the information Of ,he Ao"''
raj, that such q moccment cannot be Pcrmiued'
"Nothing else, SIR
eNothing."
The two officers civiIly bowed TO each other, seated
themselves in the stern sheets Of their respective boats,
and whirled of TO the ships. Upon the quarter deck oil
the Pennsylvania, the old Commodore was quietly seat.
ed upon a gun; as the officer advanced, lie drly en-
quifrd If he had obeycd orders.
ayes, sir
"Then beat. to quarters'-and the lively tones oil the
= -. -.s.f1. aorI - 80, thu n Gntr-
ing call. a thousand active, hardy looking fellows IN n
moment stood 10 their tackle and stations. The ship
was ready for action.
In the meantime, signals had been passed from the
British Admlral's ship TO his squadron. Soon after, a
barge dashed alongside of the American ship, and an
officer Of gallant bearing mounted the companion ladder,
to whom was paid the highest military honors, anu con-
Quoted to the presence of the old tar, who received his
Distinguished visitor with that ge%ntlemanly courtesy tor
which he is remarkable.
The following conversation took place:
81 have the honor TO address Commodore Stewart, !
believer"
"My name is Charles Stewart, sir replied he, smil-
ing; ssand ! have the honor TO command the Home
| Squadron of the U S Navy"
After a pause of a few moments, the Admiral, for
such was the rank of the officer with The star upon his
breast, said, 81 am informed, sir, that 1t is your 'nten-
ton 10 interrupt the passage of her Britannia Majesty's
fleet INTO that harbor,' pointing towards the Havana;
'sam rightly informed, SIR
al for the purpose of taking possession OF the Island,
you are rightly nformed.
"You certainly, Sir responded the Admiral, with
much warmth, lean have no such instructions from
your Government. 1t was thought that there was q
perfect understanding between her MaIesty's Ministers
and the late Secretary of State at Washington, upon
this subject. II is far from the wish of her Majesty's
Government, TO enter into any hostile collision with
the United States, with whom It IS the well known and
expressed wish of her Majesty to remain upon the most
friendly and pacific terms. Any interference upon
vour mart m n matter oT such deem AMI lively lnts-
res, 10 Great Britain, would certainly involve The two
nations in Il war may add, nothing could be more
unlocked for and nothing more unwarrantable."
"Now, look ye, Sir George said the Commodore,
| mildly and respectfully, but with 4 peculiar air OF de-
termination no, 10 be misunderstood, "whether | have
positive orders or not, is immalerial to you; shall act
in this instance without regard to consequences, ana
for the good of my country. | shall be PLAIN, expiici'
and frank with yOu-our diplomacy Will be orief. 30
long as The Confederacy of the States exists, Cuba must
not pass into the hands of Great Britain, or any other
scheming, enterprising, mercantile power. Havana
is the key to the Gull, into which pours through the
channel of the Mississippi, the wealth oil all the West
ern and Southern States, nor can my country be IN
sensible tc the danger 10 her peace and union, winch
must instantly follow from that timid policy which
would permit this Island and her vas, military tortifica-
ton 10 become a point d'appui for a British crusade
against her Southern domestic institutions. Al all
events, | am prepared 10 assume the responsibility OF
my presen, position, and 10 sacrifice, If necessary, IN
maintaining il, my own life and the lives OF all those
whom now have the honor 20 command. While that
hay waves over the head Of Charles Stewart, your
avowed movement will he resisted to The last; and
mildly turning to his chief executive officer, he oh
served, in low tones, al think my country will aP.
plaud the act, and, should fall, do justice TO my me-
mory."
For a moment, the Admiral gazed 4; the lmperturba-
BILE features OF the veteran tar, and said
care you resolved, Commodore Stewart
"AdmiTal Sir George Brooke, = said the Commodore
advancing close to him, but with solemnity and respect,
and in the most impressive manner, 'Do you see yon
distant Moro Castle" its foundations are not more firm
than my determination
"Very we'll, Sir was the prompt reply. 81 shall
return to my vessel, and shall be under The unplea-
SAINT necessity of blowing you out OF water, Tor you
see am ten TO one"
'sBlow away, Sir, but before you make the expert
ment, be pleased to cast your eyes 10 wIndward -ior
by this time the Home Squadron were in cannon shot,
bearing down under 4 crowd of canvass.
"What ships are those, SIR" said the Admiral, ad-
dressing one of The officers Of the Pennsylvania, and
whose face was glowing with delight at The prospect OF
n row which he had not tasted since lell.
"TlIose ships, SIR"
eyes, Sir, those TO windward."
ooh beg pardon, SIR, only the Constitution, Ma.
cedonian, United States, Java, Brandywine, Yorktown,
Germantown, and steamers Princeton and Mississippi
The Admiral then turned round 10 the American Com.
mnnder, and raising his hat above his head, he SAID,
~"Commodore Stewart, farewell =
sFarewell, Sir was the reply, and the Admiral &c
parted; every military honor being paid to nm ,hal YVES
due his rank.
A cutter came along side, into which | sprung,
~freighted with dispatches, and orders TO hasten, with
all possible speed, for a Southern pert IN the United
States. As we passed the British transports, we OBJ
served that they were crowded with tronps. We pass
ed through the American line every thing was pre-
pared for battle-ihe crews were at their stations. The
question Involuntary occurred, how many OF these
gallant fellows, whose hearts throb with enthusiasm,
will be laid low ere sunset?
We could observe The Pennsylvania still hove to
occasionally a bright nusket or cutlass CLEANED IN the
sun-and a flag now futtered from The pinnacle of each
of her towering masts. The squadron was advancing
in line of battle, whilst the Princeton and Mississippi
were lowering like hawks upon the TANKS. The British
fleet had filed away for the harbor, which lay directly
on a line with the American flag ship. Whilst gazing
from the stern of our r~eceding barque, with intense IN.
terest upon the manGuvres of the Two fleets, u cloud
Of smoke rolled from The side Of the Bellerephon, and
ere the roar of the artillery reached us, we could see
The splinters and crippled spars flying into The ar from
"a n 4 IT. -,Ip mo lint mn ptu tO nal