The New York herald., 1849-06-13

u. s. s. ERIE, GrpnALrAR, Dec. "a, 1919.


month sailed for the completion of her cruise in
the Mediterranean. Favored by the trade winds
setting in steadily from the southeast, we were
able to pass between St. Vincent and Lucia, and
to make good course better than north to the
latitude of the variables. Notwithstanding the
reputed dulness of the Erie, which has caused her
to be shorn of the honors of a man Of war and
changed into a store ship, we sighted Funchal IN
thirteen days. This, believe, is the shortest
passage between these ports on record The Sara
toga, while on the African station, had run from
port to port in fifteen days. and quite recently the
jamestown, taking a southwester. had accom-
plished the passage from the nearest port of Porto
Grande, IN somewhat less than nine, both being
regarded fortunate passages for those fleet sail
ers. We were making dead beat, or becalmed
for about six days. 1t was the intention of the
commander to have communicated with Commo-
dore Bolton, at Madeira. While in the offing of
Funcha the southerly wind freshened into gale,
rendering the anchorage in the roads perous, and
communication with the shore impossible We
saw nothing of the flag ship jamestown, as she had
probably made the best OF her way TO sea. A quar-
tefing wind caused us to pursue our way; and as
there was no prospect of very speedy communi-
cation with the shore, we bore away Tor Cape ST.
Vincent, and in less than three days discovered
mounted by It's light house, and white and glisten.
ing convent. Here the expiring breeze drew ahead,
and with short tacks, we laZiy beat along the
coast, making our diatory progress by the white
walled forts, towers and villages perched on Cliffs
which stud the reaboard Of Portugal and Spain
We coquetted for whole day with fair Cadiz,
sprlnging from the dark blue sea- standing in until
Its staunch walls were discerned, washed by the
swell of the broad Atlantic, its lofty sea-grt spires
resembling fleet OF sail on the distant horizon,
and then standing out again, showing our colors,
and like Galatea. taking care to be seen before
we fled. Had we known what we afterwards dis
was there, we should probably have been less coy,
and have fallen into the embrace of that pleasant
harbor. Had we done so, we would have escaped
some discomfort; tor, with the freshenng breeze,
were tossed and butfcted in the same unruly
bay on which the graceless Don Juan embarked,
and with aching eyes saw the receding shores
of his native Spain. drowning the sentiment
OF his first love affair In salt water and sea
or unrequted affection: After two days of
most uncomfortable and dubious navigation, in
thick weather, during which scores of abortlve OBJ
servations, and great deal of calculation and
speculation, placed us no where in particular, we
at length deserted the white banks of Trafalgar,
with the notable wach-rower marking the sea-
ward extremity of the cape: Eager to reach Glib.
raltar, which few on board had ever seen we had
the equiyocal qualification of lettering becalmed
during the greater part of day, on the very spot
where Nelson and villeneuve disputed that great
naval battle for the supremacy of Europe; and we
forgot our impatence OF port by revlving the tra-
ditions and pondering the results of that event
ful day. The lively interest which the site of any
remarkable battle field inspires, as the marked fea
tuies of the ground, strewed with the ghastly
trophies" of the slain, call up the circumstances
OF the action, may surely excuse kindred senti-
ment, when the chance of navigation conducts Us
to the locality of similar event on the ocean
upon that watery plain upon which there remains
no shadow of mans ravage." But these themes
did not long occupy our thoughts, as the breeze
and current consplred to watt us along into the
jaws OF the narrow strait which, dividing the two
continents is the perta to our anticipated cruising
ground.
The balmy air invited us to the deck; and head
wind compelling us to stand alternately to either
shore, we could review the spots celebrated in
chronicle or ballad-or trace the remains of Moor
ish defences and posts of observation, and the
walled towns and ctadels of more modern con-
structon, on both sides, as though the two cont-
nents still scowled their defiance, with their
arms and armor on, ready for battle.
Drfted through the straits by the current, we
entered the bay OF Gibraltar the morning of the
1slh of December. Elate and eager to set foot
within the first fortress of the world, we merely.
waited the visit OF the health officer confident Of
pratique, as we were perfectly healthy: Nothing
could exceed the blank astonlshment of the whole
party, when we discovered that we could not be
admitted to pratlque under any circumstances, as,
by special act, vessels frsm the Cape Verdes were
required to depart forthwith, and were only per-
mitted to lie in the quarantine ground as an un-
usual indulgence, watched all the time by guard
boat, to see that they held no sort of communica-
tion with the shore. This is one of the serpents
which has attacked our pleasant cruise IN its In
fancy. Time will determine whether our hopes
are 10 suffer premature strangling or not.
The rigid quarantine laws of Gibraltar not
the result of mere caprice or OF unreasonable ap-
prehensiOn. Although the climate Is genial and
sslubrious, yet we find that the yellow fever has
four times, within the last forty years, rayaged the
garrison The gates have been closed and busi-
sueDPnded he soldiers
being all encamped outside the garrison, and the
town almost depopulated Protracted investiga-
tons and acrimonious disputes have left the ques-
ton of the local origin Of the disease undecided
but there is strong reason for believing that It was
imported from abroad. Until the most rigid sana-
tary regulations were enforced, the disease often
attacked Cadiz and the neighboring ports, and
never afterwards. And SO with Gibraltar; since
vessels from infected ports have been wholly ex-
cluded the place has been entirely exempt from
fever. Gibraltar is not, however, independent to
dictate her own quarantine regulations. barren
and unproductlve rock, although blood enough has
flowed to fertllize every inch of it, the people are
in good measure dependent upon their neighbors
for supplies of the daily markets; and to avoid
vexatlous interruptions OF the communications and
markets, they are coerced to conform to and en-
force the SANITARY views and prescriptions of their
neighbels On account of the cholera, vessels from
Eng and and the North of Europe ride out qua
Tanine Of eight days, solely to please the Spanish
board Of health. The English steamers, on their
return from Alexandria, are not admitted to pra-
tlque, although they stop here to take in coal and
the mails, under the strictest quarantine regula-
tons. Of course they land no passengers and
the same restrictions exist at Cadlz and Lisbon.
We found that the frigate I'm ted States had pre-
ceded our visit here, and that Commodore Read
and his officers had been entertained with great
hospitality. The Commodore sailed for CadIz
about the 12'h inst where he will probably remain
until relieved by his successor, which must occur
shortly.
The steamer Allegheny, commanded by Lieut..
Hunter, arrived few days ago, fifty days from
Brazil, tou ching at Lisbon, under sails and steam.
The pelformapce Of his vessel has been very much
impeded by the foulness of her bottom, but am
happy to hear the report that she has met the ex-
pectations of Capt Hunter, her designer.
J. II.
THE GREAT FORGERY CASE IN New ORLEANS
Early in April last, the reader may recoect
Mir Antoine Michoud Of this city, entered complaint
accusing Nademoiselle Elise Clement Of forging or
being RccessorY the forgcrv of his name TO pro-