The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-07-23
Lcrter from yKln,. n. Iohnaon.

Through the kindness of Thomas NJ. John
son, of this city, we are permitted TO publish
the following interesting letter received by
him from his son VIM. N. Johnson, who is
now on his way to California. The letter
was written on board the steamer Falcon, in
the harbor OF Havana, Island of Cuba, July
9Th, 1850, and reads as follows:
ISLAND OF CUBA, July 5th, 1850.
We arrived here on the Sd inst. at P. NJ,
Ohio the vessel we await, has not got in yet
yesterday she was due.
1t is we'll worth travellers while 10 visit
Harana, daring the present excitement
The Spaniards are very suspicious of US, and
upon the arrival of U. S. ship use great
formaliues-none of our vessels being allow
ed to land at the pier-all having to anchor
out in the harbor. The first day we come
in, the Captain General issued orders that no
person should go ashore, except those who
had procured passports from the Spanish
Consul at N. Orleans, but since then we
have been apparently Indifferent to such or
ders. The passengers who went in the city,
represented it TO US as being such Paradise,
Garden of Eden, &C., that it somewhat ex
cited our curiosity IL see it. Accordingly
this morning, three of US got in small boat
went ashore, walked through the city-got
hack and went out 10 the gardens, and in fact
saw everything worthy of note, and not
single rerson said a word to us-I went up
through the military grounds, passed officers
and soIdiers-appeared perfectly Indifferent
to them, and no one molested me. The
authorities have, however. kept themselves
very still for the last four days. The Old
Congress, a frigate Of 50 guns, and German
town. sloop of war, having come in-so you
see the STARS and STRIPES wave with per-
feet impunty.
Havana has one Of the finest harbors in the
world, which is strongly fortified by nature,
to say nothing of the stupendous breast
work, which owes its construction to scien-
tifc engineer. At great distance off, the
Castle is the first thing seen situated as it is
upon gigantic looking fort, which presents
itself to you in the shape of an Octagon.-
Upon entering the harbor. the highest for
tress is on the left, the exact height do not
know. but think not less than 80 feet, with
out eXagerating in extent, encrcling
the harbor, is about three-quarters Of mile
the different barracks having subterranean
communication, and am told well disci-
plined army of 25,C00 men. About 100 oil
those captured OH the Gcorgiana are here in
prisop, though have not. seen them. On
the right of the harbor as you enter, the
breastwork gradually lowers until it becomes
only high wall, which extends entirely
around the city-WIthn this wall the popula-
ton is about 10000, and without, great
many more-the entire population being va
riously estimated from $50 TO 100000, and
f never in my life saw such quiet place. The
u streets are very narrow indeed, but very clear
} in fact there is no filth at all. The houses
t are very pretty, all OF them built of either
brick or stone not one have | seen built O
: wood-they are all painted gay colors, from
the humble cottage to the massive Greciar
/ architecture, and at distance look beautiful
the roofs and eave-troughs being variously
ornamented, and large grate-bars used in
e stead Of window glass, with simply curtain
, behind them. The inhabitants. of course.a art
: very dark complicated, except few Amer
4 cans. The women have seen are not pretty
II resembling more a brunette than any thing
s else. Both sexes dress just like we do, ant
Il their manners are rude and uncuitivated.
Yesterday being the 4th of July, we had
great time in the haFbor About o'cloc
n A. M. we had grand salute from severa
II men of war-three of those gave US tw
/ rounds each with their coiors standing on
|. in bold relief; the whole rigging, from to-
Is mast to the lowermost yard-arm being per
+ fectly white with Uncle Sans jolly tars TIL
} firing over, the sailers DOTTED their tarpaulin
e and rent the air with their hearty cheer;
e which were succeeded by the brass band str
king up Hail Columbia, to the no little dis
pleasure of the natives Succeeding this wer
i several other National airs. A scene lik
1t this, on such day, and at such place, is ca
d culated to warm the heart Of every Amer
r can, or raise the patriotism in the bosom of
Of Hottentot.
a hope we will be off from here this after
noon. bat am afraid not. The Ohio has nc
got in yet, az M and no vessel is above
&c to go out or enter, after P. NJ. The Geol
Y. gia left here yesterday for N, York, havin
S left Chtgres on the 26th ultimo. Report
I'd are favorable from the Isthmus. Three We,
sells (steamers) are looked for at Panama, b.
tween the 6lh and 18th inst so think theI
u will be no difficulty in getting off.
ee .
ar Mrs. Decentralization Fillmore