The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-06-18
Correspondence of the Register.
U. S. STEAMSHIP GEORGIA, }
AT SEA, June ID, 1851. !
DEAR BARRETT :

oil an INVASION having led the authorities |
of Cuba TO prohibit any vessel entering
the harbor of Havana after sunset, we
had 10 cruise off aud on until morn
ing The Moro light is one Of the most
powerful Of any on the American coast,
and can be seen distinctly thirty miles at
sea, and though our steamer KEEP, of
several miles from the coast. and the
night was dark, we could distinctly see
the forlifications Oh the opposite side Of
the harbor, from the reflections Of the |
light. In this mild latitude, il was de-
lighliul 10 sit upon the elevated wheel
housc-the watch's look out - in the
stiffness of night, and watch The swelling
waves and the graceful motions of our
magnificent ship as she rose aud de- !
seconded with them, and to trace the dark
outline Of the shores of this End of riches
and beauty, now FIJI. of thrilling interest
I'LL :, qu'e'ly. sleeping under the blazing
llg"' - the Moro, and the vigilance ni
the swarhy sentnels Of Spain, while
yuur imagination and fancy, excited by
the occasion, would picture visions of
scenes and life within.
On the next morning, (3lst of Maya
rs The sun rose, the bow of our shlp-as
if weary of wandering to and lro--was
turned toward the entrance of the har-
Dor, which is quite narrow and very
strongly fortified on both sides, aud on
the heights in the rear. Now one Of the
most beautiful and interesting scenes pre-
scented itself that ever Witnessed. The
sun was just rising with that hrlliancy,
and lingIng every thing with that beauty,
peculiar to the tropics. The shores,
which the night before seemed low,
dark range of sand, were now covered
with green, and rising in the Distance 10
lofty mountains and conical hill, COW
cred with beautiful palm anG cona>nut
trees. The portion of Havana (being
one side Of the city, lying without the
walls, bordering on the sea, rose N gran
deur aud beauty from the low ports on
the shore, terminating in distant hills,
and elisiening with variousy painted
buildings, Of white, green, blue md yel.
low, under the bright rays Of til. morn
ing sun
The frowning and lofty heights Of
Moro Castle, surrounded by lis lofty
towers, looked down upon us rom the
opposite side, high PERCEPTIONS rock:
forming its base aud stretching in the dis
lance, being the outer boundary of the
harbor into which we entered, cbse un.
der the guns Of the Castle and the guard
ship, and by two large lrigales, picking
our way through lhrong Of shipping
which is not allowed to lie by the wharf
for fear Of the sailors taking the Cry
Oui ship anchored about mile from tho
city shore, and near one of the interior
forts. Previously To entering the harbor
, We were boarded by the Governor Gen
erals boat, aud government officer, o.
, officer Of the police. placed on board
Immediately on anchnrIng, the sleame
! was surrounded bv numerous small boat
from the shore. These boats are TIT
only means Of communication with the
, city, ant in order to land, permit ha
to be obtained from the Government: ufii
Ger on board, Tor which one dollar eac!
is charged This landing permit is it
Spanish. Endorsed on the back, print
ed in Spanish, French, and English, arr
the requirements, or police regulations
in regard TO travellers or passengers IL
trdnsitn, pointing out the only whar
where such are permitted To land, for
= bidding carrying any arms or weapon!
, Of any kind, or remaining in the cit,
: over certain time, without reporting IL
, the police and obtaining permission
and lorbIdding any going TO and Ir,
from shipping, after eleven O'Clock a
night, after which hour, all lights ar,
exiinguished on The wharves, and n,
r boats are permitted to cross the harbor
Such vessels as are permitted 10 come L
The wharves have 10 lay bow on. ant
discharge and receive all cargo over III,
bows which is very slow and laboriou
business. But this is required to pre-
vent any vessel from endaoger'ng lh'
CITY by having its br,,adsides to it, Sc
very suspicious are the a1thor'les o
their being taken by some Fillib's
ter" ship. which, like the wooden i9r''
Of Troy, may be filled with danger
The first impulse on landing and pass
ing into the city is to give vent 10 bos
ferrous laughter, at the queer, uncoulh
oulland ish appearance Of everything
seen. The strange aud comical- looking
bulldin gs in all sorts Of shapes ant
patchwork the narrow streets; thu
slrangest aud most awkward of all veh
cles ever seen, with which the streets are
full, the volante, as it is called the broat
entrances to the dwellings, used as
stable and carriage house, so that in lac
The stable is in the hall o: parlor of eve
ry house. As no one walks in Havana
every family and every merchant keep
his volanie. This is carriage with
two very large wheels far behind tn,
body, which resembles the yankees gig
or chaise, and having very long shafts
which place the horse far ahead of thu
carriage and as no one drives, the horst
being always ridden by negro, who i.
mounted in saddle. aud with long
boots heavy spurs, aud scarlet coat ,heavl
silver trimmings on the harness, will
the horses tails punctliously braided an
tied up on one side TO the harness thi
certainly makes the sirangest appear
ance of any" turn ont " il was ever M
fortune TO witness. These establish
menls are very numerous. both public
and private, and the latter are generally
very splendid and rich. They are Ca
pable of holding but three persons, anf
in the cool Of the evening (aiternoon)
the ladies of Havana are seen in great