Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-04-10

ney E. Howard OF Texas, Stanton OF
Tennessee, and Holmes OF South Car
olina, with Col. Van Allen of New
York, Coils. Jennings and Stewart
and D. c. Labatt, Esq, Of this city,
repaired 10 the residence of bis Ex-
cellency. Mr.. La Sere, at the re-
quest of Mr.. Clay, acted as interPre-
ter, the Captain General speaking
French.
On reaching the palace the party
was ushered into an elegant apart
ment, where the Captain General,
plainly out tastily atlired in citizens
dress, entered the room, and greeted
Mr.. Clay with much cordiality.-
The latter then introduced his friends,
and begged Mr.. La Sers TO say to
his Excellency that he was glad to
have the opportunity Of thanking
him, in person, for the courtesy with
which both himself and companions
had been allowed TO land.
The Captain General replied, that
he was most happy to extend to him
the courtesies Of the Island during
his stay, and desired to know how
long he and his friends purpOsed re-
naming in Havana. Mr.. Clay an
swered that he desired TO remain
about two weeks, parenthesising,
with great good taste, "with your
Excellency's permission" He went
on to say that his friends were re-
turning 10 their respective homes,
with the exception Of Mr.. Holmes,
who, on account Of his extreme
youth, was on his way to California.
This was said with Mr.. Clay's
customary smile OF dry and quaint
humor, and occasioned no. little
mirth among those who could see
that Mr.. II. had arrived at full years
of maturity. Mr.. Clay continued
that he now visited Cuba with three
objects: one, 10 recruit his health,
another to meet his old friend DR..
Mercer, Qurning gracefully to that
gentleman,) and the third to pay his
respects to his Excellency in person.
The Captain General then re-
marked, that the Government OF
Spain had always been the friend O.
the United States from the day Of
their independence, and that he trus-
ted their amicable relations would be
strengthened by the visit Of the dis
tinguished gentlemen he saw around
him. Mr.. Clay replied, that the
Government Of the United States, so
far as he was informed, was extreme
ly anxious to MAINTAIN, uninterFupt-
ed, those friendly feelings which had
ever existed, and that whatever
might be done BY individuals, TO
threaten the continuance of these
relations, he was sure the Govern
ment would deplore, and do all in
its power 20 avert.
The Captain General here alluded
to a rumor that another expedition
was being fitted out from the United
States against Cuba, and in course Of
his remarks intimated that the Island
felt strong enough to defend itself in
such an event. Alter Mr.. Clay had
assured him that, in his opinion there
was little foundation for such ru-
NOR, the Captain General invited him,
and such of his companions as might
remain in Havana, to dine at the
Palace on the Sunday following, at
the same time stating that he was
sorry that their short visit prevented
him from entertaining them as he de-
sired. He however invited them TO
bring their ladies' in the evening, to
promenade through the palace and
listen to the music in the plaza, and
thus ended bis interview.
In the evening which was beauti-
fully brilliant, number Of American
ladies, elegantly attired, visited the
Captain General and his amiable la
DIV. Among them were Mrs. Gen.
Ashley and Mrs. Cox, Of ST. Louis,
Mrs. and Miss Scott, Of Iowa, Mrs.
VoIney E. Howard, of Texas, Miss
McCaleb, of Louisiana, Miss Louisa
6. Reid, OF New York, Mrs. Eckles,
Of Tennessee, and Mrs. Capt. d. d. |
Porter, and nothing could exceed the
cordiality and delicacy with which
they were entertained. Mrs. How
ard and Mrs. Porter conversed with
the lady of the Captain General in
Spanish, and were charmed with her
affability.
Several Castillian ladies were also
present and spoke English fuentIy,
while all the Americans were delight
ed with their reception, as they were
taken through the spacious and gor-
geously furnished apartments oi the
palace. Meanwhile the well known
bands, for which Havana has been
long celebrated, were giving some OF
their choicest music in the plaza in.i