The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-01
INTERFERING FROM CgBA.
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Americans In Havana
RECEPTION OF HON. HENRY CLAY AND OTHER AMERG~
CANS BY THE cAPrAIN-eENRRAI..

| Americans In Havana
RECEPTION OF HON. HENRY CLAY AND OTHER AMERz
/ CANS BY THE cAPrAIN-eESRRAI..
| From the New Orleans Picayune March 23l
Qulte an interesting interview took place betweea
Mr.. Clay, who came passenger in the steamship
Georgia as far as Havana, andthe Captain Gen sral
Of Cuba Don Jose de la Concha, on the 18TH Iarrs
number Of distinguished Americans being pfetent
Mr.. Clay having signifed when he Transmitted
his passport, that it was his desire, in common with
many Of his countrymen, to pay their respects "a
the Captain General ut such time a he might BE-
pleased to suggest his exoelency appointed The fol-
lowing day, at twelve o'clock as the hour when he
would be happy to receive them At that time Mr.
Clay, accompanied by his friend DIR. Mercer, and
also by Senator Downs Of this State, Senator Clemens
of Alabama, Senator Jones of Iowa, and the Hon.
Messrs. La Sere and Penn, representatives in Con-
gress from this State, and Hon. Messrs. Volney f.
Howard of Texas, Stanton of Tennessee, and
Holmes Of South Carolina, with Col. Van Allen Of
New York, Coils. Jenning and Stewart, and ID. G.
Labatt, Esq, of this city, repaired to the residence
Of his excellency. Mr.. La Sere, at the request Of
Mr.. Clay, acted rs interpreter the Captain-General
speaking French.
On reaching the palace the party was ushered
into an elegant apartment, whore the Captain Co
neral plainly but Hastily attired in citizens dress,
entered the room, and greeted Mr.. Clay with much
cordality. The latter then introduced his friends,
and begged Mr. La Sere to say to his Excellency
that was glad to have the opportunity Of thanking
him, IN person, Tor the courtesy with which both
himself and companions had been allowed to land.
The Captain General replied that he 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 remaining in Havana.
Mr.. Clay answered, that he desired to remain about
two weeks, parenthesisng, with great good taste,
"with your Excellency's permission" He went on
to say that his friends were returning to their
spective 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 oc-
casioned not little mirth among those who could
see that Mr. III. had arrived at full years Of matu-
rity MIR. Clay continued that he now visited Cuba
with three objects; one, to recruit his health ano-
Their, to meet his old friend DIR. Mercer, Cunning
gracefully to that gentleman) and the third pay
his respects to his Excellency in person
The Captain General then remarked that the
government Of Spain had always been the friend
Of the United States, from the day of their ndepen-
dence and that he trusted their amicabe relations
would be strengthened by the visit Of the distin-
guished gentlemen he saw around him. Mr.. Clay
replied, that the government of the United States,
SO far he informed, was extremely anxious to
maintain, uninterrupted, 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 government
would depore, and do all in its power to avert. The
Captain General here alluded to rumor that
another expedition was being fitted out from the
United States against Cuba, and in the course of
his remarks minated that the Island felt strong
enough to defend itself in such event. After
MIR. Clay had assured him that, in his opinion,
there was little foundation for such n rumor, the
panions as might remain in Havana; to dine ut the
palace on the Sunday following, at the Same time
stating that he was sorry their short visit prevented
him from entertaining them rs he desired. lie, how
invited them to bring their ladies in the even
ing to promenade through the palace and listen to the
music in the plaza, and thus ended the interview.
In the evening, which was beautifully brilliant,
number Of American ladies, elegantly attred,
visited the Captain General and his amable lady.
Among them were Mrs. Gen. Ashley and Mrs. Cox.
of st. Louis Mrs. and Miss Scott, of Iowa; Mrs.
volney L. Howard, Of Texas Miss McCaleb, Of
Louisiana Miss Louisa q. Reid of New York
Mrs. Ecklcs, of Tennessee, and Mrs. Capt. ID. ID.
Porter and nothing could exceed the cordiality and
dclicacy with which they entertained. Mrs.
Howard and Mrs. Porter conversed with the lady
of the Captain General in Spanish, and wero
charmed with her hospitable afiability. Several
Castlian ladies were also present, who spoke Eng
lish fuently, while all the Americans delighted
with their reception, as they were taken through
the spacious and gorgeously furnished apartments
Of 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 front, the square literally crowded with ctilen
and strangers.