Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-11-03
LATER FROM CUBA.
The Crescent City Allotced 10 Enter Port but
no Communication with the shore -!


The Crescent lily entered the CITY Vi ia
yana at the first break Of day, and it is suppos-
ed by those on board that it was owing to not
being seen until we'll inside the Harbor,that they
were not molested. At sunrise the Captain of
the Port came along side, and inquired for the
obnoxious Mr. Smith, who he told was on
board. He then informed Capt. Porter that as
the ship was in port, no steps would be taken
to turn her out, but that no communication
would be allowed with the shore, or any one
from it.
Capt. Porter said he desired to present his
protest to the Consul on which the Captain
Of the port politely offered to get further orders
from the Captain General.
In the meantime he informed Capt Porter
that the ship might be in port as long be
chose to have it, and might go to sea when she
pleased as they acknowledge no control over
her, but communicate she should not in any
manner.
Such was the Captain Generals order, and
by way of enforcing them the guard boats were
placed on all sides Of the ship, filled with the
usual police to foreign vessels. The poor fell
lows did not relish the business altogether, as
the sun was pouring down upon them without
having any covering. When The gong on
board the Crescent City sounded the call for
breakfast to which the Spanish officers were
politely invited, they looked mad enough, wish
ING no doubt that Captain Porter would 90 to
sea and relieve them from their Imprisonment.
The Captain has no intention however, for
after breakfast he ordered the paint pots to 60
up and seamen to work systematically and
paint the ship outside, from which manGuvre it
was supposed by the guard boats that he intend
cd to stay at least week, in consequence OF
which the police boats were relieved, and two
other boats, with regular crews from the frigate
were placed to watch the Crescent City.
At nine o'clock the captain of the port came
along side again. and informed Captain Porter
that he would not be permitted to lay his pro-
test before the American Consul. He was ask
ed by Capt. Porter what use Consul was if
American vessels in difficulty were not permit
ted TO communicate with him, and that in any
civilized nation a Consul was recognized as the
representative of his country, and the law of
nations entitled citizens to have access to him.
The Capt. of the port declined entering into
discussion of the matter, affirming, which was
true that he was exercising no authority Of his
own, but acting entirely under orders The
interview terminated, and so did outside paint.
ings, and steam was ordered up. The Capt.
intended to drop two copies of his protest on
board the American Barque, and brig lying in
the lower harbor, word came off that VIM. Nor
ales Of the house of Drake g. Co., an agent of
the company had permission to come along side
which he did in few minutes after in a shore
boat, accompanied by government boat with
three officers. Mr.. Morales thought this diff
Guilty could be got over by Mr.. Smith sending a
written denial to the Capt Gen. with regard to
the accusation of Hchs
This Capt. Porter refused to permit rs he
had himself made two distinct disavowal>
which had not been received, nor would he per.
nit any correspondence from any officer of the
ship to go to the authorities. He considered
it beneath this country to make any explana.
ton.
Capt. P. also refused on his own part to hold
any correspondence with any one in the matter
except through the American Consul
1t was their endeavor to ascertain from
Captain Porter the nature of the document he
wished to send to Consul, and if it contained
disavowal of the charges against Mr. Smith.
They are informed that it was protest, and
that it referred to the two former dsavowals
made by Capt. Porter but at the same time il
was in plain terms.
The objection was evidently to get some
kind Of apology or acknowledgement of wrong
on the part of Mr. Smith, which would enable
them to settle the affair which was becoming
rather troublesome. In this however, they re
ceved no assistance from the Crescent City, af
ter some discussion among the Spanish officers
they offered to go on shore and see if it wa.
not possible to get the protest delivered to the
Consul. They thought it could be done if i
was first ascertained whether the document.
contained anything offensive to the Spanish
government.
Information in this matter was denied then
notwithstanding which the officers did 90 OF
shore with Mr.. Morales, and after sometime tn,
acting Consul Mr.. Moreland come along side il
government boat in company with the Captain
of the port, Don Guillenc Chacon. The consu
however was not permitted to come on boart
nor allowed to write him in the Crescen
City.
Capt. Porter delivered his protest in person
being informed by Mr.. Moreland that nothing
now could be done, the Crescent City put to SCI
neither subdued nor conquered.
AS she passed the Custom House thousands
were assembled to witness her departure. TIL,
steamer, the Star spanged Banner, was run NJ
to the foremost head and the flag floated on
on the breezes, its stars looked as bright as ev
er-not a sound was heard from that vast mul
titude, but there were beating hearts in tn,
crowd, filled with hope that the insult to tina
flag would be avenged
i Al =