The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-27
HdrGnG Correspondence GfMc y. Y:HcrGij.
HAVANA, Oct. 10 1880

IL.
to the agent here OF the United State,
Contract Mail Steamers, having failed III
terIy. rs we ne"cr for n moment doubted il
would, in its purposes, and Mr.. Smith. Oh,
purScr of the Crescent CITY, having. not.
withstanding Don Martins express com.
mands 70 the contrary, ventured to return
in that vessel to Havana. on SUNDAY last
the 81 instant, the Crescent City was or.
dered TO leave the port within two hours
and all communication with her was for,
biddcn by the authorities.
During the whole day on Sunday, the
81, it blew strong gale from the North
east, causing nasty chopping sea, cSpcc-
Tally in the narrow channel at the cniriI:ra
of the harbor SO that it would have been
with very great risk to his vessel had
Captain Porter acccded to the request Of
the Port Captain, who was laying to in 4
boat in the very narrowcst part of the
channel, who ordered him to stop his YES
SCI.
This being impossible, because Of the
high sea, and his proximity to the rocks.
which were distant ONLY few wards from
his starboard beam, Capt. Porter haN no
other alternative than t. proceed MP the
harbor to his usual anchorage, where he
was speedily followed by the Captain Of
the Port, who from his own boat, requested
to see the ships "roll." That having been
handed to him, and observing that Mr..
Smiths name headed the list still, As pur-
ser Of the ship, he acquainted Captain
Porter that his instructions from General
Canedo Were, that in case Mr.. Smith re-
turned in the vessel, he, the Captain of the
Port, was to deny her entrance into the
harbor, and therefore, she must dcpart
within two hours. Against this arbitrary
measure, Captain Porter most cncreeticai
Y demonstrated, and rendered his protest
which the Captain General refused to ac-
ccpt However, it was got on shore, and
delivered to the Acting Couusrl, Mr.. More
land.
The Crescent City entered this harbor
about three O'clock, p. NJ, having the
mails, and about sixty-fve passengers on
board, for Havana. During the time she
was here, the government boats prevent
ed all communication with her, rowing at
respectable distance around her, so that,
with the exception of the Port, no other
person was permitted to approach the YES
sci, which, to use their own term, was to
all intents and purposes, inconnauaicado.
At 5 30 p. NJ, the Captain Of the Port
again proceeded alongside the Crescent
City, and ordered Captain Porter to pro,
ceed to sea forthwith, with his mails. pas
sengers, and all. Here you must permit
me to indulge somewhat in praise of the
gallant Porter. In the first place there
cannot be particle of fear in the man.
Where is the other who would have ven
tured tearlessly like him between thos,
forts, bristling with cannon, with hi,
knowledge of a people, whose hot-headet
stupidity was sufficient, had time beer
given them, to use that force against al
unarmed vessel?
The Crescent City, without pilot. ha,
threaded her way, in the most seamanlik,
m amer, through the intricate navigation
at the head of the bay, much to the ad
miration of the lockers on But notlino
could exceed the rapidity ofPortcr's move
ments upon receiving the final order to
depart-his getting under weigh was one
OF the most superb acts of seamanshir
ever witnessed in this or any other harbor
and to the astonishment of Senior Luna
1.-THE Captain of the Port,) who sat in his
ten cared barge, biting his thumb nails
and the whole Spanish marine, the Cres
cent City was passing out of the harbo
before Luna reached his office a; the enc
of the wharf, where a multitude of peo
pie had assembled to witness the dcpar
ture OF the steamer, which was crowded
with passengers. Here, again, Porter
proved himself not only thorough sea
man, and an honor to the navy to which
he belongs, but also man of profound
Judgment; because, taking into considera
ton the irritating circumstances unde,
which United States mail steamer, in :
time ofpeace, having the government mail.
and passengers on board, was being tlIrneC
out of friendly port, doubtless there were
many wild spirits on board his ship. burn
ing to make some sort of bravado demon
stration in reply to the obscene eesticuIa
tons pantomimed from the shore, but 70,
the prudence of Porter, whose ideas wer,
far too lofty topermit such paltry evidence.
OF disgust to be manifested by those OF
board the ship under his command. NJ
notice whatever was taken of the peopl,
on shore. The Crescent City passed ou
of the harbor with all the pride and die
nifty of offended majesty.
"As, doubtless, in compliance with the
government contract, the Crescent Cit,
will return here on the l4th instant, wher
force is, | understand to be used to pre-
vent her entering the harbor, perhaps j
will be interesting to you to read the Gov
ernment history of the affair, which afte,
four days Of deep cogitation on their par
we were at last, in the columns of the
Diaro de la Marina, on Thursday morn
ing, favored with the result of their medi
tations. But they having condescended
to personalities with regard to CAPTAIN
Porter, in the latter part of their manifcs.