Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-10-20
Capt. Porter's Protest.

| New YORK, Oct. 10.
| The steamer Crescent City, Lieut.. Porter COM
manding, arrived here this afternoon, from New
Orleans, via Havana, in days 18 hours.
The Crescent City entered the city Of Havana
at first break of day, and it is supposed by those
ON board that it was owing to not being until
well inside of the harbor, that they were not mo-
Tested: At sunrise the Captain of the port came
| along side, and inquired for the obnoxious Mr..
Smith, who he was told was on board He then
informed Capt. Porter that as the ship was in port
steps would be pursued 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 pro-
test to the Consul, on which the Captain of the
port politely offered to get further orders from the
Capt. General.
In the meantime he informed Capt. Porter that
the ship might be in port as long as he chose
to have it, and might go to sea when she pleased
as they acknowledged no control over her, but
communicate she could 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 usu-
al police to guard foreign vessels. The poor fel-
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, wishing, no doubt that
Captain Porter would go to sea, and relieve them
from their Imprisonment.
-. 1 r.
after breakfast he ordered the paint pots go up
and seamen to work systematically and paint the
ship outside, from which maneuvre it was sup
posed by the guard boats that he intended to stay
a,week in consequence of which the police boats
were withdrawn, and two other boats, with regu-
lar crews from the frigate, were placed to watch
the Crescent City.
Atsnine O'Clock the captain of the port came
alongside again, and informed Captain Porter that
he would not be permitted to lay his protest before
the American Consul. He was asked by Captain
Porter what use a Consul was, if American yes
sells in difficulty were not permitted to communi-
cate with him, and that in any civilized nation
Consul was recognized as the representative Of
his country, and the law of nations entitled citi-
zens to have access to him.
The Captain of the port declined entering into
"a discussion of the matter, affirming which was
true, that he was exercising no authority of his
own, but acting entirely under orders. The in
terview terminated, and so did outside paintings,
and steam was orderedup. The Captain intended
to drop two copies of his protest on board the A
merican Barque, and brig lying in the lower har-
Dor, when just as the Crescent City was about mo-
wing ashore, word came that VIM. Morales of the
house of Drake & Co., an agent of the company
had permission to alongside, which he did
in few minutes after in O shore boat aecompan-
led by government boat, with three officers
Mr.. Morales thought this difficulty could be got
over by Mr., Smith sending written denial to the
Captain General with regard to the ACQUISITION of
Hicks. ~ s.,g.- --frs
This Captain Porter refused to permit as he had
himself made two distinct avowals which had not
been received, nor would hepermit any cores
pondence from any officer of the ship to go to the
authorities. He considered it beneath this couIl-
try to make any explanation, rs.
Captain Porter also refused ON his own part, to
hold any correspondence with any one on the
matter except through the American Consul.
1t was their endeayor to ascertain from Captain |
send to the Consul and if it contained disavowal
of the charges against Mr.. Smith.
They were informed that it was protest, and
that it referred to the two former dsavowals made
by Capt. P, but at the same time it was written
in plain terms.
The objection was evidently to getsome kind of
apology or acknowledgment of wrong on the part
of Mr.. Smith, which would enable them to settle
the affair which would enable them to settle the af
fair which was becoming rather troublesome. In
this however, they received no assistance
from the Crescent City, and after some discussion
among the Spanish officers, they offered to go on
shore and see if it was not possible to get the
protest delivered to the Consul. They thought
it could be done if it was first ascertaned whether
the documents contained anything offensive to the
Spanish government. -sz Il
! Information in this matter was denied them
Notwithstanding which the officers did go on shore
with Mr.. Morales, and after sometime the acting
consul, MIR. Moreland came alongside in govern
ment boat in company with the captain of the port
Don Guillene Chacon. The consul however was
not permitted to come on board, nor allowed to
write to him in the Crescent City.
Capt. Porter delivered his protest in person, be-
ing informed by Mr.. Moreland that nothing now
could be done, the Crescent City put to sea, nei-
ther subdued nor conquered.
As she passed the Custom House, thousands
were assembled to witness her departure. The
Star Spangled Banner was run up to the fore
mast head, and the flag foated cut on the breeze,
its stars looked as bright ever; not sound was
heard from that vast multitude, but there were