The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-07
Our Havana Correspondence.

HAVANA, May 20, 1854
The Military Preparations-Grand Times among
the French and Spanish Naval O6icers-The Cap
tain General, &c., &c.
Although l but yesterday wrote rather len gthy
letter to the New YORK HERALD, and although no
circumstance of moment has since transpirsd, yet
] cannot permit the steamer of to-day to depart
without taking with it few lines, If they be only to
correct an error I made in the translation of the
Captain Generals letter to the Commanderin-Chef
of the Department. If mistake not rendered it
as ordering two companies Of negroes and muattoes
to be added to each regiment Of the white Spanish
soldiers, whilst by more careful examination
discover there are to be two companies Of negroes
and two companies Of mulattoes added to each regi-
ment. This error was doubtless caused by the Pc
culiarly ambiguous phraseology in which the Cap
tain General is apt to express himself, and from
the great haste in which the translation was pre-
pared.
The French yice-Admiral continues to be the
" lion of the day." The Spanish NavaLCommander-
in Chief gave him grand dinner the evening be-
fore last on board q Spanish man-of-war In this
harbor The French and English Consuls General,
and the captain Of the French and Spanish men-of.
war here and the captain Of the English brig of war
Espeigle were also guests Several highly laudatory
speeches were made over the wine, and if half the
fine compliments these heroes paid each other were
but the truth they the greatest commanders the
world has ever seen, WnllSt England, france ana
Spain combined are able to whip the world before
breakfast, and take walk, also, to whet their
appetites.
The Captain.General has been in a wretchedly
nervous state for some days past His valet threat
ems to leave him unless he mends his temper, whilst
his pretty Marquesa has been compelled to resort to
her softest endearments TO keep him beside her on
tie matrimonial couch. Is it the intense heat of the
weather. or the dread of visit from the Yankees,
that makes the Marquis de la Pezuela thus rest
oss. Taking my accustomed walk outside the walls
ast evening, | met on my return the Captain Gene
raj and the Marquesa in their carriage. raised my
hat to the lady, who with witching smile acknow
edged my courtesy. | noticed her place her hand
upon the knee of her husband to draw his attention
20 me- and instantly his hat was raised in return.
Poor man! ! fear affairs of state press upon him
heavily. He was evidently in deep fit of contem-
plation, " brown stew as | once heard chef de
cuisine describe the sensation when he passed me.
The courtesy Of the charming Marquesa charms all
hearts, and to it, of these days, the Marquis
may be more deeply indebted than he is now proba-
bly, aware of.
The native born Spaniards are understood to be
totally averse to the present policy OF the Spanish
government-thus the Captain General finds him
self without friends in any class Of society here
even the English venture to affirm, will not dare
openly to espouse the cause of Spain in the event
Of rupture with the United States, and to this
complexion must itcome, if the latter are but true
to themselves and value their honor in the est
nation of other nations. As the friend who is to
bear this letter to New York departs within five
minutes, must thus abruptly conclude.
PoUGHKEEPSIE.