New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-07-03
Havana Items

| The steamer Isabel arrived at Charleston the
| 25th with Havana dates to the I'D inst The
news is to the effect that great amount ofsick-
ness was prevailing. Commercial affairs were
dull, as is usually the case at this season of the
year, and the markets were glutted with most
descriptions of produce. Little appeared to be
stirring in politics. The Presidents ediet
against the illibusters, aud the rumored nego-
tiations for the purchase of Cuba, were the
principal themes of discussion.
The black yomit, or yellow fever, had made
its appearance in Havana, and large number
of deaths occurring daily.
The fever has also appeared at Key West, as
we learn from passenger. Among those who
had been attacked by it was Capt. J. NJ Scar
rift, of the U. S. Engineers, who, it was feared,
would not recover. A Cuban physician, who
had had much experience with the disease, and
who was passenger by the Isabel paid Capt
Scarritt a short visit and prescribed for him
He thought recovery barely possible, but not
probable.
The defences of Cuba are reported to be in q
very efficient condition. All the Notifications
have been repaired and put upon a war footing
The naval force had been largely increased, and
an addition of five or six war steamers was ex-
pected soon from Spain The military forces Of
the Island are estimated at 10000 men, who,
with the exception Of q few black companies,
are good soldiers. In case of an invasion, it is
thought that this force could be largely in.
creased, and in q very short time, by calling
out the militia.
Admiral Duchesne, of the French fleet, was
still at Havana with several vessels of war. He
had been honored with ssbul fight" and was
very much caressed by the authorities 1t was
universally understood in Havana that he was
there to protect the Island from invasion.
The order issued to the priests some time since
by the Captain General, authorizing the mar
riage of whites and blacks, had been modified
50 far as to suppress its publication This con-
cesslon was made to the Catholics, or old Span
iards, who, it is said, were hostile to the edict,
and determined to resist it, even by force, if
necessary
rumor prevailed that the authorities had
resolved to open Royal University to black
students Indeed, it was the general impress
sion that the Captain General was an abolition
ist, and that having been appointed at the in
stance of Great Britain, he was acting in concert
with That Government, and carrying out its
wishes for the final extinction of slavery on the
Island. There was consequently much uneasi-
ness among landed proprietors and owners of
slaves, and in fact among all classes Of society.
II was the opinion of intelligent Americans
that an invasion, to be successful, must be sup
ported by at least 25 900 efficient soldiers They
say no reliance can be placed upon the Creoles
who would be afraid to take sides with either
party until they saw vino would be successful
Should the present anti slavery policy of the
Government be continued, the old Spaniards
might be forced to take part with the revolu-
tionists, in which event the overthrow of the
Government would be certain. The invaders
might effect a landing in remote part of the
Island, but it would be folly to attempt it at or
near Havana. The wisest plan would be to get
possession of the Island first, and take Havana
afterwards.
1t was the general belief that the slaves
amounting to about 600, coo, would be emanci-
Pated by the authorities, in case of q successful
invasion In this event, and with 20 600 trained
soldiers on land and the Spanish and French
feets at sea, it was believed that it would re-
qutre an enormous outlay Of blood and treasure
to get and retain possession of the Island,