The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-03-15
HIGH HANDED OUTRAGE.

SoH'AAta eAcu NPOn TIC Sted1ushlp Ofdchs NFufft0f
by the Cuban authorities in the port of Havana
The Black Warrior arrived in Havana early on
the morning Of the lst. She was from Mobile,
with the mails. passengers and 1000 balesof cot-
ton on freight for New York She was entered
and cleared by her agent, Mr.. Charles Tying, be-
fore her arrival as has always been customary,
and 10 euable her to meet with greater dispatch.
On anchoring she was boarded as usual by the
officer of the ravenue, and her manifest sent to
the custom house. The Havana manifest was
filed out g in ballast" the New York freight
not being mentioned. This has been the custom
heretofore, and has been allowed by the collector
on all previous trips of. not only this, but all
other u. S. Mail steamers touching at Havana,
when loaded with freight not destined for the
Havana market. No tonnage duty has ever been
demanded, it having been overlooked or conce-
ded by custom to allow steamships with freight
in tIansitu to enter and clear in ballast, Were
this exacted-this tonnage duty--the effect would
be to drive the steamers from the harbor. To
allow them to enter and clear their cargo destin-
ed for New Orleans, Mobile or New York, an ar
rangement has been made, either verbal or writ
ten, it matters not which, and has been authorz-
ed by all former collectors by which these steam
ers could report themselves as in ballast and so
avoid the payment of the tonnage duties. So
Captain Bulloch construed the law and strictly
followed the custom
Some hours after his arrival he was asked by
the Collector of the Port if the manifest was
correct. Surprised at the question, after the
vessel had entered and cleared, and every prepara
10 Il, roJIo
ing he suspected that plan was laid to seize
his ship for an infringement of the revenue du-
ties-he replied that he had | COO bales of cot
ton for New Yorls and that he would make ano
ther manifest including that, as he had sufficient
time, twelve hours not having elapsed since his
arrival in port. The Collector replied that he
should receive no more papers from him, and
Capt. Bulloch left for his ship (this was near
sundown) when he was astmished to find light
ers alongside and officers on board with orders to
seize the ship and commence discharging her
cargo Immediately. 1t being so late, and there
being law that no cargo shall be taken from a
vessel after sundown, the discharge was not
commenced till the morning of the ID. Capt.
Bulloch protested against the whole procedure
and denounced it asa bigh-handed outrage The
Spanish officer vino was detailed to seize The
Black Warrior. himself stated to Capt Bullock
that it was dirty piece Of business" from the
first, but however unpleasant TO him, lie mus
obey his orders.
Another version says:
i Capt. BulIoch, taking out his watch, remarked
to the Collector that according to the Spanish
1 laws he had yet three hours to amend his mani
fest. He compared his time with that of the
Collector who ut the same moment agreed tina
there was time To alter the report Capt b
then went on board his ship and prepared cor
rect manifest But before the three hours were
up the officers of the customs came on boarC
and seized the ship.
On the morning of the Cd of March, as soor
as the first blow had been struck upon the hatch
es, and thesact of violence committed, Capt
Bulloch lowered his flag. and with the officers
passengers and crew, abandoned his ship ant
proceeded to the u. s. steamship Fulton, Lieut.
Watson commanding, and placed himself unde
his protection.
Another version is:
On the 2d lighters were sent alongside of the
Black Warrior, and she was discharged of bel
cargo. The bales Of cotton were subjected to q
rigorous examination, every one being cut open
as If it was suspected that they contained arms
and munitions of war
| We learn that hieut. Watson, on the evening
of the 10Th, offered % lay his ship alongside Of
the Black Warrior and to carry her out Of the
harbor He only asked for twenty minutes to
get up steam, and had the fires lighted when the
agent, Mr.. Tying, and Capt. Bulloch begged him
to desst, as it was now a national affair, and
the Governments of Washington and Madrid
would settle the difficulty.
| There was great excitement IN the city, and
crowds were collected at every corner discussing
Craven, was in the harbor and was detailed to
take accounts of the transaction to the depart
ment at Washington, and TO the owners of the
Black Warrior in New York, aud she sailed on
the evening of the I'd. AS she steamed by the
shipping, the American vessels unfurled their
flags, and vast crowds witnessed her departure
from the adjacent wharves. The Moro was Gov
cred with soldiers and the guns were brought to
bear upon her. The telegraph signals on the
watchtowers were in constant motion commu-
nicating with the.city, and it was expected that
some demonstration would take place, but she
, was allowed to proceed quietly out of the har
Dor.
A few minutes before her departure Cant.
Bulloch received notification that his ship
would be given up TO him without the cotton,
but he refused to receive her on any conditions
but satisfactory remuneration for all damages re-
ceived by detention, &c. eco
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O-T There was test vote, on the Sd instant,