The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-20

z "A few days ago We stated that rumors were
a6Oat that several vessels were arming at this
port, under the auspices of Gen. Alvarez and
the Revolutionary party in Mexico, one of the
first achievements Of which was TO be the cap
ture of the war steamer Santa Anna, iust fin
ished at this port, as soon as convenient after
her departure for Vera Cruz s=-as-s,,
In connection with this movement VIC NAV
as well mention rumOr which has reached us,
that the agents Of Alvarez borrowed three mil
lion dollars from individuals in San Francisco
for the purchase Of ships and munitions of war
at this port, designed iOf Revolutionary pur-
poses in Mexico. -.
Among the vessels bought with this or other
money we are told, are the screw steamer Ben
jamin Franklin, formerly running from New
York to New Orleans, and the barque Catha-
rne Augusta. The propeller was altered and
fitted up recently by Mr.. VIM Pcrine, at Green
point, Long Island as war steamer. Her
sides were pierced for ten guns and all the re-
auisite accommodations were made in the inte-
rior for powder, guns, &c. .
The expedition has been in progress about
three months, and the utmost secrecy has been
observed by those interested in it.
The Catharine Augusta took on board pow
der, gun carriages and other articles of war
fare, at the foot of North Moore street, last
week. The barque is now in the North Riv-
or, off the Battery, ready to clear for st.
Thomas and market" which means any
where.
The Benjamin Franklin is loaded with coal
and stores, and limited quantity of small
arms. Her guns and ammunition and an ex-
ira supply of Goals are Oh board the Catharine
Augusta, and will be transferred to the Frank
lin at sea. The Franklin is also ready to
leave, and will probably clear at the Custom
House for the same destination, or perhaps for
Gibraltar.
How soon they will leave will depend, prob
ably, upon the movements of the Santa Anna.
General Almonte who is probably informed OF
what is afoOt, may detain the Santa Anna, in
which case the sailing of the chasseurs may be
indefinitely delayed.
The Franklin will carry about eighty men,
all told, majority of whom are said to be cit
liens of the United States. Her powder mag
azines arc in the forward part of the ship, and
four portfolios for the guns have been pierced
forward of the machinery. The other two are
at the stern.
All the vessels, of both parties, will sail from
New York under the American flag, and eve
ny sailor has hired himself for one year and the
engineers for two.
The Santa Anna is nearly ready to depart
for Vera Cruz. She will take twelve Ameri-
can scamen before the mast. Sixty foreign
ers have also shipped as seamen, but they will
go out as passengers. She is worth $loO,OOO,
and if the Alvarez party succeed in capturing
her they will get something of prize, irres-
pective of the indemnity money which she will
probably take.
The Benjamin Franklin was bought for the
Alvarez expedition by the agent of the Revo-
lutiOnary General and some one else, for $21,-
900, from Messrs. N. L. McCready & Co.,
merchants of this city. 1t is stated that the
same parties have fitted out both the vessels
for Santa Anna and for General Alvarez
Even the gun carriages, varying in quality
for each steamer-the Santa Anna having
them made of solid mahogany, and the propel-
Ter of live Oak were furnished by the same
builders.
Several gentlemen of high standing in the
United States and elsewhere are reported to
us to be interested in this movement but we
withhold their names until the report receives
further contradictory. Y. Ece. Post.