Washington sentinel., 1854-03-16
General Sytelliaeate.
The Black Warrior.-rhe New Orleans Pic
ayuue gives the following account of the seizure
OF this steamer:

The Black w WarriorIrhe New Orleans Pic
ayua,e gives the following aeount of the seizure
OF this steamer:
T, KEY WEST, March 3--The J,ited States steam
er Corwn Lieutenant T. H. Cayen, command
ing, arrived here from Havana yesterday morn
ing, and Immediately proceededto Charleston
with dispatches from the Americaiconsul at Ha-
vana, relative to high-handed outrse committed
there in the seizure of the steamshIlBlack War
ror, while in the harbor.
From an officer ofthe artillery, who accompanied
Lieutenant Craven TO Havana, and who Witnessed
the whole affair and heard all the detsfs from
Captain Bulloch, the officer in command of the
Black Warrier, concerning the seizure ofis ship,
we have gathered the following particulars:
The Black Warrior arrived in Havana erly on
the morning OF the lst She was from Mobile
with the mails passengers and 600 bales q cot
ton on freight from New York She was entred
and cleared by her agent, Mr.. Charles Tying, We
fore her arrival as has always been customary,
and 10 enable her to meet with greater despatch
On anchoring she was boarded as usual by the
officer ofthe revenue, and her manifest sent TO the
custom house. The Havana manifest was filled
out I" in ballast" the New York freight not being
mentioned. This has been the custom heretofore,
and has been allowed be the collector on all previ-
Gus trips OF not only this but all other United
States mail steamers touching at Havana, when
loaded with freight not designed for the Havana
market.
No tonnage duty has ever been demanded, 1t
to allow steamships with freight in trafsitu TO en-
ter and clear in ballast. Were this exacted-this
tonnage duty--the effect would be TO drive steam
ers from the harbor. To allow them 10 enter and
clear with cargo destined for New Orleans, Mo-
bile or New York, an arrangement has been made
either verbal or written, it matters not which, and
has been authorized by all former collectors by
which these steamers 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 cor
rect. Surprised at the question, after the vessel
had entered and cleared and every preparation
made for sailing early the following morning, he
suspected that plan was laid 10 selze hls snip
for an infringement OF the revenue duties, ne re-
Piled that he had 1000 bales of cotton for New
York, and that he would make another manifest
including that, as he had sufficient time, twelve
hours not having elapsed since his arrivalln port.
The collector replied that he should receive no
more papers from him, and Captain Bulloch lett
for his ship. this was near sundown) when he
was astonished 10 find lighters alongside and ofi-
GERS on board with orders TO seize the ship and
commence discharging her cargo Immediately. II
being so late and there being law that no cargo
shall be taken from vessel after sundoWn, the
discharge was not commenced till the morning OF
the 3D. Captain Bulloch protested against the
whole procedure, and denounced Il as high
handed outrage. The Spanish officer who was
detailed to seize the Black Warrior himself stated
10 Captain Buloch that it was "dirty piece OF
business" from the first, but, however unpleasant
10 him, he must obey his orders.
On the morning of the I'd of March, as soon as
the first blow had been struck upon the matches,
and the act Of violence committed, Captain bull
lock lowered his flag, and with the officers, pas
sengers and crew, abandoned his ship and pro-
ceeded 10 the u S. steamship Fulton, Lieut.. Wat
son commanding, and placed himself under his
protection.
We learn that Lieut.. Watson, on the evening
Of the lst, offered 10 lay his ship alongside the
Black Warrior and to carry her ont OF the harbor.
He only asked for twenty minutes TO getup steam,
and had the fires lighted, when the agent, Mr..
Tyng and Capt. Bulloch, begged him 10 desist,
as il was now national affair. and the govern
ments Of Washington and Madrid would settle
the difficulty.
There was great excitement in the city, and
crowds were collected at every corner discussing
the affair The surveying steamer Corwin, Lieut..
Craven, was in the harbor, and was detailed 10
take accounts of the transaction 10 the department
at Washington and TO the owners OF the Black
Warrior in New York. and she sailed on the even
ing of the 3D. As she steamed by the shipping,
the American vessels unfurled their flags and
vast crowds witnessed her departure from the adj
iacent wharves. The Moro was covered with
soldiers and the guns We're brought to bear upon
her. The telegraph signals on the watch-towers
were in constant motion communicating with the
civ. and il was expected that some demonstration
would take place but she was allowed to proceed
quietly.out ofthe harbor.
few minutes before her departure, Captain
BuIloch received notification that his ship wonld
be given up to him without the cotton, but he re-
fused 10 receive her on any conditions but salts
factory remuneration for all the damages received
by detention, &c.