New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-26
ST. THOMAS.
Of The NY. Tribune.

Nothing Of particular Importance has occurred on
the mysterious steamer Benjamin Franklin, ana
bark Catharine Augusta since my last; but few
items in relation to them may not be entirely unnter'
estipg to the public.
On the arrival of the bark Csthariae Augusta,
although in a disabled state they would not allow
her to discharge her cargo although the law requires
tina, no vessel remaining in port over twenty four
hours shall be allowed to keep powder aboard, but
must stow in Fort Chrstian-nor would they allow
her 10 repair with il on board. They also went 80
far az to forbid the ste amer to land her cargo. Now
here was dilemma that the officers OF the heet
knew Dot how to get out Of To make matters wore,
the Consul was in the United States and his substi-
tute cid not know exactly what to advice. The
"Commodore wisely came TO the conclusion that
this was Danish trick for the levying OF bsck.mnl,
and protested agaitst the whole proceeding. Thus
matters stood on thu arrival of Mr.. Helm the Coo
sui about the middle Of October sharp CORE
spopdence ensued between the Governor who resides
at Santa Cruz and Mr.. Hslm which resulted IN ths
bark sending her pc wder, shells, &c TO the fort aud
her cannon, muskets, &c, TO warehouse ashore,
ard her repairs were proceeded with. She is nov
ready for sea also the steamer bur they are ooth
for sale ii any person should de sire to purchase
Means lille we have had pl, nty of company. First,
the Danish slOop Of war NaisGen came in and recon
poitered; then French war steamer aud brg-of.
wsr ARDENT; then the British steamer Devastation
the vesed that came so near being taken by the
fishermen during the Goldfish war; J frigste Ca.
lypso brig. Of war Mariner, and survey ship, ana
las, and esst St Domingo schooner, mounting one
gun. All of these would examine US closely, look
az our porte, go ashore and examine the guns. ana
row around us dsy aud night. All Kids OF ramors
were started-tbe French and British were afraid We
were intended for Russian privsteers; Others said
that Venezuela was our desrin alton, Grenada 81.
Domingo. Mexico aud Cub. also lad their advocates
The negroes ashore generally thought we were either
pirates or slsyers, snd accordingly we generally
known as the " Yankee pirates" The Captain of
the Calypso came up from Venezuela with de,crp
ton of three vessels. He sought interview with
our Commodore, and expressed himself satisfied
with bis explanation, ana put 10 sea next day. he
told US that " hen at Puerto Cabelio inf,rmson
received that we we're coming, with Paez aboard.
All was eXoeme ntimmedately- gums double hOtted
seutinels doubled, &c. But we oidnt come. A few
days after Dutch vessel-ofwn came in and ssluted.
The thot were Immediately drawn to return it,
but someho W one shot was left in, and it went
smack through the foremost of the Dutchmanl A
accideLt/
So fesTful ere the Venezuelaos that Gen. Paez will
clip nhpOn ihsm uDswares that the sirictest surve
lance is kept upon every vessel arriving. The pro-
pelleI b. llammitt built in Phiadephis, for the
trade BE- tween Puerto Cabello ard Maracaibo touched
at ~ Thowa' on her way out, and on her arrival at
Puerto Cabello was quarsn,ined-her touchiog at
body knows st. Thomas OF the heshiest places
in the world and there is sickness there az all at
present bat the knowing ones say the Government
afraid of some one coming ashore thstwould re-
yve that fever fatal to the Monagas party, known
as the "Paez fever.
Here we lay IN statu ono. Where and when we sa
! know not as our cargo is still ashore uosold. TIE
satisfied TO winter here, "a the Thermometer
keeps no TO 500, thus assuring them they will not
freeze to death. d. s.
ST. THOMAS w. / Wednesday, Dec. 6.
As had not time 10 give all the items of ne vs.
about ST. Thomas, yesterday, will nov give you a
few that have doubt are unnoticed by your regu-
lar correspondent.
The war news here is received rather singularly, it
strikes me, for If it is favorable to Russia land we
have had all kinds of rumors) there are plenty to
throw up their caps; ditto to France and England,
for Turkey to be entirely forgotten, or not con-
sidered "in." The majority look on with apathy,
thinking Of the fable of the cats going to law about
the cheese, and choosing the monkey as Judge, and
Ssh for Turkey in Europe The English made a
great blow land there are many here about how
few hours Sevastopol would stand before the nvins-
bic "Johnny Bulls" ard when the report came of
the attack and Of lite being draw game, they ID
10 hsDg their heads for the natives would inquire
tauhtI ely, if bear meat wasn't little tough
the Withdrawal of several of the West India NJ all
from among the Islands and the seading of
them to England. Heretofore, there has been sem-
monthly communication with Southampton; nov, the
runner Is if Sevsstopol is not taken there will be
ste or the 18th Of each month Beside these there
ore couple Of old steamers that have laid here for
years for all know the Eagle and the Roscoe Cas-
tie but low they being repaired rapidly as
they can for the same purpo-e.
few days ago the British war steamer Harrier,
lsgurs arri, ed from Southampton, with complete
crew Of lancsmen and loblolly boys) to relieve the
Devastation, whose commission was out six months
ago. As che neared 81. Tn )mas, she concluded to
take short cut inside Buck Island. She got AGROUND
on the SPOT where the Louis PHILIPPE broke her
" back" rot long since, and had to heave II guns
overheard to tighten her of. She came in rather
crest en- and rather lubbeTy, for she could not
salute. The Devastation Immediately put out
and hshed them up for her, aud, On getting them
aboard they the Danish colors up the fore aud
sauted. just IS Fort Christian returning the
salute, We heard q great cheering ashore, and upon
inquire, learned that some twentyssven of the " lib
" ery men OF the HaIrer had got into the Fort the
night previous, and had just then been released. The
Devastation sailed for England this morning.
don know whether you ever heard of the msn.
ner in which some Of our Yankee Captains conduct
Themselves if not, II edfy you, for feel that it
may benefit some Of our ship owners and underwri.
ters and the credit of respectable shippers"
For the benefit Of the underwriters. I'll relate an
incident or two that have fallen under my obserya-
ton:
A vessel loses an anchor, II must not name her. or
be too particular as to the place, for do wish to
get any person into difficulty and her captain
comes into Sc. Thomas and employs man out Of his
own pocket to fish it up meanvbile he concludes. as
he has been IN stern, to have survey" Two
American captains are chosen, lat 90 pie e. and IS
to the Consu,) one OF whom happens to be- the one
employed to get the anchor. They OF course, say,
Le must have an anchor and at the same time order an
entire new SET Of SAILS. although she did not lose
'jib' in storm, and has an en'fe new set aboard.
He buys the anchor Of bimsef-underwriters are
wealthy.
A bark has a manmast sprung, and fe y yards
lOst. She peta eIfire 81 q fra