Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-08-25
From Ballou's History Of CUB
The Story of Marti. tho Smuggler.

One OF the most successful villains whose S DRY
will be written in history, is man named MART, a:
we'll known in Cuba as the person of the Governor
General himself. formerly he was notorious
snuggler and haIf-pira'e the coast of the island
being daring and accomplished leader of reckless
men At one time he bore the title of King OF the
Isle OF The Pines, where his principle rendezvous
and from whence he despatched his vessels small
fleet crafts, TO operate in the neighboring waters.
When Tac0n landed on the island, and became
Governor GeneraI, he found the revenue laws in a
sad condition. well as the internal regulations Of
the island and with spirit of mingled justice and
oppression. he determined to do something IN the
way of reforms The Spanish marine, sent out 10
regulate the maritime matters of the island lay idly
In port, the officers passing their time shore, in
giving balls and dances the decks of their vessels
Iacon saw that one of the first moves for him to
make was TO suppress the smuggling upon the coast
at all hazards and to this end he set himself directly
to work. The maritime force at bis command was
at detailed upon this service, and they coasted
night and day, but without the least against
the sHugglers. In vain all the vigilance and
activity of Tacon and his agents-they accomplished
nothing.
At last, finding that all his expeditions against
them failed partly from the adroiness and bravery
OF the smuggers and partly from the want of pilots
among the shoals and rocks that they frequented,
large and tempting reward offered to any one of
them who would desert from his comrades and act in
this capacity in behalf of the government. AT the
was offered TOR the person of one Marti, dead or
alive who was known to be the leader of the lawess
rovers who thus dehed the government These re-
wards were freely promu gated, and posted so as to
reach the and eyes of those whom they con-
cerned but even these seemed to produce nc effect
and the government officers were at loss how to
proceed IN the matter.
Il was dark, cloudy night in Havana, some three
or four months subsequent to the issuing of these
placards announcing the rewards as referred to.
when two sentlnels were pacing backwards and for
ward before the main entrance TO the Governors pal
ace, just opposite the grand plaza. little before
midnight man wrapped in a cloak was watching
them from behind the statue of Ferdinand near the
fountain, and, after observing that the two soldiers
acting sentlnels paced their brief walk 50 as to
meet each other, and then turn their backs they
separated, leaving brief moment in the interval
when the eyes of both were turned away from the
entrance they were placed 10 guard seemed 10 caIcu
late upon passing hem unobserved. It was an eX-
ceedngly delicate maneuyre, and required great
and dexterty to effect it but at last it was adoity
DONE and the stranger sprang lightly through the
entrance, secreting himself behind of the pillars
in the inner court of the palace The sennels paced
undisturbed
The figure which had thus stealthily effected an
entrance, sought the broad stairs hat led to the
Governors suit of apartments, with confidence that
evinced perfect knowledge of the place A second
guard post was TO be passed at the head of the
stairs; but assuming air of authority, the sran
ger offered cold military salute and passed forward
his rrh3 60 70 do ond tbs M quess;on o
10 r9nl, ,;1 ~ iE1 olN5 n ~ 1P0'o' " ~
rncanI;o roon ,4 oso6 ,k 1,
behind hlm. In large easy chair sat the comman
der-n chief, buslIy engaged in writing but alone
An expression Of undisguised satisfaction passed
conner At this State Of afrs as ba cnoI}r caS o ls
cloak and tossed i ova his arn anJ tbs eno "n
to wine the nersniration from his f,ce Tbn C,ovar
ror looking m with sprnr;se fxnd his kpan nvns
unon The intrnder- =
"Who enters here nnannopncod ., this bour ;, bo
asked stornIv while he rprardaJ tho stran,ror oar
nastIv
Gore who has information Of valno for tho Covor
NOR Conoral w, aro Tacan $500 o.. s'-
81 on, What wonId Tou wiz roa ~ ro+hor
how did won nass nv gnayd nnchaltonrod2,'
.sOf 1bat ,no, ETcolIancv ,Ia,, HfoI,o ofYro :,
bo1son,o ro,,,,rd for IN nfv,a t;o a; -; ,L "
yorS of ,ha rnIf2,, ~ ~
..Lia ves What of tbor,a, ,od rooon With nn
doonisod iD,oro.t ' "-''' VI
.7Fxcellancv I must sneak with c.ut;on y oont;,.
nod the now couar.o .soharu,;Sa nav cnndoo,
s,or;Gco n,vsolf,,
s.Ynu hive nauqht TO fear On that head. Th. Of
fer Of reward for evidence against the scanqaraces
also voncbsafos !, nardon r. ,he informsppt Ton
NAV sneak on yithnnt fear for vonrself even bonoh
Won NAV he one Of the verv confeaera,ion i,sef7,
yon offer rewari also, IN oId;,ion for the ds-
o,,a,1, af Mart; Can'a;,, nrt; of ,Io ns.Ia. n
~ ,,ny not a., IS go
.''Wa do and will GLADLY mako goo tho ,ron,;so. -
reward for and all in}ormatio3 unon he snniect
renlied Tacon
First. Excellencv. do vou rive me- vour tn;ohtIv
word that vou viii yrant free nardon to me- # re-,
,ool III that van reon;ro to knnu avon orohroo;n,
the most secret hi,inp. nIaces of the rovers.,
pledge YOU nv word Of honor" said the com
mander
mo matter how benous in the sight Of the law
mv offences NAV have hpen still Won will nardor
u,,o ,,,dar ,bo K;no,, eooI2,