Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-31


entire change to see every where around the
prevailing white linen clothes on boatmen, OIL
Gals, soldiers, loungers, and ALL with straw hats
| or lightest caps. On the shore along the port
| we're public walks (paSeos studded with trees
in full leaf and the dolce for niente people gaz.
ing listlessly upon our slow progress. Houses,
public and private barracks, shops, and ex-
| change succeeded, in colors of white, red, and
| blue, and yellow; every thing bright and gay
and noisy, under the noontide sun aud the
clear sparkling waters. 1t came nearer to
that misused phrase, +" a fairy scene," than any
| thing that dwells in my memory. On we went
| among hundred vessels Of different nations,
with flags flying in honor Of the day, the men
ofwar lying off by themselves, mostly with
| that gorgeous Spanish flag of red and yellow,
| embamatic of the blood and gold which were
that nations proper insignia in times gone by.
Every where, on land and water, floated the
ensigns of power; and | was pleased to see
that, except only Abe Spanish, our starry en-
bem courted the breeze in far larger numbers
| than that of any other country. May our ami
cable relations continue to be multiplied
"After our rough passage, enlivened only by
| sight of Florida reefs and breakers, huge sea
turtles ducking up and down as we passed. and
| few flying fish which sprang into the air and
| IuiShiy Iht Slcdlii VI olNCiy VIC WeTc
quite content when our anchor was let GO
Hardly had that been done when we were board
ed by three official boats, soon followed by a
dozen shore boats to take us and our luggage
A half hour, consumed in tormahties, was de-
| lightfully passed in watching strange speci-
mems OF nature, art, and humanity.
"We rowed ashore to the custom house, where
we paid two dollars for the privilege of enter
| ing city which it takes 81 80 to get out Of
Our luggage came, under the direction Of the
| agent and director of the hotel to which / was
commended by friend in Washington.
Never, even in Austria, was my trunk SO
searched; and among some letters of intro
| duction were found three sealed ones, handed
| me by Gen. FL ----, for ST. Thomas and for
his son at Matanzas. These the official took
| from me, as he did Punch from another gen.
tleman. might readily have concealed them
| on my person, but | choose to be above board
and not run any risk among people whose
laws and customs am ignorant of and who
are naturally suspicious of all Americans.
In an hour | took volante for the hotel
and by very roundabout way reached it. l
am giving you, remember, my first day in
| Cuba. The lady-like hostess met us and some
what startled the very silver in my pocket
| when she said her price, as that Of all the for
tigu HOltJS mere, WAS i've Il uay.
Il intend to write just what strikes me, with
out fear, favor or prejudice; and | should like
| the people TO know the opinions Of a man who
has several advantages i'll observation; but /
am afraid that so much of personality will be
mingled with my first day or two's experience,
that you will be unable TO untange any thing
pro pubtico.
"Atter a bath and pretty long toilet / was
about to sally forth for a walk when gentle
man was announced who proved to be the GUS
toms hidalgo who had relieved me Of my let
tiers. His object was to invite me TO the bu-
reau Of his chef to break the seals of the afore.
said letters. Naturally | declined doing any
such thing, and told him that he might read or
burn them as he thought proper and dared, but
that j would have nothing to do with it. At
his request | accompanied him to see his SUI
perior. ] regret to add that he appeared rather
insensible to my polite remarks on the way,
and was a little disturbed that | did not own
any fear on my own part or superiority on his.
SO his replies were grutf and brief; all the same
to me, as | did not understand them and,
finally, he contented himself with gesture
similar to that of a salient lion in heradc de-
vices. Mr.. Newcome joined us at the bureau,
and we saw the chef. IN few moments Of
explanation | ascertaind that he spoke French
and soon gave him to understand the circum.
stances Of my having the letters. He then
handed me three letters, which declined taxi
ing, saying he had better keep them, as he had
taken charge of them. This did not suit him.
as he would have had to pay the postage on
them, and he requested me to receive them
did so, and the British Vice Consul kindly
took them off my hands and forwarded them
The chef and i shook hands and parted, but
the underling, who really was wrong, lost his
poteness When / raised my hat and said TO
him that / was sorry he had had so much
trouble for nothing, he would not return my
salute, and went off with a growl."