The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-27

when they found themselves poweress 10 lake possession
Fort Taylor for II commands the entire island, aud
could reduce the city to ashes in half an hour.
Business Of all kinds is very duh There are no vessels
here no wrecks ard excitement Of any kind. The
rivals Of mails anu news from the North are what the
Inhabitants live upon. There is an excellent hotel, at
present but poorly patronlacd-why so know not for
persons coming South for health and Quot life would
find Key West preferable to Havana and lar better than
Nassau.
KEY WEST, Dec. co. 1891
All Quetat For Pickens-Desire Of The C,Rans for Cell
Nth the Unasd siates--A Loyal Officer from Sece
ded Stdtc--His Fd,her'S Rebellious Advice-Key Vet
Under Martial La,o--Ncsd Of Reinforcements de-, de-
This afternoon the Baltic arrived and she will take
in coal avail self Of the opportunity to send the
latest news from this section Of the Gulf
The Baltic reports oil quiet at Fort Pckens with
liability OF its continuing for time and am OF
opinion that stirring events likely TO take place
about Nassau Havana tho Bahamas and coast Of Cuba
than any part of tho Gulf Coast Of the United States
appears to be tho OF the Cubans and "Conchs
the inhabitants OF tho Bahamas called to do something
that may bring collision with naval forces. They
evidently want between the United States and Great
Britain and will have IL their conduct can bring it
aboat
This morning visited Fort Taylor, and, with Captain
Hunt Of the Engineers inspected the work do not feel
at liberty to the number OF guns mounted their
that Major Hill is quite ready receive hostile visitors,
et them from whatever direction they may, or in
any number, and he will guarantee them very warm
reception. was Hospitality received by the officers who
are jolly set OF follows and who 10 very good Spirits
although separated from active service
In conversation with Of the officers fhs post no in
formed that he from Of the seeded States and
told of the influence that had been brought bear TO
duce him TO resign He showed letter from his father,
and kindly allowed to copy tho following paragraph
IT speaks volumes and shows how noby this young officer
has resisted all appeals how he has given up every.
thing-iamly friends and a-beore consentng break
his oath and become dsloya to the United States.
April 20, 1861.
Ny SoN-The State OF -, having tie 18th inst
seeded from the uuitcd government
as she has the right do the OF her own a
fairs you, OF her called UPON to resign
the commission hold under that government and offer
your services to your own native State.
Cases like the above regret to say very and
are deserving than passing notice. Nothing
would give pleasure than furnishing you his
and giving all the letter. This however he would not
permit IS he did not wish to give the matter more pub
lefty trust that our government may reward mon who
have acted as this young officer has done with all the
much. II not more so. than the General who wins hard
fought battle
mond to proceed ut to New York for repairs TO her
machinery and that she will leave to afternoon
Is ner loss Will DO severely Iet IN the
SQUADRON as is sadly deficient in steamers Hcr
gnes are the same plan the Pensacoa's, which
learn have been condemned, as suppose hers will DO
eventually Here we are again indebted ~ Mr.. Toucey
for the loss of tho services Of two Of the effective
ships INCUR navy He adopted the plan Of Mr. ckes-a
mere experiment-and tho consequence is a miserable
failure. These engines both constructed In tho
Washington Navy YARD at an expense OF at least thirty
three per cent more than If built at the Novelty Aae
Works IN New York and now they will in oil human
probability very soon adorn scrap heap and be sold for
old iron.
Richmond has been detached from her and ordered to
the Niagara as First Lieutenant He leaves by first OPP
portunity
Koy West Is now under strict martial law and Is one
Of the most quiet and orderly places have
Formerly you could drunken in every square;
liquor allowed to he sod aud all public places
are closed at dark Woe DO to him who is caught by the
wachul Major breaking tho law his certain desti
nation il Fort Taylor Several have lately spent few
days there, and will doubt profit by their experience
Fort Taylor gives them chance to reflect, they
not distracted by much company and persons who
confined there generally come out WISER not better
men.
The supply Of coal In Key West is now very deficient,
and II not soon replenlshcd will give trouble. The go
vernment should at all times keep ten thousand
tons here but especially requires that the supply
should be large The Baltic had difficulty In procuring
Large Endorsements must be to the Gulf before
We can operate eectuay on the aggressive The handful
OF men that NO have ut Fort Pickens and Ship Island
are but drop In the bucket, and hardly enough TO
hold the positions they occupy twenty Thousand
will be the least that attempt assault Pensacola
Dy Time tney probably require tOrty
We must have the means to from Santa Rosa and
vessels will be compelled force the before
this can be done. Fort McRae must be destroyed and
the batteries surrounding II, that have raking fire
the channel over the bar for, as tho bar is
manded do not believe that the passage be forced
by squadron.
hope to be able next week to visit Fort Jefferson on
the Totugas. This uterestng spot We have had but
little Information from there during the war and as II Is
one Of our most important Notifications shall no doubt
be able TO give interesting accounts regarding its progress
towards completion its garrison and the sub
ects Of interest that are 70 be found in st class mill
tary post during the existence OF war.
KEY WEST Dec. 81, 1851.
arrival Of tn Santiago de Caba-ore Abou. the arrest of
Rebels-sale Of Captured Prisess, Dr., &c.
The United States steamship Santiago de Cuba, Captain
Rdgeey, arrived at this port the 18TH from cruise in
the Gulf Of Mexico She has captured the British schooner
Victoria, from Matamoros bound to Havana with cargo
of wool, and, placing prize board her to
this port, where she has safely arrived The Santiago
also boarded schooner in the Gulf bound from Havana
TO Brazos aud took OF seven passengers among whom
JAS w. Zacharie wealthy and prominent citizen OF
New who has beon Of late materially assisting
Davis In prosecuting tho Of tho confederacy Mr.
Iacharie placed, the arrival OF the Santiago
Cuba in tho hands Of Major Hill, commander OF Fort
taylor who has carefully guarded him until to-day, when
he transferred him to the steamship Baltic for ansporta
ton New York.
The United Marshal taken possession Of the
British schooner Victoria and will hold her until the re-
turn OF the United STATES District Judge.
The sloop of.war Ethan Allen, Captain Eaton, the
25th November, fell in with the rebel schooner
Fashion, Captain Roberts and took her In charge placing
prize board aud sending her to this place She
is in the hands OF the United States Marshal, and
will await the adjudication Of the court.
The United States Marshal the 4th sold the schooner
Beauregard at auction. She not bringing half her value
that officer bought her in for the United States for the
sum Of 81 $40.
The British schooner Adelaide and cargo were sold on
the 10th by the United States Marshal for the Of
81 900. The United States ship Richmond, Capt Ellison
leaving the harbor the 18th, cruise, broke her
shaft and obliged to return. Orders to-day arrived
from the Commodore for her repair withou. delay
New York She sails tonight.
The schooner f. Churchill, Gray arrived the 14th
from BRACES via Fort Jefferson She has been chartered
take Capt Burgess company New York 2ouaves from
the Key West Baracksto Tortugas. The United states
steamer Rhode Island, Newhard sailed the 18th for
New York.
The schooner Ethan Cowles arrived the 18th from
Brazos, and sailed the 10th Tor Tortigas
The steamer John Hart Maury arrived the 18th from
New York putting in for coal She sailed for Nicaragua
the 10Th
Her Britanc Majestys steamship plover, Lieut. Com.
rnandrg Cory. arrived tho 18th from Havana and
sailed the same evening cruise.
The brig Elma. Captain Barker, arrived the goth
from Tortugas, and romans in the harbor.
Arrived United States transport steamer Baltic Captain
Comstock, Fort Pickens.