The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-09
THE PRIVATEER SUMTER.
OUR TRINIDAD CORRESPONDENCE

THE PRIvATEER SUMTER.
OUR TRINIDAD CORRESPONDENCE.
TRINIDAD, August 8, 1857.
Arrirnt Of MeSrm.cr in Po-she Reports Herself to he
A,ahorttisEieuen Prizes Captured BY sy--Te uaoss.
ties Permit Her TO Coal and R7air de-, dc.
On the 30th ut our town was thrown into a state OF
unusua excitement by the arrival Of steamer carrying
the flag OF the seeded States She sailed boldly into our
harbor and anchored among the shipping So reported
herself TO authorities the Confederate States steam
sloopof-war sumter, Semmes commander, and carries
Six guns, some Of large caibre, and from 100 $50
men. Since the 29h Of June, when she srccee led in
breaking the blockade and getting out Of The Sssis-
sippi river, she has already captured no less
than eleven American vessels. The names OF som,
OF tho ships which had the misfortune to fall in her
power are the Joseph Maxwell Abbie Bradford, Minnie
Miller, West Wind (of Westerly, with cargo Of sugar
from Havana, and Golden Rocket, which was burned by
her OF the coast Of Cuba. l could no. ascertain this
names Of tho other vessels.
The Sumter has been week in port and II Is 70
ported that sbe will remain Till after the arrival Of the
packet, which is hourly expected. The British steam
soop of.war Cadmus arrived last night from Granudl,
and the officers Of the two ships appear 10 DO on
very amicabie terms Tho officers Of the Sumter
are daily parading the streets Of Port SPAIN and with
the consent of colonial authorities they have bsea
supplied with coal, srars, water, &C. not certain
that she, has taken in any euupowder but have been
credihy Informed that her officers made inquiries
for that article.
The booming OF cannon has moi sau,ed the arrival Of
the Sumter, but The Union Jack VAS displayed the
government flagstaff, measure only taken IL honor
distinguished vsiters Several OF her prisoners
landed penni+s On our wharves and they indebted
to the beraiiy OF our ciiizens for supplying their i'm
mediate wants, subscription having been set
foot for their relief. The mate OF the Joseph
Maxwell reports that before landing the prisoners
The COMMANDER Of the Sumter told them that they hll
been Kept for the purpose OF retaliation and he would
have banged them it, his arrival here had been in
formed that any ~ the Confederate States prisoners had
been treated as pirates
When it is known in the United States that aid md
comfort have been extended to enemies by the
British government, doubt it will cause general
feeling OF indignation, and hope our Executive viii take
immediate and energetic measures 10 prevent the
newals Of such unfriendy acts. But, although
Tho colonial authorities may be more guarded ia
future, and refuse TO allow Southern priynteers
to supply themselves openly with Goals amt
aninunlion the feelings Of rivalry (not say enmy)
OF our great commercial rival will prompt her
the enemies Of America in an nairect way, and they
viii Still be able to ret here, nothing but the
slant presence OF vessel Of and regular system of
harbor police viii prevent war vessels to take in
trabaDd goods in this port.
hope no Americans will he blinded by tho sonhlance
OF sympathy extended to US by some Of the British
press They feel for us in present difficulties only
far as II affects their commercial interest and long
as they possess on this continent foot Of ground large
enough to pant flagstaff that spot viii DO made
for enemies.
If tho Sumter had been allowed take in GOALS and
rent would have been ctectuay
continuing her cruise and tho British government should
be made responsible for any depreciation she may
nit after this.
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS.
We are indebted to Messrs. smith, Jones Il Co., shin
ping merchants, of this city the following interest
ing information OF the privateer Sumter:-
From the Port Of spain Gazette, July 81
THE PALMETTO flag IN THH GULF.
strange steamer made her appearance In the Gulf
yesterday When close up to the town strange flag
met the eager gaze oil the curious watchers Shore
Tie vessel came to anchor and the arbor Master board
cd her, and She was found to be OF carrying the
flag Of the Confederate States OF America The captain
states that the vessel is the Sumter, converted pas
senger steamer, with OF five large guns.
He succeeded in breaking the blockade the 29th ut
and has been cruising tn search Of prizes SINCE with
little success If we may credit the assertion that the
| Sumter has made eleven captures already.
The Captains avowed object in running in here Is the
purchase OF Goals Whether he viii obtain these
not yet aware; but he will no doubt obtain all the useful
information he may desire about tho United States
sells in harbor So seldom is this important station
visited by British men oiwaE that and
untrouoed ychiy Tor recommending without interruption
from her Maestys cruisers could hardly have been
lected, but we believe there are two or three American
| craft here just bow.
The Cadmus has been daily expected here for some
time and her appearance would. should think, be any
thing but unpleasant to the authorities, who must be
somewhat at loss how to treat this warike vser. We
hear that she is lying idle at Grenaaought no; infor-
nation TO be conveyed IT, the commander Of the presence
| of the Sumter here?
Tho recognition by the British government of both
places the bona fe vessels Of The United and the
Confederate States The footing but how far
! vessel which may we'll awaken suspicion OF being pro-
babc prvaeer ought to enjoy the benefits Of that recog
milton, is somewhat difficult to say II s not likely that
any actual interference with Such an ugly customer
could be Attempted but on the other hand think any
thing hke formal hohor 20 nag such doubtful appear.
ance might have been abstsnei from. The ''Unon Jack"
was run up at the fort by way Of salute when the Sumter
showed her colors, ana many people think that the
was uncaed for and iniuticious
The proclamation made the othor day prohibits British
subjects from supplying to either side any equipment for
war, and from increasing or augnentins the warlike