Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-02


be quite az strong as it is at present.
---a
slidelI and nIason Really Escaped Our
Blockade at tChhrlestOn-I Important from
Havana.
The New York Post of October 30 saws
The steamship Columbia, from Havana on
the 25Lh instant, arrived at this port this
morning. We print her passenger list else
where. During most of the passage she ex.
perienced heavy head sea and strong north
erly gales.
The files of Cuban papers brought by this
arrival contnin nothing of interest. A con
versation held with a gentleman of high
standing and opportunities of information,
who arrived by the Coltm5id, enables us TO
state intelligence of considerable Importance.
The rebel ministers have really escaped. A
vessel, formerly well known to travellers in
our Southern waters as the Gordon, which
used to sail from New York to Fernandina,
and was also occasionally used as a mail
steamer TO places on the st. Johns River
from the former port, having been rechrist-
ened the Theodord, sailed on the 18th inst.
from Charleston, carrying Messrs. Mason and
Slidell on board. The report in regard to
the NdshUille was simultaneously thrown out
by tie rebels as q feint.
The Theodora touched at Cardenas There
Nessrs. Mason and Slidell landed and pro-
Consul at that port Immediately made GER
emonious call on them in full uniform. He
then introduced them to the Captain Gen.
eral Of Cuba. They were received by that
officer as priudte gentlemen, and Nth no diplo-
matte forms WhdteVer. We state this on the
very best authority, to anticipate any sus-
picion that the visit which so high fuuc-
ticnsry permitted our rebel commissioners
to make bad any official significance.
After leaving Messrs Mason and Slidell at
Cardenas, the Theodore went around to Ha-
vana. There she took in a full cargo of
arms, ammunition, coffee and other provi-
sions, and sailed for Charleston week ago
to-day, expecting to run the blockade.
While in the port of Havana the Thso-
dora was presented with Confederate flag,
worked in silk by Southern ladies now find
ing refuge in Cuba. When she sailed she
took with her twenty passengers to Charles
ton. Among them was Mr.. Meade late
| United States Minister to Brazil. He has
| been one of the most active Secessionists in
! the city of Havana.
The late Consul General of the United
| States at Havana, MIR, Helm, of Kentucky,
and prominent man in that State, still re-
| mains in Havana, making constant applica-
| tion to the Captain General for his exequatur
as Consul from the rebel States. He aud
| MIR. Meade have We'd with each other in acts
| of bitter hostility to the American Union.
The feeling of Northern American shipmas-
ters whose vessels lie in Havana harbor
has reached the extremity of Indignation.
They are daily insulted by having the Con
federate flag flouted in their faces at the peak
of vessels purportiDg to arrive from Charles
ton, Beaufort South Carolina, Mobile and
New Orleans. One vessel boasts that it has
run the Atlantic coast blockade, to and fro
more than a score of times. Before our in
formapt left Havana the feeling had risen SC
high on the part Of American shipmasters,
through constant repetition of these affronts
| that a sentiment was generally expressed
that there was no intention on the part o
the commanders off Charleston and Beaufort
to close those ports at all.
Our present Consul. General, Mr.. Shufeldt,
who succeeds the rebel official stationed at
Havana by the last Administration, Mr.
| Helm, in view of the numerous Confederate
vessels finding refuge in Havana and re-
naming there unmolested to ship cargoes
and return, had sent dispatch on the 24th
inst. TO the San Jdcinto, lying off Trinidad
asking its commander to come to Havana fol
the care of our interests at that port. 1t wa!
the opinion among loyal shipmasters that i
he did so he might make haul" They
thought that two United States vessels, by
lying convenient distance outside Moro
Castle, might thoroughly shut the harbor o
Havana to rebel vessels, and without violat.
ing national courtesy, might compel them tC
go further, at great loss for the stores which
they now are enabled to get in Havana
through the neutrality of Spain.
There is nothing to prevent one United
States vessel from entering Havana harbor
and lying SO close to the rebel vessels now in
port there, that not one of them would dare
to depart for fear OF being captured outsit
the Spanish limits.
Captain Coxetter, formerly of the coastin(
steamer EUeTglade, which ran from Charles
ton to the ST. Johns River, Florida, and lat
commander of the jeff DdUiS wrecked a
Mstanzas Gut opposite st. Augustine, i
now in Havana, doing everything in hi
power to promote the objects of rebel piracy
He may succeed in fitting out another pirat
vessel to replace bis lost venture-but a
any rate his presence is well known to bodt
no good.
A large fleet was in the port of Havana q
the time the Columbia sailed, fitting out 70
the proposed Spanish expedition agains
Mexico. When it would sail was not def
nitely known, but the blow struck by Spai
would probably be as nearly simultaneou
with that OF France as possible, whether di
plomatic or belligerent,