The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-23
IMPORTANT FROM KEY WEST.
Arrival Of the GunbOat Mercedita and Armed
PerrybOat Somerset.
Capture Of the Two Anglo Rebel Steamers
Bermuda and CircaSSian.

>~o~>~~r~.o>~->,,~>~.,~>~
Value Of Their Cargoes Exceeding a
Million and Half of Dollars.
&c, &C., &c.
Our Key West Correspondence.
CAPTURE OF THE BERMUDA.
KEY wssr, May 8, 1852
The arrival Of the Mercedita at this port few days
since brings the gratifying intelligence Of hsr capture
OF the English Confederate steamer Bermuda. TO the
northward Of tho Bahama Banks. The Bermuda had
full cargo of and munitions Of Her manifest,
which occupied four pages Of fooscap paper saw
copy Of and the quantity board vessel OF her ton
mage really surprising. Besides pistols and cutlasses in
any quantity there number OF six and half and
and half inch ried guns, together with several
complete field batteries. Then again there nearly
fifty thousand pounds powder in barrels besides cases
upon cases Of cartridges, fixed ammunition and Shells
Among the papers found on board the Bermuda was .
complete code Of night signals and sailing directions for
entering the harbor OF Charleston both by way Of Maj
fits and the main ship channe also orders from parties
the South for goods be purchased for them by the
Captain Of tho Bermuda which goods now, doubt
on board the vessel
It is fortunate that the cargo Of the
Bermuda has been prevented from reaching Dixie. It
would have been invaluable Rebellion in their present
dapdatsd condition. and is worth to us at least NIL
lion Of dollars Too much credit cannot be awarded to
Commander Stslwagen and the officers and Of the
Mercedta for having effected this capture.
TheBermuda, by her register, IL owned by Frasicr,
Trsnholms Co., Of Liverpool branch OF the house Of
Frassr Co.. Of Charleston, 49, c. and her commander Is
Charlestonan The majority Of the officers and crew
Of the Bermuda are here board Of the Mercedita
IL,
learn. Ono OF her crew has given information that
shortly before her capture secession flag together with
large number OF papers, thrown overheard by the
captain. This may weight in the evidence be-
fore the Prize Commissioner. AL the other particulars
regarding her capture will doubt be given to the
HERALD by s Philadelphia correspondent, as is TO
that port the Bermuda has been sent charge Of
Lieutenant Abbott Of the Mercedta. The Morcedta 10
now coaling and win leave in few days for her crus
ing grounds
CAPTURE OF THE sTEAxER crRcAssIAN.
While your correspondent was board the AercedIta
steamer reported in sight tosthe eastward. With
the aid Of powerful telescope she made out to be
large barkrgged screw steamer in tow Of one Of
armed ferry boats Various the conjectures to
what she might all felt confident she prizs
and that the vessel towing her the Somerset. Al
.oon as she had anchored Lieutenant Commanding En-
sS1cSA
proved to be- came on board the Asrcedta to make hs
report Commander stelwagen the senior officer
in port The English proved to bs the Crcas-
sian from bordeaux via st. Thomas, and purpOrtng
be bound TO Havana. She captured on Sunday after
noon the 4th nst about twenty miles TO the eastward
Of Havana, under the following circumstances. The
Somerset the Crcassian hove in sight, rsn
down towards her, and, rounding TO under her stcrn
hailed ana requested her TO heavs 70 until boat
could bc sent alongside. To this request audible
reply was received, the Crcassan putting all speed
and standing her Captain English theh or
dered blank cartridge be fired towards .her but no
notice was taken Of it, shot then fred broad on
her quarter; still notice. nins.nch shell then
thrown over her. which burst ahead OF the ship still she
would not hcave to- Captain English then ordered the
captain OF the gun to re at her masts which done
and the shot away sngs Of her foreyard Then
and not until them did Mr. John Bull t to round 70
and state who and what he was. AS soon she was
found bc the Crcassian, which vessel known
have loaded in Europe with cargo for Dixie, Captain
English informed her captain that he must be taken into
port TO have his adjudcasd To this the
glishman objected ana made formal protest In writing
but all to avail TWAS the intention Of Captain English
10 send her to Boston, ordered by the Fling Ocsr
but as hc could do without disabling his own YES
sci he determined bring her here and did So towing
disabled the machinery that It could not be used.
The Circassian steamer Of about fifteen hun.
dred TONS bark riggcd, and very handsome vessel BY
her manifest she Is loaded with tea coffee satpetre
clothing, Blankets &C., &C.: but led 10 suppose
that there other articles board OF different cha
racter for the vessel is very deepdrawing twenty
one Of Tho vessel, since her arrival here
has been leaking badly and is the general impression
that her have in some way injured the vessel for
| tho purpose Of damaging the cargo as much as
/ possible. Hcr crow are still on board One Of
| them, however, more communicative than tho rest
stated that when the character Of the Somerse,
discovered, large number OF papers were thrown
overheard, which gives her a very suspicious
character The capture OF the Circassian very i'm
portant affair." and Captain English entitled TO all
praise for cGecting It, The will undergo here a
most thorough examination, and II there ground for
II, the Crcassan be condemned, giving her owners the
opportunity, OF course Of appealing to the Supreme
Court il they see &c TO do 20.
The capture Of the Bermuda and Circassan viii en-
able the United States ascsrtaa how far Eng.
land violate her Msesty's proclamation OF strict
neu&ralty wc have suffered enough through the con-
nvance Of English officials with the rebels and the fa
citiss with which rebel vessels placed under the
protection Of the British nag II il time eectualy
stopped and the OF the Bermuda and Circassan
will afford the opportunity Of laying
before her Majcstys Ministers all the particulars and
demanding that England shall up her professions
Of strict neutrality in every particular.
wAILAcKs THEATRE.-Cherry's pleasing comedy Of
"Tho Soldiers Daughter produced last evening at
walack's theatre. with new scenery, costumes, and
such cast only enjoy this popular esab-
iishment. The piece, though seldom performed here,
may be numbered amongst the best English comedies
md cArtainv its avcninC wprrantg FRO
quent repetition. Tho plot has the very desirable merit
OF simplicity. Frank Heartall, young London banker
gay, gene ous benevolent, and always getting into
scrapes falls in love with Mrs. Cheery widow pos
scssed Of youth beauty anl fortune He the OBJ.
ect OF his passion at the OPERA follows her her
house, where by mistake, he becomes acquainted with
MIS-. Nallort. unfortunate lady, whore husband
has met with terrible reverses Of fortune. and
Is almost driven TO the point Of desperation.