New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-22
A CASE OF INTERNATIONAL DIFFICULTY.
An English Merchant Ship Burned by
An American.
SHE Is CHASED INTO SPANISH WATERS.
The Spanish Alcalde Grossly InsuIted.

Private correspondence from Havana relate certain
facts, the details Of which, If confirmed may
involve us in some difficulty with tho
Spanish and perhaps with the English Government.
These are the facts, such as they are communicated
to us by trustworthy authority:
On the 9th of the present month the merchant ship
Blanche, Captain Smith, carrying the English bag,
formerly engaged in the trade between New.O rleans
ana Cuba, but sold, since the war; to an Epgleh
house, was coming from Matsmoras to Cuba. when
she stopped at small port called Mulata TO take IN
coal. She then sailed for Havana with a Snanish
pilot on board. When near that place and off Mari
ana, che saw at distance an American shin running
toward her with all speed. The ship proved to be
the gunboat Montgomery, Capt. Hunter.
Unfortunately, the captain Of the Blanche became
alarmed and instead Of waiting for her, attempted
to escape. The Montgomery continued her pursuit.,
compelled her TO wear around and ran her ashore
six miles north Of Moro Castle. The sea Alcalde who
had watched her movements from the shore took Q
boat, and with two three other men went on
board the Blanche, on which he hoisted the Spanish
flag as sign that she was under the protection Of
the Spanish Government. At the same time Capitals
Hunter Of the Montgomery, ordered two boats with
armed men to 90 on board the Blanche and to take
forcible possession Of the vessel.
Once on board the officer in command explained
to Captain Smith and to the Acalde what bis mission
was, and told them that he had received orders to
carry the Blanche away, if possible, If not, to Get FIRE
to her and to burn her cargo. Captain Smith and
the Spanish official having protested against such
proceedings, a quarrel ensued, in which the officer
Al ala nod tba l., S1> g.
and with the aid of bis meD, drove him ashore To-
gether with the three Spaniards who were with
him. After this, they back, Get FIRE to the sbip
and carried away the Cuban pilot who had been
taken by Captain Smith at Marianao.
When the Spanish Governor at Havana received
the account Of the affair, orders were given to q
Spanish ffgate to sail forthwith, and to capture the
perpetrator of the deed. But the Montgomery had
disappeared, and at the latest date no trace Of her
bad been discovered. At the same time dispatches
were sent to Mr.. Tenara, the Spanish Minister at
Washington, giving the details Of the matter, which
by this time must lave been submitted TO Mr..
Seward.
Although the Spanish papers seem yet uncertain
about the name of the vessel which burned the
Blanche, our private information leads us 10 believe
that it was the Montgomery. There is in town .
letter dated Oct. T. written by officer Of that ship,
stating that she was on her way to Havana, intend
ing TO reach there the next day. No vessel Of that
name having entered that port on the lOtb the prcba-
biities are that the Montgomery and not the Daeo-
tah which has been named, is the vessel implicated
in this affair
Last evennS.we received the positive assurance
that the Blanche is an English vessel engaged In .
legitimate trade, ard that when she was met by the
Montgomery she was coming from Matamoras witha
cargo Of cotton for Havana.