New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-01

Burning Of the 1ork USsco"os e1~ eenS~s
er Margares Y. Davis.
Cant, ". l.. West, of tho schooner Margaret
T. Davis burned by the Rebel prvateeT Florida makes
the following statement
Sailed from Port Royal &. c.. July bound for New
York In ballast 7th inst. spoke u s. gunb"at Santi
ago de Cuba, and was again in company Win her Oh
Saturday July o. Int 81 10, Ion. ~ 40. At daylight.
Jaw barkiie steamer steering fr MS. which soon
came up with u.s. and bostcd the American aag which
we did also lie ordered TO hsoye TO. and he would
board me. When bis boat came alongside. he hauled
down the American coors and informed me That we
were prize TO the Confederate gunboot Florida and
gave us ten minutes to pack up and leave They first
took MY nautical instruments and other yaluacs ana
then set the ressel FIRE. The crew Of tie Fipridas
boat acted In a very disoriery manner On the same
day we were Transferred to The schooner william ii.
Cleare Of Nassau Capt. Hall, fiom whom the captain
Of the Florida got paper containing the &C.
count Of the sinking " the Alabama which confused
them very mucl. Beside myself aud crew. there were
on board Capt winsow and II the bark oiconda
OF New Bedford burned preyou-ly who were with US
put Oh board the Cleare and taken to Haibor Island
Capt Winsoy Of the Goconda states; Left Taca-
buana. Chill. April IA. for New Bedford with c"rfo
OF $50 bbls Of whale and sperm OIL mostly on fro'git
On july Is D. H.. lat 8. o. Ion. 72, was boarded Oy
t,he Confederate priva,e,r Florida VINO Informed me
that was prize to her and that he would give US ten
minutes 20 get taings ready TO leave MS lie was
going ~ burn the ship. asked the officer II be woau
not bond her. but be replied that that thing was played
ont long ago" The officer Informed me thst my private
property would be respected but 1t vas not Tor DC KEPT
$3.50 worth. The officer mad no control over the men
while on board; they commenced tearing down Tue
sk, lights and puhieing as soOn as they got Oh ooard;
ttey took four five bills OF sperm on ard one studdg
sail and then set Ere b. her In three plaees-canin.
main batch aud forecaste; they then eu her anu
uee ed for another haIk, which proved to be frenn
bark bound to New.Yors They asked the captain N
take LIS on board AMI lend Us, but lie refused ON tho
ronua tla he wns consigned to the French Consul and
could no; The Florida then kept off w. by =. under
,a and steam and q, any tine did not make over nine
knots per hour July fell in With the schooner Mai
gar,t Y. Davis. West Of and for New.Yors fom Port
ROYAL. and burned her On same day, myself and OIL
ce. g. together With Cat West and crew were put on
buard the Hritsh schooner Wa Il. Cieaie. Capt Hall.
from New YORK. bound to Harbor Island where We ar
RI. July L. whence we went 10 Nassau. where we
applied 10 the American Consu Mr. Thompson. stating
our destitute condition AID thst would Ike 10 get
massage 10 New.York He ordered on hoard the brg
| Olive Frarces Capt Small. to whit until she %
read, to eu The Oiiyc Frances had TO 60 to Ragged
Island for load VI salt befIe going to the States but
the Consul after ard allowed $40 each toward pay
ing our passage ia the steamer Governor Bayey for
Nev.York.
We sre under obligations TO Capt. LigLtbourne ofth
Governor yley for his generosity; also 10 Messrs
Darling & rnold OF the steamer; to Capn n'
Hall Of the W. II. Cleare and Small OF the brig Olive
Frances for the many vi kindness white On board
their respective vessels.