Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-03

upon my arrival in thi; port with the squadron
under my command. called upon the English
Admiral. who had informed me that he intended
| to prevent any sudden bombardment, and would
! only suffer it after ample notice To this made
no reply but having considered the matter. sought
| the occasion next day to say that 1 would go in
| with him in preventing any sudden bombardnent
| and that / would also do as much further as he
| chosea I assured him that the Monodnock could
| take care of the Memoncia, and that from target
| experiment | had witnessed, | was absolutely
certain that in less than thirty seconds and with
not more than thirty men, the Monodonck her
self, entirely unassiste1, would leave only the
mastheads of the Memoncia above water, and
that our wooden vessels, English and American,
could look out for the wooden vessels of the
Spanish In thus offering TO go beyond the letter
of instructions to observe a strict neutrality
I acted upon the supposition that neutrality
among the nations did not preclude all well di-
rected efforts to keep the peace among them :;
that as peaceable citizen is not obliged to stand
by inert while another is suffering from the UNI
lawful violence of third party, but may justly
interfere with force to prevent an infraction of
lava IN urder for example-sO a nation witness
ing the like disturbance among her sister nations,
eere neutrality might interpOse, with force if
necessary, to keep the operations of belligerents
at least within the law for the protection of neu-
trail powers and neutral property. 1 am aware
that action in the premises on our part involves
great responsibility but l had reached the
conclusion that it was my duty now to aid them:
and 1 told the English Admiral that l had
written and frankly added that his commerce was
more extensive than ours and more convenient to
the coast of Spain, but as he had more to suffer in
consequence of repuse, and also more to preserve
by interference, that his interests in Chill rose to
thousands, while ours were only hundreds. The
English Admiral said at first, that he would go
with me, for plainly declared that L would not
take any steps without him. l said that had no
intention of becoming a catspaw. The English
Admiral finally determined to throw the respOn-
sibility upon an English Minister who did not
choose to act in the premises.
The English corporation having failed, no sepa-
rate action on my part was taken, as none had
been proposed. l have used such measures as I
could to bring about reconciliation, but without
success.
This morning at o'clock the Spanish Admiral
| opened upon the town with shot and shell, di-
recting his fire principally against public build
| ings. After a continued bombardment Of two
hours and fifty minutes. the firing ceased and the
Spanish Admiral withdrew his vessels.
Four of the stone buildings connected with the
custom house were entirely destroyed. with their
contents Other adjoining buildings used for the
| same purpose were very much injured The
value of merchandise destroyed was estimated at
| $22OOO,OOO.
The Government, the Exchange and railroad
buildings were damaged to a considerable extent.
Several blocks of private buildings were de-
| stroyed by fire, and churches, converts and hos
pitfalls were not exempt from injury. Not more
| than eight or ten lives were lost.
When was assured that the English Admiral
had determined not to resist bombardment, l
called on him and said, as 1 did not choose to
drift, when had no purpose to collide should
move my vessel out of the way, and communicated
my intention verbally to the Spanish Admiral.
Thrust by circumstances into position in which
it become. necessary for me to take some part,
felt a natural anxiety to know whether the part
I took, meets the appreciation of the Government.
In my whole course have conferred freely with
our minister Gen. Fitzpatrick, and desired the ben
eft of his advice and assistance. and in all done
or offered to do, he has been consulted, and he
has freely coneurred with me. If his name has
not been mentioned before. it is because did not
wish to break the thread of my narrative,
and not because was without strong sense of
| obligation for his corporation.
have the honor to be- sir,
Your Obedent servant.
TSigned.l JOIN RODGERS, Commodore.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLS. Sec. of the Navy