New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-06-11
Trouble A.aong cnbnns,
From the New York Herald.l


THE EDITOR OF The TIA cRosIcA" SAID 70 HAVE
EEEN CHALLENGED TO MORTAL ooMBAT-ARREsT
OF YOUNG GUBAN-soEEEs AT THE POLICE
COURT, ETC. 9
very interesting case, involving a reference to-
| the code dlLell0, was Yesterday deVeloped in an
examination before Justice Bowling at the Tombs
police court. The complainant in the case was
Mr.. Jose f. de Gonta, edtor-in-chief Of La Crpni-
ca journal printed and published in this city, in
the Spanish language, and devoted to the interests
/ OF Spanish American residents. The defendants
are two young and wealthy Cubans, named Manuel
Luarez and Melchar Bernal.
| 1t appears that on Wednesday last, Mr.. de Costa
called on Justice Dowlng and complained that he
had been made the recipient of challenge to
mortal combat from Messrs. Luarez and BernaI
| through their acknowledged representative and
! friend, Mr.. Domingo de Goicouria, who had called
at his office. Justice Bowling took the affidavit of
Mr.. De Gonta, and issued warrant for the arrest
of Messrs Luarez and Bernal the blood thirty Gu
bans. This warrant was entrusted to Captain
Jonrdan, of the Sixth Precinct, for execution,
and after some search the accused were found
al the New York Hotel and arrested by the cap
tain and Detective Woodbridge. They were brought
to the tombs in custody, and an examination before
Justice Dawling was at once commenced. Ex>
Judge Beebe appeared for the defendants and
Counselor Sherman for the complainant Mr..
Beebe, on behalf Of his clients denied that they
had sent challenge to Mr.. De Conta He further
stated that his clients were men Of wealth and
position in Havana, and had no hostile intention
towards the complainant
Mr.. Sherman therefore stated that his client,
Mr.. De Gonta had received satisfactory eXplana-
tions of the conduct of defendants and was very
desirous of Withdrawing the complaint.
Justice Downing stated that, as tue case stood
before him. it was a felony, and the proper course
to be pursued was to take testimony sufficient to
show whether a crime against the laws of the
State had been committed, as it was so charged in
the original complaint.
Mr., Domingo de Goicouria residing at No. 127
East Twelfth street, was then placed on the wit
ness stand, and was sworn, He deposed that he
had an interview with Mr.. De Conta, the COM
plainant, al the office of the latter, No. Ann
street, on the 30th nit; he was not authorized by
either Of the defendants to convey challenge to
Mr. De Conta, either verbally or in
writing, to fight a duel, and he delivered
no such challenge; he (witness) took with
him copy of letter said to have been written
by Mr.. De Conta to Mr.. Munpos, an officer in the
service of the Spanish government, his object
being to learn from Mr., De Conta whether he had
written such letter and to ask him If he had any
explanations to make in regard to its contents he
went to see Mr.. De COnta at his office for that
purpose, and no other.
The witness was eross-examined by Mr. Sher-
man, but nothing further was elected
Upon this state of facts, the complaint not being
snbstantiated, Justice Bowling discharged the
prisoners from custody. 1t was stated in court
that the young Cubans contemplate bringing an
action against Mr.. De Conta for false arrest and
imprisonment. Should this course be TAKEN the
circumstances which gave rise to the trouble will
no doubt, be fully developed.
i 1t is reported that the causes which led to this
"tempest ia a teapot" resulting in the arrest Of
Messrs. Luarez and Bernal, were some statements
and allegations which were contained in the letter
said TO have been written by Mr.. de Conta to Mr..
Munpos, the Spanish official previously referred to
in tine evidence given by Mr.. de Goicouria. In the
letter certain gentlemen, wealthy residents Of
Cuba, were referred to in rather harsh terms fol-
having hissed a celebrated cantatFice when she
appeared before o large and fashionable audience
| at the opera house in Havana. The statements
were given to our reporter by gentleman, who
though not interested in the case, is thoroughly
conversant with the facts and circumstances sur
rounding this affair.