The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-01
SECRETARY SEWARD IN HAVANA.

pltment 80 Spain - Grand SoFoaade
and RsceptiOn-Mrs Stewards Iatorview
Dat HC. thomas wItb bRnsts Anna.
HAVANA, January 25.-By the Euening Star,
which arrived here this morning from New
Orleans, and leaves to-day for New York, am
enabled to send you tle details, as far as have
been successful in getting them, of the banquet
given by the Captain-General to Mr.. Seward, on
Monday the 22d, my former letter having been,
by force oil circumstances, very incomplete.
ARRANGEMENTS OF THE GUESTS.
The distinguished party sat down to table at a
few minutes past seven. The Captain General
was dressed In full uniform, with the broad rib.
bon and cross OF st. Ferdinand, the rest OF the
company being in full evening dress or brilliant
uniforms.
Mr.. Seward occupied the seat on the riqht of
the Captain.Genera ut the head of the table.
On his Excellency's left, and opposite Mr..
Seward, sat Mr.. Kennedy. Next to MIR. Sc ward
sat Mr.. Minor, Consul-General of the United
States at Havana, Uis.aU,s General Davila. At
the other end oil the table sat the Commandant-
General oil the Arsenal and Navy Yard OF Ha-
vana. On his right Mr.. F. W. Seward; on his
lett, Captain Walker, of the De Soto, the inter
mediate space being hlled up 0y the other guests.
Forty per ons in all sat down 10 one of the most
splendid banquets ever given in Havana.
"PEAcE AND PROSPERITY TO THE UNITED STATES"
When the dinner had been disposed of, and at
the moment dedicated from time immemoral to
IL should be supposed the Conviviality of the mo.
ment has nothing to do, the Captaln-GeneralTose
70 give the hrst toast. His EXcellency expressed
in few words the extreme satisfaction it gave
him to welcome to CuDa the distinguished Secre-
taIy of State OF the United States, and the honor
he ielt,dOne him in having at his table states
man OF such elevated character.
He spoke OF the relations between The Govern
ments and people of the United States and Spain,
which had always been in the highest degree
friendly and cordial, concluding by congratulate
ing the United States on the termination of the
war, and expressing the hope that they may con-
tnue az peace and increase in prosperity and
happiness.
MR.. sEwARDs REPLY.
Mr.. Seward thanked his Excellency for the
marked attention shown him, and the personal
compliment paid him, and, after alludlng to the
prosperous condition which the island OF Cuba
enjoys, he added that the United States had no
other views or desires in these regions than the
advancement and happiness Of these people, 1t
beng matter of indifference by what means or
by what form OF government they attained those
lofty ends.
He offered the sentiment that Spain is the
only European power that has any right to
footing in America, since Spain had always been
emi0ently American. She has the glory OF
having discovered and bestowed America upon
the world and of having peopled and Christian
lied the greater part of those vast regions. He,
the retore wished Spain all manner OF happiness
and prosperity, in order that she might be able to
MAINTAIN her American possessions, and bless
them with peace and all those gifts with which
Heaven reComp penses frugal and laborious
people. That these we're the wishes and only
aspirations of the United States. He praised the
strict neutrality and impartial, dignifed policy
which Spain had observed during the war, and
in this connection alluded in very 6atterlng
terms to Mr.. Tassara, Minister Plenlpotentlary
of her Catholic Majesty to Washington, who,
by his frank, loyal, and conciliatory character,
had in great measure contributed to salts
factory solution OF questions which had arisen
during the past five wears.
In conclusion, he alluded in playful manner
TO Captain Walker, commanding the De Soto,
saying that if he (the speaker) could speak OF
Spain only by what he had been able to observe
in the despatching of official business, the Cap
tain could give other testimony OF a more agree
able nature, from his frequent intercourse with
the port Of Havana.
CAPTAIN WALKER ON HIS FEET.
The gallant commander of the De Soto replied
to Mr.. Stewards closing remarks, by saying that
he had had many times the pleasure OF visiting
Havana before during, and since the war; that
he had always met with the kindest treatment
from the authorities, while among the citizens
he had many friends who honored him with
their sympathy and esteem, towards whom he
professed sincere regards, adding that he hoped
TO have the pleasure OF returning and revisitlng
the Captain-GeneIal. ....
''THE UNITED STATES NAVY"
was the subject of the next toast, given by the
Commandant General of the (Apostadero)
Arsenal and Navy Yard. to which Mr.. Kennedy
replied in few words, alludlng, in the course
OF his remarks, to the prodigious efforts made to
reestablish peace in the Union, and to the
policy pursued by Mr.. Seward, concluding by
offering the sentiment
''THE PROSPERITY OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA,"
which 6as the last toast proposed, and, as it
appears, was not replied to.
VISIT TO THE GRAND THEATRE DE rAooN.
At about o'clock, after coffee had been
served, the Captain-General, Mr.. Secretary
Seward Mr.. F. W. Seward, Mr.. Kennedy, Cap
tain Walker, the United States Consul, and the
Secretary OF the civil government took their
places in the carriages placed at their disposal
by the Captaln-General, and drove to the Tacon
theatre, where they joined the ladies OF their
party Mrs, F. w, Seward and sister already oc
cupying the Captain. General's toge. Mr.. Seward
occupied the seat OF honor, with Mrs. Seward
and the Captain-General oH either SIDE. The
party renamed till the close of the performance
given by the Ravel-Martnetti troupe.
On their returt to Mrs. Almy's Hotel they were
serenaded by the magnificent band of the artll
lery, and waited upon by hundreds of persons
anxious to pay their respects to the distinguished
strangers. Among the cards sent in were mum
ber from ladies and gentlemen of the African
persuasion, anxious to contribute their mite o
homage.
BY midnight all was silent, and everybod,
went to bed
THE DEPARTURE
On the following day-Tuesday, the 23d-at
few minutes past twelve, the De Soto steame,
down the bay, accompanied by small steame
carrying crowd OF persons desirous OF testify
ing, up to the very last moment their apprt
citation of and regard for Mr.. Seward. 1t Is III
derstood that the De Soto will 90 direct to Wasl
ington if the condition OF the Potomac vii
admit OF her ascending that river.
MR. SEWARD IN ST. THOMAS.
A St. Thomas paper OF the 10Th inst, ius
received by the British mail steamer, has th
following paragraph relative to Mr.. Seward
visit to that placer Eight days since Mr.. Sew