The New York herald., 1869-10-03

that before again see the spire OF old Trinity shall
witness many strange sights and participate IN
many q strange encounter. But while 1--we that
weird and romantic scene, at the dead or night.
under the moonlight and IN the midst OF the heavlng
ocean, viii not be forgotten.
The guns having been secured and the ammunition
properly placed, the men congregaed round the OIL
GERS the officers under the nag OF the Cuban repub-
lic nying from the peak and the Hornet VAS rebap-
tlzed the Cuba" while her sharp Prov was being
turned In the direction OF the enemies OF the infant
republic, manifest destiny and the Monroe doctrine.
Ihe nr5t man-0f-war In the service OF Cuba, she
yielded 10 the breeze. and with sails ana steam
plunged madly forward at the rate OF eighteen knots
an hour Her officers say she can make TWENTY-FIVE
Knots on wind with a full head OF steam, but ex-
cept IN case OF great emergency don't wish to
enough now to snake the teeth out OF any
one less determined TO hold on to his
~ oe hanged one Of these days wish to state here
ior tne information OF the Spanish authorities that
Mr. Leon La1tte is entitled to be stranged more
tnan ANYBODY else, he having first run up the nag
with the single star on the good ship Cuba. do not
think 1t sale In this letter to be too particular In my
description OF the Ship for obvious reasons, and
have purposey omitted to mention many matters
OF interest lest our cruising ground should he dis
covered. when, however, our track becomns illu-
minated with the 1ames OF burning Spanish ships
further concealment viii be unnecessary ana viii
then, II opportunity is afforded me, send you long
may perhaps obtain permission before close to
send you the roster Of the Cuba, with short
biographical notices OF each OF the principal officers
nut AT the present moment everything Is so much I'm
confusion II wou,d be impossible TO approach the
proper officer. Will content myself now by stating
that the Cuba Is well armed and equipped and com.
manded by a distinguished officer, who won mis-
epauiets IN the United States Navy and who also
held high position In the service OF the defunct
Confederacy.
We are now steaming southwark and before many
hours our rusy guns will belch forth mission in
the Gulf In thunder tones.
While waiting for the required permission to give
the llst OF Officers and pending our arrival at the
point where am informed schooner Is waiting TO
take our last dispatches, viii offer few observa-
tions on the question OF the legal status OF this
vessel which may not be considered out OF place.
nc noticed iced before our departure That that commenting
Cuban prvateer some OF the journals committed
themselves to the opinion that any vessel sailing
aaaer as he tue ounan nag LOT purposes aeaq
manaers n,rnts %, .. foreign rnen-of-war than as Q
p pma'e' my sense OF the prophecies In the
ssseoto sase being qulckened somewhat by choking
on TINS subject and my legal wits being somewhat
sharpened IN consequence, 1 feel somewhat dog
my arguments In favor OF our Legitimacy cannot De
gainsayed. The writers have alluded to are evi-
dentiy ignorant Of the first principles OF international
The Cuba is not liable to pursuit by United States
cruizers because she left United States port in
perfectly legal manner, entered foreign port and
was subsequently armed and manned on the high
seas by foreign government. Nor is she liable to
pursuit pa, M.,,,y by British menof-war. because she
leit Hahfax legally and with full permission
OF the British authorities. That she was
armed, manned and equipped at sea
anu uuJ udHSleTIeu from one owner 10 an0Iner, Is
admitted. All this perfectly within the law OF
nations. Then again the Cuba Is a regular man Of
war. belonging to a government recognized in fact.
II not law; the officers each ana every have
received their commissions from the Executive OF
the Cuban republic, and wear the national uniform.
Therefore she cannot be considered pirate by any
nation II Is really one Of those cases where there
s nobody TO blame and nobody Is responsible. The
Cuoa Will go into commission In Cuban port and
afterwards commence operating. In concluding
this hasty letter will add as the result OF my obser-
vatlons and inquiries that the officers are gentle
men, and are not only skilled and tried veterans,
but men Of character and education and that the
promised and fully believe It, that in all our
dongs the most strict principles OF civilized war.
fare viii be carried out and that the brutal deeds
OF the Spanish will not be initiated.