The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-08
THE WEST INDIA CABLE EXPEDITION.
The Work Progressing Fsvorably-scenes
Ashore at Cienfuegos- Sunday Morning at
Sea-Service on Board the Dacia-OR
to the Casones-A Night Among
the Wrecks Of San Pedro.
ON BOARD THE SUFFOLK.

HI
OFF BAY OF CAZoNEs, Cuba, July q, 1870.
In my last despatch from Cienfuegos gave you
the narrative Of the journey OF this cable expedition
up TO the departure OF Sir Charles Bright from Glen
fuegos to Havana. propose In the present despatch
TO continue the narrative from that point up to the
buoying or the first section OF the cable In tho Gulf
OF Cazones, and the departure OF the Spanish gun
boat Aarma with the cable across the shadows to-
wards Batabano hoping In my next TO give you the
particulars Of its successful laying twenty miles
OF tins dangerous coast and OF the journey OF the
steamer Sufrolk 800 miles around the Isle OF Pines,
through reefs and shadows, where steamers have
rarely ventured to travel TO splice the cable where
the Aarma buoyed 1t, and then carry 1t up Bata.
bano.
SCENES ON BOARD TIE SPANISH MAIL BOAT.
On board the mail boat from Cienfuegos to Bata-
BANJO there was much that was striking TO an English
observer. The steamer was one OF American build,
and the arrangements were so far as sleeping ac-
commodati0ns are concerned, the same as board
"Amercan river boats generally" only there were
certain cabins on the upper deck devoted to the
ladies, and on the doors OF these cabins were con.
spicuously placed dOorplates with the word .'se-
horash In large black letters upon white enamel.
Immediately on coming on board we secured (as we
thought) our berths, by engaging them with bed
room steward, ana after he had noted
respective names against the number of the
| berth he described the berth ''promisedn
to u.s. and with each, for the sake OF identity ana
| curity. we placed carpet bags, portmanteaus and
hatboxes, so that 1t might be well understood that
| the berths were occupied. But. alas when we
came to "turn in" we found some Spanish passen-
gers had taken advantage OF our absence remove
our traps AND ensconce themselves for the night.
On touching them up to explain matters all we
could get out OF them was mo entte,lde, yehOr no
entte1de' do not understand you, Sir,) as they
turned again to Sleep II no use appealing to
the bedroom steward, for he could do nothing, and
so we came fully TO realize the value OF Spanish
"promse," at least mail boat ; but we made our
selves as comfortable circumstances would permit
on the sofas in the centre OF the saloon. In the
morning took stroll round the ship Passing
on to the forepart OF the steamer, passed double
rows Of berths, which had all the appearance OF
shelves in stOreroom, only that the shelving itself
was OF canvas and on these were laid out men
suffering from wounds or otherwise disabled, but
so filthy In their dress and dirty In their skin that 1t
appeared no wonder to me that cholera, small
pOx and yellow fever should he making such nav oc
In Cienfuegos Some OF these poor fellows looked
| the very picture OF misery and despair, and GER
tanly the atmosphere on board in that part Of the
ship was anything but calculated TO improve their
| condition.. Passing still further on, and coming to
the bow OF the steamer. saw Cuban horse tied up
| were number OF black, Sambo and mulatto wo-
men and children some sitting up, others sleeping
| Gated themselves beside the horse.
Breakfast on board the mail boat was. however.
something more extraordinary 81 s We had large
great paucity OF dshes-certainy variety OF fare.
There was roast, stew, hash, couple of roast
fowls and a few slices or raw ham. But every dish
was strongly seasoned with garlic, and instead OF
hot coffee, there was an unlimited supply Of Ca
Cheapest description, the skin OF tn the fruit FRUIT
floating about IN large quantities IN the decanters
when asked for tumblers instead of their bring.
ing them on salvers they arrived with the walters,
| fingers well stuck down inside the glass. On ask
| ing one gentleman passenger to assist one to a
| slice OF the mutton which before him he very
coolly handed me up the quarter OF mutton that
| might help myself. f-4
We arrived at Batabano about two O'Clock p M.
on Tuesday, the 18th inst, and there found train
in waiting to take us on TO Havana, but be- leay-
Ing the mail boat an officer in immaculate blue''
stood across the gangway to inspect our passports,
which ne seemed TO 40 with care.
Starting at about half-past two O'Clock in the
afternoon we were on our way to Havana In a
| long railway car OF cane-bott0med benches, and
among the passengers were not few very hand
some looking Sehorltas. The journey to the capital
was not by any means rapid, ana the Cubans are
| certainly not to be commended for their railway
management The speed was slow and the delay nc
every station s along .he line was vexatlous IN the
| reason whatever for such waste OF time except
| the natural Indifference OF the officials in regard
TO It's value. All along the line, on either side
for forty mics across the island is in beautiful cult
walton, and not sign OF anything like insurrecton
studdinQ the view in every direcon-eIds OF Indian
| corn, cassava ana pasture land. Every black anu
colored person saw in the fields looked happy con-
tented and comfortable; well dressed clean and well
cared fOrquite favorable contrast TO the law Idle
and dirty of the same class IN jamaica who rejoice
In freedom from the influences and restraints Of
| civilized life
| We reached Havana about half past six O'Clock,
and took up our quarters at the HOte Ell Teegraphe,
on side OF the public square. facing the railway
station. On "Wednesday, the 18Th instant, / was
palace, as rhe special correspondent OF the HERALD
attached to the expedition OF Sir Charles Bright and
who shook hands aud, in good English, expressed
his delight ut seeing me In Havana, for there was
Very erroneous impressions he added. had zone
abroad In regard to the condition of affairs in Cuba
and for that reason he was always delighted when he
saw gentlemen OF the press visiting the island for
Information. as they were very certain to cir
minds dsabused OF much that was wrong and
damaging to the national honor OF Spain. He took
me into large hall which was hung all round with
portraits OF the several Captain Generals from
the seventeeth century down to the present day.
In this room was stretched upon frame fully twelve
feet long, magnificent map OF Cuba, with the
Gus military postons marked, and here his Excel
lency took some little TO point the portions
Of the country which were free from insurrectIon and
those districts which were Infested with brigands.
In another hail. in which court martial was SIT
ting, there were two magnificent paintings across
either end OF the room. One was the landing OF Co.
Vera Cruz On leaving the palace / was intro luced
by his Excellency to one or two OF the military
Chiefs and on shaking hands az took my departure
he desired that If I should ever return to Havana
should not be in the city without calling at the
palace.
In the afternoon was disturbed by the sound of
military music, and on stepping on 10 the balcony OF
the hotel found regiment OF cuban volunteers
mastering on the public square. They numbered
about one thousand men IN arms. Every man was
dressed In suit OF unbIeached duck, with Panama
hat AMI pair OF long boots. Their colors were
green and they were armed with breech.loading
rifles. They marched with very quick stem.
the band being in the centre OF the
regiment. The drilling was bad, probably from
the want OF exercise; but there was mistake
about the loyalty Of the gentlemen who composed
the regiment They were most jealous OF their ma
tiona honor and were prepared to sacrifice much
OF their business time TO the suppression OF
the Cuban revolt. This regiment Of volunteers
was under marching orders and was about to
relieve garrison Of Spanish troops In the country
where they would remain for thirty days. After
that another regiment Of volunteers was to relieve
them until the regulars returned.
On Friday, the 18th instant, Sir Charles Bright,
having concluded hla Official buainesa with Tho