The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-08
SEIZURE OF TEE HORNET.
The History Of tho vessel-The Indignation OF the
Owner Mt Her Averrsd Illegal Detentior-His
Determination to Prove the Legitimate Des-
tination Of the Steamer and Claim an
Indemnity-Ths Government Hos
tile to Cuban Independence

Considerable excitement was produced III the city
last evening in consequence OF the seizure OF the
steamer Hornet by order or the United States Dis
trict Court. The Hornet Is a steamer which has
constantly been brought before the notice OF the pub
lie During the late rebellion she was bought from
her original owners, who had her lifted up as a
cruiser, by the late President Lincoln, who had all
her armament taken out and rented her as saloon
passenger ship for the use OF himself ana friends.
The President held her FOR considerable length OF
time for his own private use, but finally sold her
again III consequence or the attention required
in her management, which he was unable
to bestow. She was subsequently fitted
out as privateer, and started on an
expedition 10 Cuba, but her engines becoming dis
abled she was compelled to put INFO the mouth or
Cape Fear river, near Wilmington, for repairs
Here she was seized by revenue cutter AMI handed
over to the government lengthy litigation fol-
lowed. but the government would not release her
except under bonds to the extent OF $4,000. Ii was
not an easy matter TO nnd to this amount but
eventually ~-.+
GENERAL BUTLER AND ME-. CHANDLER
jointly gave the security ordered by the American
government. Since that time she has been en-
ployed by the present owner, citizen OF New York,
IN legitimate trade in the carrying OF freight and
passengers, &C.. although part OF her armament
was allowed 10 remain in her.
She arrived In this port few weeks since from
the West Indies, under instructions from her owner
to have all her armament removed and rent her en-
ttrey for passenger frame 10 tho SOuth-NeW Orleans
and West Indies Her armament was accordingly
removed the portfolios were all stopped up and
painted over, and her appearance was altogether
changed from cruising war steamer TO smart
looking passenger ship. In addition To these i'm.
provemenls she was taken down TO the Novelty iron
Works, 10 pier No. Ii East river. Her old machinery
was taken Out and an entirely new set, CONSISTING OF
engines, boilers aud driving tackle WIN all the
la tf.I N oT.ror r.l
that as soon Is the new machinery was fixed she
was 10 take trial trip out 10 sea for the purpose OF
testing II. While the new apparatus was being liked
the men belonging to her were employed to her
and make ready Tor the trial trip, us above stated.
useems however, That a different construction has
been put upon the intended movements OF the YES
sci by the spanish Consul OF this port ami her
vious history may have greatly tended towards this
conclusion. on Thursday afternoon last libel was
lied before Judge DAVIS, OF the United States DIS.
trlct Court IL is reported by Messrs. Craig and
Webster acting under the Instruction or the Spanish
Consul, to the effect that the Hornet was now being
rentted with all the necessary apparatus for
AN ARMED EXPOSITION
against the Spanish government at Cuba; that the
ship was known positively TO be intended for This
purpose; that a few days since two vessels LETT thc
port OF New YORK loaded with arms ammunition
and war stores, and went only short distance out
10 sea, where they were to wait until The Hornet
stores &c, were then to b. tranierred to
the Hornet, which was 10 he thoroughly
was TO be achieved oat OF this. port it
was maintained that she would still be within the
JURISDICTION Vi TIE DnlteG Fuflhef, t0aL the
pretended trip TO for the trial of her engines
was mere farce. and intended only rs a nanoeuvre
10 take the authorities OH their gard.
Promising that these statements were based upon
accurate Information, Judge Davis acquiesced III
the issue OF process TO deain her. the process be-
Ing returnablc on the 25th instant.
A copy OF the process was at once placed In The
hands or deputy Unucd States Marshals Robinson
ana Crowley, who, armed with this authority I'M
mcliatey repaired to the Novelty Iron Works and
took possession OF the vessel in the name Of the
American government, on the ground that she was
fitted out as a cruiser against the spanish govern
nent. ana consequently 10 create q breach OF the
neutrality laws. Captain Somers, her commander.
was greatly surpriscd NJ this proceeding, and al
offered TO place absolute proof IN the hands OF
the marshals or authorities as 10 the intended and
| legitimate destination Or the Ship
The owner though Cuban by birth, has not and
never has had auy connection with the insurrcc-
tonary movement In sCuba. lie also denies most
at the United States District Court and says he Will
convince the authorities that III the present instance
they have
VIOLATED PRIVATE INTERESTS.
and when the process Is returned he VIII claim an
indemniiication Tor the delay and the losses occa-
stoned by IL.
The Cubans residing In this city are also very In.
dignant at what they term unjust and Illegal pro-
ceedpgs the part OF the government III this case.
although they assert that the SEIZURE does not affect
their cause. the government they state further
Is well aware OF The ship being under bond TO the
amount Of $4,000 as above stated, ana that the
bonds could be taken az means % redress by the
government in case the vessel actually violated the
laws OF neutrality: but IL is averred that the vessel
has not violated tile laws; that when she was AIKEN
the only material found IN her by the Marshal as
about one hundred tons OF coal, and mat no indca-
tons could be seen, much less could 10 be proved,
that she was intended az q cruiser. On the con-
trary the unloading OF her remaining armament,
the retiring OF the saloons and stopping up ~ the
gun portfolios were positive proofs Ia themselves
that she was not Intended rs cruiser against the
interests OF the Spanish government