The New York herald., 1871-01-02
@ u B a :.
Details of the Hornets
Visit to Nassau.
Heavy Defalcations in Havana-A Cashier Alb
seconds with $40, ,000-He is Mourned by His
Employer and Beautiful Bslle-A New
Mode Of Evinoing Hostility to Spain.

HAVANA, Dec. "a, 1870.
Through private letters received here some addi-
tiona details are furnished Of the arrival OF the
Hornet at Nassau. One Of these, OF date the nth,
states that her expressed desire for coal was mere
pretext as she had on board 100 tons. or passen-
gers and crew she had sixty.seven men, thirty OF
whom were Cubans, some or them well known.
The celebrated Camacno, the man who LED the
party which captured the Comanditaro some
year ago. was In command The Spanish
corvette Bazan was In port on the arrival
OF the Hornet but left on the evening OF the 10Th.
On the night OF the 18th the Hornet sailed followed
Immediately by her Majesty's gunhoat Philomel.
Neither the latter vessel nor the Bazan could keep up
with her for moment. The Bazan Is very slow, or
great draught Of water and OF little use therefore.
in these waters at this season. The Cubans In Mas
sau are reported as very much ncensed at Governor
Walker for the course he pursued In sending the
Philomel to watch the Hornet. Another letter,
dated the 10TH states that the Hornet took board
at Nassau some armament doubtless that len by
the Salvador. Various rumors were rife as to her
destination, some stating that she going to st.
Domingo ana others to Vera Cruz for the purpose Of
taking on board the people recruited by Quesada.
Avery unusual event for Havana-to wit, an ex-
tensive embezzlement or robbery OF fnnds-has just
come to light IN the well known shipping and mer
camille house OF Miguel Antonio Herrera & Co., and
who rank among the most extensive business firms
OF the CITY, The matter has been for two days past
subject Of much comment among commercial men,
but there are many singular features involved in
the case that no reasonable theory motive for
commission OF the crime can be adduced; and the
defaulter has aDsconded and thus far euded pursuit
he has carried the actual theory as well as the
money, with him.
From particulars CLEANED by inquring OF the vic
tlmized finn, 1t appears that Tor period OF about
fifteen years they have had In their employ as book
md catxt It,.u,
named Angel Alvarez, and from his well known
habits of temperance, punctuaty and general busi-
ness capacity, great confidence was reposed IN him.
SO even and rreproachable was the general tenor OF
his habits alter business hours that his employers
where he could be found AT any hour or the evening
or early In the morning, aud during the working
hours OF the day he was always promptly at his post
In the performance uf the duties OF his position
| the house OF Herrera Co. Alvarez was required TO
| negotiate bills OF exchange. For this purpose
| large amount OF money was habituay retained in
the sale, subject TO his control short time since
| the firm went into liquidation, and at present the
affairs Of the concern almost closed up. In u
few days, at most the accounts would all have been
| balanced, and anything like a deficiency or error
] would have peen detected.
In the early part OF the present week one of the
partners Of the irm, by mere incident, happened to
bank and discovered that the cash on hand was con.
| siderabiy in excess OF the deposits The partner
| awakened, remarked casually to Alvarez that there
must be large cash balance on hand land the
cashier quietly responded
The partner suggested that 1t would perhaps be as
well to deposit at least portion OF it to the credit
OF the nrm the next morning. Alvarez assented to
the proposition mechanically ana nothing more was
thought OF the circumstance until Thursday morning.
wnen 1t was observed that the invariably punctual
cashier was not at his accustomed post. Inquiry
revealed the fact that he had not been seen that
day. The sale was soon afterward opened, and 1T
was found that the $4,000, which Alvarez had stated
was in it q day or two before. was non est
The bank book showed ne recent deposit of
that amount 10 the credit OF the firm, and, lac
none had been made A few hours established the
fact of the embezzement OF the funds and the hight
OF Alvarez, ard the amount though not definitely
ascertained Will probably reach $4,000.
The deaulting clerk was born in this city and here
his parents still reside. Implicit confluence was
placed in his integrity such an extent In fact
that upon the reorganization OF the firm, after the
closing OF the business under the present name, he
was TO have been admitted co personal interest in
| the copartnersnip. He was also betrohed III mar.
riage TO young and beautiful lady Of Havana, and
his devotion TO her was not the least OF the evil
dences OF the regularity OF his mode of life. It was
his custom TO call upon and salute his aiilanced
ON his way to business. This habit, which would
| doubtless seriously Inconvenience q fashionable New
understood that people generally are very
early risers here, much of the labor
eany ne mornp aa 0fng
the day Alvarez always repaired TO his berotned at
precisely half-past seven O'Clock P. NJ remaining
her society until halfpast ten O'Clock, when ne re-
| tired directly TO his own residence to repeat next
day the same routine Of toll and courtship. Alvarez
was not addicted TO gambling or any form whatever
OF 'ast llfe' In the ordinary acceptation Of the
phrase, and his betrothed IL net his companion In
night. Tne books or the firm have not been fasifed
| or In any way tampered with by the delinquent
| clerk-ne simply appropriated the cash and de-
| camped.
At first was suspected that ne had sailed for Key
/ West, as he was Cuban by birth, and would there
have met many OF the expatrlated youth OF this city,
who would doubtless readily have eXerted them
j selves to shield him. This opinion borrowed color
| OF probability from the fact that Sehor Herrera,
senior member OF the firm, is colonel OF regiment
| or spanish volunteers ana consequently has few
admirers among native Cubans. Later Impressions,
however lead TO the opinion tnat Alvarez sailed
the English steamer Corsica, hence for Vera Cruz,
| on Thursday.