The New York herald., 1871-01-05
STEAMSHIP HORNET,

After leaving New York on the Sth inst nothing
OF interest occurred until we arrived at Nassau Our
experience the passage is that the steamer is not
as fast as we expected she would be, and she is q
great coal burner, consuming twenty-seven tons
day, and more when driven hard. We were OF the
harbor OF Nassau at six p. M. the 13th but being
unable to get pilot did not enter the port until the
next morning. We had cleared for Nassau because
our supply Of coal on leaving New YORK was not
sufficient for us to reach our destination
and we depended upon getting all we re-
quired at that port but In this we
were disappointed. The custom OF the
place is that oil steamers desiring coal must first
make written application to the Governor, stating
the amount required: then 1t goes through any
amount CT red tape and crcuml0cuton before the
request is granted refused. Our application went
through the regular 1orms but the reply was q
fusal, on the ground OF our suspicious character.
The ship had been searched by the Revenue Depart
mcnt, but nothing was found OF contraband
character-not shadow that would tend to con-
firm their suspicious. Our large complement of men
was thought to be queer but their being on board
was explained. Every one in the town had their
own idea OF US. One said we were going to fit
prtvateer, another that We had landed guns ana
men on some one OF the Islands, and that as soon as
We were coaied we should proceed to take them on
board again, and then for cuba. Indeed our entire
parently, no TWO were Of the same way of think
ing.
succeeded In throwing suds into the Governors eyes
concerning ms, and influenced him SO strongly
against us that the commander OF her Maestys gun
boat Phllomel was ordered to Keep the strlcteSt
watch upon our movements A boat pulled guard
around US all night ana occasionally examined the
snacke that secured our cham TO the moOr1ng buoy
TO see that we were not ready TO slip and be OF
that our captain was not endeayOrlng to play them
Yankee TRICK.
We were obliged to have coal, and as 1t could not
be Obtained at Nassau we were compelled to go
where we could get 1t. The authorities were very
particular In making inquiries as 10 where We
desired TO clear for ana The captain told
them Vera Cruz, via Port au Prince. THIS
The Spanish steamer in the meantime
had leIt,. and II was ieperted that she
would lay for outside; but knew that she would
have to steam faster than ever before to be able to
give us trouble or retard movements. BY the
time were ready to be or, the Philomel also had
steam up, and 1t was evident that She going 70
accompany US, and everything promised lively
time. Just before we were ready to leave, the cap
tain went on board the English steamer, where he
was well received and we learn that he was In
formed that we were TO be seen clear Of neutral
waters tnat we did nothing OF a conlrapand nature
on territory over which the British claim control
Captain Hudson also asked OF hlm his protection In
the absence o! United States ship of-war should
the Spanlard interfere with HIM while III neutral
waters; but as the answer was not entirely salts
factory he returned on board and went outside
Just asswe were leaving the buoy the English captain
returned the VISIT and said 10 commander tna he
came on friendly call only, 70 give friendly advice,
winch was 10 denver DlmSeu up TO q BrfttSn naval
officer; that ne wond then be protected; that IL
fell into Spanish hands we should receive mercy
Captain Hudson thanked him, but said he would
give up the snip to no one: that his papers were all
right, and that he had clearance from q British
port.
BY the time we were outside 1t was hafpast six
O'Clock and quite dark We weie quite close to the
Englishman, and thinking It good time to show
our antagonist a Clean pair Of heels, we gave the
Hornet All the steam she could carry ana soon left
her Majestys sup lar astern, that by nine T.. NJ
his mast head light was visible and since then
we have seen neither OF them.
They could not find the slightest flaw about US at
Nassau or they would have been delighted 10 have
made seizure. Captain Walker would like us 70
have surrendered to him, but he mistooK his game
when ne tried his persuasive powers upon our cap
tain, who did not see his argument.
We are now going up the narbor and expect to
get all the coal we require. We have but one days
supply on board; but II we do not get what want
here II is understood that arrangements have beeu
made for supply of three or four hundred tons
elsewhere.
The whole affair at Nassau was scandalous. To
think that an American snip can be treated In
British port III such q shameful manners During
the authorities there did not hesitate to ft
every ship that calculated to injure our cause.
However, we have gained one point, and that is
clearance from British port. We had pilot from
Nassau here so that In the event Of our being
tlOubIed we could at once into neutral waters.
All on board are well and In high spirits.