The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-28

A long, low rakish neat-l0Okng steamer, Clyde
built, brig rgged side wheel, with double smoke
stack, steamed up the Chesapeake Bay yesterday
evening into the harbor OF Baltimore, and at six
O'Clock anchored OIL the government barge ONCE
She was closely observed by all, and many were
the expressions OF approval OF her neat and trim
appearance.
There is nothing unusual IN the arrival of such
steamers here 10 call forth special mention at my
hands to excite inquiry into their character
from Custom House officials, but when q boat
put or from this steamer, and 1t was
announced at the barge once that the
Hornet had arrived the admiration or those
who had been looking at her as she steamed
in grew into curiosity and even excitement; but 1t
was then too late for qualification OF their wishes
for personal Inspection ana few saw or knew
that this vessel, OF winch so much has been said
and punished, was yet free from the scrutiny OF
Spanish men-ofwar At Port au Prince much less
that she was at this port. under the protection OF
the United States nag.
This vessel let New York on December 8, 1870,
for Nassau. where arrived on the 14th for coal:
but she was not allowed to take In coal there, and
lett at once Tor Port Prince where she arrived
the 17th, and took COAL and then left for Aspinwal
There she took on board a cargo of
ARMS AND AMMUNITION FOR THE CUBANs,
and then left that port for Punta Bravo, Cuba,
where she arrived in safety and delivered her cargo
to the insurgents. Her boilers needing some re.
pairs she put into Port au Prince January TO- 1871.
few days after her arrival the Spanish
man -of.war Isabel la CatOlica appeared and
demanded of the Haytien government her de-
livery outside their dominion This being refused
the Spanish men-0f-war Plzzaro. Churrac and lara.
gossa. together with the one first named kept up
blockade almost within gunshot Of the Hornet, and
at night put out armed launches around her.
This has continued ever since, aud OF the cOnJrO-
versy between the parties that followed this out
rage the public has been well advised. For some
time the Navy and State Departments have
had the matter under advisement, and early
in January an arrangement was entered
into between Mr.. ]. NJ. MayargO. OF New York
the owner OF the Hornet. and the Navy Department
with the concurrence OF the state Departm en that
II that vessel would be ready to leave Port au
Prince by January IS a convoy Of q United States
manol.war was to be furnished to guarantee her
SAFE PASSAGE
to this country.
Accordingly on January 4, the United States
frigate Congress steamed out OF the New York
Navy Yard with orders to proceed 10 Port au Prince
and reach there bY January Is, and II the
Hornet was not ready to leave with crew
or her own by the 18th. q crew Of Seamen
from the Congress SUFFICIENT to bring her away was
to be furnished, and, although 1t the desire OF
the government that everything should be
conducted with as little display and
offence toward the Spanish government
as possible, yet captain Davenport was
ordered TO insure the Hornet safe passage to this
country at all hazards Tne Congress arrived 81
Port au Prince on January IA, but the Spanish
men-of-war had been notified Of what was gong on
and had quietly steamed away o few days before
the Congress came.
Upon her arrival o conference was had between
Captain Davenport, OF the Congress, the Com
mander Of the Hornet and the American Minister
and 1t was determined That they should depart
early on the 18TH The Hayden authorities gave
every facility possible for the making ready OF the
vessel and offers Of all kinds were freely
made to the captain OF the Hornet by Hay
tien parties, showing most friendly feeling
toward this governments. On the part of that
people, no formal proceedings were necessary for
her release, and everything was done 10 get the
vessel away by the Hsytien government. Some
little trouble was experienced IN getting a crew,
but was finally obtained, and on the morning OF
The 18th at i've O'Clock the Hornet, under the pro-
lection Of the Congress, steamed away from her
mOorings, where she had been
UNDER SPANISH GUNS,
deprived OF her liberty and threatened with de-
structon for year and eight days. Before leav-
ing Port au Prince Lieutenant q. +. Arnold OF the
Congress- was placed on board the Hornet, with In
structions that should sne be captured or molested
by spanish man of-war 10 take possession OF her
in the name OF the United States, and pro-
test against any interference with her In
any manner whatever. In the first night out the
two vessels became separated by bad weather and
have not seen each other since. The Hornet being
fast saor-one OF the fastest IN american waters
she made better time than the Congress, ana put
In here above stated and now lies here awaiting
the coming of the Congress under the protection
and direction Of the government.
THE TRIP FROM PORT Az PRINCE
was exceedingly trying to the Hornet, 1t was
very rough; but she stood the storms we'll she is
as fine vessel as ever sailed. The Hornet was
formerly known as the LADY Sterling and was
during the war one OF the most successful Of block
abe runners. In october, 1869. she was fitted up
by her present captain as a prlvateer to operate
for the Cubans In their war for independence but
was seized by the government at Wilmington, N.
G. kent for some time and finally released. She then