The New York herald., 1873-12-18
ANOTHER CUBAN EXPEDITION.
The Patriots Fitting Out the Steamer Edgar
Stuart in Baltimore-Co,onel Melchor Aguero
and His Merry Men Before the Mast

BALTIMORE Dec. II, 1878.
The steamship Edgar Stuart, famous for her SER
vices in the cause OF Cuba Libre has been lying in
idleness and solitude at of the Baltimore
wharves ever since February last, when she put
into this port after the third OF her successful
bockade-running expeditions to the island with
men and
ARMS AND WAR MATERIAL
for the patriot army. This is last OF the ships
which the Cubans have employed for that purpose
and SIG has so far had more successful career
than any other one.
After being unemployed for ten months, the
friends of Cuba In this country have once more
turned their attention to her, and she now being
fitted up for another expedition to the island.
The operations OF putting the vessel into proper
condition for sea have been conducted with
secrecy, and had considerably progressed before
they attracted any attention. Two weeks ago
Colonel Melchor Aguero arrived here
WITH CORPS OF AIDS,
and at once went to work on the ship. Colonel
ACuero is a Cuban gentleman OF large property in
the island, who served in the revolutionary army
from the outbreak of the war for freedom,
and after being four years in the field left Cuba
and came to the United States. In March, 1872,
he purchased the Edgar Stuart at New London,
Conn.,, and started for Cuba with cargo OF arms,
ammunition and reinforcements for the army.
made three separate landings of arms, which were
safely conveyed to the Cuban army, and she then
returned TO Baltimore and has been idle since.
Colonel Aguero has with him as aides-decamp
Captain Pastor Burgos, p. Pltou, L. F. Sanches
and Finberto AGuero, the latter Of whom is the ex
ecutive oficer OF the ship. All OF these have seen
service IN the cause OF Cuba, both on land and at
sea.
Colonel Aguero's assistants all look like men or
courage and resolution, and they bear about them
the marks or long service. The most noticeable OF
them is the Engineer Mr.. G. Acosta. sometimes
u
in-Chief on the Hornet and Anna, and is thor
oughly competent man. Under his directions the
repairs TO the engines are now being made.
The stuart made her last voyage with broken
shaft, and she will need new one before being
ready Tor sea. This Is now being forged in this
CITY, and is the greater part OF the necessary
pairs The ship Is otherwise In excellent condition.
rigging set up. Her topmasts are now on deck
and Will soon be placed in position. Next week
she will be placed on the marine railway and alter
wards sent to the machine shop TO have the new
The Stuart is fine vessel, IT'S feet long and 241
tons burden. She was originally
BUILT AS A PLEASURE YACHT,
and can run her 16 knots an hour with great ease
The officers have no fear OF being unable to land
their cargo which win be large one and COM
posed OF arms ammunition and great variety OF
war material number OF recruits for the Cuban
army may also be taken, but that will depend upon
crcumst ances, one OF which will be the keeping
OF the ship from any violation OF
THE NEUTRALITY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Ire question will enter largely into the future
movements OF the Stuart but Colonel Aguero has
precedent TO go Dv, WHICH, III observed. ought TO
prevent any interference with the expedition by
the United states authorities. When the steamer
Edwin II. Webster was purchased in this port by
the cuban agents two years ago and loaded with
cargo Of
ARMS AND AMMUNITION FOR THE PATRIOT ARMY,
she was detained by the Custom House officials
under charge OF being engaged in a hostile expe-
dltion against friendly power and was held until
decision was received from Washington
as to her right TO depart. This decision
was to the effect that, as her papers were
all right and she had cleared from tile
Baltimore Custom House in the usual manner,
SHE COULD NOT BE PREVENTED
from going upon her ostensbe voyage. The
Webster cleared for Aspinwal, but successfully
landed her cargo upon the coast Of Cuba. If the
officers OF the Stuart follow this precedent they
have fair chance OF getting TO sea- and IL is sup
posed that they will profit by the example
The Cubans ana their friends in this city are In
cited to greater exertlons by the Santiago massa.
ere, and money for the Stuart expedition forth.
coming in plenty. The recent en- thusiastic meeting
at the Maryland Institute showed that the cause
has plenty of friends; and 1t Is contemplated to
soon make another popular demonstration, at
which leading men OF both political parties Will