The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-09
How Our Commissioner Takes His
Confinement.
HIS VIEWS OF THE SPANISH AUTHORITIES.
Popular DeluSiOnS About
Cuba Libre.
A LETTER TO THE BRITISH CONSUL.

MANzANILLO, April 20, 1873.
Quitting Havana according to instructions, ar
rived here, alter pleasant voyage OF three days
along the south coast, in the steamer Trinidad
yesterday. AS my arrival was expected, the
British Vice Consul's nephew was in waiting on the
wharf to take charge OF the HERALD correspondent
and conduct him to O'Kelly's cell. Leaving the
Trinidad, we paid passing visit to Mr.. Louten the
Vice Consul who will obtain Immortality through
the misfOrtunes or your special commissioner.
This gentleman received me with great kindness
and courtesy He at once proifered me the hos.
pitality OF his house during my stay, and as
O'Kellysdescription OF the Caball0 Blanc0 and its
customers had created slight prejudice In my
mind against that establishment eagerly accepted
the g0od-natured OFFER As soon as the exchange
of compliments had been completed, my guide and
myself directed our steps to
FORT CORONA.
It was the hottest hour OF the day, and the
fierce rays of the sun beat down on US as we
struggled up the steep hill which leads to the fort
After considerable efforts we halted In front Of
mean looking brick building, having ominous-look
ing loopholsd, Ranking defences and surrounded
by ditch some twelve feet wide. This ditch is
crossed by kind Of drawbridge, which is raised
every night at eight O'Clock. that no enterpris-
ing insurgent should sneak in. Four cannon, car.
rying twelve-pound shot, do the heavy business OF
the fort, while some forty soldiers are at hand to
contribute in o small way in any military con-
certs that may be given for the benefit OF the
men in the main yard. have been since In
formed that the structure now called fort was
formerly applied to the uses OF hospital,
an that, on account Of Its commanding position
over the city and the surrounding country, 1t has
been converted into place Of defence OF course
was too formidable q person to be allowed to
enter without challenge so the sentinel detained
me, under pain OF being shot, until the officer OF
the guard had reconn0itred and given his gra-
cious permission to my entry. Having discovered
that my object was to visit Mr.. O'Kelly, and salts
fed himself that had no rescuing party con-
ceaed about my person, was allowed to enter
and in few seconds found myself at
THE "REsIDENCE" OF THE COMMISSIONER,
spot that hereafter will be known to fame as
O'Kclly's cell. At a sign from his superior the
sentinel-a rather unclean-looking rascal-pulled
back the bolt OF the door and allowed
me to pass Your special correspondent was TAX
ing matters easily seated in his shirt sleeves in
rocking chair reading. When the door swung open
he looked up from his book, and, recognizing me
Immediately, leaped from his chair and advanced
to meet me on the threshold OF his prison. "My
dear fellow, am glad to see your he exclaimed,
OF the same time giving my hand q squeeze that
proved beyond question that 1t was no mere
''shaden OF your correspondent de Ia n1anfOuG
that welcomed me. the exhaustion theory was at
once exploded, and felt convinced that the Span
ish authorities would have to expend semc muscle
or some powder before disposing Of the HERALD
Commissioner. arm U9 lat gsu3
without being allowed time to sit down even
I was subjected to 81
SHOWER OF QUESTIONS, .ao.lfl -.
to which 1t would have taken least half an hour
to answer. "What is the newsY' "When am TO
get out Of this hole!" "What does the HERALD
sayf, "What about the new Captain Generalfn
and, finally, .How are YOUR / begged for mercy.
assuring my imprisoned associate that II he would
permit me to Sit down and take q little breath
after my walk up the hill ! would satisfy him SO
far as was able on all points. While wiping the
Precipitation from my face, glanced around the
caaboose in which found myself. The soldier ae.
cused OF forgery, whom the Spanish authorities
have given your Commissioner as companion,
was still present. writing table, on which were
placed few bottles doing service as candlesticks
some books and lot Of writing paper scattered
about with q rev chairs formed the principal
FURNITURE OF THE PLACE. erfT 10
These afterwards learned were the property OF
your commissioner. There were also TWO wooden
benches, looking very dirty and old, although one
ofthem which serves as banqueting table, is washed
every day by the soldier, wnom O'Kelly has turned
into q kind OF valet and man of all work, ana two
small looking boxes and some clothes hanging
from nails in the walls. The air OF the room Is ex.
ceedngly wretched ana depressing, the only relief
being brought by the window, which is large and
faces out on the country The floor Is full OF holes
and almost In the centre the brick flooring is
broken and the ground visible. whileI was ex-
aiming these little details was surprised to see
SEVERAL RATS SALLY OUT
OF their holes In search Of provisions and run about
the foor with the utmost Indifference to the pres
ence Of the other inhabitants. When called your
comIssioners attention to them he said, ooh,
they come to visit me when they like and as they
are the only friends that can come to see me with
out the permission OF the authorities, they are al
ways welcome. Sometimes they become too en-.
terprising ana try to carry or my dinner from
under my nose but protest against any appro.
priations OF that kind and insist on my visitors
contenting themselves with what1 give them.n
THE INTERVIEWER INTERVIEWED.
81 When 1 had observed these details Informed
my colleague that I had come down 20 inter.
view him. O'Kely looked at me for while
and then burst out swell. that is COOL You
will permit me to interview you frst l want
10 know II the representations which suggested
have been made at Madrid, and what answers the
republican government have given. telegraphed
to Mr. Bennett that the quickest way to get me out
OF this scrape was to apply to the central govern.
mcnt. From the beginning have had the csnvc-
ton that the local people here would do me all the
harm and hold me prisoner as long as they could;
50 am anxious to get out Of this soon as possi.
BILE. Insisted In moro than one telegram on the
necessity OF bringing all possible influence to bear
In Madrid, and hope Mr.. Bennett has acted on my
suggestion, for II the local authorities are left to
deal with me- shall be subjected to considerable
amount OF ann eyance.J Their conduct. In the first
instance, was so percmptory and hostile that
! was seriously afraid they would undertake
to act without consulting the chief authority
Of the Island, and was especially uneasy, as was
uncertain whether these adylces had been allowed