The New York herald., 1876-12-23
THE PRIVATEER CESPEDES.

GRAPHIC CUBAN ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE OF
THE SPANISH MAIL sTEAMsHIP-oNE OF THE
DoLDEsT FEATs ON REcoRD-PRADos PROC
LAMATloN.
Since tho capture Of the Spanish mail steamer Moe
tczuma, now the Cespedcs the TIN ult. not word
has been heard In tins city concerning her where
abouts. The general impression that abe has
board o cargo OF coal at Turks Island, likewise
guns, munitions OF war, &c, and Is cruising as pri-
of tho South American She Is under the
command of Lconco Prado, son of tho President Of
PAu, formerly OF tho Peruvian navy, aud twenty two
years OF ago The cespedcs was formerly engaged by
Spanish millionaire Of Havana in tho slave trade,
and brought from Africa several cargocs Of
living freight Herewith We publish extracts OF a
letter from Mr.. Domingo Velcz, OF Havana, now In
Peru. one Of the captors. Cestero. who is still
board has been in tho Salvador and virglnius expcd
tions and likewise helped 10 capture the Spanish
steamship Commanditario. Below will be found
proclamation OF Prado to the exilcd Cubans
The Spanish navy has been instructed to execute
on sight, the capturers OF The Cespedes pirates
On the 7th OF November we lett 81 Domingo Tor SAM
tiago dc Cuba the MoctcZuma Our party Of eleven
consisted OF Leoncio Prado, Manuel MOrcy, Domingo
Velez Pedro Ccstero Miguel Gutierrez Piti. Ignacio
Zadivar, Leonardo Alvarez, Eduardo DecJcns, Eu-
genlo Carloio, Casimiso Brea and Manuel Blanco
Our consisted OF revolver ana sword the latter
concealed in our trunks, while some OF us had bowie
knives Prado chief OF the expedition. disposed tho
follows, wnen dinner being served at half
past hve:Cestero. Pitt and Caroto forward Zaldivar
DeeUens, Brea and Alvarez we're located between
decks. while Prado Morey and myself summoned the
captain and officers to surrcnacr.
The signal Of zach man to his post was givcn and
Prado, with myself, each With revolver in his hand,
entered the CABIN while Morey guarded the entrance
the door, Prado told the assembled officers that hc
demanded tho surrender Of the vessel They. seeing
such small attacking party, commenced TO resist
Several shots were tnen fired by intm,datc tho
Spanards, but with intent kill The resistance
wounded. found necessary to take lie to be
cessiul IN our mission Firing IN earnest then TOOK
place
Tnx CAPTAIN SHOT DEAD
The first to fall was Captain Cncho, with two shots
In his head. Then came the steward who had
wounded Prado, who received bullet IN his heart;
Catalonian passenger and sailor VINO resisted were
also killed. Among the wounded were fireman, who
received shot In tho arm; the storskecpcr aud a
Cuban passenger, who was accidentally wounded
These the total casualties and we were masters Of
tho Mociezuma and her officers and crew, numbering
passengers, among them being Spanish Official
| nectcd with tho War Department Of tho island OF
Porto Rico We fastened tho hands OF somc oi our
prisoners for short time, while we held council OF
war. Soon after we released them. Meanwhile tho
working Of the ship was conducted as
before. On the following day tho passengers
and part OF her cfcw landed Port au PAX
the northern coast Of HaytL Returning, however,
to the Cespedes, she continued on her course subsc
qucnty sending Gutierrez and myself ashore in a
boat with messages for the Republic Of Cuba and tho
agents OF said Republic
You will please mako the following proclamation
public among the Cubans from Senior prado:-
To rnK CunAx ExiLgs-
CoMpArRors--T of victory has already appeared
shining brilliantly in the heaven OF liberty Through
the heroic triumphs Of the beraing army now ~
possession Of steamship which, armed vessel. will
shortly show enemies thn, the lone ag OF Cuba Is
merely TO be within the limits OF that island.
From Thu moment naval warfare exists between Cuba and
spain No longer shall their vessels the with
impunty. Our eannons viii answer theirs Everything
however Brothers, have done duty let happen what
may and we call upon you to DO yours To you We look or
The sister republics viii be ublivious OF what
doing. not OF the same blood and their
cause We cohfde In You, and that
shall be swept OF the omnous flag of spain,
aud its place shall &c crowned with light and
with balls the immortal flag OF Cespedes and
montel
long live the Republic, Long live tho gov
crnment. Long hive the liberatns army Long live the
LEoNCIo PRAD0, First in Command.
MANUEL MOkEl, Second In Command
OS BOARD THk CksPkDxs. Nov. D.
The Cespedes Is pirate Tor she carries letters OF
marquc. She manded by men ready ana willing
sacrifice thor lives Tor Cuban independence. can
not conclude without expressing tho warmest thanks
10 Peru tho noble sho has given 10 holp
IN our struggle for liberty.