The New York herald., 1877-01-08
A SHARP SEA CAPTAIN.

HOW THE SCHOONER BARACoA RAN AWAY FROM
AN UNREASONABLE FINE IMPOSED IN SPAN
IsH HARBoR-INHFFICIENCY OF THE oUNBoAT
SYSTEM COURTEOUS SALUTE AT PARTING.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7. 1871
The Secretary Of State has received despatch from
the United States Consul at San JUAN Porto Rico,
stating that on the 9th of November tho schooner
Baracos, of Boothbay, Mo-. sailed from the port Of
Ponce. Porto Rco without clearance papers and while
being guarded by Spanish gunboat tho pay
mcnt Of nne imposed on her by the spanish author
tiles Tor alleged error In her manifest. II seems
that tho captain OF tho schooner, Mr.. McClinto had
been nned by Collector of Customs Ponce IN the
sum oil 81 30o Spanish coin, for having his manifest
only one-haf weight Of 100 barrels Of four and
ono-hali weight also Of 100 barrels Of meal Tho
number of packages plainly put down In the
manifest in figures and writing and the cargo all dis
charged and delivered IN strict conformity with tho
bills OF ladlng plainly showing that fraud had been
premeditatcd.
A PERKMProRY DEMAND.
There mode of settling the unfortunate mis-
take excepting by paying the ne imposed, after which
the officials stated that the captain and consiguees
could petition for tho money to be reimbursed as
much as they pleased Tho marine cable being cut by
order during thus time, the captain could not
ceve any to three messages that that he had
sent TO the owners in the United States asking for
the necessary funds or security u liberate his
vessel and enable him clear his schooner as to
proceed his voyage. He requested the Custom
House ocials to be patient as he intended pay tho
fine. On Saturday, the 10Th OF November, the author
tiles requested that the schooner be hauled up along
side the Spanish gunboat, winch was done.
THE OFFICIALS IMPATIENT.
II appeared that that day the Custom House off,
share (one-half OF the proceeds of the fine,
and intimated that an immediate demand would
be made Tor the payment, and in case
said demand was not complied with they
would take the schooner and have her sold Mr. Pres
ton, the Consular Agent at Ponce, being informed
OF the threat wrote 10 the Consul at Porto Rico,
ing that he could not believe such proceeding would
be undertaken, but that meeting the Collector he
given TO understand that the schooner would be
sold, and IL suggested that good way would be
give tho vessel up without any trouble The Consular
Agent replied that the Collector could take the vessel
whenever he wished as he had force enough the gun
boat yng alongside tho schooner) to go board but
the agent stated 10 the ocer That he would
sent have the schooner gwen up without strongly
protesting, aud urged that time should be given tho
master TO communicate with the owners. Tho Collec-
tor answered that II was nowhere set down what time
should be gwen and that the Consular Agent would DO
abusing his position as representative o his nation
By putting any hindrance 10 their Intended proceed
ngs He then consented to give three days more.
Az APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR
On Mr. Preston communicating the iacts 10 tho Con-
sui that Official at wrote to tho Governor Gcnora
OF the Province, aud he teegraphcd TO the Collector
at Ponce TO give the captain fifteen days from the 18th
Of November that he might get the funds to pay tho
fine. On tue 2+th Of November Mr. Preston adyer.
tiscd for S. 900 on bottomry bonds the hull spars
&C., o! the Baracoa On the 18th he tclegrapbcd tho
Consul shat the Collector had IN ormcd him that tho
schooner Baracoa had got under weigh ana put to
without having cleared or complied with The Custom
House regulations
THIS SCHOONER Ruvs AWAY.
On the 9th tho Consul received Official commun!-
cation from Mr.. Preston advising him o the fact OF
tho sailing OF tho schooner. In private letter Mr.
Preston informed the Consul that the schooner must
hive slipped her chains and nj baIfpast eleven O'Clock
A. NJ. went OF Ike bird, ana bolorc the astoundcd
and dumbstruck officials on the gunboat could collect
their Sno got all sail set three miles
she sprung lun sauted tho port with COL
three times three The gupboat sent ID chase
soon as sue could get up steam, but the schooner
was out VI sight In a very snort time
HAKD CASE.
The Consul states that the Of the Baracoa is a
particularly hard one the cargo having been delivered
strict accordance with the bills OF lading the
take the manifest having been made by the broker
the shipper, aud the vessel should not have been
fined. Tue captain, being q part owner Of the
schooner, which was new vessel and not being able
TO stand her loss probably determined TO take the
spons bllity and clear OF with her TO her IRON
beng SEIZED In q subsequent corrcspoD dcnco with
the Governor General the United States Consul stated
that In no manner was the pnted states responsible
Tor the action OF tho captaip as there was not the
slightest suspicion that he intended running away,
amt that having done 30 he is alone responsible The
Governor General In nma,cd that bad iaith had bccn
manifested In the proceedings toward his government
which tho United statos Consul disciamed In htting