Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-04
SEIZURE OF THE MEXICO.
COMMANDER CHESTER EN-
PLAINS HIS ACTION.

The Crew OF the Vessel Unwilling to Pro-
coed Under the Captaincy OF the AL
legged RevOlutiOnists - The Mexico
Found at st. Andrews Under Very Sus-
piciOns Circumstances.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-The Secretary
of the Navy has received long report
from Commander Chester, of the Galena
dated hey West, Feb. %, regarding the
capture of the alleged filibustering steam
er City Of Mexico. The Galena arrived
at st. Andrews, Colombia, Feb. IA, with
h. Is. Wright, Jr., United States Consul
at Colon, on board. The steamer City OF
Mexico was found in port with only heI
passengers, 30in number, and the Cap
tain and one Of her crew on board. The
remainder of the crew had protested
against proceeding to sea with the pas
ssngers, asserting that they com
posed an organized band under
the direction OF one of their number,
Emilio Del GardO, as chief, and that they
were in waiting to receive arms and am
munition from the American steamer
Neptune preparatory to landing on the
island of Ruatan; that the vessel, instead
of sailing the peaceable voyage for which
they bad enlisted, was under control of said
Del Gardo and that the Captain was inn
plicated in the Irregularities; that their
contract having been broken they de-
manded their discharge or satisfactory
guarantee for their lives, which they
claimed had been threatened by the pas
sengers, who were to some extent armed,
or that the passengers should be removed
from the ship.
THE CREW REMOVED.
Under these demands the consular
agent had removed the crew to the town
of st. Andrews. while the Colombian
| authorities had, owing to reports that the
passengers had been refused a landing at
the ports Of Belize, Honduras, Blue
Fields and Corn Island in Colombia, de.
clined to permit their coming ON shore.
The consular agent bad examined the
crew and captain under oath. Having
read the testimony and taken part in the
proceedings with Consul Wright, Com
mander Chester was convinced that the
grave charges preferred by the Consul
were well founded, and determined to
seize the vessel.
Before doing so he was assured by the
Prefect Of the Port ana Judge of the Dis
trict that such action was in accordance
with International law and treaty stipula-
tiOns. On board the steamer were two
The Captain had authority to draw on the
agents of the vessel for money, but 1t is
in evidence that Del Gardo paid the bills
Lieut.. William 7. Elliott was placed in
charge of the prize, -pita all the papers
found in the vessel and the testimony
taken by the Consular agent, with in,
structiOns to proceed to Key West and
await instructions.
RELEASED FROM QUARANTINE.
KEY WEST, FLA, March 3.-The United
States steamer Galena and her prize
were released from quarantine to-day
Affairs on the City of Mexico are in st0t1
quo. 1t appears that the naval authori
ties desire TO transfer the case to the Dis.
trict Court, but the United States Marshal
of this district has no authority to take
possession of the property without an or.
der from Judge Locke, who is absent
holding court at Tampa. 1t is probable
the naval authorities, II desIrous Of effect.
ing the transfer, will send an application
TO Judge Locke by mail tomorrow, who
will probably return here on Friday, as
he is without a district attorney at Tam
pa on account of the vacancy in thai
Office and the nOn-confirmation OF the ap
pointee,