Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-02

NEW YORK, July Captain Rockwell,
the commander OF the steamer Ozama, was
interviewed this evening concerning the
seizure of his ship by the Haytian authori-
ties His story is as follows:
The Ozama left this city on June 2 bound for
Gonaives Hayti. She carried cargo of pro-
visions but no arms ammunition of any
kind. On the morning of June y. wnen the
Ozama was about 30 miles from Gonaives, three
Haytian gun-boats were discovered rapidly ap-
preaching. Captain Rockwell, not wishing to
be delayed by any of the whims to which the
American vessels, piled on steam and forged
ahead as fast as he could. The CUNT he
soon made out to be some of Legtime's ships
They were the Defense, the Marseilles and the
Toussaint rOuverture
The Ozama had not gone far when suddenly
from the long gun on the bow OF the Defense
came fash, and cannon ball whizzed across
and Captain Rockwell hove to. The Defense
was now alongside and a boat was lowered. 1t
was pulled alongside of the Ozama and the
''The Captain of the Defense wants you to
come aboard his vessel"
RoCKwELL'S TART ANSWER.
"Tell you Captain" answered Captain Rock
well, THAT il he wants to see me he can find
me on board my ship" The officer saluted, re-
turned to the Defense with Captain Rockwelrs
answer. and soon returned with an official
known as the Secretary of the Defense. This
individual asked to see the Dramas papers.
They were shown him.
"Gonaives is blockaded, ;" he told Captain
Rockwell, land you cannot go there. You will
have to go with us either to Port-au-Prince,
Jacmel, Jeremie or Auxcayes. You can 60 no.
where else"
In vain Captain Rockwell protested against
his being detained, but he finally had to give in
and said he would go to Port-au-Prince. He
knew he would be more likely to meet an
American man-of-war there than anywhere
else. Under the escort of three gunboats, the
Ozama arrived in the outer harbor Of Port-au-
Prince at midnight that night.
Early next morning the Ozama was taken
into the inner harbor and anchored under the
guns of the fort. Captain Rockwell immedi-
ately went ashore and sought out Minister
Thompson, who represents this country in
Hayti. The American Minister asked the
Haytian Government why the OZama was de-
tanned, and demanded her release. Not the
slightest attention was paid to the letter, and
no answer was received that day.
A CHANGE IN AFFAIRS.
Next morning. the American man-of-war
Ossipee steamed into the harbor With Captain
Kellogg on board. As soon as she anchored
Captain Rockwell pulled out to her and met
Captain Kellogg coming in. Both gigs stopped
and Captain Rockwell told how he had been
captured and that the Haytian Government
would not let him go out. Captain Kellogg
said he could take her out.
Both commanders then went ashore and pro-
ceeded to the American Minister'S house. The
entrance of the Ossipee into the harbor had
evidently stirred up the Haytian dignitaries,
for they were at the American Minister'S house
in full force. There were three or four officials,
Captain Rockwell says, but ne didn't remem:
ber who they were. After being introduced
the Haytians were ready to argue the mat
1--WE are very sorry that this happened" they
said. all smiles and very polite, 'but of course,
it couldn't be prevented. The port of Gonaives
is blockaded and the vessel cannot proceed
in."
There is no use of all this palayering." said
the Captain of the United States man-of-war.
The ship has got to be released at once. You
have no right to detain her and want you to
distinctly understand that as long as am here
you cannot interfere with American ships"
There was more arguing on the part of the
Haytians. but their smiles had disappeared.
until o'clock, and if the ship is not released
by that time will
COME AND TAKE HER
by force" 1t was then 10 o'clock A. n The
doughty Captain by this time had his dander
up, and his anger was increased when one eff
''well, we will release her. but she cannot 90
by = she will 60 to Gonaives. and she
will 60 tonight, and am going to take her.
This settled matters and the Haytians with
drew. Captains Kellogg and Rockwell went to
their respective vessels. About noon a formal
release was sent by Legitime to Minister
Thompson and the latter sent it to Captain
Rockwell. The latter Immediately weighed
anchor, hoisted the American fag and
with his whistle screaming defiance, sailed
>out from under the guns of the port and an
ehored alongside of the Osspee. Three hearty
American cheers were given by the crew of the
warship and they were returned with a ven-
geance. At sunset on the same day the Oss-
pee and the Ozama proceeded to Gonaives
without further molestaton. Captain Rock
well went on board of the Ossipee after they
arrived and thanked Captain Kellogg
The report that 5000 in gold had been de-
manded and paid TO Captain Kellogg as an in
demnity by the Haytian Governments is not
true, and nothing whatever was said about an
indemnity. Captain Kellogg, however. gave
the Haytian officials to know that the release
of the Ozama did not relieve them from de-
mand being made for an indemnity.