The sun., 1891-05-24
PIRATE, rarrArEEn, OR WHAT,
The story or . Vessel that was Buiit ..
San Francisco In Civil War Times.

| lasted A continual fear OF Confederate prtva-
teers prevailed In that city. 1t had been
sharpened by the arrest and conviction OF
Harrending, Gratehouse, and others who had
secured q vessel and were about to start on
privateering expedition. Tho trial took place
before Judge Field and. l think. Judge Hofr-
man. OF the United States Court. and was lis
tened 10 with almost brcathless interest By q
crowded court room. The commerce OF this
const was much exposed and measuraby do.
fenceless. The Pacific Mail steamers leaving
San Francisco monthly or sem-monthly, do
not now remember which. took an aver
age OF about sl.5O0.00O In gold coin and
bullion. shipped for New York BY way
OF Panama On this side OF tho Isthmus the
steamers were somewhat inadequately fur
nishod with United States war steamers as
tonvoys. but snoh security was not and could
not be given to the steamers on the Pacific.
They were. however. allowed two ri[ied cannon
each. and such other means OF defence as they
were fitted to make use Of In addition they
were feet travellers. and the danger OF their
being brought to In an open sea by any priva-
teer the Consederntes could scnd after them
was not very great. Neverthelesa as tho pros
rerty and we'll being OF the city and STATE and.
indeed. of the whole coast derended much on
their regular and uninterrupted trips. anxiety
at their departure prevailed until their safe
arrival was announced
While things were In this situation about the
beginning Of the year 1865. an observing Union
man hailed me one afternoon as was driving,
and asked me II knew that Mr. Nicholas Lar
co was building n vessel at North Point. I re-
Piled that did not.
WELL" he snid. "he is. She Is a steamer
pierced for three guns on each side. with places
for bow and stern gun. She is wicked
looking craft. She is already launched. I have
been looking about her for some time, and
from indications believe she is intended for
Confederate rrivateer."
tod him to keep close watch OF her. learn
oil he could. and when she had taken on her
IN chinery and shipped her guns to como and
let mo know. IpromiseJ 10 pay him we'll for
the service. ! charged him especially 10 keep
a close mouth. l must confess l had some
misgivings as to the purport OF my lnformant's
story. knew Mr.. LARGO to be man OF re.
markably fine personal appearance and dieni-
fled bearing. l understood him'to be pros
porous merchant. with stainless business
reputation. could not. therefore. lightly be-
lieve that Tor any reward or prospect OF gain
he would Imperl interests which were
in measure His own. or practically assail
and well wishers. recognized. however. that
ne was "a, n5 S
easily ,deceivod. / Visited my brother. Who
knew Mr. LARGO we'll, and Impaired the secret
70 h nu, His wss q
had engaged in any nnwarrantable enterprise.
aud ns1ur.dly not in one looking to the muir
found the ,villanous. looking craft: she was
ioue1, Tor speed. SO strlkinely out OF place
dld td she appear % ,hat accepted 1t ut once that
From that time i maintained vigilant watch
upon her which | personally superintended.
When informed that she was near enough to
sadrsssea ! note % 10 Con MoboSsl b l = sins for
small squad OF incentive or seven. 1 think
We're promptly furnished. / sent u Custom
House otiicer with them. with an order to e?
away the workmen. and allow no one on board
hut themselves and the owner or CAPTAIN. II
they to Of only H BE-
pnr,ment as well as l could the dimensions
and eapseity OF the steamer her susplcous
When Gs way 70
Inquire the meaning OF my requisition.
good humoredly told him It was time OF
eharse char e he nesd sma
army. | was abOp. 70 explain more seriously
Sss" hs Ssr Dsns stS Ty Iss
cd BY Mr.. LARGO himssif i. l do not think MIR. |
Moan was practising lawyer. though he In
rlined to be seated With his face flushed and |
Trembling WITH VIII s.G excitement and thought
have ssssI seized Iais.1 Mr. Lsrco's vessel"
nsgH is Mr. sezsn Larcos, sSsss was his rotor.
Jam sorry for 1t" i answered.
You have no law for it," he continued.
You, are responsible for what you have
=: Liable, ar: Noah" said. IFS perhaps a
~Pp0ss ssa ySa thna btsIy her intended for
,ha, NY aSctiop"1 ,S,i. returned ought to indicate
named some South American. Government,
chill or Per-" sa; = don't recall which.
We will give you bond for $500. 900. pay
able In gold coin conditioned that she shall do
injury to the commerce Of the United States
II w Yill rot {, !nEs Es yonr bond" answered,
ha!. each Pacific Mali steamer that leaves this
hsl "a eass bssdes s rs1s% %Sas
Is WSst nk sha : haze
'lunder. and hum one OF those big coastine
samers er landing her passsenesrs On some
hsa i Larcos Bond With GOOD surety 'for ios
II don't know" replied. but II you desire
I Hs f2s said ,t ne should b be @ clad 70 hear 1t.
ou say Is having this steamer built for its
,avy has, 1 presume. n representative at
ashinGton. Telegraph the facts to him. He
hen Gan instruct tho State DEPARTMENT. which,
satisfied. will In turn inform the Treasury De.
artmnen5 a am nl Of the sqperserviceable proceedings
ct your vessel and will get the devil"
You will not. then. give her up except upon |
p ordeI from the G2vernrnentf Z" he ask ed.
Not otherwise" answered. and tho two
epnrted.
The dialogue he hnd listened to- had ex-
lained The situation to Mcdowell. 1t is very
TRANCE" he remarked: l never dreamed we
ad pirate building in our bay"
Perhaps We have not" I said.
1T looks like II !" he nnswered. Z
After some further conversation on tho sub- d
vet We separated. The department taie. |
rsphed me to hold the vessel. She was named. /
+ was to have been named. the Colon. AZ !
bout the clese Of the war was ordered to re-:
70. or. SO far as ! know, against the GoveSn.
ent for the detention 1 do not yet believe
ratical or privateering scheme. l think he
ust himself have been deceived.
CuA 7 Y