The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-31
Was SIZE PIRATE
OR PRIVATERR +?
4 Suspicious Graft Built at North Beach
During The War.
A Reputable Merchant Possibly Imposed
UpOn-An Editor and Proprietor of
New York Paper Anxious.

The escape Of the Itata calls 10 mind an
incident that occurred when l was Colec-
tor Of the Port of San Francisco, while the
civil war lasted. writes Charles James in
the New York Sun. A continual fear of
Confederate privateers prevailed in that
city. 1t had been sharpened by the arrest
and conviction Of Harpending. Greathouse,
and others who had secured a vessel and
were about to start on pTivateering cXpe-
dtion. The trial took place before Judge
Field and, | think, Judge Hoffman. of the
United States court, :and was listened TO
with almost breathlesS interest by crowded
courtroom. The commerce Of the coast
was much exposed and measurably de-
fenseless. The Pacific Mail steamers leaving
San Francisco monthly or semi-mOnthly, l
do not now remember which, took an aver
age of about SI,5OO000 in gold coin and
bullion, shipped for New York by way
of Panama On this side of the iSthmus the
steamers were somewhat inadequately fur
nshed with United States war steamers as
conveys, but such security was not and
could lot be given TO the steamers on the
Pacific. They were, however, allowed two
ritled cannon each, and such other means
of defense as they were fitted to make use
Of. In addition they were feet travellers,
an the danger Of their being brought to in
an open sea by any priyateer the Confeder-
ates could send after them was not very
great Nevertheless, as the prosperity and
well being of the city and State and, in
deed, of the whole coast depended much on
their regular and uninterrupted trips, an
xiety 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 If | knew that
| Mr.. Nicholas LARGO was
BUILDING A VESSEL AT NORTH POINT.
replied that did not well he said.
he is. She is steamer pierced for three
guns on each side, with places for bow
and stern gun. She is a wicked-lOOking
craft She is already launched. l have
been looking about her for some time, and
from indications l believe she is intended
for Confederate privateer."
l told him TO keep close watch of her,
learn all he could and when she had taken
on her machinery and shipped her guns to
come and let me know. l promised to pay
him we'll Tor the service. / charged him es-
pecialiy TO keep a close mouth. | must con-
fess | had some mIsgiviDgs as to the purpOrt
Of my infOrmant'S story. knew Mr.. LARGO
to be man Of remarkably fine personal ap-
pearance and dignifed bearing. / under
STOOD him TO be a prosperous merchant with
a stainless business reputation. IcOuld not,
therefore, lightly believe that for any
reward or prospect of gain he would
imTerl interests which were in
measure his own, or practically assail
the property and lives of his neighbors and
well-wisherS. L recognized, however, that
he was a forel9ner-an Italian-and re-
fected that for that reason ne might be the
more easily deceived. | visited my brother.
hp lyg1au % mn cd p a
secret 10 him. His establishment was, of
course, great, and he refused 10 believe that
Mr. LARGO had engaged in any unwarranta
bic enterprise, and aSSuredly not IN one
looking 10 the murder and pillage of his
neighbOrs on the high seas. | next visited
North Point. and there l found the villain
ous-lo0kiug craft. She was lying low in
the water and seemed as If fashioned for
speed. So strikingIy out of place did she
appear that l accepted it at once that she
meant mischief.
From that time l maintained a vigilant
watch upon her, which l personally super
intended. When informed that she was
near enough 10 completion to make it risky
TO delay longer, l addressed
NOTE TO GENERAL MCDOWELL
Asking for a small squad of incentive or
seven, think-wIth reliefs, and some one
in charge. They were promptly furnished.
l sent a CustOm-hOuse officer with them,
sion of the steamer, send away the work
men, and allow no one on board but them
selves, and the owner or captain if they
choose TO come one OF them only to be on
board at n time. | then telegraphed the de-
partment as we'll rs | could the dimensions
and capacity Of the steamer, her suspicious
surroundings, what had done, and asked
for instructions. | had but just completed
this when General Mcdowell, on his way to
Oakland ferry, with his overcOat on his arm,
called to inquire the meaning Of my requiSi-
ton.
l good humoredly told him 1t was a time
of war, and with the important interests in
my charge | felt the need Of a small stand
ing army. ! was about to explain more seri-
Ously when, the door being open, into my
Office stepped M0rdecai NJ. Noah Jr., closely
followed by Mr.. LARGO himself. / do not
think Mr.. Noah was a practicing lawyer,
though be informed me almost at the outset
that he appeared as counsel for Mr.. LARGO.
Both declined 10 be seated. With his face
flushed and trembling with excitement, and,
l thought, anger, Mr.. Noah said
" You have seized Mr.. LarcO's vessel"
81 have seized 4 vessel"
at is Mr.. LarcO's," was the retort.
am sorry for it" l answered.
You have no law for it" he continued.
Il have not looked for any" was my re-
spouse.
Liable. Mr.. NOah." 1 said, is perhaps
a better word"
Il suppose you think her intended for a
privateer," he said, bitterly.
My action" | returned, fought to indi-
cate what | think"
'She is a man-of-war built for -" He
named some South American Government.
Chile or Peru, don't recall which.
"Ah," | said.
I'VE will give you bond for $500 coo,
payable in gold coin, conditioned that she
shall do no injury to
THE COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
If you will release her" IL will not take
your bend" answered.
why nOtH he asked.
Because" l replied, II am not certain
that such bond would be legal; but aside
from that, each Pacific Mail steamer that
leaves this port on her regular trip bound
for Panama takes on an average S1,5O0. 600.
besides what the passengers carry. II the
vessel / have seized is what | think size
Is, AMI | should let her 20 on such a bond,
and she should capture, plumber and burn
one Of these big c0aSting steamers, landing
her passengers on some coast or island,
what sort Of figure would | cut, answering
20 the call Of the Government, that had
MI Larco's bond with good surety for
SO coop"
thst, then, arc we to do?" he asked
dou't Know" l replied, "but if you
desire il, / will make a suggestion"
lie SAID he should be glad TO hear it.
tWel. then" / said, 1.-The Government
which you say is having this steamer built
for its navy has, Ipresume, a representative
at Washington. Telegraph the facts to him.
he then can instruct the State Department,
which, if satisfied, will in turn inform the
Treasury Department of the superservice-
able proceedings OF its Collector, and if Won
are right you will get your vessel and will
get the devil"
"YOu will not, then, give her up except
upon an order from the Government" he
asked.
Not otherwise" l answered, and the two
departed.
The dialogue he had listened to had ex-
plained the Situation 10 McDnMell at il