The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-23

| ii our Cuban expedition This IS a3othe'
| illustration showing how slow 8 wise ant
progressive nation is, at times, 70 grass
a good .dea-
Four small naval steamers. each OF about
100 tons burden were fitted out an the sum
mer of 1853 for duty in Cuban waters. Two
were detailed for the north side and twc
for the south. She cor genial task fell "a
my lot 10 be- ordered on duty as the caiei
engineer Of the United States steamer CRU
sader. under the command OF Captain JOHN
y. Mafiitt This expedition meant that we
were going 10 take an active part IN rss
ulating Cuban affairs. Doubtless there
were many profound arguments made by
some Of our citizens against such acton
on the par, of the United States These
slavers were largely fitted out and owned
by people living IN the northern seaports.
Vast fortunes were made in this trade.
and We were now about 20 sadly interfere
with assumed vested rights arrf privileges.
II created considerable bad feeling and
CONSERVATION among certain classes OF
Spaniaris and Cubans However. We ap-
parently always had the moral support
OF General Serano, who was then Captain
General OF Cuba. On our arrival in Ha-
vana. Captain Maffitt made an official call,
ON Nrr.lGEd4 GCLdilO anu -lAS
wife. Captain Maffitt was a diplomat and
on this visit took detachment OF his Of
ficers with him in fun dress uniform We
were received with the greatest courtesy
by the General and his wife. The exqui-
ste beauty Of Mrs. Serano has left vivid
impression on my memory.
In those days the harbor OF Havana was
closed TO vessels from dark TO daylight
b,,f
sion to Captain Mafitt. so that by private
signals We could come in and go out OF
the harbor at whatever hour we pleased
Havana was the headquarters for in6or-
nation given 10 us by special spies. and
sometimes by the government. OF the ex-
pected arrival OF a shaver. We had fire.
quent occasions 10 advantageously use this
night key 70 the harbor OF Havana
believe that General Serano was homes.
and perfectly sincere in trying 20 suppress
the Cuban slave trade He was an able
man. in statesmanship and as a soldier,
but Cuba was then, as she IS now. ungov-
ernabie.
The importation OF slaves was against
the law Of Spain, but IN spite OF this they
were continually being s-nuggied in by the
shipload, doubtless often w.th the volun-
try oversight OF some Of the military com
manders OF the various provinces. Avarl-
cious nisgovernmeut OF people. at bes.
very difficult TO govern, was the sad con-
c.t!on OF Cuba IN those days. when had
something like a fair chance 10 superficial
ly study the question on the spot We had
opportunities Of frequently visiting every
port on the north shore OF the island. with
an occasional run on the railroads 20 the
interior. The 500 miles OF that north coast
Of Cuba from tho east 20 the west was
faithfully patrolled by our two ships for
about fifteen months. We Overhauled Sun-
dreds o. vessels OF all natsonauties. our
duties were somewhat dangerous and very
far from being free from excitement Ow-
ing 10 heavy storms and hurricanes during
part OF the year. and the necessity Of look
ing into unusvd harbors and running IN
narrow and shallow channels between the
outlying islands we were constantly
humping coral rocks. Although Captain
Mafitt was a South caro.inian. he was
very energetic and true 20 his MISSION. The
Crusaders captured three out OF the six
slavers This spoke well for his ability.
He was one OF the most brilliant and skill
ful officers in our Navy II was an unfor-
tunate thing for our side during The civil
war that he abandoned the flag tha; he
almost worsh.pe1 The false theory that
allegiance TO his State was more exactng
and patriotic than allegiance 70 the Nation
made us lose this officer. giftei win 80
many noble impulses and 80 much ability.
This IS another illustration Of error IN hu-
man judgment.
Our feet succeeded pretty well N break
ing UP The slave trsdo. and had we not
oesu called home early sn 1851 70 look after
troubles OF our own" I think We would
have utterly destroyed 81.
The sx vsssels we captured contained
about fifteen hundred negroes. Some ot
the vessels had Gis-harged their cargo be-
fore capture. We took The vessels and
crews 20 Key West turning them over 70
the civil AUTHORITIES and the government
sod the vessels ard transported TIE ne
groe< 70 L,ber.a. u Seems strange that
crss horrible slave trade az sea was n fuil
blast only tfusrfy-seven yeaFs ago almost
in sight Of our shore. The word certainly
appears 20 make some progTezs IN morals
President Mckinley = studying the grays
problem as 10 cur duty n Cuban affairs.
and may God give I'm vist0n. a. 6eievs
lie did Ja-nes Bgchaaan. 20 solve IRE prob
lem Wisely. Slihoot the ciash q arms.
AE We have "tr01lbies a our ow1' n
these days. ss We had IN Issi. BAD We bet
Ter stay az home and ''7nzn8 CTR ovn bg1-
ness.' o. car we sff77d % nssdie more
deeply 81 The affairs q u lgabo-i-T cour-
trsas? Tne proper deciTen CO this cues
ton nav Be = u.ozne1toGs importance %
rs a. xel a. % SPAN ao4 Cu5a.-J. A. G..
iu Chicago TIEez-HsTai6-