New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-29
Bridgetown. Barbados.
March II. lsea

L S. NJ s Paris
George Wilson, Esq. Secretary Chamber Of COM.
merce. New-York.
Dear Mr. Wilson: This very comfortable steamer
has thus far completed the itinerary upon SEIZED.
uled time and one-quarter OF the voyage has
passed.
The sea has been kind: no racks have been re-.
quircd in the dining-salon. Sunshine has prevailed
with only occasional showers The heat has not
been excessive There has been 4 continuous cool
breeze upon deck. although summer clothing vas
requisite twenty-four hours after eft New.
York.
We waited long enough a, Mole ST Nicholas 10
get good view OF that telegraphic station on the
northwestern extremity Of Hayti, which was dur
ing the war the rendezvous for exchanging dis
patches between the Navy Department and our
cruisers II has little Of interest beyond this rci.
dent. Steaming along the coast OF Hayti about four
hundred and fifty miles. sighted a. p m. san
Juan. Upon its comma nding rocky elevation
MORO Castle. with background OF variousy COL
ored houses. scattered along the seashore and rs
old walls yellow and gray. seemed I'm the full, rich.
afternoon sunshine respondent and brilliant in
pearl and gold At the sight a burst Of sdrra.
ton came from all the passengers Upon nearer
approach the charm not lost. for closer In
specton showed moss-groen sections ~ the walls.
which added most artistic effect 10 the more dis
tant view The next morning Ghe ship did not
enter the harhor), the wind blowing on the land.
stirred up an uncomfortable sea. and rendered land
Ing difficult and somewhat dangerous. the break
ing down Of one OF the ships vapor launches
added the difficulty and confusion connected with
our first landing at San Juan However, "a pas
sengers including many ladies' managed 10 get
shore. and were amply repaid for their pluck
General Fred D. Grant. second in command At
San Juan came TO the steamer Government
launch early In the morning after our arrival and
took ashore many friends as he could pack in
his launch. The General and members Of his staff
escorted n large party Of the Paris passengers upon
a visit OF inspection 10 the castles More ard
Christobal and to the important earthworM be-
yond the forts. The guns from these three strong
places command all the approaches, and seem
to render San Juan impregnahle from assault BY
sea- e. with Americans behind the guns II Is
said at San Juan that SIMPSONS feet threw eight
hundred shells into the city and over into the har'
Dor back Of the forts. and IL is astonishing how
little damage done. Fort Chrstobal was not
injured by our fire; only one gun on Moro was
slightly injured and has since been repaired.
small breach was made In a corner wall ~ Moro.
and several small indentatons made on us In
terror walls but no substantial damage was done
excepting 10 the barracks in the city. twenty-five
feet of the front Of which was carried away ey
shell our officers much surprised 10 ma
that the forts and earthworks were all furnished
with modern hrst-cass to 10 inch guns. all made
I'm 1se2-'94 They were all left. with their ammuni-
ton by the Spaniards in good order our men
found considerable quantity OF Calling ammunl'
, ton and concluded that the Spaniards TOOK tho
Calling guns away as none have since been found
II our San Juan experience is OF any value as
precedent We may have 10 revise the generally
received opinion that old walls cannot stand the
force OF modern projectiles The San Juan for's
are $50 years old. and II must he admitted thar
SIMPSONS fleet did them slight damage
The town Of San Juan is well paved IN its pr'n'
cipal streets and squares Spanish dirt has disap'
peared: 1t is now clean. Water Is scarce as INC
town depends upon rain water cis'erns for tsmiV
and household supply.
There IL A great want among the Americans o.
household servants. Some OF our Officers wives %
their own cooking We heard some amusing STORIES
OF our friends experience with native servants
General and Mrs Grant placed many OF our pas-
sengers under great obligations for their mos' COT
dial hospitality They threw open their large hous'
/ to all the Americans they could reach Iney IN
vited officers OF the Army and Navy Win ene"
ladies 10 meet them. All were entertained WIN
generous American luncheon with music ana osn'
cling for tho Younger people
Mrs Grant has captured the old Spanish 'es'-
dents Of the town by her graceful hospahS' ;"
which art she has no superior. She gives weeAD
reception whore the newcomers and the o'o 20.
| dents mingle In perfect freedom and WITHOUT ~
straint. Your truly.
CHARLES STEWART sMllh