The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-21
NEARLY CAUSED WAR
SEIZURB OF STEAMER ASPINNVALL,
BY SPANISH SIAN-O'-WAR
RECALLED
WAS TAKEN TO NUEvITAs
DCns Refused to Surrender Vessel
Until President Grant Informed
Them Something Wa
Likely to Drop.

n VERY large volume might be
81 ~ made out of the story Of our rela-
tons with Spain in connection with
Cuban affairs Irior to the crisis which led
to the recent war. One of the instances
which caused serious trouble was called
TO mind in the course Of a discussion
In this city the other day, and as 1t well
illustrates the patience and forbearance
shown by the United States toward
S. ain, and as the facts are known to
very few persons now, the story may be
retold says the New York Sun. The
instance was the seizure by Spain of
the American steamship Col. Lloyd As
pinwall in january, 1869. One of the per-
sens con erned in the affaiEr ]. NJ. ReSus,
is still l.v ng in this city.
When lied the steamer was on her
way from Port au Prince to Havana.
After three days of tempestuous weather
she found herself five miles off the Gu
ban coast. The sea had swept over ner
decks, put out her fires. split her coal
bunkers disabled her pumps and left
her with a crew utterly exhausted. In
this plight she changed her course to
northwest by west. Steering in this di-
rectiCn ABOUT noon on jan Il she sighted
the Spani n man-of-war Herman Cortes,
to whom she showed her colors and then
apparently was permitted to go on her
way Unmolested. Suddenly, however,
He 1irI. a shot across the Aspinwall s
bows and brought her too.
Now, tie Aspinwall, which was owned
by the firm OF J. NJ. Requa g. Co, Of q
South. street, New York was engaged in
legitimate business, having not the re-
motest connection with the perennial row
between Spain and the Cubans. In adj
dition she was acting as messenger for
the United States government, carrying
very important dispatches for Rear Adj
miral Poor, then commanding the North
Atlantic squadron All this Capt Nc
Carly, of the Aspinwall, expla ned to
the Spanish officer who came on board,
and BESIDES he produced his papers dem
onstrating the truth Of his statements.
The Spanish officer would not listen to
the story would not look at the papers.
His orders, he said were to take the AS
pinwali and all on board to Nuevitas
But said Capt NcCaTty, there is my
register and my clearance from the cug-
tom house Of Port au Prince manifest
clearance authenticated by the Spanish
consul at Port au Prince Here, also, is
an Official passport letter from the United
states consul at Port au Prince to the
Spanish men-of-war in the Bahama
channel, and my shipping articles show
ing the names of my crew."
1T makes no difference" repl ed the
Spanish officer, II am going to take you
TO NCeYitaS."
And to Nuevitas he did take the ship.
There force was put on board and all
the captains papers were taken from him
and sealed up in trunk. At the end
of six days Capt. McCarty received writ
ten orcers to start for Havana. To
these orders he paid no attention. An
officer came on board and fiercely de-
manded why the order was not obeyed,
Because don't go to sea without
papers," replied the captain
You Will not get your papers until
you reach Havana" said the Spaniard
Very wed then" retorted Capt. Nc
Carly, 'a.s a prisoner with an armed
force on board l VIII give no orders to
start the fires under the boilers of this
ship. Return me my papers, tow me
back to the place where you captured me
and 1 will go to Havana, my place OF
destination"
The Sraniard then towed the Aspinwall
TO Havana And right here it may be
mentioned that at a subsequent stage Of
the proc ceilings the Spanish government
demanded OF the United States 81, 400 as
payment for this bit of towing.
1t was not until fifteen days after his
arrival at Havana and twenty-three days