Year: 1870

mere seems to have been regular sea chase at
last which to the parties on board both yesselsthe
French corvette La Touche Trevlle and the steam
ship Westphalia-must nave been very exciting
Although within four miles OF each other no
damage was done, speed having triumphed over
bullets-by getting away from them. The pilot
boat Washington, No 22 arrived from sea yesterday
morning, and reported that on Wednesday, twenty
fve miles east OF fire Island she spoken by the
North German steamship westphaia, which sailed
hence on that day for Hamburg. The pilots state
that a short time previous they sighted French
cruiser, abonL fifteen miles further east and
informed Captain schwensen OF the fact. The
Wes,phalia then steered south, with the French
gunb0at in full chase. h


Inquiries made at the office or the Hamburg
steamship Company yesterday failed TO result in
any satisfactory information, since the officials
were not cognizant of the event. They stated that
they had been informed that such a circumstance
was likely to have occurred, but thought th,t the
speed Of the Westphalia sufficient to ensure her
safe passage. That steamship they averred, was
capable or going thirteen knots II pressed to It, and
they believed that her capture could scarcely be
effected. The intelligence was not generally known
throughout the CITY, but the fact thai the Westphalia
doubt


1t appears that the La Touche Trevle on Tuesday
afternoon accompanied the Vile de Paris some tfis-
lance out on her ocean voyage. she continued with
her until Wednesday morning, having conveyed her
forty miles from the Highland lights by south
when the Westphalia bearing southwest by west
was sighted.


The La foucne Trevllle at once left the Vile de
Paris and steered south 10 cut OF The Westphalia,
keeping on to about sixty-tive miles south south
east from Sandy Hook. From all accounts prepara-
tlons were at once made on board the French gun
boat To capture the Westphalia. The men were or
dered In positions and everything was got In rcadl.
ness for the event Whether there was much
uneasiness on board the Westphalia Is not known,
nut the close proximity Of the La Touche
Ireville must have given rise to apprehension
Tor IN the effort to cut OF the Westphalia the former
Jailed by distance or only four miles. The speed
Or the Westphaa turned out to her advantage: for,
finding that she widening the gap the La Touche
Ireville abandoned the chase and returned to the
CITY yesterday, about noon. Shortly after the
rival OF the corvette In the bay HERALD reporter
inquired at the French Consulate If there were any
truth In the statement made by the pilot boat that
French corvette had been In full chase Of the Ger
man mail steamship Westphalia on "Wednesday
night and, II So was the LA rouche Treville the
SCI In pursuit. He was informed that the com.
mander Of the Treville had given no information
at the Consuls ofIice on the subject OF the
Westphalla and that the Prmanguet which was
caught in the late storm and lay up for repairs ut
Norfolk, at the mouth OF the James river, was the
only other vessel which could have pursued her.


The reporter then proceeded on board the La
Iouche TIeville and interviewed Captain Basset.
Mavlng stated that ne had been sent from the NEW
YORK HERALD office to know II 1t were true that the
Treville had fallen In with the Westpnalia and given
her chase on Wednesday night, the Captain replied,


Monsieur, shall be very happy TO give you any
formation IN my power on any other subject, bu.
do not wish to reply to this question: M


Our reporter then inquired II the Primanguet had
been seen by him IN the ofing Captain Basset
answered that she had been at Norfolk to reft and
that ne mad heard nothing OF her since. The
laugh down the idea that chase took place at ALL
but the sudden appearance Ofthe La Touche Trevile
IN @e nay .a waHs M Just a. time
looks very suspicious.