Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State,
[148]
*[Inclosure No. 1.]
Mr. Davis to
Mr. Barlow, United States
marshal.
New York,
August 19, 1869.
Francis C. Barlow, United States Marshal, New York City:
Dear Sir: In regard to the seizure of
the steamer Hornet at Philadelphia by the United States
authorities, on the a.m. of Sunday, August 18, you called upon
me asking what information I have regarding her being fitted out
for a Cuban privateer.
[149] On July 31, I reported to you that
the Hornet was lying at the yard of Neafie & Levy, in
Kensington, Philadelphia, with a large number of men on board,
who were preparing her for active service. She was formerly an
English blockade-runner, and during the war was captured by the
United States. I also told you on the same date that we had
information that a Captain Esling, of Philadelphia, had been
talking to a Delaware Bay pilot in regard to taking a steamship
out of the port of Philadelphia, and the pilot had agreed to
place her outside of the bar for the sum of $500. The steamer
that Captain Esling referred to, we afterward learned from the
same authority, was the Hornet. On August 4, I reported *to you
that we were still keeping watch of the vessel which was fitting
out; that great reticence was observed as to her destination,
some of the parties saying that she was intended for the
California mail service, others that she was intended for the
West Indies, and others that she was going to Cuba.
On August 11, we learned that one of the American officers who
had been, and is now, connected with the Cuban Junta, had said
that he had some information worth to the Junta several thousand
dollars, and if they did not treat him justly, he would divulge
the secret. General Ignacio Alfaro, who has been arrested for a
breach of the neutrality laws, and who is one of the Cuban Junta
in this city, heard of the threats which this officer was
making, arid an angry altercation ensued between them regarding
it.
[150] On August 14, it was reported
around the docks at which the Hornet was lying that she would
clear for Halifax, and then go to Cuba. A large quantity of hard
bread and canned fruits were put on board. The men at work on
her would not hold any conversation with strangers. Information
was also obtained that the crew had been paid $70 *each. Some
articles were put on board which were supposed to be
grappling-hooks, but they afterward proved to be boat-hooks.
In the p.m. of this date the Hornet was preparing to get away.
This p.m. in New York the American officer connected with the
Junta, who had said on the 11th that he had valuable
information, valuable to the Junta, said that Americans who were
connected with the Junta had fitted out a privateer for the
Cuban cause, and that she was to sail tonight or to-morrow from
Philadelphia.
Early this a.m. of the 15th, in Philadelphia, we had information
that the Hornet’s gangway had been enlarged and gang-planks put
on board; that her engineers and crew were to number forty-two
men, and that the armament would be received at sea. Upon August
15, 3 a.m. of this date, men were going on board. One who went
on board in a yawl shouted as he was going on, “Hurrah for
Cuba.” About 5.30 a.m. she left Philadelphia, steaming down the
bay. In the hurry of leaving, a steam-launch, 28 feet long, was
left at the wharf of Neafie & Levy, but the machinery for
the launch was on board the Hornet. At least twenty-five men who
were shipped for the crew did not go on board, they having *been
on shore drunk. [151]
[Page 835]
A prominent American officer connected with the Junta in this
city, says that the Hornet did not intend to carry out an
expedition of filibusters, but that she was intended to act as a
privateer, and on account of her seizure the Junta, although not
directly connected with her, will transfer their field of labor
to those of open ports. That the Hornet was a private
enterprise, and carried a letter of marque from Cespedes, which
letter was obtained through the Cuban Junta. That her seizure
has disarranged the plans of the Junta, and will retard the
departure of an expedition now in progress of completion.
Another prominent American officer of the Junta said yesterday
that a telegram had been received by the Junta from
Philadelphia, the purport of which was that any amount of
security would be given for the Hornet, and members of the Junta
confidently expected that she would be released to-day.
[152] The Junta, and parties connected
with them in their filibustering, are very reticent, and keep
their plans so much *to themselves that it is very hard work to
get a thorough knowledge of what they are doing. It is a moral
certainty that this vessel was intended for a privateer, but it
will be very difficult to get enough legal testimony to hold
her. I have information from Philadelphia that General Gregory,
the United States marshal at that place, has made to the State
Department at Washington a full report of the seizure, and what
was found on board, and I am now expecting from our
superintendent in Philadelphia a report giving the names of all
the parties on board, and whether they can be identified as
having been connected with any filibustering expeditions in the
past. Although when seized she had only five men on board, yet
there were provisions enough for five hundred for a voyage of
two or three weeks. As soon as I receive further information, I
will speedily convey it to you.
Yours, truly,
H. W. DAVIS,
Superintendent.
