Wisconsin Tribune

We publish in this week's paper a letter from Capt. Benjamin Butler, late master of the schooner "Enterprise," which sailed from Mineral Point, upon wheels, in November last, bound for California, via the San Juan river and lake Nicaragua. After many "hair breadth 'scapes," the Captain appears to have brought up at San Juan de Nicaragua, and to have abandoned his original intention of taking his vessel across to the Pacific. From the energy displayed by the Captain, we confidently expected to hear of his accomplishing the undertaking. Had he successfully carried out his plan, it would have been considered one of the wonders of the age. We regret to hear of its abandonment. But alas! for the seductions of woman. From a letter received in town from Mr. Gregg, the crew of the "Enterprise," we are led to fear that while proceeding on his way, undismayed by tornadoes, storms, and a pestilential clime, the dark-eyed Señoritas of San Juan de Nicaragua have beguiled him from his purpose.

San Juan de Nicaragua,
June 23, 1850.

Dear Sirs:—After many trials and tribulations, I take this opportunity to inform you in regard to the adventures of our little schooner "Enterprise," so far as my recollection will permit.

After a long and tedious passage down the Mississippi, we took in our sea stores at New Orleans, and put to sea on the 24th of February last, all hands numbering seven. On the fourth day at sea, I transferred two of my crew, (who had seen, as they thought, enough of the elephant,) on board the ship Mayflower, of New York, bound for New Orleans.

After 14 days of head winds, and a small rub on the Colorados, which carried away a part of our rudder and false keel, we landed on the island of Cuba. I got permission to land our stores and repair the rudder and keel. It is a common thing for vessels on arriving in port to deposit their papers in the custom house until they are ready to sail. But this was not the case here. The custom house officer came on board, and after looking over the papers, put them in his pocket, and requested me to call on him next day at his office, which I did. He spoke very bad English, but, through an interpreter, he gave me to understand that I was permitted to continue to repair our craft, and when I was ready to sail, I was directed to call, obtain my papers, and proceed on my way. Our repairs were all completed within four days after we landed.

You are aware that, during the winter of 1849-50, a secret expedition was got up against Cuba, and we were suspected of being part of the conspirators, and the custom house officer sent our papers to Havana. When I called upon him for the papers, the old skeesix, (if I may so call him,) told me that he had sent them to head quarters, and that they had neglected to send them back. In this way I was put off from time to time until my patience was worn threadbare; so I told the gentleman that I would go to Havana for them myself. I accordingly weighed anchor and steered for Havana, where we arrived on the 4th of April. Here I was detained ten days longer, during which time Mr. Vance and his son, Robert, left us, together with a young man by the name of Schermerhorn. This left only Mr. David Gregg and myself to manage the vessel. With a good deal of difficulty, we got our papers at last, and on the 14th we sailed, bound, as before, to the San Juan river.

We had a terrible storm on the night of the 15th following, which kept me on deck for twenty-four hours. Finding our crew short, we stood over to Yucatan, for the purpose of resting ourselves at night among the Islands along the coast. Here we were wind bound for two weeks, which time, however, we spent very pleasantly among the Spaniards, whom we found very hospitable and entertaining. At last we landed at this place on the 6th of June.

On the following day we were chartered to proceed to Chagres with passengers, where we arrived on the 12th inst. We took some mattresses and hammocks to Chagres to sell, and on our arrival there, finding a favorable opportunity to sell out, I disposed of vessel and cargo for four hundred and forty dollars. The Isthmus being very much crowded with persons en route for California, we took a passage, on the 14th inst., upon the barque Lucy Ellen, of Boston, a vessel of about 200 tons burthen, for this place, intending to join a company here to proceed to California, our original destination. But on the morning of the 17th, about 4 o'clock, our barque was capsized at sea. Both of the barque's boats were saved, and I may here add, (protesting, however, that it is with no intention of boasting of my exploits,) that they were both saved by myself—got them bailed out and brought alongside the sinking vessel, and secured some provisions before she went down. The passengers and crew, fifteen souls in all, were fortunately all saved, and, on the 18th, at noon, with thankful hearts, we landed on shore. We had no way of cooking, and saved no water, consequently we were 42 hours without eating or drinking.

This last calamity was very near being the last of us, and we lost everything but our lives; but, thanks to our Creator, we are now here, in tolerable good health, with spirits unbroken, and with a fair prospect of resuscitating our fallen fortunes.

I am obliged to cut this letter short, as the steamer is about to leave, but I will write to you again in a short time.

Respectfully yours,
Benjamin Butler.

P.S.—Have the goodness to write by return mail, and direct your letters to the care of A. Sego, San Juan de Nicaragua.