Herald Of The United States

AUG. 15.

Yesterday arrived here from Batuvano (a small port in Cuba,) the ship Eliza, Capt. Evans, of this port. The capture, plunder, and detention of this ship and cargo, says a letter from a respectable character in Cuba, "will give you some idea of the abuses and impositions upon our trade in this island, which are beyond conception, and no person can have a just idea of them, without being here."

We have had the perusal of Capt. Evans's protest made before the American Consul at Havanna, of which the following is a short sketch, and in which it will be seen that it is not the lawless depredations of pirates, that are complained of, but the acts of the officers of the Spanish government, from the chief to the lowest.

The Eliza was captured on the 27th of February, in the prosecution of a voyage from Jamaica to this port, the Captain and part of the crew were put on shore, upon an uninhabited island, from whence they got to Havanna, after experiencing many hardships, and being exposed to the danger of perishing for the want of food. The ship and the remainder of the crew, were taken into the above-mentioned port of Batuvano.

A few days after Captain Evans got to Havanna he met the person who was put on board his ship as prize-master: this person informed, that the master of the privateer convinced that the ship could not be made a prize, had, to avoid prosecution, gone off; and that his ship was in possession of some Frenchmen and Spaniards. The prize-master at the same time, gave up to Captain Evans, the ship's papers, that were in his possession.

Upon this information, Captain Evans presented a memorial to the Captain General of the Island, in which he stated his case, and prayed that he might have an order for the restitution of his vessel and cargo. To this memorial, no answer was given. In a few days after, Capt. Evans presented another memorial to the Captain-General, in which he recapitulated the subject of his former, and stated in addition, that the part of the crew which had been detained on board the ship were confined as prisoners, and were suffering for necessaries—that the vessel and cargo were daily plundered, and the whole would, in a short time, be lost. To this memorial no answer was given. Upon this, Capt. Evans proceeded to Batuvano, where he was fully informed of the sufferings of his people, and depredations on the vessel and cargo. No sooner was the commandant of the place informed that Captain Evans was there, than he ordered him to leave the place instantly, without permitting him to see his people, or go on board his ship. As this order was backed with a threat of imprisonment, in case of disobedience, Captain Evans was obliged to return to Havanna, where he remained until the 20th June—when by his own, and the unceasing efforts of Mr. Gray the late, and Mr. Hill, the present Consul, he procured an order for the restitution of the vessel and cargo.

When Capt. Evans got possession, he found one third of the cargo (originally 180 puncheons of rum,) had been plundered. The ship had been stripped of her boats, anchors, cables, and running rigging, with one half of her sails. In addition to all this, the master of the privateer, had contracted a debt of about 900 dollars, which the commandant compelled Capt. Evans to satisfy, before he would permit him to depart. Many minor instances of the iniquitous conduct of the officers of the Spanish government are omitted. Enough is said, to show to the public, the conduct of the officers who were bound in duty and honor, to afford the rights of hospitality and protection.

We hope and believe, that a representation of this case will be made to our government, from whom alone, redress for this and similar aggressions can be expected. It furnishes matter of surprise, that the merchants of this place, have not pursued the same measure, as the merchants of Charleston.