--
A Colored Demonstration--A letter from
Nassau, the 18th, to the
Charleston Courtier, announces the sale arrival of the blockade-running steamer
Ruby at
Havana.
The
Ruby was obliged to put into
Matanzas during heavy weather.
The letter says:
‘
While there the
Federal cruiser
Sonora came in and anchored so near her that there was scarcely room for the two vessels to swing clear of each other.
Capt Pest being determined to test the intentions of his neighbor, threw some shavings, &c., into his furnace, and made a smoke, whereupon the
Federal got up steam, beat his men to quarters, and ran out his guns.
Capt. Peat applied to the
Spanish Admiral for protection, and was actuated that he should not be molested while he was within Spanish jurisdiction.
The British war steamer
Ariadne, just then arriving, took charge of the
Ruby, and in broad daylight col. vowed her to
Havana.
The affair created much indignation among the
British and
Spaniards, and much impotent wrath among the
Yankees in Mataunas.
I am informed that the
Captain of the Arleane called on
Admiral Wilkes, in Havans, and told him he would sink any Federal cruiser that should molest a English merchant steamer in neutral waters.
On the 15th inst, the Yankee steamship
Vanderbilt,
Rear Admiral Wilker, from
Havana, steamed up to
Nassau and sent a boat ashore with dispatches for the
Yankee Consul.
The most ludicrous scene took place on the arrival of the small boat at one of the wharves.
The fences and cotton bales around were covered with a swarm of
Nassau negroes, who received the
Yankees with and Black committee the faces of the crew, while the officer in command was evidently nervous and nonplussed — During the stay of the boat at the wharf, the darkles indulged in such cynical reflections as these: "Golly, how dey'd put out if de 290 was in sight." "I wonder if day's heard from
Charleston?" "If Cap'n
Maffit was here hold sick dom in two minutes" A big negro on a cotton bale, surrounded by his tatlelitre, gave a stentorian version of the
Yankee national air of "
John Brown lies a mouldering in the grave, " only he altered names and phrases to suit his disgust for his Northern auditors.
He also produced "Dixie" and the "Bonnie Blue Flag." When the officer returned and the best pushed off, cheers were given for
Jeff. Davis, and three tremendous groans for old Abe-
Lincoln.
The
Yankees retorted not a word.
When the sun rose the next day the
Vanderbilt had disappeared — gone to
Charleston, it is said.
This ebony outbreak in favor of "Dixie" was entirely spontaneous.
’
