| | On one of those exciting occasions, during a contest for the Presidency of the |
| | United States, a number of gentlemen met in the city of Baltimore. They were |
| | few in number, and appeared little concerned about the affairs of the general |
| | government. Though men of intelligence, their time and attention appeared to be |
| 5 | entirely absorbed in an adventure of self interest. They met for the purpose of |
| | completing arrangements for refitting the old ship 'Merchantman,' which then lay |
| | in the harbor near Fell's Point. Colonel Stephen Franks, Major James Armsted, |
| | Captain Richard Paul and Captain George Royer, composed those who represented |
| | the American side—Captain Juan Garcia and Captain Jose Castello, those of Cuban |
| 10 | interest. |
| | Here a conversation ensued upon what seemed a point of vital importance |
| | to the company ; it related to the place best suited for the completion of their |
| | arrangements. The Americans insisted on Baltimore as affording the greatest |
| | facilities, and having done more for the encouragement and protection of the |
| 15 | trade, than any other known place. Whilst the Cubans on the other side, urged their |
| | objections on the ground that the continual increase of liberal principles in the various |
| | political parties, which were fast ushering into existence, made the objection beyond |
| | a controversy. Havana was contended for as a point best suited for adjusting their |
| | arrangements, and that too with many apparent reasons; but for some cause, the |
| 20 | preference for Baltimore prevailed. |
| | Subsequently to the adjustment of their affairs by the most complete arrangement |
| | for refitting the vessel, Col. Franks took leave of the party for his home in the |
| | distant State of Mississippi. |
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