The moment he commenced operations, the fumes of the spirit took fire, placing the ship for a few minutes in imminent peril.

The danger, however, was brief, for the captain happened to be on deck at the time, and at once gave the order to beat to quarters; before it could be obeyed the fire was extinguished, and the ship's company _quitte pour la peur_.

Not so, however, the delinquent captain of the hold, who was at once sent to expiate his fault in the durance vile of a suit of double irons.
The 3rd February brought a small prize in the United States schooner Palmetto, from New York for St.John's, Porto Rico, with a mixed cargo of provisions.

She, too, laid claim to immunity on the ground of neutrality of cargo; but inquiry soon led to condemnation, and after taking from her a large quantity of biscuit, cheese, &c., the crew were removed on board the Alabama, and the schooner burned.
* * * * * CASE OF THE PALMETTO.
The schooner was U.S., per register and flag.

The cargo was shipped by Herques and Maseras, of New York, to Vincente Brothers, in San Juan, Porto Rico.