Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-01
From tho National Gazette.

1t will be seen by the subjoined cor
respondence, which friend has trans
mitteG to us from Gibraltar, that the
American naval commander in the
Mediterranean, the worthy Commo-
dore CREIGHTON, made humane at
tempt last autumn to rescue some Of
the Spanish patriots from the fangs Of
their oppressors. Though the Span
ish general, O'Donnell, was not then
under the necessity of shedding blood,
he was not long afterwards employed
in that work by orders from the Court.
Our correspondent writes thus, under
date Gibraltar, Dec. 18th, 1924:
"There are many of these unfortun-
ate beings, the Spanish Constitutional
lists, in this Pay. Driven from Spain,
and not being admitted to land in Glib
raltar, they are compelled to remain on
board of small vessels in the Bay,
wherein they subsist chiefly by the
bounty of strangers and the fish they
catch alongside. Among them are CO.
lonels, and various officers of distinc-
ton, with their families, without means
to get to any other country. This
spectacle would harrow almost any
heart"
"U. S. ship Cyane, Gibraltar Bay, }
October 25, 1924. )
"YoUR ExcELLENcY,-I have heard
with deep concern, that number OF
Spanish subjects are to be shot to
death, tomorrow, at Algeziras, fol
having committed an offence against
the laws Of Spain, the justice of which
punishment will not presume to cal
in question. Should it, however, be in
your excellency's power to pardon
these unfortunate and deluded men
may | ask in the name OF humanity
that this act of clemency may be ex'
tended towards them, and whether the
example already made, will not answer
the euds ofjustice But if your excellen'
cy cannot pardon, may / hope that you
will postpone the execution OF their
dreadful sentence, until can write to
the minister of the U. States at Mad
rid, that he may intercede with His
most Catholic Majesty, in behalf Of
these miserable men. Spare them ]
beseech your excellency, and stop the
arteries of Spanish blood, which has
already been so abundantly shed, and
let Spain repose with her children, but
not destroy them. Iappeal to your ex.
cellency with confidence, having heard
much Of your excellency's mild, and
excellent character.
beg your excellency 10 accept the
assurance of my very high considera'
ton and respect.
(Signed) JOHN ORDE CREIGHTON,
Commanding the US. ships and vessel:
cruizing in the Mediterranean.
ITO his Excellency General O'Donnel,
Commander in Chief of the Royal
Spanish Troops, Ageziras."
.'Sir-I have received your kind let
ter, dated yesterday, by which you So
licit the pardon of some unfortunate
Spaniards, whom you suppose under
sentence of death, and to be executed
to-day.
81 hasten to inform you sir, that
such news reported to you at Gibraltar
is without foundation, and that | am
not for the present under the unplea'
antnecessity ofshedding human blood
by the authority of the laws. But
should l unfortunately be obliged tc
resort again to such repugnant and
dreadful step, intended to repress at
rocious crimes, ] have no authority to
stop or suspend the execution ofthe SEN
tence, although DESTROYS to show you
Sir, the consideration which your In
reference greatly deserves. May your
life be long preserved.
(Signed) JOSEPH O'DoNNEL.
"Algeziras, 26th Oct. 1924.
@To the Commander of the United
States ships in the Mediterranean
-AkNNENNNNkNEW 49,
A-NX. c,o outhOri7ed tn