The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-28
Americans Imprisoned In Mexico.

OUTRAGEOUS NEGLECT OF THE AMERICAN MINISTER.
(From the Cincir natl commercial Aug %
The fath the Of the folio wing letter Mr.
John IMcElhany. who keeps No. toll gate, the
Brighton House the Cincinnati and Harrison turn
pike. MIR McElhary called on us yesterday, gave
this letter. and stated that his aud another man
from this city named John ID Cook and ten other
are held in confinement by the Mexican authorities
Dept that in the Black Hole of Calcutta" We under
stand that Judge wisemsn, N G Pendetop and Others
have written to the proper departments and trust
the prisoners now on their way home, Young Nc
Eihsny went into the army as tesmster
Dean PAnKkT-I am at last compelled to inform you
OF the miserable situation Of myself and eleven Of my
comrades bav. forborne writing to you on account
of the miserable feelings information Of this Kind ust
sary produce; but must lay all things aside
DO not let THU. so,srsr ,rooSls you must now pro-
twenty more young men, set out for Vera Cruz
horseback. We were very badly arm ed, as you must
arrived Q I'm, town. situated about twelve miles
from this city We we're persuaded to leave the main
on this road about forty miles when we at
taksi by srty of sic r. and, after killing eight OF
as w.. were rohs.d 81 sverytbing but our shirts and
par taboo a and then taken to a small town called
St Andres, whes they held consultation whether
they should shoot not. and concluded to shoot
the xt afternoon. but they did not: some colo
mel do not know his name interceded for US, and
the order countermanded. From that town they
marched us TO another small town and kept US until
Gen ORTIZ with the remainder Of the American army
had left for Jslspa and then marched to this city
where we have been ever since when we were com
ing here could the last Of the Americans going
ON another road about two miles distant from us; but
we were too far of could give them no sign. You
imagine feelings at this sight but we had to
throw all bad feelings aside and rest content With
situation After had been here hfccn days they
took US out and tried us for highway robbery. Such
trial and court before. The whole court
consisted of tn. judge aud Interpreter jury wit
ness. After trying he sent Us back to prison. where
We remained for seven months more, when wero
called out again, and tried after!the No
witnesses have ever appeared and very good reason
Tor it. for have never done anything. What ground
they have for charging us with this crime W. canno
see Yesterday Q called out. and told that they
going to send to another town and have
1t settled by another court. Tho town they are going
TO send Il TO nor the judge
but suppose they will decide IL to suit themselves and
punish for all the grdge they have against the Yam
KEGS they call US We have written to the American
Minister in the city OF Mexico and ho has paid no at
tention TO numerous sntrese for he has never rs
much as sent ne answer We have written at least
dorer times to him snd explained our case but he has
been deaf the whole time.
We know that be received our letters, for wrote
to MIR Doyle the English Minister, and he answered
us Immediately. and told US IL We had been English
subjects he would take out but be could nsthing
for but be sad be would visit the American Minis
ter and try and persssds him 10 intersede for usbut
that l. the last Of II. We recommend Mr.. Doyle
s a gentleman, but IS for our Minister We can say
nothing for him. wish you would 60 to Judge WISE
man, aud show him this Hitter, aud get him TO push
the thing TO Congress Immediately fyou viii gct up
petition. and have i well sgued by the Influential
Of Cincnns and the State, and send II to CON-
gress, along with copy II this letter, may be
leased but If something IL not done by Congress there
o. no knowing how long we may have to remain here
you were TO zee us you would be horror stricken at
eur OF D. arapse half starved hats shirts shoes
blankets We have TO sleep the bare bricks.
Part of dying with the rheumatism and, 70 ray ALL
cannot live much longer in this situation. With
these few lines most clote Give my love TO mother,
my brothers and sisters, and all inquiripg friends
remain your dutiful son.
WILLIAM II. McELHANY.
Mr. Clifford, we believe, Is the Minister 20 Mexico.
IL Is the opinion Of people best acquainted that these
attacked aud robbed OF all they had In the
world, and then the shallou device Of chargng them
with robbery tet up and they held IN durance all
this time. This appears the ess plausible because,
N they had robbed they arrested and held In a
place where the evidence Of their guilt could have been
at once established what an outrage. Every one
should feel indignant at such cruelty