The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-10-09

In referring to the interference of our govern
ment IN preventing the expedition against Cuba,
reference was had to the Miranda expedition, fitted
out in this port against Caracas in proof of the
necessity OF prompt and early effort on the part
OF government against all such ATTEMPTS from this
country TO attack the possessions or any power at
| peace with the United Stales. Several correspon-
| dents wish to have some details raatiVe tn that
| expedition, and how it ended. General Francis de
| Miranda, native of Caracas, and familiar with
the country around the Spanish Main, attsmpted
IN IoUb to take possession of that province and
contemplated to extend the revolution to all the
Spanish possessions in South America He was A
man of talent and bravery had travelled over En-
rope, Joined the French army during the first reyO-
luton, and served in Holland under Dumourier
but, after many adventures, he was ordered to
leave France, and found a refuge in England
Failing to interest the British Government in his
plans against South America, he left for New York,
and arrived here under the assumed name Of George
Martin, of New Orleans. He soon found means
10 interest two merchants of this city, Messrs.
| smith and ogden, in getting up an armed eNpedi-
ton against some part of the Spanish Main, under
the assurance that the entire possessions Of Spain
! in South America would Immediately throw of
the yoke upon the appearance of aid from the Uni
| ted States. Miranda went 70 Washington TO con-
suit Mr. Jefferson, and endeavored 10 impress upon
the minds OF his colleagues that, secretly, our gov
eminent was in favor of the expedition.
In February, 1906, the ship Leander, only of 200
tons, commanded by Capt. Thomas Lewis, man
VI eApSIlonC6 ana bravery, lett this port, laden
with arms of various descriptions ammunition.
clothing and every kind of military equipage for
campaign. number of adventurous spirits many
OF good families and character, joined the expedi-
ton-in all about two hundred but few were ac-
qualnted with the plan and object of the eXpedi-
ton, beyond the fact that it was intended to assist
the inhabitants of the Spanish Main in throwing
off the oppressive yoke of the parent government
1t was the cause Of liberty and adventurous spirits
were not wanting to run all hazards for the rood
ar ayr !, z. -
the whole country. The Leander was overhauled
by British frigate, the captain of which, though
acquainted with the object of the expedition did
not see fit to interfere, and Cen Miranda proceeded
TO organize MS little army and appoint his officers
William Armstrong and Thomas Lewis were an
pointed colonies, and William Steuben Smith. aid
TO the commander-in- chief, lieutenant colonel
These were well known personages in this CITY
and, although 43 years have elapsed still the names
of the officers may be known to many now living
Henry Sands was major; Barent Roorback, Thos.
Blllop, David Hecke, Daniel X. Dunning James
B. Gardiner, Gustavus Adolphus Burrgood, and
Samuel &. LOWden, were captains; and among
several lieutenants were John T. O'Sulivan father
OF John O,Sullivan, of this city, and cur old and
lamented friend, Thomas Gill, of the Evening Star
After every variety of difficulty, delay, detention
and quaTrels, the Leander was Joined bv two
schoORers, the Bee and the Bacchus said to have
been fitted out at Philadep ha and part of the men
and officers from the Leander were transferred 10
tilO ~ JdCqueHl6As several Americans
joined the expedition and received commissions
among whom were Col. Geo. w. kirkland and Jere-
mlah Powell, men Of character and consideration
The Spamards, IN consequence of the repeated
landings Of Miranda, and the delay in reaching the
Main, were apprlsed of all.the movements and had
taken the necessary precautions to be vigilantlv ON
the look out While the Leander was pTeDarinp to
land at place called Occumera, their motions
were watched by two Spanish guard1 costgs
which, after a fight, captured the two scboonars
bee and Hapchug- with their OtFtpars nd
ran into shallow water under the forts of Puerto
Cabello. This was q death blow to the eYDedition
and, although the remainder landed and took
place called Vera de CorO, and proceeded some dis
lance in the Interior, they soon embarked and left
the country. The whole expedition, after a time
was broken up. Of those captured in the schOopers
ten were hanged or beheaded, viz: David Kaun,r'
Francis Farquharson, Thomas Billop, Chas, John.
son. James Gardner, Miles L. Hall, John Ferris
Thomas DOnohue, GustaVus A. Burrgood ani
PaulO Theodore George They all behaved with
great frmness in the last hour of this unfortunate
affair, particularly Major DOnohue who made a
stirring speech 10 his unfortunate comrades. The
rest, including Captain O'Sulvan and Mr.. Gill
were sentenced to work at Omoa, Porto Rico, and
Boca Chica. Some escaped, some died. and some
were pardoned. Miranda left the West Indies for
England, where we heard no more of him. Messrs
smith and Ogden were tried in this city and ac-
quilted having done nothing against the law Of the
United states, as was stated on trial.
IL was, altogether, an illegal arrangement and
badly executed enterprise, executed without anV
assurance that the people Of that country wonId
rise and AID the cause of liberty Il should ALWAYS
be remembered, IN these expeditions for freedom
that the first movements should be made bv tboss
who are most interested, and then aid NAV foIIovy
The attempt on Cuba does not appear TO us TO have
had better foundation and organization than Nil
randa's expedition, and the parties will vet be
thankful that the Government in time has prevented
It's further progress-NOQk's Times,