Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-15
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

"-. "...r' OEPARThENT OF STATE,
Washington, June l, 1850.
Sra From various of information conjecture
that the Spanish authorities in Cuba their excessive yea
to punish the invaders of that island and all connected with
them while flushed with victory, may possibly forget the diff
ference between crime and the intention to commit it, ana
wreak their vengeance American citizens either native
naurazsd, not guilty of any ac of invasion depreciation.
upon Spanish territory II said and believed here thai
many such were arrested island the of
tan, called Contoy, within the territory of Power having
friendly relations with the United States As all the facts are
not in our possession, the judgment may have formed
the capture, abduction and punishment of these men NAV
possibly be very erroneous.
But let suppose that the captured on the Mexican
island American citizens and bad occupied it, intending
TO invade Cuba, sill recognise the right of the Spa
nish authorities to hang garote shoot them for that ae
aon There yet locus penenta left for every man Of
them, and they might have returned the United States
guilty. indeed, Of violation Of the laws of their country
but OF no law, that am aware Of under which SPAN could
have punished them The intention to commit crime is no
per crime. Some overt accompany the intent
design to commit murder is not MURDER nor is it, without
some attempt to carry into execution punishable by the
laws of man, however guilty the offender may be in ro con
;cienti1, and by the ordinances of his Creator
The President to claim, for The American occupants
OF the Mexican island that they guilty any crime
for which, by the laws Of civilized nations they should suffer
DEATH They may have been and probably were guilty of
crimes for which this Government ought in good faith to
punish them under the act of Congress of 18th APRIL 1878
But supposng the facts relating their capture 10 be as thew
represented to the President is resolved that the Eagle
must and shall protect them against any punishment but hat
which the tribunals OF their own nation may award
Tell the Count Of Alcoy serd them home to encounter
punishment which, if they honorable men, will be worse
than any he could nc in the indignant frowns and denun
Citations of good in their country for an attempt to
violate the faith and honor Of nation which holds s charac
ter for integrity of value and higher worth than all
the Antilles together. But him in the mes! friendly
manner and in the true spirit Of treaty that il be
uus,y sheds drop of American blood at Ills exciting
period, may cost the TIVE countries sangunory war
am exceedingly anxious ascertain all the facts
ed with the capture Of citizens the Mexican island and
their fate Write by every favorable opportunity Keep me
well advised of every thing progressing in Cuba.
learn this morning that there is al at that more
Americans (some say thousands have landed the south
side Of Cuba.
BY this time tie rigate Saranac have Joined the AL
bany and Germantown They ought to be able to protect
counhymen who are not guilty Of the invasion.
am, sir, very respectfully,
,.... Your obedient servant,
JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.
To RoBEur B. CAMPBELL, ESQ.
United STATES Consul, Rarana.