Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-14
THE NEWS FROM CUBA.

appears that the persons captured on the island of
Contoy were still held in custody, and that some
of them had been subjected to revolving torures,
in order to compel them to confess participation in
the invading enterprise. Thus far the evidence
seems to be that most of these prisoners never in
tended to join the expedition, or, if they once in
tended it, had abandoned and repented of their pur-
pose before their capture. In either case, it will
unquestonably be the duty of our Government to
demand redress for the injuries they have re-
ceived and, at all events, it is not to be submitted
to, that persons claiming to be American citizens,
innocent of any crime, should be put to the rack
for the purpose of convctng themselves.
We published, on Monday last, synopsis of
the correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Secretary of State and Gen. Campbell,
the American Consul at Havana. The reader
will recollect that in Mr. Claytons letter of May
3lst the Consul was instructed, that whilst the
President was determined to discharge faithfully
our obligations of friendship to Spain, he would
nevertheless =" demand" that American citizens,
charged with being concerned in the late expedi-
ton, should have "a t.r ial"-which hanging
man up by his thumbs, or tearing his flesh with
pincers can hardly be called. In his letter of the
following day, June LIST, Mr.. Clayton, having re-
ceved reports of the arrest of the party on the
island of Contoy, addressed Gen. Campbell spe-
ciic instructions with regard to their case. We
have already published the most important portion
of this despatch; but, as the recent proceedings
at Havana have already created occasion for the
enforcement of the Presidents views, we now
tbo N,a nocitop toll NV no ,o
sdent through Mr.. Clayton is plain enough. 1t
is that the Contoy prisoners must be sent to the
United States for trial, and that the shedding of
one drop of their blood will be casus belh. To
torture an American citizen is as great national
offence as to put him to DEATH
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June l, 1850. :
SIR: From various sources of information, coniec-
that the Spanish authorities in Cuba in their
sve zeal to punish the invaders of that island, and all
connected with them, while flushed with victory may
possibly forget the difference between crime and the in
tenton TO commit it, and wreak their vengeance on
American citizens, either native or nauralzed, not
guilty OF any act OF invasion or depreciation upon Span
ish territory. 1t is said and believed here that many
such arrested on an island near the of Yucca
tan, called Contoy, within the territory of a Power
having friendly relations with the United States As
all the facts in possession, the judgment we
may have formed of the capture, abduction and punish
ment of these men may possibly be very erroneous.
lean island were American citizens, and had occupied
it, intending TO invade Cuba, still cannot recognise the
right OF the Spanish authorities to hang, garote or
shoot them tor that intention. There yet locus
penitenti@ lett for every man of them, and that they |
might returned the United Sta tes guilty indeed
of violation of the laws of their own country but of
law, that | am aware OF, under which Spain could
have punished them. The intention TO commit crime
is not per crime Some overt act must accompany
the intent. A design to commit murder is not murder,
is it, without some attempt to carry it into
ton, punishable by the laws OF man. however guilty the
offender may be in toro conscientie and by the odi-
nances OF his Creator.
The President means to claim, for the American oc-
cupants of the Mexican island that they gull
Wof any crime for which, by the laws Of civilized
tons, they should suffer death. They may have been,
and probably We're guilty OF crimes for which this Co.
vernment ought in good taith, to punish them, under
the act Of Congress of 2sth April, 1918. But sup
posing the facts relating to their capture be they
represented to u.s. the President is resolved that the
Eagle must and shall protect them against any punish
ment but that which the tribunals OF their nation
may award
Tell the Count of Alcoy to send them home to en-
punishment, which, fthey honorable men,
will be than any he could inct, in the indignant
frowns and denunclatlons OF good men in their own
country for an attempt to violate the faith and honor
OF nation which holds its character for integrity of
value and higher worth than all the Antilles
gether But him in the most friendly manner and
in the true spirit OF ancient treaty, that he unjust
ly sheds drop OF American blood, at this exciting
PERIOD it may cost the two countries sangunary
am exceedingly anxious to ascertain all the facts
connected with the capture OF our citizens the Mex
lean island, and their late Write by every favorable
opportunity Keep well advised OF every thing pro-
crossing in Cuba
LEARN this morning that there rumor afoat that
Americans (some say thousands) have landed on
the south sde of Cuba
By this time The rgate Saranac have Joined the
Albany and Germantown; They ought to be able to
protect countymen who not guilty OF the !nva
sion. am, sir, very respectfully,
our 0't JoaN Sf NJ CLAYTON.
To ROBERT B, CAMPBELL, Esq,
United States Consul, HdUdna.
Instructions of the Secretary Of the Nary 10 the
Commanders of the ships of oar detailed to Cuba
CONFIDENTIAL (coPY) duplicate. |
NAVY DEPARTMENT, May Is, 1885,
SIR-Though the government has precise inor-
nation yet it has been informed from sources entitled
to great respect and consideration, that military
ganzaton has been effected in the interior of the United
States formidable both in numbers and fom the charac-
of those engaged in it, for the purpose of attacking
the island OF Cuba and revolutonizng the government
This force represented TO consist OF between six and
thousand troops OF the best, and materials render
the assault formidable; and, is believed, is sufficient,
with other means and resources at command, TO eman
cpae Cuba from Spanish rule. Large numbers OF those
engaged in the enterprise, departed. it alleged,
from the city OF New Orleans, accompanied by Gene
rails Lopez Gonzales and Others 1t represented that
they expect 10 effect landing upon the island about
this time All accounts concur in representing that
lsa military expedition or enterprise, begun and set
loot within the territory OF the u States, be carried
on from thence against the island of Cuba and the go
vernment OF Spain
Any SUCH INVASION OF that island is in violation of
our obligations OF neutrality to the government of
Spain
The government ofthe United States is bound to re-
spec the rights OF the inhabitants OF Cuba and of the
government OF Spain and mo person is permitted with
in the territory jurisdiction of the United States, to
begin, or 10 foot, or provide, or prepare the
for any military expedition, or enterprise 10 be
carried on from thence against the territory Of any
foreign prince sate or OF any colony, district or
people"
You are therefore, directed by the President of the
United States, to repair forthwith, with the U. S.
steamer Saranac under your command TO the port OF
Havana, in the island of Cuba, and vigiantly and
lively observe the movements of all vessels approach
ing the habor OF Havana, the island of Cuba for the
purpose of ascertaning whether any military expedi-