Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-06-15
INSTRUCTIONS TO CONSUL CAMPBELL.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CONSUL CAMPBELL.
The letter of MIR. Clayton to our Consul at
Havana, as given by the correspondent of the
Herald, is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June
| 1, 1850. To ROBERT B. CAMPBELL, Esq,
U. S. Consul, Havana
SIR:-From various sources Of information,
| conjecture that the Spanish authorities in
Cuba, in their excessive zeal to punish the
invaders of that island, and all concerned
with them, while flushed with victory, may
possibly forget the difference between crime
and the intentions TO commit it, and wreak
their vengeance on American citizens, either
native or naturalized, not guilty Of any act Of
invasion, or depreciation upon Spanish terri
tory II is said and believed here that many
such were arrested on an island near the
coast of Yucatan, 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 we may
have formed Of the capture, abduction and
punishment of those men may possibly be
very erroneous.
But let Us suppose that the men captured
on the Mexican island were American citi-
zcns, and had occupied it intending 10 invade
Cuba, still cannot recognize the right of the
Spanish authorities, 10 hang, garote, or shoot
them for that intention. There was yet a
locus penitentia left for every man of them,
and they might have returned 10 the United
States, guilty, indeed, of a violation of the
laws of their own country, but of no law that
| am aware of, under which Spain could have
punished them. The intention TO commi,
crime is not per Sc crime. Some overt aci
must accompany the intent. A design to
commi, murder is not murder, nor is it, with.
out some attempt TO carry it into execution,
punishable by the laws Of man, however
guilty the offender may be in foro conscicn
t'e, and by the ordinances of his Creator.
The President means 10 claim, for the
American occupants of the Mexican island
that they are not guilty of any crime fol
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 pun
lsh them, under the act of Congress of Apri
20, 1878. But supposing the facts relating &c
their capture 10 be as they are represented
to US, the President has resolved that the
eagle must and shall protect them agains
any punishment but that which the tribunal.
OF their own nation may award.
Tell the Count of Alcoy to send them home
to encounter punishment, which, if they
are honorable men, will be worse than an,
he could infcl, in the indignant frowns anc
denunciations of good men in their own coun
try, for an attempt to violate the faith anc
honor of a nation which holds its character
for integrity of more value and higher worth
than all the Antilles together. Blu, war;
him in the most friendly manner, and in the
true spirit of our ancient treaty, that if he
unjuslly sheds one drop of American blood
at this excling period, it may cost the two
countries sangunary war.
am exceedingly anxious to ascertain al
the facts connected with the capture of ou,
citizens, on the Mexican island, and thei
fate. Write by every possible opportunity
Keep me well advised of everything pro-
crossing in Cuba
learn this morning, that there is rumo
afoat that more Americans (some say thou
sands) have landed on the south side of Cuba
By this time, the frigate Congress, and Sa
ranac must have joined the Albany and Ger
man,own. They ought 10 be able TO protec
our countrymen, who are not guilty Of the
invasion.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN Nj. CLAYTON.