The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-13
The Contoy Prisoners.

|
The Contoy Prisoners.
Dispatches were yesterday received at the
Navy Department from Captain TATNALL, OF
the United States steam frigate ..Saranac,"
which were written off Key West, on the I'd
of June.
| We learn that Captain T., on his arrival at
Havana, on the 25th ultimo, found that the
Spanish General of Marine, on his return to
that place, in the war steamer Pizarro, from his
pursuit of the Creole, after the affair at Carde-
mas, brought with him, as prisoners, the crews
and other persons found on board of two cap
tured American merchant vessels; that Com
mander RANDOLPH of the United States sloop-
of-war "Albany'-which, with the German
town" Commander ,sSGEs6is, Sas then Of
| the harbor-and the United States Consul, had
called on the Spanish authorities for infor-
nation in regard to the prisoners, but could
learn nothing further than that they had
captured two vessels with American papers,
from New Orleans, a part of the invading
force, and that they held proofs of their
criminality; that they had refused TO comply
| with the demand Of Commander RANDOLPH,
| To be permitted to see the prisoners and the evil
dence and referred him, in due season. to the
court before which they would be arraigned.
| Captain TATNALL further found, that no depo-
stions or information, in relation TO the cap
lures, had been filed in the consul's office, and
that nothing more was known than what had
been gathered from the Spanish authorities.
At the close of an interview which he had
with the captain general, Captain Il. informed
the latter that as he had refused to permit
Commander RANDOLPH and our Consul 10 ex-
anime the evidence against the vessels, he
should be bound, il he fell in with the convoy,
TO demand and enforce a satisfactory explana-
ton. He did not, however, fall in with the
convoy, nor did the captured vessels go to Ha-
vana-they having, in all probability been or
dered elsewhere, TO avoid collision with our
men-Of war.
The captured vessels were afterwards ascer-
tanned TO be the barque "Georgiana," and the
brig ''Susan Louds," which, in concert with
the Creole, had rendezvoused at or near the
island of Contoy. A number Of men and arms
latter, which she subsequently landed at Car
denas, the captain Of the brig accompanying the
expedition, as pilot, leaving his vessel under
the charge Of his mate. He subsequently tes-
titled that he was compelled 10 serve.
Contoy is a barren and uninhabited island
belonging TO Yucaian. situated off Cape Car
touch, directly opposite and near to Cape ST.
Antonio, in Cuba, and in position from which
an invading force could, with equal facility.
make descent on the north or the south side
Of that island.
Captain TATNALL left Havana on the night Of
the 26th ult., and the coast Of Cuba on the 9th
ut.. taking with him the albany" and the
Germantown" and proceeded TO Key West,
where he arrived on the 18th ult. for the pur-
pose Of looking after the invaders, and to aid
the authorities there, il il were necessary. On
his arrival he found all quiet, the greater part
Of the invaders having, in various ways. left
the island. He there learned from the judicial
authorities that, from depositions made before
them, no doubt whatever existed Of the con-
nexon Of the "Georgana" and the "Susan
LIQUIDS" with the expedition. but that part of
the men found ON board had seeded from the
main body, either from change of purpose, or
from having been imposed upon in regard TO
their destination.
Leaving the albany" and Germantown"
at Key West, Captain TArSALL returned in
the "Saranac' to Havana on the 10Th ult. hav-
ing on board Judge MARvIN, Of the Federal
court at Key West. and Mr. DOUGLASS, the
Collector Of the Port, who accompanied him
with view TO acquaint the United States Con
sui at Havana fully with all the facts favorable
10 the prisoners.
! In an interview which Captain Il. had with
the Spanish authorities, in company with Judge
MARVIN, the latter unoficially informed them
that the affidavits made in his court had estab-
lished the fact, that the men referred to had re-
fused to accompany the expedition to Cardenas,
and had therefore, committed no aggression
against Cuba. The authorities replied, that
they were themselves somewhat Of that opinion,
and that their treatment Of the prisoners CORE
sponded with that belief-that the latter were
well housed and taken care Of, and that after
certain preliminary forms, which the laws rem
dered imperative, and which applied equally to