The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-06-03
ahe Cuba Prisoners.


The British steamer brought letters 70 this city
announcing the military execution Of The five
wounded men left at CaFdenas by Gen Lopez.
Among them was Capt Duperu. This gentleman
was well known in This city, where he had acquired
a high reputation for courage. Heewas the master
Of every species Of Arms-a dead shot-a skilltul
swordsmaa, and gallant man Il will be re-
collected that he selected by Gen. Scott to re-
connoiiFs the Notifications Of Vera Cruz. He was
VirRinian BY birth, but as his name indicates, of
French extraction, and spoke the French language
like his mother tongue. After obtaining all the
necessary information. he was suspected, and
orders given for his arrest; when, by an act Of
grsal presence Of mind, he saved himself A boat
was al The landing waiting for passenger to go
on board British man-of-war. He stepped on
board and ordered the boat to shove off. The men,
deceived BY his manner, obeyed him, and carried
HIM to the ship. His information was of impor-
tant service to the General. He was appointed
Captain Of Dragons, and served with distinction
in the campaign under Scott. His death will
cause d deep sensation. The right Of the Cuban
authorities to execute these men cannot be denied :
but to the cause Of Cuban independence it will
give moral strength which win insure its speedy
success. This was a case where Mercy might
well have turned away the Sword Of Justice.
AS to the men taken on board the returning
ships, the case is very different. They had com
mitted no overt act They had abandoned the ex-
pediton, even if at any time they had entertained
the intention Of joining il They were within the
Jurisdiction Of the United States-sailing under
the protection Of the American fiag--and not even
the weakness Of Spain will induce us to overlook
the indignity offered to our national honor These
vessels had been employed in carrying number
Of passengers to the coast of Yucatan. This is no
offences While Gen. Taylor will use all the means
at his command for the maintenance Of neutrality
he win ealously protect the honor of the Republic
The lives and liberty Of these men are under ou
protection, and the shedding of their blood will
be followed by war which will terminate onl,
with the independence of the Island. Sir Henry
Bulwer has communicated to the Secretary o
State. that BY secret treaty, Great Britain il
bound 10 maintain the sovereignty OF Spain owe
Cuba. It's time for Great Britain to learn tina
she must not interfere with the Federal Republic
To be sure, The struggle with that power had bet
Ter be put of another ten years-until we have the
railroad Communications complete, and we car
manufacture more Of our raw products-until VIZ
have accustomed her toiling, starving millions tc
the cheap bread Of America. One of the weapon,
used in the Roman arena, was net, which the
gladiator threw over the head and arms of his an
tAgonist II is with the meshes of our cotton mel
that we viii encounter our great rival Is it not a
subject of proud, exulting reflection, that
$ From ont the labcrs of peaceful land,''
has sprung power, before which the mightiest
nation the world ever saw, shrinks appalled,? The
cotton fields Of the South. the wheat farms of the
West, are the true strength of America. These
are the locks Of the modern Sampson Every year
adds to the dependence of Great Britain on
America. That power cannot even now enter into
war with this country, on a question so remote
from the direct interests Of her own people, To
maintain Spain. in the possession OF a distant
colony viii not satisfy the weavers of Manchester
norths cutters Of Birmingham. The millions who
are dependent, directly or indirectly, on the cotton
Of America, viii never consent TO short work and
reduced rates for any point less than national dis
honor. II is Spain alone we shall encounter. Sh,
may butcher the men caught in arms, and tn,
American GoUernment will not complain; but fol
the men taken out of American ships, while on the
ocean, strict account will be required. Twenty
five millions Of freemen are bondsmen for Their
safety.