Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-06-14
Administration in regard the prisoners 'o have 5,"l
taken by the Spanish Government:

the prudence anu TInIcSS which ruthiin! ~ y
the Presidents determination thc honor -! ms
Government by the faithful discharge oioati"n" -
wards Spain For this purpose prosecutions VIII h.
mencct against any persons within jurisdiction wh"
may have been concerned in The expedition contrary Ia ne
existing laws Whilst actnatcd by this spirit "i good iah
towards neighbour however, the President expects t'h'
the Spanish authorities will allow themselves I" be i
led hy cxnlinon ar vengeance Ia mr, III ,f persons -
property OF our citizens in Cuba against whom No l
bable Of proceeding may exist aud hc Demands lll
those who be charged with guilt Sa!. has" iiif i
country which might dcica; tl:c administration ~ lst'
towards such persons ~ may be- arrested or "'h''n"
against the laws and indeed might render il imlracii ~"
prevent further violations =" those laws I" yen much
likely 10 result in peril 10 Spanish dominion ~ IVA
island.
But although your duties will c Il, once ardios aud J. Il
cate You will bear III mind a they be such sire"
ly belong 10 the Consular character under the law - nj
tons The Spanish Government has refused r"ns!'I
functions in any respect diplomatic. on wisi
however, hc yi.an III aeccainn" who among. Your coun
rymcn in y"ur Consular District charged Nit cIi'.
have fair Trial. and if in instance this shall m ciG ed
will report the fact Il The Department. in order that ~
Spanish Government may bc held accountable
Foreigners detected board an American vessel equip
ped and armed for invasion of the territory Of friend
" nation, cannot br allowed 10 ill.,: iiaHi l.
conceal their purposes Or 10 protect them IN the act .! IN
vasiGn.
1t is true that the 18th arrl of our treaty rh Spain "i
1875 declares, ii" is also agreed that tho Liberty hr eN
tended Ia persons who hoard iI1r hip liai, n
though they hc enemies L. either party hey SHALL not h
made prisoners taken o that .il unless icv
s"l,s, and in actual service ol lic enemies. THIS
stipulation expressly acknowledges The rAht 81 SPAN IL
take armed enemies oul Of The United Si ytss'S inS-
much however. rs this right may be- aus.t ~ The even, ri
any abuse oi that character COMING. vu;r G"l' m
will take suitable steps for obtanirg is!'t.-.
In general the protection al Governments i dar L. the
nny who them allegiance. H. therefor, persons,
citizens Of the United States, shall hav been arrested
upon charge oi being c"ncefnci in the cfir,!s'on thy
viii have no right Ia your micrpna!l"n in iheir itiat
There may, indeed, be in which humanity hi lat 90
qurc and would warrant. the cScrron y"ur Icrson.l
good offices Ia The lives "i individuals S'iii II won,
mol he advisable Ia interfere in thu go NJ "oh =
reasonable prospect q; success; ana ihc psncs "' nn!
interference will demand The exercise ~ h",t dlsor"
tiou.
am, sir, ssry respectfully. your obcdicnt servant,
JOHN VI. CLAYTON.
To RouGRr L. CAMPBELL, ESQ,
DEPARTMENT STATE " ,snxcro> Jr.a 1851
SiR: From various sources ot niorualu!. CONJECTURE
that hc Spanish authorities III Cuh ihei, sirc Ica!
apuns the invaders n that island ind Ill connected wi
Ihln while flushed with victory may po>-itv er.et i'
difference between crime AMI the intention commit H. md
wcas their vengeance American tiii. rs either
rion upon Spanish territory II il said lnd til, yad .ro
that many >lich were arrested on an island ror.' ~
lucatun, called Cnn,ov, within th territory o power hay
lng friendly relations with the United States I'll III"
facts in possession, The Judgment III =
formed o the capture, abduction, and punishment u these
n1n NAV possibly bc very erroncous
Eu, lei stpl".c tina, the captured on Il, NcNican
island American citizens aGi had "rg!t n'cni
iu invade Cuba, still cannot ihc rish The
Spanish auth rites ~ hang. gaioc shoot them it lsf
intention. There II iocts pe,i,,'.c I'm iar
of thrm and they might have returned T. IL" ni,rt
States, guilty indeed, ul violation :" IL" iws ~ thot:
country, but .! no law. that ! aa ""1'" r. uEt~f
which Spain could have punished l'in III" .acr,on
commit crime j. not par e csmc. San" ""rri 49, mui
accompany ,hr design caa,n niu 4. i n"'
murder, is II, without attempt n.gry II
cuiion punisia tile v the laws at Lawcssr .alty IT,.
offender may hr IN faro gGScjtht" ant :: tI ordinances II
his Creator.
The President means 10 clain fur tie Ancan orru-
aJ tl.o tSl.p
any crime for which, by The laws II civilj
should suffer death They hayc been aal pr,'4il,
Htr, guilty of crimes i"r which this Co.'S ought
good la, punish iirm under the act al t"natc- al
2S,h April ISIS G; suppnsin. III. facts f,iiin" :" tArr
capture be they represented, ihc l'r.i, NJ
solved that the Eagle and shah protect leu aei-t
any punishment but tina winch Tie tribunals oi er o"n M
ti"n may award.
Tell the Count Of Acoy send then, ho,ie
punishment, which ii lhcy a.c honorable w,li -"
than any he could niict, In indignant irhwus md
donunciatons o good IN their country, ior
attempt violate tlc faith an! honor o nation wi"h
,,s lis character for integrity at va! ln HIGHER
worth than all the Antilles together. Ru Nh lin IN The
friendly manner AMI in The tric spirit oi ancient
t.a:y that ii he unusy sheds drop Aa"riran blood
this exciting period may cost the rs" conp;rirs
culinary
am exceedingly anxious IL ascertain all tGc ict- c"a
ncced with the capture citizens Tho oNiran land
aud their fate Write hy every favorable "ln,rtunity.
Keep well advised vi thing progressing IN Cuba
learn hi. morning that there j. 'l."ai tir'
Americans snmc say ;hons;lrds) have and, The south
side Of Cuba.
By this time the rsatc Saranac bavc rn"i the ~
hany ana Germantown They ought 10 be- able 10 protect
our counirymen who guilty .. rhc nvsson
am. sir. very respectfully,