Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1850-06-08
Late rGm Havana.

The editors of the New Orleans Bulie-
tin, of 4th inst, have seen a reIab,e let
er from Havana, dated 9th ut, which
states that the y. S. war steamer Sara
nae, and the sloops Of war, Albany and
Germantown, arrived at that port, the
former on the 2Jth, and the two after on
the 2 18th. Capt. Randolph, of the Adbany
made a formal demand upon the Captain
General for the prisoners captured on
board the Georgiana and Susan Loud,
averriny that they had committed nc
overt act against Spain, and that, when
captured, they were on their return to
the United States. Capt. Tatnall, of the
Saranac, Immediately upon his arrival
made a similar demand. The Captain
general declined accediny to these demands
but it was understood that nothing further
would be done with the prisoners until
intelligence was received from Washing
ton. It is believed that the Spanish
Minister will direct their release. If he
con suits the interests ofSpain, to say moth
of the dictates of humanity, he will GER
tain'y order tlieif liberation. Should these
prisoners, whose numbers exceed one
hundred, be merci,esslly executed, sixty
days will not e'apse before some other
flag than that of Spain will wave over
the fair gem of the Antilles. Such a
ruthless act would arouse a feeling in this
country which it would be Impossible to
repress. Forsevery American thus butch
cred, one hundred would rise in arms to
avenge his death, and to inaict.a Just
retribution upon his murderers.
The letter i'll question, remarks the
Bulletin, alludcs to the execution of four
out of the five persons taken at Cardenas.
We doubt this. If any were shot, the
who,e were. The Bee, of the same date
states that no positive information had
been receiv ed Of the execution Of any of
the prisoners.
We do not believe that the Spanish
authorities of Cuba viii dare order tie
execution Of these men. The presence of
the American feet will have due weight
in enforcing the REPRESENTATIONS d our
Consul at Havana. ana fhe
President has despatched aeaa
to take care of the rights of oW9 at3Een
and to reiterate the demanl, ffaHr The
highest authority in the land, that they
be paced within the direct charge. of the
officers of their own government. In
connection with this, the Picayune, of the
9Th, remarks:
In this state of affairs II is extremely unlikely
that the Spanish authorities viii wish TO retain
these men, who have been guilty of no offence
against Spain. but who fell into her power by a
violation of the flag OF the United States on the
high seas, an offence for which, besides the liberia
tion of the captured men, an atonemenf viii doubt
less be exacted by our government.
Growing STEAMBoArs.-The Mayor
of St. Louis, under the instruction Of the
city council, has m~emorialized Congress in
reference to the great and growing evil
of o~ver-crowding steamboats,. Congress
is respectfully asked
To enact such a law as viii limit the
number of passengers onany boat IN pro-
portion to the tonnage, or what would be
a more jast and practical regulation, re-
curing o sufficient number OF square feet
Of deck room to be appropriated to each
passenger-the lawto provide proper PEN
alties for the enforcement thereof,