The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-25
The Cuban Expedition.


We publish, in another part of this mornings
impression, full details Of the recent melancholy
intelligence from Havana. From these it ap
pears that an expedition fitted out In the port
of New Orleans, under the command OF Span
ish refugee by the name of LOPEZ, In violation
of the law of nations and the statutes OF the
United States, has landed to the number OF
four or five hundred men in the Island OF CUBA,
with the protested view of overthrowlng the
government, and effecting conquest of the
island. OF the fate of the deluded men en-
gagged in this unlawful enterprise we have only
partial information. The accounts are contra
dictory and unsatisfactory. We understand
that the most reliable private intelligence in
duces the belief that the entire expedition has
been routed and destroyed. Total defeat, In
deed, is the only result that could be predi
Gated of an attempt by 450 men to conquer an
island that is defended by some $4,000 regular
troops in state of consummate discipline.
But while we are thus in doubt with regard
to the main body of the adventures, we know
that some fifty persons alleged to have been en-
gagged in the expedition have been captured on
the coast, and have been carried into Ha-
vana and executed. Their punishment was
summary and severe. It, is said to have
been attended with circumstances of gross
indecency and outrage. Other accounts repre-
sent that the execution was conducted with
appropriate solemnity. There was no reason
to doubt, in view Of the excitement which has
prevailed in consequence of prior attempts and
recent rumors of invasion, that the government
of the island would take sangulnary vengeance
upon all who should be found engaged in any such
enterprise The men who embarked In 1t had
been duly forewarned by the PRESIDENT of the
United States, in his proclamation of April
last, that they were engaging In an expedition
that could only be regarded as an adventure
for plumber and robbery" that must meet
the condemnation of the civilized world, and
forfeit their claim to the protection and in
reference of their own Government, no mat
ter to what extremities they might be re-
duced by their illegal conduct. If the Spanish
authorities have considered and treated as rob-
bers and plunderers men who are SO regarded
by the law Of nations, the inhumanlty or bar
barity of the punishment which may have
been inflicted upon the really guilty cannot
mitigate the character Of their offence; 1t
may create general pity for their fate. We
cannot but deeply sympathize with the relatives
and friends of the dupes and victims, who
have paid so severe penalty for their offence;
nor can we omit to stigmatize as still more in
human and barbarous than the authorities of
CUBA are represented to be, the foreigners
who have dared to make our shores the scene
Of their guilty and hostile preparations against
"a friendly power, and sought, by falsehood
and misrepresentation, TO seduce our own
citizens, especially the young and incon
siderate, into their wicked schemes-an
ungrateful return for the benefits conferred
upon them by this people in permitting them
8 to make our country an asylum from oppression,
and in fragrant abuse of the hospitality thus
extended to them"
Under these circumstances, comparatively lit
tie sympathy would have been felt for LOPEZ
and his followers if they had all been shot
down in the field in the immediate prosecution
of an unlawful enterprise. But the wholesale
slaughter Of prisoners incapable of further
mischief, without trial, and without a
hearing, seems an act of cold-blooded afro
city that shocks every sentiment Of human
itv. and will excite universal indignation. 1t
has received az it demanded the prompt at
tention of our Government. We understand
that, upon receipt Of the late intelligence from
Gina. measures were Immediately taken to
ascertain whether any of the persons sosumma-
rily put to death by the Spanish authorities were
American citizens, and II they were such, by
what evidence their guilt Of crime deserving
so sanguinary punishment was established,
as also to ascertain the facts in relation to the
alleged firing upon the United States mail
steamer FALCON by Spanish ship Of war, and
how far this proceeding, il in contravention OF
our national rights, was authorized or approved
by public authority, and that for this purpose
Commodore FoxHALL A. PAREER, CO
inc the Home Squadron, will sail from Norfolk
for Havana in the steam-frigate SARANAc to
morrow.
While taking this step, however, the proPe
officers of the Government have been in
structed to be vigiIant and active in prevent
ing military expeditions frohl fitting out agains
that island in contrayention Of our treaty obi
cations, and the public statBtes IN such cas-
made and provided, as enjoined by the Proeiam'
ton Of the PRESIDENT.