The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-16
cnuaht. the punishment for which l.. by the lave

caught, the punishment for which Is, by the laws
of all nations, death.
Much has been said relative TO the mutilation OF
their b0dies. Certainly ! not present at the
time, md cannot speak positively, but cannot
learn from reliable source that such the case
l have conyersed with the officers of the United
States ship Albany the subject. They men
Of high standing in society, and they assure Ine
that such YVES not the case-that they were shot In
accordance with military usages such coca
sions, and that the only thing that occurred that
could be condemned the way in which they
were dragged to and thrown into the carts by the
negroes ordered TO bury them.
Ii has been reported that Crittenden wrote home
that he had been abandoned by Lopez, without
arms or ammunition ! do not believe that Crit
tenden wrote any thing OF the kind. Attached
to his command-in hourly contact with him-I
knew him, and do not hesitate in saying that a
drawer, nobler, more honorable man than William
L. Crittenden, never lived. Instead of having no
ammunition, he had all, and particularly Sc
lected TO guard it-tha being most difficult and
yet most honorable service. Lopez did not desc IT
him, but in leaving him, in dividing his command,
committed one of those errors which eventually cost
him his life; but had Crttenden, the morning Of
the 18th, gone on and joined Lopez at Los Posas,
instead of retreating to the sea- all would have been
well--then he would have lost only the stores it
was he lost all Why he did so is inexplicable, and
must ever remain involved in mystery. Had Lo-
peg carried out his original intention of landing
near PuertJ Principe, the result might, perhaps,
have been different-he might there, perhaps have
found friends, and raised force sufficient TO
tain itself until reinforcements sent out from
the States. In landing where he did, Lopez with
out doubt acted as he thought for the best; but
there in many other instances, he erred of his
personal courage there is no doubt, but when we
speak of military knowledge, of judgment, of his
ability TO lead expedition say at once he had
neither Lopez was probably as much or more
deceived than any man III the expedition. His
ambition led him to be the tool and victim of heart
less SPECTATORS Avarice, not philanthropy, was
the main spring of this expedition
distinctly, openly assert, that all those let
ters purporting TO be from Cuba, which were pub
lshed during the month of July last, and copi. d
throughout the Union, were base forgeres for IT, e
express purpose of deceiving the citizens of the
United States, and advancing the sale of Cuban
bonds. Knowing the ambition of Lopez, and that
strong disposition to extend the glorious boon of
| freedom which fills the breast OF every American
citizen, these spectators in human blood took adj
vantage of their knowledge to further their own
| end They we'll knew how little effort
| quired to start and keep alive this excitement
| they thought, or at least they fondly hoped, that
| more men would go out to join this little band
and that eventually the island would be free. Gu
ban bonds were WORTH or were selling at from ten
| TO twenty cents on dollar when this expedition
left. Naturally they would increase in value the
| prospect of liberating Cuba became more certain;
and if this expedition succeeded, they pretended
to think it would, Cuba, when liberated from what
| they denominated the tyranny OF Spain, would have
been burdened with debt of from fifty to one hun
dred millions OF dollars at least fifty per cent of
| which would have been in the pockets OF those
|
to be thought in the holy of liberty, took the
best of good TO peril neither life their
! precious liberty in its behalf. AT the expiration of
| the war, and after Cuba should have become free,
| then it was to be annexed TO the United States and
| ms matter of course the payment of these Cuban
! bonds to be assumed by that Government.
What do they for the mothers, wives, and sis
tiers of the gallant men who formed this ll-fated
| expedition, who have been rendered utterly mise
| rable and wretched forever? They do not feel the
chains, the anguish borne by those one hundred
and sixty noble fellows doomed to spend the best
| ten years of their lives in Spanish prison. No;
they feel the blood money in their pockets, and
| laugh the result of their speculation. They
are the men to be punished. 1t is on them the
shades of our murdered countrypen call for ven
geance. Heavy, indeed, must be their punishment
when at the last day an offended and Just judge
| shall demand of them retribution for their deeds
This is, believe, correct account OF the causes,
proceedings and results of the unfortunate expe-
dition. have endeavored TO give an impartial
account, and if any man, either North or South,
considers himself aggrieved by any remark con-
tanned herein, will endeavor to afford him euch
satisfaction the nature of the may demand.
There have also been, l understand, some refec-
tons made the conduct of our consul at Havana,
Mr. Owens, and also on the officers of the Albany,
at the time of the execution. At that time MIR.
| Owens not only was unable to do any thing to as
| sist them, but, as am informed and believe, was
actually in danger himself from the rabble of Ha
vana, guard of Spanish soldiers having been
| placed over bis property and per5on by order OF
poweress on that occasion Her officers and crew,
to man, sympathiZed with and deeply regretted
the melancholy fate of their unfortunate country
men but they could do no more My word for it,
if ever opportunity should occur, the officers
and crew Of that ship will not only uphold the
honor of the American flag, but add new laurels to
! its wreath.
And now, in conclusion, let me, through the me
dunn of your columns, return my sincere thanks
! to his honor the Mayor, to Colonel O'Hara, Capt.
Cary and other citizens of Key West, for the many
kind nesses and attentions shown to me, assurin e
| them that shall ever remember them with graft
| tude.
| annex, for the benefit of their friends q list of
the officers who left New Orleans in Crittenden 3
regiment. | remain, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
PHILIP S. VAN VECHTEN,
Late Ist Lieutenant Cuba Expedition.