Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-28
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN KELLY-CONSUL

CG.Evr1ANn- Outn. Sent

CLEVELAND, ONO, Sept. 50, 1881.
To the Editors of the Netv Orleans PicaYu1le:
GENTLEMEN: Enclosed you will fad letter of
mine, in reply to Mr.. Ovens defence, which | had
intended to reserve until returned to New Orleans,
and publish it in the Plcayune, but the necessity Of
refutng that mans falsehoods pressed so hard upon
me, that have determined to put hun In his right
position at once, before proceeding any further my
Journeys and accordingly insert it to-day in the Plain
dealer OF this city. BY your giving my letter place
10 your paper. you will much oblige your obedent
servant, J. A. KELLY.
For the PlaindeaIer.1
DEAR SIR: see letter gong the rounds of the
newspapers from Allen f Owen, United States Con
sui at Havana. Permit me, through the columns of
your paper correct of HIS statements in regard
to his conduct towards Col. Crittenden's command,
and other American prisoners since confned in the
Punta at Havana. In the first place he says.
~ reside about four miles from this place, and not
being well on the'morning OF the I6h did not reach
nv office till sometime after 10 o'clock, when, for
the first time, heard of the capture of about fifty of
the men who had come with Lopez to this island in
the steamer Pampero. |, at the same time, heard
that the prisoners had been tried found guilty, CON
demned ordered to be executed, the order for their
execution sent forward and that they Were about be-
ing removed from the harber where they were to the
place Of execution"
This is the most perfect collection OF falsehoods
ever WITH and is only equalled in absurdy by the
audacity OF the man in thus attempting to Justify his
conduct through the American press He does not
live four miles out Of town, nor was he sick at the time
referred to- He did not know in time OF the arrest OF
| Col. Crittenden and his party, and sent TOR by
them and positively refused 10 them the score
that they were outlaws. The American, German and
English citizens resident 10 Havana will testify 10 this
| whenever called upon.
The American Consuls assertion that the prisoners
had been tried. found guilty and condemned is ia lse-
hood that every in the United States, at all ac-
quained with Spanish rule must once. 1t is not
the custom to try prisoners in Havana, other than by
the garrote, or by shooting in the back, which Mr.
Owen knew, at the time he penned his letter, well
the Governor General did himself; and, Judging from
MIR. Owens conduct, [ should think he more in
dread OF getting in prison himself than anxious to get
others The Governor General exercises great in
fuence over cowardly wreches like Allen F. Owen,
matter what country they may hail from. Hence |
account, in great measure Tor his neglect of duty in
permitting the Americans 10 be shot.
With regard to the other prisoners, his conduct ia
equally outrageous. When | reached the prisoa
found eight or len OF my comrades there and they all
said that the Cons ul had not been TO them l also
sent the same evening, by American Merchant
at Havana to Mr.. Owen and he refused to come
saving that own Government did not recognize Us
When Capt. Plat OF the sloop of war Albany, visit
ed us, sent to Mr.. Owen by him, and he again retu-
esd to come.
Then Lieut.. Taylor of the Albany, said he would
make him come" and the next morning Mr.. Owen
paid US visit with Cap Pat As he came in, the
Americans gathered around him and TOR some reason
he backed through the door and held versaon with
US with the crates Interpreting. [ then asked him
to assist me in corresponding with my friends in the
United States He retu sed to help me- and said that
would be sent to Spain
Many of the prisoners then gave up ali hope of as
sistance from the American CcosuI, and threw them.
selves the protection of Mr.. Crawford the British
Cons Two OF The Mississippi volunteers, Americans,
called themselves rishmen, in order to obtain assis
lance from the English Consul
After was released, and while remaining on board
the ship Norma tine American Consul asked friend
OF mine, from New Orleans, if knew why | was re-
leased. My friend said no. MIR. Owen then said that
he did not want the credit or the blame of my release
10 rest upon him
My object in publishing this letter is to defend the
ufatIO ut nUn ant min
by retung the fasehoods in Mr.. Owen 8 letter, and
to show to the American people the true character of
their Consul at Havana.
viii the papers that have publish Mr.. O wen's let.
ter give this place in their columns
]. A. KELLY,
Late Captain Cuban Expedillon