Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-10-03
MIR. owen,sLetter.


and unfit for his position. There is no attempt to
justify his neglect of the prisoners now in Havana
for whose comfort he has attempted nothing has
not taken the trouble to see them:
szE5za .'a-t CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
F=-t ~ Havana. Sept. 16, 1851.
To the Editor of the Republic:
SIR: In your weekly issue of the 18th ult., you
do the justice to object to my condemnation with
out hearing. and to say that am probably able
to explain to the satisfaction of my countrymen, my
omission to relative to the execution of the pris
oners who were shot here on the 10th ult.
do not doubt that shall satisfy every impartial
mind that am undeserviug censure, and that had
no opportunity of doing any thing in behalf of the
unfortunate men who met sad fate.
| reside about four miles from this place, and
being well the morning of the 10TH did not reach
my office till time after ten o'clock, where. 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 time heard
that the prisoners had been tried found guilty,
demned ordered to be executed the order for their
execution sent forward and that they about be-
ing removed from the harbor, where they were, to
the place of execution
Shortly afterwards, the American residing here
who it is said called on me- came and mentioned
the subject to me- when said to him that it too
late, and that could do nothing-that should not
have time to get permission and the prisoners
Of this felt perfectly satisfied at the time and
est authority in the island. who informed that
the execution, which had already been ordered be-
fore reached the city, would not have beer post
poned for me to have interview with the prison
ers, inasmuch all could have asked to be permit
ted to do had already been done by gentleman
known to some of the prisoners, and for whom they
had sent.
Soon after the American referred to left my office
received the information that gentleman known
to some of the prisoners had been sent for by them
md To hod dolivornd th1
ages they desired to be conveyed to their friends
1t but short time afterwards that sent to the
palace of the governor and captain general, and
heard that the prisoners had then been executed.
You will thus that had time to act, and
that it not in my power to do any thing for the
unfortunate men who had been induced to invade
Cuba with the expecon that they would find the
whole island in a state of revolution, and that they
would be received with open arms by the whole ma
tive population at least.
The charge of indifference to the dreadful condi
ton of such number of men, the bitterest enemy
have earth will not believe and all must believe
it base falsehood and an unfounded calumny.
If it were allowable on such occasion, | would
most solemnly declare before God that, in my iudg
ment. at the time and under the circumstances. it
not in my power either to have interview
with the prisoners, or to have done any thing on
their behalf.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant
A. F. OWEN.
The same number of the Republic contains also the
following circular. signed j. S. Thrasher, and pur-
porting to have been written at the request of the
prisoners. 1t bears all the marks of reliability, and
from its internal evidences, we have doubt that
it can be depended on. The Republic says that it
does not know who Mr.. Thrasher Isl and that there
fore, the letter must speak for itself:
HAVANA. September II, 1851.
To the Editor Of the Republic:
foI bTyo lopnr ,fF
the prisoners of the late Cuban expedition to write
their friends informing them of their situation and
good health. have thought it best to throw my OBJ
servatons which necessarily be general in their
principal features, into the form of circular, and
have the honor address you this at the request
of all the prisoners.
The prisoners brought to this city in differ
ent lots, and fast they arrived were shaved of
their hair, chained two together, and placed all in
one long saloon in the prison. During the first few
days it was exceedingly difficult to obtain permission
to visit them. The British CONSUL Joseph T. Craw-
ford, esq did the first day and accompanied by
his secretary, Mr.. w. Sydney Smith, who has never
ceased in his exertons in their behalf, gave them
the first cheering words On the next day, MIR. AL
len F. Owen, the American CONSUL asked for and OBJ
| tanned permission, and, ! subsequently in
formed by the prisoners told them that the Presi-
dent had proclaimed them without the pale of the
law and he could do nothing for them" During
several DAYS our only means of contributing to the
ameloration of their condition was through Mr..
Smith, who continued to visit them twice daily, ia
king them small comforts and speaking in their be-
half by which means he improved in very great
degree, their situation. He took up subscription
among the English residents for the purpose of pro-
viding extra clothing for those who British sub
iects and the secretary of the German society in
consequence of receiving letter from Capt Schcht,
went to see them and subsequently provided for the
Germans in she that the English con-
sui had provided for his CO untrymen.
/ I was not able to obtain permission to see them
until Friday, 5th inst, at noon, when | found that
twenty-five had that morning been sent to the hos
pta and that some few of the others had had their
chains taken off-for what reason could not learn
| The Americans and some others found very much
dspiritcd in consequence of the language MIR Owen
had held to them, and from seeing others much
better cared for and did what could to cheer
them. assuring them would do my utmost to have
them as we'll provided for their fortunate
companions had been.
On leaving the prison 7 spoke to several of my
friends about raising funds for the prisoners and
great the interest shown in their behalf that
efforts were crowned with the utmost success.
take this occasion to pay just tribute to those Gu
ban gentlemen who so generously provided me will
= funds without which my efforts would have beer
barren and also to many American friends, wh'
contributed not only money but personal effects.
would gladly mention names, but the impnssibilit,
S of naming all would render the partcularizing of
e few apparently invidious and will therefore cit
but two who are connected with the press thes
are MIR. White, of the New York Courier and En-
u quTer, and Mr. Callahan of the New Orleans Plea
If yunc. To these gentlemen. in company with man
C others, much praise is due.
On Saturday the prisoners received several visits
nd of VIII ornIcith TO nurchaSe bread