The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-28
NO. 243.

~ his WaV to resume his diplomatic duties
C'LL ~. citv Of Mexico but her present mission
N - ~ such pressing importance, che will de
w. s;tbout him and another conveyance Will
\. rroyided for that gentleman.
Oe RRLo Sarapac will leave Norfolk either this
na,roon or tomorrow.
1.-THE HAVANA PRISONERS
svva understand that a despatch TO the De-
lot of State from the American Consul at
Il,,s states that oil the prisoners were tried
10 presume by military tribunaD previous to
their execution.
' ,rae GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AT N. ORLEANS
I've notice in some Of our exchanges that
.,,nIsint il made as 70 the negligence OF the ON
eOnP ,ha limited States at New Orleans, In not
GERS =. the departure Of the expedition under
T'eo- We have made inquiry on the SUBJECT
bOi -, ascertained that the most stringent or
Snu -, long since Issued and renewed on the
ue -, NV the different Departments ana that
su'yC, explanation will be required for the
snn,rent neglect"
decorated reports we're at first put IN circu-
= Concerning the treatment Of the unfortu-
.,;sorers shot at Havana Their remains
= vas said, we're mutilated in the most shocking
inner and dragged about by the populace-
,,sricaus who were present at the execution de-
,b;. IN toto, and state positively that their re-
n.;Ds were placed in good heArses, and decently
inferred -,
+, tho former invasion, the prisoners seized
80 treated with comparative leniency, being
Generally released. The Captain General then
announced his purpose to punish with prompt
,.v.ritv a second attempt at invasion. Our Gov
eminent also proclaimed that any American
citizen who should engage in such an attempt
mnst sxpect no protection from the United States
rhs o,tempt has been renewed, and fifty unfor-
inmate men have paid the penalty The Govern
mani Of Cuba has done precisely what our own
government would do, were repeated attempts
,,.5s in a covert manner by citizens of neigh
ho,;rs Power. to revolutOniTs this country. 1t
r0;obt nsrdop them once, but second time it
would regard mercy as weakness
We rejoice. however to learn that the Admin
;stratou has taken measures to ascertain whether
the Americans executed at Havana had a fair
trial. and whether the proof established their
guilt: and also to inquire into the circumstances
Of the boarding Of the Falcon. Let it protect and
yindicate our rights, but let it also respect the
rights Of q nation with which we are at peace
The Falcon was boarded in an insolent manner,
hur me sarfruK olNa. - bA expeditions from the
M - messing - '"-ritory u . friendly,
Power is something more than an act Of discour-
tesy-it is an act in gross violation Of treaty OBJ
LEGATIONS, and brings in question the honor or
efficiency Of our own Government. We have 40
patience with the noisy patriots" among us who
seem to think that other Nations have no rights,
and our own Nation has no duties
We deeply regret the summary execution in
aicted by the Captain General of Cuba. Such
acts are authorized by what are called the Laws
of War. but they are barbsrous always, by whom
soeyer committed Besides, this act will do no
good II will infsme, but not intimidate, the ad-
vsnsurers from whom danger is apprehended by
the Cuban authorities The Journal Of Commerce
remarks
Nothing is better fitted to arouse the ven
geance of that large class of Americans who sym
pathize with the movement Of Lopez-TDe are not
of the number-than the wholesale massacre per-
petrated at Havana on the 10th instant. The
massacre of Fannns regiment in Texas prepar-
ed the way for the battle Of San Jacinto the cap
ture Of Santa Anna, the independence of Texas,
the war between the United States and Mexico,
and all the consequences which have since follow
ed Ii aroused the vengeance Of men who, COM
bining a high sense of honor with desperate
spirit of adventure, coveted precisely the mission
which fell to them, Of melting out the penalty due
10 such an atrocityp
Besides, there is another consideration lying
beyond this. free, humane, benefcent Govern
ment, that should be obliged in self-defenoe, to
resort TO severe measures against secret adver-
saries revolutiOnists, would not only stand JUS
titled, but command sympathy among all right
minded people but similar measures, resorted to
by despotic, tyrannical Government, to sustain
itself, while they may be justified on the ground of
selfdefence will yet excite deep disgust and alb
horrence. The execution of the fifty prisoners
at Havana may be justified by the laws Of war,
and on the ground of self-defence but every
friend of freedom must regard it with adherence,
simply because it is the act of miserable Des-
pOtsm, designed to perpetuate its unjust and
ruinous ascendency.