The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-06

United States, was killed in an action with thes,
banditti.
5 SAIL this is not said for the purpose of max
:; ing or renewing complaints, either of the yiofa
/ ton of treaty obligations or of unjustfable re-
missness against the government of Spain, o
the authorities of the islands. But it may b,
brought to the notice of the Spanish govern
ment, as one OF the consequences which ma,
sometimes flow from the conduct of men dis
posed to carry on criminal enterprises, and ia
vored, in the execution of such enterprises, by
the contguity of the possessions of the two
governments"
). Mr. Webster proceeding to urge some rea
sons for cemency, in behalf of the prisoners
sent to Spain, remarks that they have no legal
claim upon the protection of this government
but that as ignorant and deluded men, as mos,
OF them are, 1t cannot be denied they are as such
objects OF compassion. Referring to the sub
ject in the light of punishment as an example Il
deter others, Mr.. Webster says:
| That example has been sol by the inHction
Of punishment prompt as il was awfu,, uy
the execution of fifty persons. The knowledge
Of their miserable fate has been carried to every
man in this country, and spread all over the
world.
us not this enough? Can example be made
more terrific Certainly an act of clemency on
lne T'ut VI thc oPallSu SoNtiHHeit coulu uo'
now be thought symptom of weakness May
not The sword Of justice be now sheathed with
out danger, and the voice of Christian humanity
be alIo wed to be heard
"The President thinks that it is wise to suffer
oblivion to cover the past. He is anxious for
the removal of every cause which might tend to
keep alive i'll will between the citizens and sub
jects ofthe two countries. So long as the prison,
ers shall continue to be suffering severe and
lingering punishment in foreign land, so long
will efforts be constantly made by their friends
to procure their release by appeals to the good
offices of their government. The tendency of
these applications can only be TO keep alive a
very considerable irritation. 1t is in cOnsidera.
ton of this, and from a strong wish for the ex-
tnguishment of all feelings Of that kind, that, in
the judgment of the President, nothing would
be more useful than the granting of her Males.
tys pardon to the residue of these prisoners,
and suffering them to return to their own homes
"Those who were pardoned by the captain.
general of Cuba appear 10 have been among the
most prominent and we-informed members of
the expedition. The friendess are left to their
fate, although less culpable, as being less in
formed of their duties and obligations. 1t seems
invidious and unjust to make distinctions ofthis
kind You say that the existing beliefin Spain
is, that the result of the expedition has strength
ened the hands of the Spanish government, and
given new security to its possession of the is
land. A similar sentiment prevails, to some
extent, here.
I'm answer to your inquiry as to whether, in
any event, and to what extent, assistance in
clothing, or other necessaries, might be furnish
ed to such as might need and apply for the same
on account of the United States, | have to re-
mark that it is expected that none of tie needy
among the prisoners will be allowed to suffer
for the want of the necessaries Of life. You
will accordingly take care that their wants are
provided for.
An application will be made to Congress for
an appropriation towards defraying any expenses
which may thereby be occasioned.
INTERvENTlo OF GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE.
The correspondence on this subject, consists
of letter from Mr.. Champion. of the British
legation at Washington, dated November 18th,
1851, referring to certain information he had
previously communicated to the Secretary of
State, to the effect that her Majesty's ships of
war on the West Indian station had received
orders to prevent by force any adventures of
any nation from landing with hostile intent upon
the Island of Cuba.
Mr.. Champions letter incloses a copy of his
instructions from Lord Palmerston A commu-
nication similar in character had been made by
NJ. de Sartiges, of the French legation to which
Mr. Crttenden made the suboined reply:
Acting Secretary Of State 10 NJ de Sartiges.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 22d October, 1851 {
The undersigned, acting Secretary of State
of the United States, has the honor to remind
NJ. de Sartiges, envoy extraordinary and minis
ter plenpotentiary of the French republic, tina t,
in the interview which he had with him on the
9Th inst, he stated that he might have occasion
to address him in writing upon the subject OF
the information which NJ. de Sarliges then CON-
municated, that the french government had
issued orders to its ships of war in the West
Indies to give assistance to Spain, and to prevent
by force any adventurers of any nation from
landing with hostile intent on the Island of
Cuba
Having impaired that information to the Pres
ident, the undersigned has now the honor by
his direction, to address NJ de Sartiges in regard
to it,
M. de Sartiges is apprised that few days
prior to the interview adverted to, the charge
d'aflairs of her Britannia Majesty had given to
this department official notice that his govern
ment had issued similar orders to its naval forces
The President had regarded this as a matter Of
grave importance, but its gravity is greatly in
creased by the concurrence and cooperation of
France in the same measure.
Ii cannot be doubted that these orders have
been occasioned by the recent unlawful expedi-
ton Of less than five hundred men, which, hav
ing evaded the vigilance of this government and
escaped from New Orleans, were landed by the
steamer Pampero upon the Island of Cuba and
were soon captured and many of them executed.
That such an accident should have melted the
combined action of two great European powers,
for object to which neither Of them is direct
party, and in manner that NAV seriously affect
the people of the United States, cannot fail to
awaken the earnest consideration of the Presi-
dent
He cannot perceive the necessity or propriety
of such order; while be entertains the strong
est apprehensons that their execution by French
and British cruisers will be attended with il u-
nous and dangerous consequences to the com
merce and peace Of the United States. They
cannot be carried into effect without visitation,
examination, and consequent detention of our
vessels, on our own shores, and in the great