Arkansas democratic banner., 1851-10-07
LITTLE ROCK. TUESDAY MORNING.

military usa9es on such 0ccasloElss aEG that the only thing that occurred that could be con- denined was the way in which they Nesr drag ged b and thrown into csstE by lie negroes ordered to bury them.
 It has been reported that crissenaen wrote home that he had been abandoned by Lopez, without arms an ammunition 1 d. nM be- liege that Cgittenden ever wrote any thing Of the kind. Attached to his command--in hoarly c0ntact with him--T kpew him, and do hot hesitate in saying that braver, aotileg. mora honorable man than Wm. L. Crittenden never lived. Instead of having no ammunition, he had ali, and was particularly selected to guard it--that being most diflieass and honorable servicW I.opsz, did not desert him, bat in leav.. ing him, in dividing his command, committed one of those errors which eventually cost him, his life; but had CFittenden, on the morning of the 18th, gone and joined Lopez at L s Posas, instead of retrestiRg to the sea, all would have been weIi--then he would have lost only the stores; as it was he lost all. Why he did So, is inexplicable, and must ever remain involved ia mystery.
 Had Lopez carried out his original intention of landing near Puerto Principe, the result might, perhaps, have been difiereuf-he nigh there, perhaps, have found friends. and raised force sufficient to sustain itself until reinforce ments were sent out from the States. In land ing where he did, Lopez without doubt actel as he thught for the best; but there, Gs in IaanI other instances, he erred. Or his persona courage there islho doubt but when we speal of military knowledge, of judgment, of his ability to Lead an expedition, 1 say at once he had neither. Lopez was probably as much or more deceived than any man in the expedition. Ills ambition led him to De the tool and victim df haarfiass Spacutators nof 1tiian- thropy, was the main springgol this expedition.
 now distinctly. openly dsset t, that all those letters purporting to be from Cuba, which were published during the month of July last. and copied throughout the Union, were base forge ries, for the express purpose of deceiging the citizens of the United States, and advancing the sale of Cuban bonds. Knowing tic ambi- ton of Lopez, and that strong disposition to ex- tend the glorious boon of freedom which fills the breast ef every American citizen, these spectators III human blood took. advantage of their knowledge to further their own end.
 They well knew how little effort was re- quired to start and keep alive this excitement. They thought, or at least they fondly hoped, that more men would go out 10 join this little hand, and that eventually the island would be free. Cuban bonds were worth, or were sell ing at from 10 to 20 cents un dollar, when this expedition left. Naturally they would in- crease in value, as the prospect of hberating i Cuba became more certain; aad if this expedi- sion snccee1ed as they presen3e4 to think 1t would, Cuba when liberated from what they denaminated the tyranny of Spain, would have been burthened with debt of from fifty to one hundred millions of dollars, at least fifty per cent of which would have been in the pockets Of these would-be philanthropists, who, active as they wished to be thought in the holy cause of liberty, took the best ot good care to peril neither life nor their own precious liberty in it's behalf. At the expiration ef the war, and after Cuba should have become free, then it was to be annexed to the United States, and matter of course the payment of these Gu ban bonds was to be assumed by that govern ment. What dc they care for the mothers, wives and sisters of the gallant men who formed this ill-iated expedition, who have been rendered utterly wretched and miserable for ever! They do not feel the chains, the an- gush, borne by those one hundred and sixty noble fellows, doomed to spend the best ten years of their lives ih a Spanish prison. No; they feel the blood money n their pockets, and laugh over the result oi their speculaiion.- They are the men to be punished. It is on them the shades of our murdered countrymen call for vengeance. Heavy, indeed. must bc their punishment when, at the last day, an of- fended and just Judge shall demand of them retsibution for their deed.
 This is, believe. a correct account of the causes. proceedings, and results of the unFor- tunate expedition. have endeaYcred to give an impartial account, and if any man, either North or South, considers bimself aggrieyed by any remark contained herein Twill endea- yer to afford him such satisfaction as the na- tnre of the case may demand. SaIere have also been, understand some reflections made on the conduct of our Consul at Havana, Mr. Owens, and also one of the officers of the A. bany, at the time of the execution. At that time, Mir. Owens not only was unable to do anything to assist them, but, as am informed and believe, was actually in danger himself, from the rabbie at Havana, guard of Spanish soldiers having been placed over lis property and person by order of the Captain General. As for the A!baay, she was powerIess, on that occasion. Her officers and crew, to q man, sympathized with and deeply regretted the melancholy fate of their unfortunate country men; but they could do no more. Ny word for it, if ever an opportunity should occur, the officers and crew Ot that ship will not oaly np- hold the honor of the American flag, but add new laurels to it's wreath
 And now, in conclusion, let me, through the medium of your columns, return ny siacere thanks to his Honor the Mayor, to Colonel O'Iara. Captain Cary, and other citizeas el Key West, ier the many kindnesSes and atten- tons shown to me, assuring them that shall ever remember them Nith gratitude.
 annex, for the benefit oi their friends, list Of the otfic&s who ieft Ne.' Orleans, in Crit tendea's regiment
 { remain, very respectfully. your ohediens servant, PHILIP $. VAN VECHTEN,
 Late ist Lieutenant Cuba Expedition. OFFICERS of cRTrEspgs1s COMMAND,
 Col. w L. Crtttenden; Com. Gen. - Cook: c. II. Gen. - Vesey: Reg. c. If, Felix Houston, ir-s Reg. Adit - stannilord; Reg. Bom - Bell; Capt. ]. A. Kelley, Co. A.; lei L, T. C. June, Co. A; 2d l.. John ! I3rise, Co. A.: 2d IL. - Stevens, Co. A; Capt, James Sandes, Co. B.: isi L, F. $. Van Vechten; 2d u. B. E. Hunter, Co B.: ad It I Wm. II. Crafts, Co. B.; Capt. Victor Kerr, fa tr. Is@ IT Ia.nas Rrxudt "A fs 9d f