Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-13
RELATIVE TO THE AMERICANS WHO WERE TAKEN
PRISONERS AND SENT TO SPAIN.


.Actiag Secretary Of State 10 Mr.. Calderoa.
DEpARTMExr OF STATE,
Washington, September 6, 1851
1t having been announced, both by telegraph and in the
newspapers Of this date that Lopez has been captured
and executed, and that hundred and fftyfve men
under his command have been arrested the undersigned
Acting Secretary of State of the United States has the
honor of addressing himself his excellency Don Cal
la Barca Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pen
potentiary of her Catholic Majesty for the purpose of
asceranng from him whether he is possessed of any
tain information the subject and in that event to beg
that he will be pleased communicate the to this
Department
In the of these facts relative to the execution Of
Lopez and the seizure of his command, being true as
generally stated the undersigned avals himself of this
opportunity submit the following remarks to his excel
lency Don A. Calderon de la Barca
During the several hostile attempts which have been
made upon the island of Cuba the Government Of the Uni
ted States has hestated pursue the which
pointed out to it by the stern dictates of duty
whether in putting forth all its executive energies to pre-
vent any violation of existing laws punish those of
its officers who had failed to execute exhibited any
criminal backwardness in the execution of such laws. In
view of these considerations and of the agcal antece
dents connected with this last expedition in view also Of
the peculiar state of excitement under which the popular
mind is still aboring consequent upon the summary pro-
ceedngs against the party of Americans captured at
Bahia Honda the Government Of the United States would
be much gratfed to learn that his exceency Mr. Cade
had used the influence of his high position in per-
suadng the Of Cuba to treat the unfor
unae party of citizens Of the United States reported to
have lately been captured with that leniency which
becomes magnanmous conqueror and which, in this
could not fail to strengthen the of her Majesty
by showing to the world that in the midst of the
most aggravang circumstances the Spanish authorities
listen to the voice of humanity, and appreciate the
unhappy position Of those misguided men who have been
ured to destruction by false representations 1t may
be said the part of Spain that the summary execution
of Mr.. Crittenden's party indispensable act of
policy required by the egency Of the OCCASION and ne
cessary to deter others from making similar attempts in
future but any violence undue austerity which may
be pursued against the party Of Americans lately captured
would only tend to exasperate the public mind in this
country. Now that the principal nsgator OF those out
RACES out of the way harsh against these
defnceess would probably be made the plea for new
connections and be the unnecessary OUT
pourings of revengefu spirit Whereas by course Of
enty and mercy the storm Of passions which at present
RACES in portions of this country might be appeased and
the asperes felt by those who have lost friends rcla
tons by the 6t executions considerably softened down.
The undersigned begs Mr.. Caderon distinctly to under
stand that right is now claimed the part Of this Go
intervene officially with regard this matter
but ths the foregoing remarks offered simply
bodyjng the private wishes of this Government and
worthy the consideration Of eminently humane and
Kindly disposed her Catholic Maestys representative
in the United States.
The undersigned has the honor to Mr.. Calde-
the assurance Of his distinguished consideration.
w. s. DERRICK,
Acting Secretary