Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-13
Commodore Parker to Mr.. Webster.

UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP g SARANAc,'
Harana September 6, 1851.
Ism: have the honor to report that in obedience to
tie instructions of the President contained in your letter
II the 23d ultimo got under weigh from Norfolk, and
ryed at this port the morning Of the 4th instant
lii Immediately addressed note to the
requesting interview with him at his earliest convent
ce to which he promptly replied, and fixed the hour
Ar the interview hapast o'clock that even
Ag called him at that hour, and the following is
Enopsis of the information which obtained from him In
ation to the various subjects alluded to in nstruc
lions.
He regretted the necessity of executing the prisoners
eaptured in the boats the Cages of the island but
heemed it act of necessary severity III the crcum
stances and he felt it to be his duty to make example
of them in order to deter others from making similar
attempt He stated that he considered them pirates
and that they had been denounced in the proclamation
of the President of the United States that they were
tried in summary manner and full proof made of their
guilt and of their participation in the invasion of the
island by Lopez He did not consider himself at liberty
ts furnish me with the proceedings the trial. but would
send them to his Government, and to the Spanish
Minister Washington who would do whatever was right
in the matter the call Of the Government of the United
States The execution delayed from hafpast seven
o'clock A. NJ to eleven order to give the prisoners
opportunty of writing their friends during which Pc
Rod they made the declaration that they constituted part
of the forces of Lopez.
These particulars he stated given for my person
al satisfaction nasmuch he not invested with di
plomatc powers but referred our Government to the
Spanish Minister at Washington in whom diplomatic pow
ers were vested by her Majestys Government
AS to citizenship, he said that majority OF them
claimed be citizens Of the United States but they
various countries and that it of no consequence
to what nation they had belonged they captured
the waters Of Cuba with their hands endeayor-
ing to escape in boats from expedition in which they
had engaged against the island of Cuba.
In relation to such persons may behereafter captur-
ed and who not embraced in his recent prociama-
ton giving security of life to such delivered themselves
up to the authorities the Captain General declares that
them in accordance with his instructions, which are in
accordance with the laws of his and all other
tries in relation to pirates.
As to the matter of the steamer Falcon, he would
repeat what he had said the American CONSUL (who
then present that in the present condition Of the
island Spanish cruiser has right to ascertain the cha
racter of merchant vessels in the waters OF SPAIN that
expedition had already landed from steamer, and
that renforcements daily expected The Spanish
cruiser had fired three unshoed guns TO eeward to show
the friendly character Of the vessel of war; OF which no
notice taken by the Falcon and that the firing of the
shoted gun rendered necessary by the
ed by the Falcon. The general of marine was on board
and it to be that the shot fired by his
order He declared that he had requested Mr. Rogers,
the commander of the Falcon, call him, and give
hm correct statement of this affair." but that he had
not done so. He expressed surprise that Lieut.
Rogers did not once, the man-of-war was
only doing what by the laws of nations she clearly had
q right 70 do.
On the day succeeding this interview addressed note
the requesting permission to visit the
prisoners confined by the Spanish authorities, in
swer to which received communication which, with
my letter. I herewith enclose
From the best Information can obtain, the boats con-