The southern press., 1851-11-01
Letter frsn Ex.rrsslAs mt Tyler.

We take great pleasure in laying before our
readers the following admirable letter from Ex-
President Tyler, to Caderon dc la Barca, the
Spanish minister, on the subject of the release
of tho Cuban prisoners. Mr.. Tyler had been
applied to by the relations OF seye al OF these
unfortunate men, for his intercession in their be-
half, aud he thus nobly and feelingly responds
to their requests We cannot doubt such an ap-
peal coming from the sour,e il does. will have
the most happy effect and that the remainder of
that little band who il shut out from the sup
port Of the citizen, may at least rely upon the
sympathy of the man. will soon be restored to
their homes and friends. The former high po-
sition of Mr.. Tyler, as we'll as commanding so
cia character he has always maintained, justifes
the belief that the Spanish minister will for
ward this request 10 the government OF Spain
with such personal representations will in
sure its favorable consideration.-E Epening Ar
gus.
SHEawooD FORREST, CHARLES Cry Co, Va,
October I3, 1851.
My DEAR SIR Considering the public rela-
tons that at one period existed between US,
cannot bring myself to believe that you will
either misconstrue my motives in addressing you,
or censure me for 80 doing. | am greatly de-
ceived in the estimate which placed upon your
character during my official intercourse with
you, II now that | am no longer in office, you
shall consider me as stepping beyond the bounds
Of strict propriety in making known to you, and
trust through you to your government, my
wishes and feelings on subject which having
ceased to be political, has become one simply of
humanity. You will readily understand me as
referr q to the condition Of the unfortunate and
misguided men now held in captivity by Spain,
because of their participation in what is known
as the Lopez expedition" / have been urged
by the friends of some Of those unfortunate per-
sons, to ntercede for their discharge, under the
hope entertained by thetn--a mistaksn one it
may bs-that in view Of the friendly relations
which were assiduously cultivated with Spain
during my administration Of the United States
government, she might be incined to listen with
some degree of favor to my advice.
Reflection, has, however, led me to conclude,
in the absence of other information that | now
possess, that each and all of those who are held
in captivity, occupy the same position, and that
the measure meted out to one should be- meted
out to all, and therefore, to avoid all injurious
discrynaton, supplicate mercy for each and
all alike. That these unfortunate men were
led astray from their duty to their own country
and guilty of a fiagrant wrong to Spain, | am
not disposed in any way to question: Admon-
ished by their own government Of the error int o
placed themselves, as seems to be acknowledged,
beyond the pale of its projection, and their only
hope rests upon the mercy of Spain. Is there
any obstacle in the way OF the exercise of that
prerogative, which has been esteemed through
all ages and in all countries by the wise and
good as the brightest and most precious jewel
in the kindly crown3 Already, fifty of their
comrades have made a bloody atonement for
their error their leader has met with an gno-
minious death, and the entire invasion has been
crushed. If sacrifice was wanting TO deter
others from the commission of similar offence,
it has been offered up The vengeance of a
great State has fallen terribly and finally, and
respectfully suggest that, to restore the small
number now In custody, to their friends and
homes would speak more effective tale than
could ever issue from the dungeon or the glib
bet
| In view of the fact that there was no show of
insurrecton against your government on the
part Of the Inhabitants but that the entire popu-
laton of Cuba were hostile to, and united in the
destruction of the invaders, each and every
prisoner if restored, would become ia the United
States, the advocate of submission to the law of
their own country, and an open opponent of all
further efforts to disturb the peace and lanquil-
ty of Spain. Imight plead the fact that several
have received their discharge on the application
of friends, who, from all that appears, were as
much in pGri deiictu, AZ those remaining in
confinement. May | not solicit their release as
well on the score Of policy as humanity3
Pardon me for urging these considerations
upon you, coupled with the request that you
will lay them before your gracious sovereign.
The appeal is made on behalf of the unfortunate,
and whatever may be its result, shall, at least,
have acquitted myself of the duty of a Christian
in visiting the captive in his prison. To your
august Queen, the higher privilege belongs of
unbarring his prison door and setting him free
With sentiments of high respect, AM, dear
sir, your most obedient servant.
JOHN TYLER,
| To His Eycellepcy,
! M. CALDERpN DE LA BARcA.