The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-02

ton
A similar remark might be made. if applied
to the hearts of certain politicians who flourish
in these days; but in their cases it would be
said their hearts are all cotton"
THE AMERICAN CONSUL AT HAVANA.
Mr.. Owen, American Consul at Havana,
who has been severely cessured for his appa-
rent Indifference TO the fate of the American
prisoners in Cuba, has written the following
letter in defence. Ia -
1t is lame affair, and shows that he has not
energy and courage enough for his position
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
Hdudnd, September 10, 1851.
Tothe Editor of the Repvbl,c ,-
SIR: In your weekly tissue of the 2sth ultimo
you do me the justice to object 30 my condem-
nation without hearing, and 10 say that am
probably able to explain TO the satisfaction of
my countrymen my omission 10 act relative to
the execution of the prisoners who were shot
here on the 9Th ultimo.
do not doubt thsk shall satisfy every inn
partial mind that | am undeserying censure.
and that had no opportunityof doing any
thing in behalf of the unfortunate men who
met 80 sad a fate.
reside about four miles from this place and,
not being well on the morning of the 10Th. did
did not reach my Office till some time after ten
SS2SSs ,,,.>.> siIss pIiiii lr5,,rl uI tIs
capture of about fifty of the men who had come
with Lopez to this island in the steamer Pam
pero at the same time heard that the pris-
oners had been tried, found guilty, condemned,
ordered to be executed, the order for their ex0I
cution sent forward, and that they were al.s6t
being removed from the harbor where<fhey
were to be placed for execution.
Shortly afterwards, the American residing
here, who, it is said called on me, came and
mentioned the subject to me, when | said to
him that it was too late and that could do
nothing-that | should not have time to get
permission to see the prisoners Of this felt
perfectly satisfied at the time and have since
been confirmed in this opinion by the highest
authority in the island, who informed me that
the execution, which had already been ordered
before | reached the city, would not have been
postponed for me to have an interview with the
prisoners inasmuch a. all | could have asked
TO be permitted to do had already been done
by a gentleman known TO some of the prison.
ers and for whom they had sent
Soon after the American referred to left my
Office, received the information that gentle
man known to some of the prisoners had been
sent for by Them and to him they had deliv-
cred the articles and messages they desired to
be conveyed to their friends. twas but short
time afterwards that | went TO the palace of
the Governor and Captain General, and heard
that the prisoners had then been executed
You will thus see that had ns time to act
and that it was not in my power to do any
thing for the unfortunate men who had been
| induced to invade Cuba, with <isf expectation
that they would find the whole laand In stats
Of revolution, and that they would be received
with open arms by the whole native population
at least.
The charge of Indifference to the dreadful
condition of such number of men, the bitter
est enemy have on earth will not believe
and all must believe it TO be base falsehOoC
and an unfounded calumny.
If it were allowable on such an occasion,
would most solemnly declare before God tina
in my Judgment at the time and under the cir
cumstances, il was not in my power either Il
have an interview with the prisoners, or 10 hay,
done anything ON their behalf
1 am very respectfully your obedient ser
want, A F. OWEN.