Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-11-07
From the Plaindealer

Dear Sir: see letter going the rounds of the
newspapers from Allen F. Owen U. S. consul at
Havana. Permit through the columns of your
paper to correct Of his statements in regard to
his conduct towards Col Crittendens command and
other American prisoners since confined in the Pun
ia at Havana. In the first place he says:
Il reside about four miles from this place, and not
being we'll on the morning of the 10th, did not reach
my Office till sometime after 10 o'clock when, for the
first time heard of the capture of about fifty of the
men who had come with Lopez to this island in the
steamer Pampero. l. at the same time, heard that
the prisoners had been tried, found guilty, and con-
demned, ordered to be executed the order for their
execution sent forward, and that they were about
being removed from the harbor where they were, to
the place Of execution.
This is the most perfect collection of falsehoods
met with and is only equalled in absurdity by
the audacity of the in thus attempting to iust
fy his conduct through the American press. He
does not live four miles out Of town. he sick
at the time referred to- He did not know in time of
the arrest of Col Critenden and his party, and
sent for by them and positively refused to them
on the that they outlaws. The Ameri-
can, German and English citizen resident in Havana
will testify to this whenever called upon.
The American Consul's assertion that the prison
ers had been tried, found guilty and condemned is
alsehood that every in the United States. at all
acquainted with Spanish rule must see at once. 1t
is not the custom to try prisoners in Havana, other
than by the garrotte, or by shooting in the back,
! which Mr.. Owen knew, at the time he penned his
letter we'll as the Governor General did himself
and, judging from Mr.. Ovens conduct, | should
think he more in dread of getting in prison him
self than anxious to get others out. The Governor
General exercises great influence over cowardIy
wretches like Allen F. Owen, no matter what coun-
try they may hail from. Hence account, in great
measure, for his neglect of duty in permitting the
Americans to be shot.
With regard to the other prisoners his conduct is
equally outrageous. When | reached the prison, |
found eight or ten of my comrades there, and they
all said that the Consul had not been to them
!, also sent the same evening, by an American Mer-
chant at Havana, to Mr. Owen, and he refused to
come. saying that own Government did not re-
cognize US. When Capt Platt, of the sloop Of war
Albany, visited US, sent to Mr. Owen by him, and
he again refused to
Then Lieut.. Taylor of the Albany, said he would
make him come and the next morning Mr. Owen
paid a visit with Capt. Platt AS he came in: the
Americans gathered around him and for reason
he backed through the door and held conversation
with with the CRATES Intervening. then asked him
to assist in corresponding with my friends in the
United States. He refused / nep me, and said that
would be sent to Spain.
Many of the prisoners then gave up all hope of as
sstance from the American Consul and threw them
selves the protection of Mr. Crawford the British
Consul. Two of the Mississippi volunteers, Ameri
cans, called themselves Irishmen in order to obtain
| assistance from the English Consul.
After | was released. and while remaining or
board the ship Norma the American Consul asked a
TREND OF mine, from New orleans, II L knew why
was released, My friend said no. Mr.. Owen then
said that he did not want the credit the blame Of
my release to rest upon him.
My object in publishing this letter is to defend the
reputation of my gallant companions in prison
by refutng the falsehoods in MIR Ovens letter and
to show to the American people the true character
of their Consul at Havana.
E Will the papers that have published Mr. Owen.
letter give this place in their columns
J. A. KELLY,
e Late Captain Cuban Expedition