The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-06
Commodore Parker 10 Mr.. Webster.
UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP SARANAc,
Orr HAVANA Sentember 10 1881

Commodore Parker 10 Mr.. Webster.
UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP SARANAc,
Orr HAvAsA, September II, 1851.
Sin: Since my despatch of the 9th instant no
thing of note has occurred. The Captain General
informs that all the survivors Of the late invad
ing force have been captured.
One hundred and thirty-fi OF the prisoners
sailed on the Sth for Spain in Spanish barque,
conveyed by sloop of war and steamer ! un.
derstand twenty five were left in the hospital and
about sixteen still in prison, there not
room for them in the transport.
Two days before the sailing Of the prisoners
was informed by Mr.. Thrasher, an American gen
tleman residing in Havana, that collection had
been made to provide comforts for them on the pas
sage to Spain, and he wishes permission to put
them on board the barque waited on the Captain
General, who readily granted the desired permits
sion.
The evening before the prisoners called re-
quested our Consul, Mr. Owen, to visit them, (not
being permitted to see them myself) he did SO,
both at the prison and hospital, and found them
cheerful cleanly clad, and the sick having proper
medical attendance.
My mission here known several days previ-
Gus to arrival, and have reasons for believing
that the course intended to be pursued by the Cap
tain General in relation to it decided on before my
arrival.
i neglected to state, in my letter of the 9th, that
at our first interview the Captain General stated
distinctly he could not enter into correspondence
with me in relation to the prisoners as he was di-
rected by his government not to do so, and that
diplomatic powers were vested alone in the Span
ish Minister at Washington.
cannot imagine why the Captain General re-
| fused to permit to see the prisoners, as Com
mander Patt, our Consul, and several other Anne
ricans had been allowed to do SO, unless it to
avoid all correspondence in relation to them.
enclose copy of my note asking an interview
with the Captain General, with his reply, by which
| you will perceive he declined receiving
commissioner, on the ground that he had not been
advised by his government of my coming in that
capacity.
! The honorable Secretary of the Navy says, in his
instructions to me of the 23d ultmo; "With this
you will be put in possession OF instructions from
| the Department of State appointing you special
commissioner to communicate, on the subject
| therein mentioned, with the Governor and Captain
| General of Cuba" Although the Department of
State, i'll it's instructions to me, says nothing about
special commissioner, concluded il was from
inadvertence and therefore informed the Captain
General, in my note, that had been appointed one
! by the President of the United States.
| have sought in vain for an American citizen
| who had been eye witness to the execution of
the prisoners on the 10th ulimo. great many
conflicting reports are in circulation regards the
mutilation of the bodies after death.
The Captain General promised that all the names
OF the prisoners should be published in the Official
Gazette with the places of the former abodes BIRTH
the State to which they belonged, &C., far
! as could be ascertained. This had not been done
yesterday when left port, but hope to get it in
time for the steamer Of the l7th, by which this will
| 60. | was informed by Colonel Haynes Gone of
the released prisoners) that a correct muster roll
| giving birthplace residence, &C., of oil the in
yadipg force, was taken and placed in the hands
of Lopez. 1t is probably now in the possession Of
the Captain General or some Of the authorities at
| Havana
have been put to great inconvenience, and per-
haps gained less information in regard to what is
passing here than ! otherwise should, from not
having interpreter. None of the officers of the
" Saranac" speak or write Spanish, and the inter
| prefers TO be obtained in the city not in all
cases to be relied on.
| NV oninion ia thnt tho Crrolea arc mt in n ait
alton to throw off the Spanish yoke, even if they
wished II, and that no invading force coming TO
this island can expect aid from them
The Captain General and all the officers with
whom have had intercourse have been polite and
courteous.
! The newspapers forwarded to the Department
were handed me by respectable American residents
OF Cuba, and may contain paragraphs OF interest.
Mr.. Van Vechtcn, the young man who was re-
leased at the solicitation of Commander Plat, was
put on board the steamer Winfield Scott" on the
| Sth instant, bound to New York.
am, cir, with the highest respect, your most
obedient servant,
| FOXHALL A. PARKER,
Commanding Home Squadron.
The Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary Of State
washington.
ENCLOSURES IN THE ABOVE DESPATCH.
Commodore Parker 10 the Captain General Of Cuba
U. S. STEAM. rRIGArE sARAxAc,
| FLAGSHIP U. s. HOME SaUADRoH
HAVANA, September 4, 1851.
| EXCELLENT SIR: | have the honor to acquaint
| your exoellcncy that have been appointed BY the
President OF the United States a epecia Cominis-
sioner, IN addition to my duties commander in
chief OF the United States squadron on this ton
to confer with you in relation 10 matters, and to
ascertain certain facts, growing out OF the capture
ana execution, ON the morning Of the 10th ultimo,
by order OF the authorities of the Island OF Cuba, of
about nifty men, captured in boots, some of. whom
1t ls supposed were citizens Of tho United States
Will your oxccllency be pleased to give me an
audience Mt your earliest convenience