The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-09
DOCUMENTS
Accompanying the Presidents Message.
THE LOPEZ EXPEDITION.
RELATIVE TO THE AMERICANS WHO WERE
TAKEN PRISONERS AND SENT TO SPAIN.

TAKEN PRISONERS AND SENT 10 SPAIN.
-Acting Secretayyof SLATE 10 VI. Caldron.
DEPARrMBkr or STATE
WAsnIsGToN, September g. 1851.
Il having been announced, both by telegraph
and in the newspapers of this date, that Lopez has
been captured and executed, and that one hundred
and fifty five under his command have been
arrested, the undersigned, Acting Secretary Of
State OF the United States, has the honor of adj
dressing himself TO his excellency Don A. Calde-
ron de la Barca, Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Penipotcniiary of her Catholic majesty, for the
purpose Of ascertaining from him whether he is
possessed of any certain information on the sub
ect and in that event to beg that he Will be pleased
TO communicate the same 10 this Department.
In the event of these facts relative to the
ton of Lopez and the seizure OF his command, be-
ing true, as generally stated, the undersigned
avais himself OF this opportunity to submit the fol-
lowing remarks 10 his excellency Don a. Caldercn
de la Barca:
During the several hostile attempts which have
been made upon the leland Of Cuba, the Govern
mcnt of the United States has never hesitated to
pursue the course which pointed out to il by
the stern dictates of duty. whetherin putting forth
all its executive energies TO prevent any violation
OF existing laws or TO punish those of lts officers
who had Jailed 10 execute, or exhibited any crimi
nal ackwardness in the execution OF such laws.
la view of these considerations, and oi the tragica
antecedents connected with this last expedition; in
view also of the peculiar state OF excitement under
which the popular mind ia sti laboring, conse
quent upon the summary proceedings against the
party Of Americans captured at Bahia Honda, the
Government of the United States would be much
gratfed to learn that his excellency Mr.. Calderon
had used the influence of his high position in per-
suading the Governor General Of Cuba 10 treat the
unfortunate party Of citizens OF the United States
reported to have lately been captured with that
leniency which so becomes magnanimous con-
queror and which, in this case, could not fail TO
strengthen the cause OF her naJeSty ~ showing to
Che world that in the midst OF the most aggra-
waiting circumstances the horirescan lis
ten TO the voice OF humanity and appreciate the I'M
happypositionof those misg uided menwhohaye been
lured to destruction by false representations. 1t
may be said on the part of Spain that the summary
execution of Mr.. Crittenden's party was an indis-
pensabc act of policy, required by the exigency
of the occasion, and necessary TO deter others from
making similar attempts in future; bot any Vlo-
lence or undue austerity which may be pursued
against the party of Americans lately captured
would only tend to exasperato the public mind In
this country. Now that the principal nstigator OF
those outrages is out of the way, any harsh inca
cures against these defenccless men would prob.
bly, be made the plea for new connections, and be
represented the unnecessary outpourings OF
revengeful spirit; whereas, by course oil lenlsy
aud mercy, the storm of passions which at present.
RACES in portions OF this country might be appeas-
ed, and the asperities felt by those who have lost
friends relations by the rst executions consld-
erably softened down.
The undersigned begs Mr.. Calderon distinctly
to understand that no right Is now claimed on the
part of this Government to intervene officially with
regard to this matter, but that the foregoing re-
marks offered as simply enbodying the private
wishes of this Government, and as worthy the con-
sideration of one SO eminently humane and kindly
disposed her Catholic majesty's representative
in the United statea.
Il The undersigned has the honor to renew to Mr..
Calderon the assurance of his distinguished consid-
Grafton. w. S. DERRICK,
MO Acting Secretary.