Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-13

his and follow his standard There is good
to believe that but for his agency, and that Of other
Spaniards who had to the country expedition
against Cuba would ever have been set foot The
policy Of the United States is the policy of peace until
there shall arise just of The colonies of Spain
are near to our shores Our with them is
large and important and the records of the diplomatic in
tercourse between the two countries will manifest to her
Catholic Majestys Government how sincerely and how
steadily the United States has manifested the hope that
political changes might lead to transfer of these
colonies from her Majesy's Crown If there is among
the existing Governments of the civilized world which for
long Of years has diligently sought to maintain
amcable relations with SPAIN it is the Government of the
United States Not only does the correspondence between
the two Governments show this but the truth is es
tabshed by the history of the legislation Of the country
and the general Of the Executive Government. In
this recent invasion Lopez and his elowsubjects in the
United States succeeded in deluding few hundred men,
continued and systematic misrepresentation of the
political condition Of the island and of the wishes of its
inhabitants And is not for the purpose of revving
pleasant recolecons that her Maestys Government is
reminded that it is not many years since the commerce OF
the United States suffered severely from armed boats and
vessels which found refuge and shelter in the ports Of the
Spanish islands These violations of the law these au-
thors of gross violence towards the citizens of this Repub-
c finally suppressed any effort of the Spanish
authorities but by the activity and vigilance of navy
This however, not accomplished but by the efforts Of
several years. until many valuable lives, well as
vast amount of property had been lost Among Others
Lieut. Allen very valuable and distinguished officer in
the naval service Of the United States, killed in n
action with these banditti.
purpose
ing complaints either of the violation of treaty Obligations
of unusfable remissness against the Government OF
Spain the authorities of the islands. But it may be
brought the notice of the Spanish Government pne
the consequences which may sometimes flow from he
conduct Of men disposed to carry criminal enterprises
and favored in the execution of such enterprises by tie
conguty of the possessions Of the two Governments
The Spanish islands lie the of America and they
use Of steam has rendered the passage from one
to tho other short; but while this facilitates the
accomplishment of the purposes of wrong-doers, on
Govern
ment to pursue, overtake, and dispense them or
bring them, proper trial and punishment In truth,
steam has greatly increased the proximity between Cuba
and the United States. We have become much nearer
neghbOrs than formerly and the duty which this new
state of things devolves both Governments is to keep
closer and strcter watch their subjects and citizens
respectively in order that violation of treaty obga
ons and interruption of the peace and amy existing
between the two Governments may take place. And this
duty will be performed the part Of the United States
diligently and faithfully in the true spirit OF treaties as
well in the proper execution of the laws You are at
liberty to communicate these observations to the Govern
ment of her Catholic Majesty.
have to call your attention to another subject of
much interest. We have learned that hundred and
sxywo of the persons captured the island of Cuba,
having constituted part of Lpezs forces have been
sent to Spain. We have official information respecting
their trial sentence their subsequent destination
is generally reported that they have been to be
sent to the mines The Government of the United States
has admitted that these voators both of the law nations
and Of the laws Of their country have legal claim
for its protection Yet they men, and most of them
ignorant deluded 1t cannot be denied that they
such objects of compassion; and think may say
that punishment inflicted many persons for
attempt which has ended in failure signal and for
offence which, however grave has already been expa
ted by the lives of majority of those who participated in
it. might be regarded inconsistent with feelings of hui
mainly and that generosity of sentiment which may not
unreasonaby be looked for from the Sovereign of great
nation. This seems to have been the sentiment enter
tanned by the Captain General of Cuba under the influence
of which he pardoned several of the captves and her
Maesys Government may be assured that this wise and
weconsdered exercise of cemency and mercy has pro-
duced the best effects in this country He has said that
in the executions ordered by him he acted under
vcton of the absolute necessity of setting example
which might deter others from the performance of acts
of similar crimnay That example has been set by the
infection of punishment prompt as it was awful by
the execution of fifty The knowledge of their
miserable fate has been carried to every in this
try and spread all over the world.
Is not this enough? Can example be made more ter
rife? Certainly act of clemency the part of the
Spanish Government could not be thought symptom
Of weakness. May not the sword of justice be
sheathed without danger and the voice Of christian hui
many be allowed to be heard? And if the Spanish
Government entertain great feeling Of compassion
for these deuded and offending themselves is 1t not
highly just proper consider that they have friends
and families distressed fathers and Mothers weeping
brothers and sisters all Of them unoendng, and some OF
them most respectable persons Application has peen
made for the nterposon of the kind Offices of this Gov
eminent from fathers whose sons-thoughtless young
men, seduced by the efforts of Lopez and his associates
eloped from their homes and Joined the expedition
knowledge
in regard to the results of the Cuban INVASION all
for sympathy and compassion is not one side. am
that general officer in her Majestys service
slan and that many Spanish soldiers and Spanish sub
ecs lost their lives in defence Of their Government and
Of their homes But the President thinks that 1T is
wise to suffer oblivion to the past He is anxious
for the removal of every which might tend to keep
alive w between the citizens and subjects of the two
countries So long these prisoners shall continue to be
suffering and lingering punishment in foreign
land long will efforts be constantly made by their
friends their release by appeals to the good
offices of their Government The tendency Of these appi
cations only be to keep alive very considerable m
taon 1t is in consideration of this and from strong
wish for the extnguishmen of all feelings Of that kind
that in the Judgment of the President nothing would be
useful than the granting Of her Maesys pardon to
the residue of these prisoners and suffering them to re-
turn to their own homes.
Those who were pardoned by the Captain-General of
Cuba appear to have been among the most prominent and
well informed members Of the expedition The rendless
informed of their duties md obligations 1t nvdi-
GUS unjust make distinctions of this kind You say
that the existing belief in Spain is that the result Of the
expedition has strengthened the hands Of the Spanish
Government and given security to its possession Of
the island similar sentiment prevails to some
tent, hcre.
We not apprzed of the disposition which may have
been made Of the prisoners Who you state, in your No.
g. had arrived at vigo In your inquiry to
whether in any event. and to what extent assistance in
clothing other necessares might be furnished to such
might need and apply for the account of the
United States, have to remark that it is expected that
none Of the needy among the prisoners will be allowed
to suffer for want of the necessaries of e You will
l