American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-24

would most solemnly declare before God that
In my Judgment, at the time and under the cir
cumstances, it was not in my power either to
have an interview with the prisoners, or to
have done any thing on their behalf.
want, Al. r. OWEN.
| We purpose making few comments here,
taking his paragraphs in consecutive order.
| /. We have invariably refrained from COM
menting upon Mr.. OVENS conduct, in the
hope that he would be able to explain, to the
satisfaction Of his countrymen, his omission to
act, &c.
2 Upon reading his defence we do not feel
80 free from doubt on this subject.
8. This paragraph is ridiculous and absurd
The times were exciting; all Cuba was alarmed ;
the Cuban military in large numbers were in
pursuit of the Americans; their arrest was
hourly expected; and sick or well, the American
Consul should have been in Havana at all hours,
prepared to act in a moment, should an emer-
gency arise. But since he did not choose to
| DO so, is it possible that he had no person in
| his employ, no friend, no one to repair to him
promptly with the information? Is it possible
| that no American or other person at Havana
| thought OF summoning the American Consul at
moment when the lives of fifty of his country
men were to be summarily sacrificed? Did the
authorities and the people of Cuba hold him in
| such contempt as totally to forget that our
country had q representative at Havana? Was
there another person within ten miles of Ha-
vana who did not know of the wonderful events
in progress there? 1t oil looks improbable.
But, on arriving in town at ten o'clock, he heard
that /" the prisoners had been tried, found
guilty, condemned, 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" !"
| Now, we admit that this was tolerably hurried
| work, though some of our most moral and ele-
| waited contemporaries are shocked at our saying
50. But let US proceed.
4. His excuse for not acting then was, that
it was too late; but he has the shameless etfront-
cry to acknowledge that he made no effort ohat-
eper TO see the prisoners If this be q defence of
Mr.. Owen by himself, we would like to sec so
wonderful story as his confession would provel
s. He tells us: alt was but q short time
afterwards thatI sent to the palace Of the Gov
ernor and Captain General, and heard that the
prisoners had then been executed !" Now this
is too despicaby dwelling and contemplate! /!
Twenty thousand soldiers and Creoles had wit
messed the butchery of ifty-two brave, gallant,
and worthy men their remains had been dealt
with as though they were so many slaughtered
swine; the populace and soldiery of Havana
were gloating over the internal scene; the
streets of the city we're thronged with triumph
ant demons, carrying trophies in their hands
"joy peryaded all classes" as the Spanish ac-
counts assured us; and yet it was then that
the american Consul sent to the palace and
learned that the prisoners had been executed I!
g. This is triumphant conclusion from the
foregoing facts! s
T. The charge of indifference is falsehood
and a calumny! OF course it is. Who now
dare say otherwise? Have we not the proofs
of the utmost concern, Of the most active pa
triotism, benevolence, and humanity?
8. He fills the measure Of his infamy, and
casts himself into a still lower pit Of loath-
some debasement, by daring to solemnly de-
clare before God that it was not in his power to
have an interview with the prisoners, cor to
have done any thing on their behalf"
This defence by Mr.. Owen of himself is all |
that was needed to prove him guilty Of con-
duct so vile and base as to render him worthy |
the execrations of his countrymen and Of man
kind. He is either the most abject and craven |
Of men, or the most docile and plant tool that
ever obeyed a masters behests. There are
proofs Of this, and they shall be given.
Let us first give place to the following, which
will explain itself:
HAVANA, September IL, 1851
To the Editor Of The Republic:
Having been requested by o very large por-
ton of the prisoners of the late Cuban expedi-
ton to write to their friends, informing them
of their situation and good health, | have
thought it best to throw my observations, which /
must necessarily be general in their principal /
features, into the form of n circular, and |
have now the honor to address you this at the |
request Of all the prisoners.
The prisoners were brought to this city in
different lots, and as fast as they arrived were
shaved Of their hair, chained two together, and
placed all in one long saloon in the prison
During the first few days il was exceedingly
difficult to obtain permission TO visit them. The
British Consul, Joseph i. Crawford, esq, did !
so on the first day, and accompanied by his
Mr.. W. Sydney Smith, who has never
ceased in his exertions in their behalf, gave
them the first cheering words. On the next
day, Mr. Allen Z. Owen, the American Consul, (
asked for and obtained permission, and, as | !
was subsequently informed by the prisoners,
told them that "the President had proclaimed
them without the pale Of the law, and he could
DO nothing for them" During several days our
only means of contributing to the amelioration
Of their condition was through Mr.. Smith, who
continued to visit them twice daily, taking them
small comforts and speaking in their behalf, by