The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-19

complimentary dinner, to take place to-day, We
may be able to give telegraphic report of it to-
morrow 1t will, probably, be one of his great
efforts
The Cuban Invaders-Important Charge of
Judge Eetts on the Neutrality Laws.
On Saturday last, Judge Belts, Of the United
States District Court delivered most important
charge on the neutrality laws, to the Grand jury
who have Just been assembled to investigate the ac
cusations made against John l.. O'Sullivan and
two or three Others, for attempting to get up mill
tary or maraudsg expedition against the island Of
Cuba. The Judge examines the law in all its
points and bearings, and by implication, conveys
very severe upon the United States author-
ties al New Orleans, for the gross mismanagement
displayed in the recent trials there-through which,
Lopez and his associates escaped the consequences
Of their unlawful acts.
-Apropos Of the New Orleans trials. We per-
seiye that the Ncc HaU0s Courier and the Louis
rige Journal take strong exceptions to the view
which we have recently given, OF the inethcien-
cy Of the United States government. in conduct
ing the trials in New Orleans, against Lopez.
and other violators Of the neutrality law, af-
fecting the relations Of this country with the
island Of Cuba. II is intimated, by one Of these
Journals, that the United States government could
not 80 easily purchase a verdict against Lopez,
in New Orleans, in consequence Of the cond-
ton Of public opinion there, as any person, with
any ridiculous speculation, might be able 70 pur-
chase puff in the columns Of the Nor York Herald.
If our contemporary beyond the Aleghanes would
try such attempt Us, he would find, as many
other blockLcads have done, that it would be very
much easier to purchase a verdict anywhere, than
to buy puff for any ridiculous project, from the
Nor York HGaR
But that is not the question. We have insisted
and do still insist that the Cuban trials in that city
were most grossly msmanaged by the agents Of the
government there, from beginning to end, without
reference to the condition of public opinion, Of any
kind. The principal offender against the neutrality
laws, in that expedition, was Lopez, who had been
indicted by grand jury in New Orleans. There
was ample and sufficient evidence, floating round
the country, to convict him Of q violation Of our
laws and yet although he the head and front Of
the expedition, the United States District Attorney
ut New Orleans passed over the principal criminal
and brought up FOR trial, in the FIRST instance one
of those against whom the evidence was slight and
inconclusive in the highest degree. We aIlude
10 the case Of Gen. Henderson. lie had littlc or
no connection with the Cuban expedition, further
than that o. being the agent or broker for the
sale and transfer Of steamer. 1t Il probable that
Cen. Henderson may have sympathiz.d with the
expedition; but he had committed overt act,
duplicating him in the violation Of the neutrality
laws, and although there may have been sufficient
evidence for an Indictment there was none Cor con-
viction. II was the same in the case Of General
Qui,man. We speak from what we know. Gene
raj Quitman also sympathizcd With those connect
ed with the expedition General Worth did 50 be-
fore bis death. Aftsr his death, General Gluitman
was the next in rotation, upon whom the inTaders
were to confer the leadership. lie, however, de-
si;ned the position, although be expressed himself
warmly in favor Of the expedition Jet neither
Quitman nor Henderson could have been convicted
from the expression Of an opinion AMI sthiug
else could be proved against them.
Now, an these facts we're well known 70 tbs agents
Of the government At View Orleans and probably
also in Washington. The trial Of Henderson was
arst insisted upon, II spite q ell the evidence
against Lopez The result turned out to Re what
The irstgators Of such q course cxpoc,ed-lIsnler-
son could not be convicted, after three trials. The
United states District Attorney, apparently in a
pet, but really sympatbiring With Lopez, entered
mode ~ scgai on the whole ba ch, aai thus allowed
him 10 escape. Here was the great error Of The
government Of The United Statcs-arisng e..hef
from its ignorance or It's imbocilty Il va 4
scheme concoctcl by Mr. Clarion, before BE- lcft
the state Department, and a consequence u hiA vsr
satiiiy and want u frmness, throughout the whole
expedition. The great error Of President ilmora
has been 10 following. ignorantly or knowingly, "
do not know which, the plans CONGO ted BY Clayton
plans deliberately adopted Tor letting the Cuban
invaders escape. Probably TIE rressnt aiminis-
trsiion may have bad another motive. Quitman
IA. es4.. 49,