Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-08-26
LOPEZ EXPEDITION, SC.

The late news from Cuba is Of the most
exciting character General Lopez landed
at Cabanas on the 18th instant with 40 men.
Subsequently, it is supposed, about 90 OF
Lopez's men left the expedition, and were
captured by a Spanish steamer--taken to
Havana. and without shadow Of trial shot
in the most brutal manner--among whom
was Col Clcndenin.
The accounts from the island are conhic-
ting There is no doubt, however, that blood
has been shed, and acomplete revolution must
cnsue. The U. S. Steamer Falcon was fred
into by a Spanish Steamer, and insult offer
ed to the officers and passengers. We
take the following from the Baltimore Clipper
of yesterday:
This island at present attracts universal
attention. An intense anxiety prevails TO
learn the issue Of Lopez's invasion. and the
general feeling is in sympathy with him and
the men under his command. The inhuman
conduct pursued b. the Captain General to :
wards the prisoners taken, has produced, as
we anticipated, intense excitement in the
United States, and will send to Cuba force
which viii carry the island at the point Of the
bayonet. 1t will be war of determination,
the Captain General having set the example.
Men WHO know that they will be shot if tn :.
ken prisoners, will not be apt to give quarters
to their enemies; We may therefore expect
that future contests between the parties will
be of the most sanguinary character.
The latest accounts from Cuba do not fur
nish US with the precise position of Lopez and
his party; but we have no reason TO believe
that they have been discounted. Those of
his party who were taken in boats and shot,
it seems, were not endeavoring to make their
escape, but were on an expedition to seize a
fort. 1t is supposed that Lopez has been
considerably reinforced by the patriots-and
the rumor is, that some thousands of the Gu
ban army have joined him. However this
may be, if he can only maintain himself for
few weeks he will receive such aid from the
United States as will enable him to take the
field openly. This we consider certain; for
such demonstrations are already being made
as shew the determination of large portion
of our citizens to participate in The fray
The General Government will be unable to
restrain the movement. In New York an
immense mass meeting has been held on the
subject; and others will be called at other
places. In fact, the feelings of Indignation
against the Spanish authorities of Cuba, for
their brutal treatment of the prisoners, is so
great, that ten thousand volunteers could be
raised in a week, could other preparations be
made in that time. In order to escape the
Spanish steamers which are eruizing around
the island, a feet of large and we'll armed
steamers should be employed to convey the
:nvaders-a fleet large enough to sink any
Spanish man-of-war that may undertake to
intercept them. When thing is to he done,
it should be well done-and we would give
the authorities of Cuba no further opportu-
nifty to indulge in the amusement of shooting
prisoners without trial, and having their dead
bod es dragged through the streets of Ha-
vana by slaves. Similar inhumanity ON the
part Of Santa Anna, cost himself and nation
dcarly-for it aroused precisely the same
feeling which now exists in relation to the
affair at Havana
Our Government will no doubt endeavor
to prevent the cmbarkation of troops for Gu
ba; but they will go nevertheless; for it will
be impossible to guard all points, or to pre-
vent an evasion of the laws Had the au-
thorities of Cuba simply shot the prisoners
after trial-had they RETAINED from the dis
gushing dragging of the bodies through the
streets by negro slavcs-had they abstaincd
from the use of insulting and menacing Ian
guage towards American citizens, who were
not engaged in the expedition of Lopez, the
excitement against said authorities might
have been less intense, and the desire for ven
geance less ardent But as things stand.
nothing can rcpress the determination to dis
possess Spain of Cuba, ana to chastise the
inhuman monsters who govern the Island
Our Government will adhere to it's treaty
with Spain, but the people will assist the pa
triots of Cuba as they assisted those of Tex
as, in achieving their independence.
But We are told, that a treaty made last
year between England, France and Spain,
expressly guarantees to the latter the pos
session of Cuba. Such treaty may have
been made but it will be Intellectual to pre-
vent the liberation Of Cuba. Neither Eng
land nor France will interfere after the au-
thorities Of Spain shall have been expelled
from the standard it is we'll known that
the United States will not stand idle specta-
tiers If England or France, or both, should iu-
termedd!e in this business. Our Govern
ment will not quietly permit Cuba to be
transferred to any maritime power. 1t is
the interest of England to preserve her pres
ent relations with this country, and she will
not be likely to seek a quarrel which would
be ruinous to her commerce and manufac-
lures.
THE HAVANA MASSACRE.