The southern press., 1851-09-17
S E MI w Il Il TX l. Y.



own small means. imagine no one will say
we had right to expect such treatment. Gar
conduct forced and demanded their respect, but
certainly we had no claim either on their sympa-
thy or generosity.
Much has been said relative to the executions
of Crittenden and his men. Among all the prls
oners now in Havana, much AS they admired
Crittenden, there is but one opinion, and that is,
that that execution was justiiable--was marited
That they were deceived all know; but that was
no business of the Spanish authorities. Surely
ihe provocaton received was sufficient to justify
not only the execution OF those men, but OF eve-
ry man connected with the expedition. Why
look at this aft f.ir in its proper light! Where,
even history, in the annals OF the world, do
you find similar occurrence! Here four hund-
red and fifty men, without having received the
least proyocation, leave their homes, and invade
the shores OF perfectly p ceful island express
inc determination to take that island from its
lawful owners by force. Self-preservalion Is
one Of the first laws OF nature; ani II the law
will uphold that American citizen, who, without
hesitation, shoots down the midnight robber IN
defence of his property, certainly that law viii
uphold the officers Of the crown OF SPAN IN eX-
terminating band ofmen who attempt to wresl
its brightest Jewel from that crown. Iconsider
deserved death. At the time was made pris.
oner fully expected it, and, although the refec-
ton was anything but pleasant, my own con-
science told me that it was just Crttenden
with his force not only committed crime in
landing on the island, but actually committed
an act of open piracy in taking those vessels in
which he was caught the punishment OF which
is. by the laws of all nations, DEATH
Much has been said relative to the mutlation
of their bodies Certainly was not present at
the time and cannot speak po itively, but can
not learn from reliable source that such was
the case. have conyersed with the officers Of
the u. S. ship Albany on the subject They are
men of high standing in society, and they as
sure me that such was not the case-that they
were shot in accordance with military usages
on such occasions, and that the only thing
that occurred that could be condemned was the
way in which they were dragged to and thrown
into carts by the negroes ordered to bury them.
It has been reported that Crittenden wrote
home that he had been abandoned by Lopez
wi hout arms or ammunition. | 10 no. believe
that Crttenden ever wrote anything of the kind.
Attached to his command-in hourly contact
with him knew him. and do not hesitate in
saving that brayer, nobler, more honorable man
than VIM. L. Crittenden, never lived. Instead
of having no ammunition, he had all, ard was
particularly selected to guard t-that being u
most difficult and yet honorable service. Lopez
did not desert him, but in leaving him, in divid-
inc his command, committed one of those errors
which eventually cost him his life but had
Crittenden, on the morning of the 18th, gone on
and ioined Lopez at Los Posas, instead OF re-
| treating to the sea, all would have been we'll
| then he would have lost only the stores; as it
was he lost all. Why did he's so, Is incxpllcable,
and must ever remain involved in mystery.
Had Lopez carried out his original intention
of landing near Puerto Principe, the result
nigh, perhaps, have been different he Nigh,
! there, perhaps have found friends, and raised 4
force sufficient to sustain Itself until reinforce.
ments were sent out from the States. In land
ing where he did, Lopez without doubt acted AS
! ne thought for the best; but there, as in many
other Instances, he erred. OF his PERSONA
courage there is no doubt; but when We peak
of military knowledge, of judgment, OF his
ability to lead an expedition, | say at once be
had neither. lopez was probably as much ol
more deceived than aav man in the exp.
ditioa. His ambition led hin 10 be lne tool
and victim Of hcartless Spectators Avarice
not philanthropy, was the main spring Of thi'
expedition
row distinctly, openly 'sert that al those
letters purparting 10 be from Cuba, wblch wer.
! published during the month OF July last, AID
copied throughout the Union, were base force
res, for the express purpose Of decciving t1e
citizens of the United States, aud advancing
the sale or Cuban bonds. Knowi"g The anibi.
ton of Lopez, and that strong disposition TO ex.
tend the glorious boon Of freedom which fills the
breast Of every American citizen, these specu
lato-s in human blood took advantage Of their
knowledge to further their own end. They
we'll knew no little effort was required to
start and keep alive this excitement. They
thought, or at least they foudly hoped, that more
men would 90 ont TO Join this little band, and
that eventually the island would be free
Cuban bonds were worth, or were selling nj
from 10 to 30 cents on dollar, when this expe.
dition left. Naturally they wonId increase ir
value. rs the prospect Of libcrating Cuba became
more certain and il this expedition succeeded
as they pretended TO think il would, Cuba, wheT
liberated from what they denominated the ty
rnnny of Spain, would have been burihened
with a debt of from fifty to one hundred mil
lions OF dollars, at least fifty per cent. of which
would have been in the pockets of these would
be philinthropists, who, active az they wished t.
be thought in the holy cIuse Of liberty, took
the best Of good care to peril neither life not
their own precious liberty in its behalf. Al lh,
expiration Of the war, and after Cuba should
have become free, then j. was TO be annexed tc
the United States, and as a matter Of course the
payment Of these Cuban bonds was to be as
sumed by that government. What do thay
care for the mothers, wives, and sisters Of tht
gallant men who formed this Inflated expedition
\ who have been rendered utterly wretched anC
miserable forever They do not feel the chains
the anguish, bprne by those one hundred anC
sixty noble fellows, doomed TO spend the hes
ten years of their lives in Spanish prison. No
they feel the blO1l.monay in their pockets, anC
laugh over the result Of their speculation. They
are the men to be punished. II is on them th,
shades of our murdered countrymcn call for ven
geance Heavy, indeed, must he their punish
ment when, at the last day, an offended and jus
Judge shall demand of them retritut:cn for the
deed.
This, believe. correct account Of the causes
proceedings and results Of the unfortunate ex
pedi,ion have endcavored TO give an impair
t;,I ,,.ouut aud if INV n,nu other North n