Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-12-05

and carried to Havana, aud, after being
examined before II military court were
sentenced to be publicly executed, and the
sentence was carried into effect OH the 10
Vt August.
On receiving information of what had occur
ell. Commodore Foxhall A. Parker was insiruc-
ed to proceed in tho steam-friga'e Saranac to
Havana, and inquire into the charges against
the persons executed the circumstances und'r
which they were taken, and whatsoever referred
10 their trial and sentence. Copies OF the in
slructons from the Department Of State to him,
nd Of his letters to that department, are here.
wi submitted.
According to the record Of the examination,
he prisoners all admitted the offences charged
against them, Of being hostile invaders OF the
island. Al the time Of their trial and execu> !
l"n The main body OF the invaders was still in
the field. making war upon the Spanish author.
les aud Spanish subjects. After the lapse OF
some days, being overcome by the Spanish
roops, they dispersed on the oath OF August
Lopez, their leader captured some days at
ter, and executed on the 1st Of Septein ber. Ma
ny 81 his remaining followers were Killed,
died OF hunger and fatigue, and the rest were
made prisoners. Ofthese, none appear to have
cen tried executed. Several of them were
ardoned upon Application of their friends and
theirs an the rest about one hundred and SIX
v in number, were sent to Spain. or The final
disposition made of these we have no fhcia IN
formation.
Such is the melancholy result of this illegal
and il.-tied expedition. Thus, thouglnIess
| Young men have been induced, by false and
frauJul ut representations, to violate the law OF
| heir couairv through rash and uniounded ex-
pectarions of assisting TO accomplish political
revo utions IN other states, and have lost their
Hvcs ~ the undertaking. Too severe ludg-
meut can hardly he passed. by the indignant
-pnse uf the community, upon those who, beng
better informed themselves, have yet led away
lie ardur OF youth and An il.d,rected love ot
.ohlca liberty. The correspondence between
AS Government and that of Spain relating 10
Ms Transaction is hereu th communicated.
Although these otipnd, rs against the laws
have forfeited the protection of their country,
", / the Government may, so tar as is consistent
" it'll It's ubiia TO other countries, aud It's
fixed purpose To maintain and enforce the laws,
entertain sympathy for their un"ffendlng iim-
lie- and friends, As well AS feeling OF Compass
slun for themselves. Accordingly no proper
: effort has been spared, and none will be spared,
iu procure tie release of such citizens OF the
United States, engaged in this unlawful enter
PRISE, AS are now III confinement in Spain; but
II is To b. hoped That such interposIlion with the
government Of that country may not be consid-
cred A. aUrdlng any ground OF expectation that
TIE G. ,veruincnt Of the United States will, here
after, tceI itself under any obligation OF duty 10
iltrcede tor The Liberation or pardon OF such
persons as are fi4srant offenders against the law
of nations and tie laws of the United Stat S.
These laws must be executed. If we desire
t., maintain our responsibility among the nations
OF the earth, it behooves us TO enoce steadily
and slernly the neutrality acts passed by Con-
gress, and to follow, as far as may be, the vlo-
aton of these acts with coldign punishment
But what gives peculiar crmnality to this
invasion OF Cuba is, that under the lead OF Span
,h subjects and with the aid of citizens OF the
United States it had its origin, with many, in
motives of cupidity. Money was advanced by
individuals, probably in considerable amounts
to purchase Cuban bonds, as they have been
called, issued by Lopez, sold doubtless, at a We
ry large discount, and for the payment OF which
the public lands and public property OF CUBA, OF
whatever kind, and the fiscal resources OF the
people and government OF that island, from what
ever source to be derived, were pledged, as well
as the good faith OF the government expected
} to 10 established. All these means of payment
it is evident, were only TO be obtained by pro-
cess of bloodshed war; and revolution. None
will DENY that those who set on foot military
expeditions against foreign states by means like
these, are far more culpabe than the ignorant
and the necessous whom they induce to g.
forth as the osensible parties in the proceeding
: These originators of the invasion OF Cuba seem
. to have determined, with GOODNESS and system
. upon an undertaking which would disgrace
their country, violate it's laws and put to haz'
ard the lives of ill-informed aud dsluded men.
You will consider whether further legislation be
necessary to prevent the preparation of such Of
cnces in future.
I No individuals have a right to hazard the
D peace Of the country or to violate It's laws up
. on vague notions of altering or reforming gov
ernlnents in other States The principle Is not
only reasonable in ITSELF and in accordance
with public law but is engratted into the codes
of other nations as well as our own But while
such are the sentiments of this Government, ii
j may be added that every independent nation
, must be presumed to be able to defend its pos
sessions against unauthorized individuals ban
, lied together to attack them. The Government
Of the United States, at all times .lnce its es-
adjustment, has abstalned and has sought to
restrain the citizens of the country, from enter
ing into controversies between other powers
. AMI to observe all the duties of neutrality. Al
4 an early period of the Government, in the adj
u lninlstration of Washington, several laws were
4 passed for this purpose. The main provisions
Of these laws were re enacted by the act OF
, April, 1918, by which, among other things, 1t
was declared that if any person shall, within
the territory or jurisdiction of the United States
begin, or set on foot, provide, or prepare the
e means for any military expedition or enterprise
n to be carried on from thence against the terri
tory or dominion of any foreign prince or State
# or OF any colony, district, or people with whom
the United States are at peace, every person Sc
offending shall be deemed guilty of hugh ms
deineanJr, and shall be fined not exceeding
three thousand dollars, and imprisoned not more
o than three years and this law has been execu
n ted and enforced, to the full extent of the pow
G or Of the Government, from that day to tins.
r. In proclalmlng and adherng to the doctrine
, of neutrality and non-lntervcnton, the United
=, States have not followed the lead Of other civil
Il lzed nations they have taken the lead them
~ selves, and have be N followed by others. lhl
i was admitted by one Of tho most eminent o
modern British statesmen, who sad III Pdrlla
= mIent, while Il minister Of the crown, that i
a he wished Cor Il rude In the system of neutral