The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-09
Acfing Secretary Of Sale 10 hir. BGrringer.
DEPARTMENT. oF STATE.

WAsHINGToN, 9th October, 1851.
SIR, At the request of MIR. b. +. De Bow, Of
Charleston, South Carolina, ] transmit a letter
which is addressed to you, but sent hither by him
open for my perusal, and copy OF his communica-
ton to this Department, Of the 9th ultimo, re-
specting his brother in law Edwin L. Bell, one of
the Cuban expeditonists cannot hesitate tocom-
ply with Mr. De Bows wishes, and cordially join
him in soliciting, as an act of humanity, your UNI
official intercession with the Spanish government
in favor of this young man.
Sir, would go further would esk you 10 ex.
erciso whatever personal and private influence
you may possess, and to use il III whatever man
ner you may think most likely TO command sue
cess with her majesty the Queen of Spain, in be-
half of all the survivors of the late Lopez expedi
ton. do not intend TO give you formal and Off
cial instructions orders this delicate and
painful subject; but cannot go far wrong in re
guessing you, as an American, to do anything you
cam informally, 10 procure the pardon and release
of those of your unfortunate countrymen who
have been sent prisoners from Cuba to Spain.
have lately had occasion to make applications
to MIR. Caderon de la Barca, the excellent and hui
name Minister of her majesty near the Government
OF the United States, to enlist his kind offices in IA
OF particular individuals OF the late expedition,
who have, like young Bell, been sent to Spain; and
now transmit, for your information, copy OF
one OF these notes, which is dated the 30h ultmo,
in which avniled myself of the opportunity to ex-
press my fervent wish that the Spanish government
might come to the determination of pardoning the
whole of those unfortunate persons; adding also,
what firmly believed, that an act of cemency and
grace like this, on the part of her majesty, could
not fail to be attended by the most sautary conse
quences at this moment in the United States, and
that it would certainly receive tho sanction Of the
civilized world
| also send, for your information, copy of a
despatch which thought it proper 10 address to
Mr. A. f. Owen, the Consul OF the United States at
Havana, on the subject of obtaining permission for
the families of the deceased to- emove to tho United
States the remains of those Of the late LopeS expe
dition who executed or who otherwise per
ished in Cuba. ! transmit, at the same time,
other despatch from this Department to Mr.. Owen,
dated the Goth ultimo. The Consul has been in
structcd 20 furnish TO his Government ample and
exact information in regard to the recent tragic
events which took place in the island. You will
of course, not failto communicate all the informa-
ton within your reach which may have any bear
ing the same subject and especially in relation
to those Americans who have been sent, or who
may hereafter be sent, as criminals TO Spain.
Their families and friends, may say the whole
American people, are interested in their fate
Your dispatches to No. 81, inclusive, have been
received at this Department.
am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. ]. CRITTENDEN, Acting Secretary.
ID. Nj. BARRINoER, esq, &c, Madrid