Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-06
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENTS.
Gro,Oimg Oat efthe Cubo Expedition EreeasiOa Of
the fifty Prisoners.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMODORE PARKER.
Mr.. Derrick to Commodore Parker.

Mr.. Derrick to Commodore Parker.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, AUG. %, 1851.
Sir: This Department has been officially inform
ed by the Consul of the United States at Ha-
vana that fifty persons, taken from boats off the
OF Cuba brought to that city the night OF the
18th instant and were the next morning tried and
shot Information derived from other renders
it probable that many OF them were citzenso the Uni
ted States. This is sufficient to warrant and require
an immediate inquiry into the facts and circumstances
attending summary and sanguinary puni>hment.
The President consequently directs that you will pro-
coed once to Havana in the vessel under your
mand On arriving there you will obtain audi
ence of the Governor and Captain General of Cuba
aud will then express to him the regret OF the Pres
dent that the persons referred TO should have been
deemed guilty OF an offence requiring in the iudg-
ment OF the Spanish auho rites, 50 severe punish
ment. You will also inform him that it is expected
that if citizens of the United States were among
the persons shot, the offence with which they were
charged was satisfactorily proved. You will
dinghy request OF him copy OF the proceedings OF
the court which sentenced the prisoners. 1t s presum
ed that those proceed ngs will show the names OF the
accused; the countries where they were born, or TO
which they owed allegiance; the position oil the boats
at the time when they captured; the course they
were taking. and whether the person on board OF them
were armed. 1t however, these facts should not be
stated or il you should not obtain a copy of the pro-
ceedings, you will endeavor to ascertain the
acts from other sources.
Mr.. Owen also apprzes the Department that the
United States mail steamer Falcon, Lieut.. Rogers
commanding, was several times fired by Spanish
steamer aud boarded, her last voyage from Chagres
to Havana Although the Captain &c eral expressed
regret for this occurrence, and promised that should
not be repeated, it seems somewhat doubtful whether
the captain OF the steamer or was not obeying the
orders of some superior officer the course which he
pursued You vii endeayor to ascertain the TRUTH lin
relation to this, and also wbe her not the of the
Falcon was hoisted at the time the firing took place
Y on will assure the Captain General that every thing
within the power of this Government has been aud
will continue to be done towards dschargng the oh
legations OF The United States TO Spain. You will also
assure him that if hereafter uuhappiy, citizens Of the
United sShouid be orgeul OF their obligations
OF obedience OF the laws of their country, aad of
regard to The rights Span be engaged in hostile
expeditions against the Island of Cuba the President
earnestly desires thar they will be punished ex-
cept upon the cearest proofs of guilt and without an
obvious necessity. contrary course on the part Of
the Spanish authorities, will be sure 10 increase the
difficulties in the performance of the duties OF the Uni
ted States as friendly neutral Power, and might rem
der the discharge OF those duties imprac,icabIe
| The Department will expect to receive from you
full report upon the subjects of this instruction.
am, sir very respectfully,
Y our obedient servant,
! w. S. DERRICK, Acting Secretary.
To Commodore FoxHALL PARKER &c