The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1851-12-04
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and ayenr OF general prosperity aud health has
crowned the nation with unusual blessings
None eau look back o the dangers which are pas
sed. or forward 10 the prospect before Us, with
out feeling thrill OF qualification. at the same
time that he must be impressed with u grateful
sense Of our Profound obligations to a benlicenI
Providence, whose paternal care Is so manifest in
the happiness of this highly.lavored land
Since the close Of the last Congress certain
Cubans and other foreigners resident IN tho Unit.
ed States, who were more or less concerned ia
the previons invasion of Cuba, instead OF being
discouraged by its failure, have again abused the
hospitality OF this country. by making il the scene
Of the equipment of another military expedition
against that possession of her Cath o lie majesty,
in which they were cuuntenanced aided and
joined by citizens Of the Uuited States On re-
celvlnS Intelligence that such desigus were enter,
Ialned lost no time in issuing such instructions
10 The proper officers of the United Sales US
seemed to be called for by the Occasion. BY tho
proclamation, a copy Of which is herewith tub-
mllted, also warned those who might he in dan
ger OF being nveighed into this scheme, of its
unlawful character, aud OF the penalties which
they would incur. For some time there was rea
son to hope that these measures had suiiiced to
prevent any such attempt. This hope, however,
proved 10 be delusive. Very early in the morn.
ing OF the third OF August. steamer called the
fampero departed from New Orleans tn Cuba,
having on board upwards OF four hundred armed
men with evident Intentions to mike war upon
the authorities OF the Island The expedition
was set on foot in palpube violation of the laws
OF the United States. It's leader was Spanard,
and several Of its chief officers, aud some Others
engaged in it, were foreigners. The persons
composing 1t, however, were mostly citizens Of
the United States.
Before the expedition set out. and probably be-
fore it was organized, a slight inSurrectonary
movement. which appears 10 have been suppress.
sed, had taken place in the eastsrn quarter OF Gu
"a The Importance Of this movement was uu.
fortunately very much exaggeratedi in the accounts
OF II published In this country, that these adven.
lurers seem to havo been led to believe that the
Creole population of the island not only desired
to throw off the authority Of the motho country.
out had resolved upon that step. aud had begun
well-concerted enlerprize for eTecling it. The
persons engaged III the expedition were general.
y young aud il-informed. The steamer in which
they embarked left New Orleans stealthily and
without clearance. After touching at Key West,
she proceeded 10 the coast of Cuba, and, on the
night between the llth & 10Th of August, landed
,ne persons on board at PIaytas, within about 20
leagues OF Havana.
ION oi an inland village, six leagues distant, leav.
ing others to follow in charge ol baggage, as soon
as The means OF transportation could be obtained
The latter, having taken up their inc of lnurch to
connect themselves with the main body und hay.
ing proceeded about four leagues into the country.
were atlacked on the morning Of the 18th by a
oody OF spanish troops. aud blOudy conflict en-.
suedi aiIer which they retreated to the place of
disemoarkatlon. where ubout fifty OF iLem Oh.
tanned boats and disembarked therein. Thev
were, however, Intercepted among tue keys near
Tie shore bya Spanish steamer cruising on the
coast, captured and carried to Havana and, after
oeIng examined by military court. were seu.
fenced to be publicly executed, aud the sentence
was carried into effect ON tho 10th duy OF Au.
gust.
On receiving information Of what had occurred,
Commodore Foxhall A. Parker was Instructed to
proceed IN the steam rigate Saranac to Havana,
ana inquire into the churges against the persons
executed, the circumstances under which thew
were taken and whatsoever referred To their trial
and sentence Copies of the instructions from tue
Department OF State to him, and his letters To that
department, are herewith submitted.
According To the record Of examinations the
prisoners all admitted the oIiences charged against
them, oi beiug hostile invaders Of the island. At
lhe Time OF their trial aud execution the main
body OF the invaders was still ia the field, max,
ing war upon the Spanish authorities aud Spanish
subjects. After the lapse Of souIe days, being
overcome by the Spanish troops. they dispersed
ou the 2'th OF August; Lopez, their leuder was
captured some days after and executed on the | st
OF September. Muny of his remaining followers
were Killed, or died Of hunger aud fatigue, aud
the rest were made prisoners. OF these, none
appear 10 have been tried or executed Several
OF them wero Plrdoncd upon application of thoir
lrlends aud others. aud the rest, about 100 in
Number were sent 10 Spain OF the final dispo.
slon made OF these we have no uiliciul iulorma.
tiOn.
Such is the melancholy result Of this Illegal and
ll'iated expedition. Thus. thoughtless young
men have been induced by false aud fraudulent
representations, to violate the laws OF their coun.
Try, through rash and uuiounded expectations nf
assisting 10 accomplish political revolutions in 9th.
er States and have lost their lives in the under
iaklng Too severe judgment can hardly be
passed, by tue Indignant sense OF tue community,
upon those who. being better informed them.
selves, have yet led away the ardor Of youth and
dn ilEdlrected love OF political liberty. The cor
respondence between this government aud that Of
spain relating TO this transaction, is herewith com.
Although these offenders against the laws have
forfeited the protection OF their country yet the
government mny. 50 Ear as is consistent with its
OollSallpns to other countries. and its fixed pur-
pose to maintain aud enforce the laws. entertain
sympathy for their unntionding families 4 friends.
as well as feelings Of compassion for themselves.
Accordingly no proper effort has been spared, or
VIII be spared To procure the relsase OF such citi
zens OF the United States engaged III this unlaw-
iul enterprise, as are now in confinement in
Spain; but 1t is 10 be hoped that such interposon
will the government OF thut country may not be
considered as aHording any ground OF expeclu-
ton that the government ui the United States will
hereafter, feel itself under any obligation of duty
to lntercede for the liberation or pardon OF such
persons us are fragrant Offenders against
the law of nltionS and the laws Of the
United States. These laws must be executed
Il we desire 10 maintain our responsibility among
the nations of the ea thit bcluov es US To enforce
steadily and sterny the neutrality acts passed by
Congress, and to follow, as far as may be, the Vi
olaion OF those acts with condiSn punishment.
But what gives peculiar criminalily to this in.
vasiOn oil Cuba is. that under the lead of Spanish
subjects and with the aid Of citizens of tho United
States. 1t had its origin, with many, in motives of
cupdty. Money was advanced by individuals
probably in considerable amonnts, to purchase
Cuban bonds, as they have been called issued by
Lopez; sold, doubtless, at very large discount
aud for the payment of which tue public lands
aud public property of Cuba OF whatever kind
aud the fiscal resources OF tho people and govern
ment, from whatever source derived, were pIedg.
ed, as well as the good faith of the government
expected 10 be established, All these means o.
payment, it is evident, were only 10 be obtained
by process Of bloodshel war aud revolution.
None will deny that those whn set on foot militia.
~ expeditions against foreign States by moans
IKE these ure far more culpable than the iguo.
rant and necessitous whom they induce to go