The New York herald., 1851-09-12

From the New Orleans Crescent, Sept
The following letter, the last that the gallant
Crittenden ever wrote, has been handed to us Tor
publication. The news which we publish to-day
shows that he WAS mistaken in his sweeping esci-
mate of Cuban desire for freedom as, indeed, hav-
ing never passed beyond the coast inhabtei oy
Spanish fsher rmen, he had no opportunity OF fairly
Judging In their unarmed condition, tae Caoans
would be very apt to wait till Lopez hal gained
victory and position before declaring themselves;
That Lopez did not return to ASSIST Crltleaoen'
now seems to be accounted for BY tho almost cer-
tain fact that he sd quite as much as he coa'd 10
in defending himself. That Lopez is rash, W. oe-
leve but IL is folly to suppose that he would nave
wilfully sacrificed one hundred men, the dover OF
his force, at the risk OF incurring American ndg-
nation, and OF losing his own head Colonel Crit
tender, doubtless, would convey his idea OF the
hasty ana rash not treacherous and false. caarac-
ter Of Lopez In this estimate OF him, We are not
disposed 10 concur with the brave and lamented
dead -
SHIP OF WAa EsPERANzA,
August Ii, 1851.
DEAR LUcIEN:-In half an hour l, with ffty
others, am to be shot. We were taken prisoner,
yesterday. We were in small boats. General
Lopez separated the balance of the comm and from
me: had With me about one hundred-was at
tackled by two ba.talions of infantry and one n
pany of horse. The odds was too great, and,
strange to tell, | was not furnished with single
musket cartridge. Lopez did not get any artillery.
have no. the heart to write to aoy Of my family
my duty, ano have the perfect confidence OF every
man with me.
We had retired from the field, and were going to
sea, and were overtaken by the Spanish steamer
Habanero al 1 captured. Tell Gen. HIstol tna'
his mel phe got separated from on the l3th--day
of the fgh,-aId that have not see, him since. lie
may have struggled of and joined Lopez who ad-
vanced rapidly 10 the interior. aIy people, now
ever, were entirely surrounded on every SHE We
saw thas we had been deceived grossly, and were
making for the United states when taken During
my short sOiourn in his island Ia 7e not me- a
single patriot We landed 50 ne t)rGy or ntty miles
TO the westward Of this, and an sure that IN tha;
part Of the Island LOTez bas no friends
When was attacked. Lopez VAS only three miles
off l. he ha 1 aOt been dscelying TO the state
OF things he w0uli have fallen back with his force
and made izht: instead Of whi:h he marched on m-
mediately 70 tie interior. | an requested to get
Won TO tell Mr. Green, of thu custom house, that
his brother shares my fate. Victor Kerr is also
with me. al.o Stanford. | recollect other of
your acquantances at present. | will die like
man My heart has not failed nae yet, nor do
believe il will. Communicate With my family.
This is an ncoherent letter, II the creu instances
must excuse it. My hands are swollen to double
their thickness, resulting from having them too
tightly corded for the last eighteen hours. Write
to ohp, and lei hin write TO ny mother. | an
afraid that the news will break her heart My heart
beats warmly towards her now
Farewell! My love 70 all my friends an sorry
that die owing cent but it is inevitable.
Yours, strong In heart.
w L. CRITrEyDEy
To Dr. Lucen Hensley.