The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-03
UNITED STATES SHIP ALBANY,
"Havana, December 4, 1851

would make nm come, ana the morning owen
paid visit with Capt. PIat'
1.-THE facts are simply these Before we proceeded to
the Punta on the 3oth August we called al your office.
and you then desired US say the prisoners confined
there for taking part in the invasion of Cuba that they
wished to you you would pay them visit, although
you could do nothing for them in your Official capacity
This message was delivered 10 them, and they said that
they would be glad to have you come. Your visit 10
them. in company with Capt Plat, made in comp
with their acceptance of your offer.
The inference 10 be drawn from the above quotation
from Capt. Key's letter is that Lieut. Taylor saw The
prisoners lime subsequent to Capt Pats first visit
TO them Lieut. Taylor never saw Them except IN com
pany with Capt Plat the occasion mentioned Neither
of heard any complaint from them al that time, OF any
neglect or indifference on your part towards them.
Very respectfully, your obedent servants,
"WM ROGERS Il IA TAYioR.
a. +. OWEN Esq. U. S. Consul, Havana"
Now, the facts are that these men-or most Of Them
at least were brought TO the city Of Havana and com
United 10 prison on the 2sh and Goth OF August On the
Both addressed the following communication to the gov
ernor and captain general:
COMMERCIAL AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES,
Havana, August 30, 1851.
"Sm desire 10 invite your excellencys attention TO
expedition OF Lopez Some OF them have been captured,
others have surrendered, and others still will be cap
tured, surrender under the proclamation which your
exceency good enough TO issue the Gath instant
"The invasion being ended by the capture and dispe-
sion Of the and the leader of being in the power OF
the government il is not. am sure. desired either by
fortunate and misguided men who were engaged in II
shall needlessy suffer longer.
1T is doubtless known your excellency that these
men have already suffered much Without shelter from
the Storm without food the wild fruit which chance
threw in their way, almost destitute OF clothing, they
sued and hunted down by the very who, they were
told were up in arms and reyoluonizing this govern
ment.
In view of all these things the Misrepresentation of
the designing by whom these unfortunate men have been
induced 10 invade this island and the suierngs they
already endured respectfully request that the chains
may be removed from the limbs OF The prisoners and that
they may be treated with all the kindness consistent with
their safe. seeking,
al trust that your excellency will permit the prisoners
10 be visited by such OF their counrymen here
may come here during their confinement, and who may
desire 10 them and that they may be allowed such
things, in the way OF Diet clothing and the like, may
conduce to their comfort, which II is desired 10 afford
them.
q" desire 10 your excellency as soon as an inter
view be granted TO present views for your
celencys consideration relative TO the Liberation OF all
these unfortunate Many OF them husbands, and
have dependent wives and helpless children more OF
them have fathers, mothers and sisters, who will be in
the deepest distress at their capture and Imprisonment
when II shall become known 10 them.
Hoping for the most favorable results and believing
that your exceency will embrace the opportunity OF
showing kindness and humanity the prisoners, have
the honor to be your excelencys obedienl servant
His excelency ST. D. Josr DE Ia CoscHa,
Governor and CaptainG of the Island OF Cuba
The same day that this letter addressed 10 the
captain general, Capt Plat and Lieut. Taylor called
their way TO the prison. They had pre- viousy
obtained written permit from the captain general TO visit
the prisoners word by these officers the prs-
oners that would visit them and do what could for
them il they desired it AT the time, that they
might not be mistaken as to the extent OF my powers,
sent them word that could do nothing for them in my
official character How far my sympahies enlist.
ed IN their behalf may be judged OF by the character Of my
letter The interview with the request
ed in that letter. granted, and the evening OF
the same day-he 30th OF Augustine captan-general,
in that interview, made known TO his intention TO
pardon the whole OF the prisoners. The next day-Au-
gust 3lshe news received OF the unfortunate out
RACES at New Orleans and the captain general mme-
dately sent for and informed OF the change OF his
purpose
But as obtained permit to visit the prisoners
did so; and 10 the utmost OF my ability did all could
TO administer TO their wants and alleviate their condition
At my intercesslon their chains removed and di.
reeted the stoekeepers OF the prisons, after getting per-
mission Tor that purpose 10 furnish them with everything
they stood in need OF the wayof food and clothing
and 70 charge the same TO my personal account These
bills were paid out OF my own private purse Other
American citizens also generously contributed in the
same way; and when the captains general informed me
that, although he could pardon all the prisoners
had urgently requested him, yet he would pardon few OF
them, nterceded specially in behalf OF Captain Kelly,
and made his case prominent, because he made such
strong appeal account oil his wife and children, who,
he said would be left in great desttuon IL he should be
sent away. lie owes his deliverance TO me How far
he has repaid my attentions and kindness others may
Judge
knew nothing OF Capt Kelly until | saw him in
prison and know nothing OF him since except that he
owes that liberty which enables him TO abuse me TO my
generous nature, which prompted me 10 select him.
out OF n great many others, one OF few Tor wiom
specially invoked executive clemency. Bat, again
3D. Ii has been said that was negligent in the dis
charge of my duty to Mr.. John 5. Tbrasher who has
lately been sent TO Spain On this point may barely say
that did all in my power TO have Mr., Thrasher's case
presented the way he desired il, the several oommu
ncaiions addressed to the captain general in his behalf
will abundanty show, and 10 which need only refer at
this time.
Whether he right in his construction OF treaty
with Spain not is not for to say; whether he
was righifully or wrongfuy condemned. But whether
my conduct towards him unfortunate countryman
claiming the rights OF American citizen in foreign
land was kind or unknd, perhaps best be judged Of
by the estimation he placed on It in the following letter
" Mono CASTLE (Hayana,)
/" November 20, 1861
DeAR SIR About TO be embarked for Spain 10 fill
most iniqutous sentence, have to thank you, which
do sincerely only for your exertons IN my be-
half, which only regret have been unavalIng,
but also for many OF kindness which you have ex
tended 10 me
You well that do not go sadly 10 my i'm
prisonment because not only that perfectly innocent
OF the charges against me, but also because do moi be-