The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-23
m. Cuban Prisoner. 10 tho Pablo,

Whereas IN view Of the many pub6cat and remarks
which have been made concerning the object Of and the
individuals who composed the Cuban expedition eacu-
aied 70 detraet from their character therefore it
Resolved. That committee of three be appointed nv
The President subject to the approval of this meeting 70
make come publication in the above named ar
ss and remarks Tor the purpose of showing their object
N engaging in the enterprise,
The President appointed Messrs John G. Bash,
James d. Baker, and ). ii, Purnell TO constitute
raid committee.
In view of the opprobrious cpthcts contained in
the remarks Of Aldermen Sturtevant aud Dcnman,
the Cuban prisoners have deemed il advisable,
through the undersig ned their committee 10 notice
such Of those remarks as have direct tendency TO
cast stain upon their hitherto fair character. We
have seeH with doepregret and chagrin, the harsh.
nntceling. and dctraetng language used III relation
to us the survivors Of the late unfortunate cxpedi-
lion. Messrs Sturtevant and Denman have not
spared the English language to brand and hold MS
mp 10 the public gaze i'll the blacklist and most peril
dous characters. They have applied to the titles
Of some Of the greatest crimes contained in New
gate calendar, They call us little less than pirates
and Rot entitled 70 the sympathy OF soldiers; roguos,
ragabonds who left their country for their eountry's
good" who, il they had never returned would have
rendered IN essential service TO their country The
Times has also ehmed in. and lent its euuiyocal
voice TO the vote of these uncharitable Aldermen.
This paper docs not exactly call Gs "rogues and
yagabonds who left their country for their counrys
good" but says, that the universal sympathy felt
for Us by the people, proves the contrary: but ii
charges MS with having violated the laws of our
country. and considers us in the light Of criminals
uDdeserving Of the assistance OF our conntrymen
II also objects to our wearing badges I'm memory of
eur lost comrades; stiSmat2es aspublic besgars,
and advises ~ 10 obtain some honest employment.
and work out our own salvation with fear and
tembling.'
In the first place. we assume il as an axiom. OF
selfevident truth, that what two lat-belied,
spcurean aldermen may have said, IN the heat ofdis-
cusslon in the council chamber, is not axiom or
scltcyident truth; but on the contrary think.
that these gentlemen may have been Influenced
h, fhrlr 1.raS and
lead them 10 step beyond the bounds ostrutb nav,
10 degenerate into mean and downright falschood.
For in other light can we view the opprobrious
caumnies they have thrown oat against us. We
deny the charges, and pronounce them base and
slanderous libels We are extremely sorry that we
are forced to say 50: but We could not, in duty to
ourselves and those who have formed more favorable
opinions OF us, pass this fell swoop at our charac-
ters and all that is dear to us on earth, viz our
reputation without at least denial, and some little
defence of ourselves We not pirates neither
did we 60 to that beautiful island, which has been
oppressed for years by CALLING tyranny, thieves,
piundercrs, murderers. ETC., which these gentlemen
have been pleased TO style us. No ones property
was vioated-no life taken. except in seli-dcicncc
and i'll honorable eombat the rights of all were
respected--those Of enemies equally with those of
friends. In fact, such was the nature of the enter
prise, that general order was issued the first day
Of our landing, by General Lopez, proclaming that
the first man caught theving. or guilty of any act
OF atrocity. should be summarily punished. Even
at Los Posas guard was stationed over paltry
quantity OF mango fruit.
We went 10 the Island of Cuba for the noble pur-
pose Of assisting the inhabitants of that beautiful
lfle 10 throw of the calling yoke OF tyranny. This
was the true and not the osensible purpose of the
expedition. Our object was TO aid the unfortunate
Cfeoles in their efforts to emancipatc themselves
nom the thraldom of despotsm. As soon as we
landed upon the island we unfurled the flag OF lib
erty, and offered peace, plenty and happiness to the
down-trodden people of Cuba. The Times states
that we have violated the laws of our country
True; but what was said of our noble ancestors
when they struck the first blow for the great cause
Of human liberty. and decided rebel against the
tyrannic power of the mother country.
We have all read, while the warm blood thrilled
through our veins, and caused TO wish for an OPP
pcrtunity to initiate their example. the eloquent
encomums passed upon the brave and generous La
hyette, De kalb, Steubcn. Kosciusko. and other
valiant foreigners, who violated the laws of their
sOuntry in CALAMITY rendering aid our ioreiahers
VI the revolutionary struggle for Independence.
When the first guns were fired at Concord and Lex
mgton. IN behalf OF universal freedom, were not our
ancestors stignatized rebels murdereIs. &c
Was not the patriotism, generosity, and valor of
Lafayette and his brave colleagues lauded 10 the
skier, after the goddess Of liberty had extended her
balmy influences this lind Of peace and plenty
But such If the inconsistency of iTai human nature.
tbat had our efforts on the part Of liberty proved
successful, We would also have been extolled in the
highest degree. But we faed--and therein lies the
secret of the inyectves that have been hurled against
us, without paying the slightest regard to com
mon decency in the choice of terms.
Our Efforts were NOT weak ones. as some suppose.
We challenge comparison with the battles Of Los
Poeas, Cafetel del Frias, and even Candearias. At
the hrst named place. small party of raw, undici
plined youths, not exceeding in number go, all told
many Of whom were now for the first time 10 g flesh
their maiden swords" opposed to over 200 regular
troops Of the Spanish army, taken completely by
surprise. while preparing their morning meal at
baif-past eight o'clock contending with this supe
NOR force from that hour till noon, and eventually
compelling them TO make inglorious and precip-
tate retreat, cannot be considered Intellectual at
tempts to advance the cause of general freedom.
Nor at Cafetel del Fras where we were attacked by
over 800 Spanish troops, most Of the men reposng
quietly under the grateful shade offered by nagni-
ncent grove OF mango trees; the first mtimation of
the presence OF an enemy was given by the sight Of
body OF cavalry, charging upon us in beautiful
array, down the soping ground in 'front.' They
charged upon us with admirable order, but many
handsome cavalier was tumblsd from his saddle. by
the unerring aim Of our best marksmen. General
Lopez here considered our best plan was to mako
Tor the gorges in the mountains dfortfy ourselves
Dor, at the same time, We perceived large body of
infantry coming down the mountains to attack us.
They intercepted us in our passage a small hill
An the midst Of the plain, but were defeated. with
Abe loss Of the second in command 10 the Captain
General, General Enna,) and three hundred
killed and wounded. while our loss was one killed
and several wounded.
We might bring forward many other telling facts
relative TO the expedition, but deem it unnecessary
az detailed account of the whole affair will shortly
ne published by gentleman who engaged in
the expedition and only mention the above facts in
connection with the subject. As to our wearing
badges we see no improperly in that, is simply
y token of respect to the memory of our murdered
companions. whose bones now lie rotting in the
mountain paths and upon the plains OF Cuba. The
blood of the noble Crttendcn and his brave CON-
Tades who were inhumanly butchered at Havana
deserves, at least, some memento Of respect our
part. As to our being public mendicants, we think
VIC should not be considered in that light. Recently
arriving from the trials and prvations Of prison in
aforeign country, landing in strange city, far from
our homes II If almost impossibility for to get
employment where many Of the resident population
are unable TO obtain it. When at home, we have,
hitherto, earned an honest and respectable living.
such are still our wishes soon as we have the
good fortune TO arrive at our respective homes in
the South After all we have suffered n terra Il
alta, III battles, forced marches from cold, hunger,
thirst, and i'll treatment AT the hands of our captors
We think we are at least entitled 70 the sympathy
OF our own countrymen.
Since the above was written, the Atlas has come