The southern press., 1852-01-17

TO the extent Of my powers. sent them word
that could do nothing for them In nv Official
character. How far my sympathies were en-
listed in their behalf may be Judged of by the
character of my letter The interview with the
captain-g general, requested in that letter, was
granted. And on the evening of the same day,
the 30th of August, the captain general, in that
interview, made known to me his intention to
pardon the whole Of the prisoners. The next
day, August 3lst, the news was received
of the unfortunate outrages at New Orleans.
and the captain general Immediately sent for me
and Informed me of the change of his purpose
But as soon as obtained permit to visit the
prisoners, did so and TO the utmost Of nv
ability did all could to administer to their
wants and alleviate their condition. At nv in
tercession their. chains were removed; and
directed the store keepers Of the prisons, after
getting permission for that purpose, to furnish
them every thing they stood 10 need of, in the
way of food and clothing, and to charge the
same to my personal account These bills were
paid out of my own private purse. Other Anne
rcan citizens also generously contributed in the
same way. And when the captain-general in
formed me that although he could not pardon
all the prisoners, as | had urgently requested
him, yet he would pardon few Of them.
interceded specially in behalf of Captain Kelly,
and made his case prominent, because he made
such strong appeal on account of his wife and
children, who, as he said would be left in great
restitution if he should be sent away. He owes
his deliverance to me. How far he has re paid
my attention and kindness Others may Judge.
! | knew nothing of Captain 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 own generous nature,
which prompted me to select him, out of O eat
many Others as one Of a few for whom | spe-
cialy invoked executive eemency But agi in
! Sd. 1t has been said that was negligent in
the discharge of my duty to Mr.. Jno s. 'rhrasher,
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 in The
way he desired it, as the several communications
addressed to the captain general in his behalf
will abundantly show, and to which need only
refer at this time
Whether ne was right in his construction of
our treaty with Spain or not, is not for me
to say; nor whether he was rightfully or wrong
fully condemned. But whether my conduct 10.
wards him as an unfortunate countryman. clam.
ing the rights of an American citizen in FOREIGN
land, was kind or unkind, can perhaps best be
judged Of by the estimation he placed on il in The
following letter;
Moro CASTLE, HAVANA, Nov. &c, 1851.
Dear Sir About to be embarked for Spain
to fill most iniquitous sentence, have to
thank you, which do most sincerely, not only
for your exertions in my behalf, which we can
only regret have been unayailing, but also for
many acts ofkindness which you have extended
TO me.
You are well aware that | do not 90 sadly to
my Imprisonment, because not only that am
perfectly innocent of the charges against me.
but also because | do not believe my country
men will suffer my unjust sentence TO be carried
out
Reterating my thanks to you, remain, your
obliged servant. ]. S. THRAsHER
A. F. OWEN, Esq, consul of the United
States of America.
Now, Messrs. Editors, | have done. have
only alluded to the more prominent charges
that have been made against me, as have been
enabled to comprehend them before and since INV
return.
have neither. time nor inclination TO take nm
the thousands of other silly and unfounded SLAM
ders that have been industriousty circulated
against me.
have said that did not intend, at this time.
or in this way, to call in question the motives or
objects of those who treated me so unfairly. This
rule | have endeavored to observe. NV ouly
object has been to speak in defence of myself
and ofmy official conduct
II is proper that should also slate that have
not alluded to the charges above specially ct
forth, as in any way connected with the reaso ns
OF my recall. do not know upon what grounds.
or for what cause, have been recalled nor DO
wish TO be considered as complaining of that
recall. am not the man TO appeal to The pub
lie on account of such grievance even If / felt
it. But can say with truth, that have yery
little feeling on that subject indeed none at ali.
except in so far as the fIct itself might corrob.
crate the idea that had rendered myself n, fit
for such place, by proving that was destitute
Of those klndlier feelings Of our nature which
prompt the generous heart e TO feel another's
wo," and TO hide the fault we see," which I
value more than all the emoluments of all the
offices that all the powers on earth have il in
their power 10 bestow.
Whatever may be my errors, am sure none
who know me- will attribute them to any mi,li-
rection Of the impulses Of the heart And IL is
for the Information Of those who do not know
me, that have been induced TO make this exro-
sition.
But wherein, may | not be allowed TO ak,
have ] erred in any respect Ia this matter! My
not put the question, in all confidence, even to
those who have done me no greater Injustice
than simply to say that they "do not approve OF
my conduct" wherein do they not approve of Il?
What act do they find fault with What deed
OF omission or commission do they complain Of?
Did do any thing wrong! Or did leave un-
done any thing which ought 10 have done, and
which was in my power TO dol Is there any
higher standard Of duty than this : II So what
is IL?
My greatest error, perhaps, has been that
which friend had the kindness the other day 10
point out 10 me; and il requires a friend sonie-
times to bring our real errors TO our notice.
"Mr Owen" said he, "you have done everything
which you ought TO have done, except to take
care of yourself" II such shall be the general
opinion Of my counirymen, shall be satisfied.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,