The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-25
THE DAILY DISPATCh


fne CUBAN PRISONERS 10 the PuDitcs
Alta meeting Of the liberated Cuban prison.
ers, held at the North American Hotel, on the
10th inst, MIR. Thomas Hudnall, in the Chair,
the following preamble and resolution was
adopted:-
Whereas in view Of the many publications
and remarks which have been made concern
ing the object OF, and the individuals who COM
posed the Cuban expedition, calculated to
detruct fiom their character, therefore, be it
Resolved, That a committee of three, be ap-
pointed by the President, subject TO the appro.
val OF this meeting, to make some publication
in answer to the above named articles and re-
marks, for the purpose of showing their object
in engaging in the enterprise.
The President appointed Messrs. John G.
Bush, James ID. Baker, and S. II. PurneIl, TO
constitute said committee.
In view of the opprobrious epithets con-
tained in the remarks Of Aldermen Sturtevant
and Denman, the Cuban prisoners have deemed
II advisable, through the undersigned, their
committee, to notice such of those remarks as
have direct tendency TO cast stain upon
their hitherto fair character. We have seen.
with deep regret and chagrin, the harsh, un-
feeling, and detracting language used in rela-
ton TO US, the survivors OF the late unfortunate
expedition. Messrs. Sturteyant and Denman
have not spared The English language TO brand
and hold US up to the public gaze in the black
est and most perfdious characters. They have
applied 10 US the titles OF some of the greatest
crimes contained in Newgate calendar
They call Us little less than pirates, and not
entitled to the sympathy of soldiers; rogues,
vagabonds, who "left their country for their
country's good :" who, If they had never re-
turned, would have rendered an essential SER
vice TO their country. The Times has also
chimed in, and lent its equivocal voice to the
vote of these uncharitable Aldermen. This
paper does not exactly call as "rogues and
vagabonds, who left their country for their
country's good," but says, that the universal
sympathy felt for as by the people, proves the
contrary; but it charges US with hayirg vio-
lated the laws OF our couatry, and considers
US in the light Of criminals, undeserving of the
assistance of our countrymen. 1t also objects
to our wearing badges, ''in memory Of our lost
comrades; stigmatizes US as public beggars,
and advises us TO obtain some honest employ
ment, and "work out our own salvation with
fear and trembling"
In the first place, we assume ii as an axiom,
or self evident truth, that what these two fate
bellied, epcurean aldermen may have said, in
the heat of discussion in the council chamber,
is not an axiom or selfevident truth; but on
the contrary, we think, that these gentlemen
may have been so Influenced by their preju-
dices and political inclinations, as to lead them
to step beyond the bounds of truth, nav, TO
degenerate into mean and downright false
hood. For in no other light can we view the
opprobrious calumnies they have thrown out
against us. We deny the charges, and pro-
nounce them base and slanderous libels. We
are extremely sorry that we are forced to say
so; bat we could not, in duty to ourselves and
those who have formed more favorable opn-
ions Of Us, pass this "fell swoop'' at our
characters and all that is dear to us on EARTH
viz our regulations, without al least denial,
and some little defence OF ourselves.
We are not "pirates," neither did we go TO
tha, beautiful island, which has been oppress-
ed for years by a CALLING tyranny, as thieves,
plunderers, murderers, &c, which these gen.
tlemen have been pleased TO style us. No
ones property was violated-no life taken, ex-
cept in self defence and in honorable combat;
the rights of all were respected-those of ene-
mics equally with those Of friends. la fact
such was the nature of the enterprise, that
general order was ssued the first day of our
landing, by General Lopez, procleiming that
the first man caught thieving, or guilty Of any
act of atrocity, shouldbe sumInariy puns he'd.
Even at Los Posas guard was stationed over
paltry quantity Of lnengo fruit.
We went to the Island of Cuba for the noble
purpose Ot dSSlstiuS lHc Oh tH6t
beautiful isle TO throw off the calling yoke OF
tyranny. This was the true, and not the os-
tensble purpose of the expedition. Our object
was to aid the unfortunate Creoles in their
efforts TO emancipate themselves frum the
thraldom of despotism. AS soon as we landed
upon the island we unfurled the flag of liberty,
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 de.
cided 10 rebel against the tyrannic power of
the mother country.
We have all read, while the warm blood
thrilled through our veins, and caused us to
wish for an opportunity TO initiate their exam
pie, the eloquent encomiums passed upon the
brave and generous Lafayette, De Kalb, Steu-
ben, kosciusko, and other valiant foreigners,
who vic ated the laws of their country in GAL
lantly rendering aid to our forefathers in the re-
evolutionary struggle for independence. When
the FIRST guns were fired at Concord and Lex
ington, in behalf of universal freedom, were
not our ancestors stigmatized as rebels, muir
derers, &c.2 Was not the patriotism, gene.
rosity, and yalor of Lafayette and his brave
colleagues Landed 10 the skies, after The god
dess of liberty had extended her balmy in
fiuences over this land of peace and plenty :
Blu, such is the Inconsistency of frail human
nature, that had our efforts on the part of liDer-
ty proved successful, we would also have been
extolled in the highest degree. But we fail. d.
and therein lies the secret of the inyectyes that
have been hurled against us, W thout pay ing
even the slightest regard TO common decency
in thechoice OF terms.
Our efforts were not we ak ones, as some sup
pose. We challenge comparison with the bat
Ties of Los Posas, Cafetei del Frias, and even
Candelafins. AT the FIRST named place, small
party OF raw, undisciplined youths, not exceed
ing in number 230, all told, many of whom
were now for the first time to flesh their
maiden swords" opposed 10 over 700 regular
troops OF the Spanish army. taken completely
by surprise, while preparing their morning
| meal, at haifpasi 8 o'clock, conendins With
| this superior force from that hour till noon,
| and eventually compelling them to make an
| ingiorlous and precipilate retreat, cannot be
considered as inefieciral attempts TO advance
| the cause OF general freedom. Nor at Cateiei
del Frias, where we were attacked by over