The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-03
From the National IntslIigsnesr, January !.
Letter from ths Hon. A. n. owen,
WAsHKcToE, Dec. -. 1851.


sonal character aware that such matters are usI-
ally uninieesng, and not unequenly quite dslasleul
10 an intelligent public But IN tins instance ieel
that have right TO ask hearing even without an
apology. -
la my conduct as late consul for Havana have been
harshy assaed and bitterly denounced mol 70
American people. Of the character OF those VINO Were
the most efficient actors in this conspiracy against my
good name and reputation their objects or motives,
have no intention this lime or in this way TO speak
III my stand upon It's own merits before Inc
tribunal Of impartial and right.thnking people, am
willing that and ii may be consigned 10 that reproba-
ZION which both would SO richly deserve, IL were such
a man as have been represented 10 be- My object,
therefore, in asking OF you the favor IS not 10 use the
medium oil your paper for the purpose oil assang any
one not even my calumnators, but only 10 defend my
self feel that have been most unlustly dealt by.
Whether others who have not the same interest in The
matter shall be OF the same opinion Will depend upon
their judgment upon what | have 10 say.
What then. are the charges which have been brought
against me Not having seen any presented in any regu
lar form, shall have 10 allude 10 them have seen
them stated in the newspapers at different times. And.
10 begin with the most prominent
LIST Ii has been said, in substance, that refused TO
take any steps the morning OF the 10th OF August last
arrest the proceedings which resulted in the condemna
lion and sentence OF death pronounced against my unor
unae countrymen who were taken in the i'll faed Lopez
expedition who were that day executed by the author
ties in the island OF Cuba; and not only this but that
refused them to bear any messages from them
to their friends or to do anything manesling any com
miseraon for them in their miserable condition.
To this have simply TO say that II Is not true that
refused take any steps 10 arrest the proceedings which
resulted in the order for their execution 1t is true
that knew Of their capture until after their condemna.
ton As have stated on former OCCASION they were
condemned before heard OF their capture that had
no time act, to do anything TO prevent their
ence, il had had the power TO do So Again 1t is moi
true that refused 10 see them after their condemnation
Nor is that any desire expressed by any one
OF them TO that was made known to me. On the
contrary, did express desire TO them, for The pur-
pose OF bearing any message they might deliver 10 10
be borne to their friends. And was informed that Mr..
Dpntu t IN thnpn
had been sent for and had attended to such matters
And ask that all fair men will bear in mind that had
no more poer authority from my official position 10 act
in the matter than any other American citizen who hap.
pened to be there will hereafter be fully shown But
II is not true that even failed to do my utmost
dpdua avert the sad fate of these under the most
moving and melancholy circumstances Of their situation.
As arrived al my office, little after ten o'clock
in the morning, and heard OF their sentence and approach
ing DOOM addressed note to the governor and captain
general OF the Island This did not do in my official
character because apart from my knowledge OF the full
extent OF my official powers had, in an interview with
the captain general the day BEFORE touching the course
intended TO be pursued by him in any OF the in
vadng the island should be captured been informed by
him that he would not allow any interference, either Off
cia PERSONAL by any consul in their behalf let them
belong TO whatever nation they might therefore, on
reaching my Office fearing personal interview might be
denied me- wrote, and delivered in person to the private
secretary OF the captain general the note which follows,
purely OF humanity. The note and the reply
the public can Judge OF for themselves
COMMERCIAL AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES,
Havana August 10, 1851.
SIR have just arrived in the city, and heard of the
capture OF about fifty men who came with Lopez and
tina, they have been condemned 10 be shot very soon
Under these embarrassing circumstances, regard il as
y solemn duty 10 make an appeal TO your excelency in
will not be considered an Interference, either Official
personal on my part ! earnestly beseech that the
lives Of the prisoners may DC spared and II al cannot De
absolutely necessary-and, il neither OF these petitions
be granted that your exceency will not permit the
prisoners be executed Immediately, but allow them all
the time possible in their dreadful condition Will your
excellency allow me an interview al once
- have the honor 10 be your exceilensys 9bed,ent
servant, A. +. OWEN.
I" His excelency ST. D. JOSH DE LA CoScHA,
Governor and Captain General of the Island Of Cuba
tSeai Of the government of The bland Of Cubal
"oFFrcE PoLrTloAL SECRETARY
81 have just received the communication that yo1 have
been pleased to address me- interesting yourself that
shall spare the lives OF all or some of the y prisoners
that the penalty OF death upon them should al least be
suspended IL is impossible Tor 10 accede any one
oil the three extremes that your letter contains The fifty
captured not American citizens citizens OF any
other naiop They are pirates, acknowledged and de.
claTed such by the Spanish government long before
they had attempted The criminal undertaking that they
accomplished and no otherwise can be considered those
who, without any acknowledged flag, assemble, arm
themselves embark Invade, and spill the blood OF the
defenders oil quiet country, that - IN full peace and
friendship with the nation OF which they call themselves
citizens The American government itself thus consid.
cred them, Also when, in such solemn and public docu
ments as lis procamatons not only reprobated the tx
petition OF which they formed part but assured. in the
clearest and most explicit manner that II would not
knowledge them American citizens that no effort
would be made in their favor to them from the pen
atty that might be laid upon them in the country where
they going and that for the reason, II would
abandon them TO the fate they might there meet with
cannot but be surprised, therefore, that you should in
erest yourself in their favor in the letter which am
answering although with the saving clause that il may
be considered official personal interference
You that consuls who strictly commercial
agents, ought not in TO interfere in Affairs oil
this nature and you cannot be ignorant either, that the
will of your government is that efforts be made 10 be-
half OF those who compose such criminal expeditions
the one now alluded 10.
. being in the most complete manner proved that the
hity prisoners you recommend 10 me are part OF those
who, rampng upon all international law invaded in
arms this pacific island and fought against the soldiers
that defend IL being notorious that their companions
still resist protected by the mountains the attacks Of
troops; and that they alter the defeat they sustained
trying TO save themselves by hghtneilher justice
nor policy counsel accede TO the wishes expressed
renee privately or officially, from YOU from the other
consuls resident in this city.
God preserve you many years! $4,000,
"HAvANA, August 10, 1851"
Il may be proper before proceeding further 10 state that
a very general msapprehension TO prevail in the
public mind touching the powers and duties of consul
for Havana II does not to be known appreciated
that he is restricted IN express terms to such matters
strictly commercial. He has diplomatic powers and is
so informed by the government OF the United States and
every communication made by him subjects other than
commercial only be addressed as matters OF por and
not OF 'igt This readily be perceived by reading
the extent OF the powers, as set forth in the following
royal eTtqudtoT