Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-01-08
Consul Owen.

SNAhSaI VWOhs
This gentleman, now in Washington, pub
fishes letter in the National Intelligencer OF
Thursday last, setting forth his conduct in
relation to the Cuban expedition prisoners.
Justice to this gentleman induces us to en-
tract from the defence he makes the follow
ing explicit denial of the charges brought
against him. lie says:
/" 1t is not true that refused to take any
steps to arrest the proceedings which result
cd in the order for their execution. 1t is not
true that knew Of their capture until after
their condemnation. As have stated on
former occasion, they were condemned be.
fore heard of their capture so that had
no time to act, or to do any thing to prevent
their sentence, if had the power to do so.
Again: 1t is not true that refused to see
them after their condemnation. Nor is il
true that any desire was expressed by any
one Of them to see me that was made known
to me. On the contrary, l did express de-
sire TO see them, for the purpose of bearing
any message they might deliver to me to be
borne to their friends, And was Informed
t!lat Mr.. Costa, of New Orleans, known per-
sonally TO some of them, had been sent for,
and had attended to such matters. And
ask that all fair men will boar in mind that
had no more power or authority from my
official position 10 act in the matter than any
other American citizen who happened to be
there, rs will hereafter be fully shown. But
it is not true that even failed TO do my III
most rs an individual 10 avert the sad fate of
these men under the most moving and mel
.I,<1,, ~, a. baIr eff nutI
AS soon asI arrived mt my office, q litle al
tc. ten o'clock in the morning, and heard OF
their sentence and approaching doom, ad-
drcsse no!c to the Governor and Captain
General of the Island. This dill 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 Cap
tain General the day before, touching the
course intended TO be pursued by him in
case any Of the men invading the island
should be captured, been Informed by him
that he would not allow any interfere nee.
either official or personal, by any Consul i'll
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 Cen
eral the note which follows, purely as IN net
Of humanity"
This is followed by 4 note to the Captain
General, asking mercy for the fifty condemn
cd to be shot, and Conrla's prompt refusal
Of The request In this refusal, the Captain,
IN y nrrt,v ronrh manner tells Nr. Owen
that he will admit no interference from him
nrv,,oIv or ofirio,lv Mr. Oycn comul.tcly
rnr,t.s }rr KnlIv,s statement nbIished in
this coun,rr bv a letter from Commander
pl.tt uud Jirut Tavlur In relation TO Mr..
Thr,sLrr Ar Owen publishes note from
tbnt nrn,lp,nan. inst before he sailed for
Sn,ir tb,ntinrh him. for his efforts in hi, bc.
LaIf The defence Of MIR. Owen is pIausi-
!lr, and il would uppcar. from his statement,
that the only blame that can attach to him
is that Lc did not take the responsibility OF