The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-23

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sydney Smith, Esq., OF Havana, and the
kosth.
Every ole who remembers the melancholy and
exciting events which attended the Lopez expedi- !
ton and it's failure in Cuba. last summer, will also
recoect the interest that then produced in the
pubic mind. by the generous and humane treatment
exercised towards the prisoners, through the inAu.
ence If the British consulate at Havana, and par
ticularly by the personal efforts of VIM. Sydney
Smith. connected with /. atfGche and Secretary.
The failure of that luckess expeditionthe arrest Of
certain prisoners, and their SPEEDY execution-,he
defeat Of the remaining portion Of the expedition
the capture Of the survivors, and the fate they under
went Havana, all incidents which produced
extraordinary sensation throughout this country,
and more especially through the South and we.t,
where many of the adventurers We're highly con.
necttd with American fa miles. The conduct of the
Spanish colonial government in Cuba, and also that
Of the British. American, and other officers, has all
been reviewed by the newspapers, in various ways,
since that period up to the present time.
Among all the incidents, however, which charac-
terized this hapless expedition. mono appear more
grateful to the sense and feelings and gratitude Of
the American people, than the sympathy and aid ex-
the unfortunate captiyes at Havana. In that BUSH
ness MIR Smith took prominent and very impor-
tant part contributing bis time, his talents, and his
influence in exertions 10 moderate the sentence OF
the law passed upon them. and to procure some al
deviation thereof from the clemency of the Spanish
government In strict pTopriety, British FUNSTON
aIy at Havana was not called upon in any aspect of
the case to extend bis sympathies or his assistance
u r. A..
who claimed Il be British subjects natives Eng
land yet believe that Mr.. Crawford, the
highly respected British Consul at Havana, and in
an especial manner his youthful Consular Secre
tary, not only felt sympathy for the pitiable con-
dt,on Of the few prisoners who claimed to be British
subjects natives OF England but also extended that
sympathy in very emphatic and efficient manner
towards all others-even Foreigners but particularly
TO those Of American birth and lineage This con-
duct naturally gave rise to great degree OF gene
rous enthusiasm, towards such noble specimens OF
British agents, among the people of the South and
Southwest, who generally knew many of those I'M
happy men, and were deeply interested in their fate
Such being the sentiment there, Mr. Smith, of the
British consulate, received, some few months ago,
an invitation from the friends of those unfortunate
persons whom he had SO befriended In Havana, to
visit New Orleans, and several other cities South
and Southwest. Having accepted the Invitation, he
was received with marked demonstrations Of esteem,
respect. and gratitude equally honorable to the peo-
pie of that region, and TO the officer and agent of
her Britannia Majesty. tribute TO that enlight
ened and liberal course of conduct which called for
such an expression of gratitude from foreign,
though n cognate, land and race. As specimen III
these honorable feelings in the Southern community
of the Union towards the foreign fupctionary who
aided and assisted bis countrymen in their
misfoItunes, give elsewhere in our columns
to. day, very interesting review of his
tracted from the Mobile New Orleans, and Vcks-
burg papers. describing the scenes through which
he passed. and the respect he received from citizens
of the highest character and important official posi-
ton in all these Southern cities. We might have
added too Louisville and some other cities. where
equal attention and honor were lavished Oh him. in
reward for his humane aud generous conduct to the
unfoI innate Americans in Cuba But what we have
to day given is quite sufficient to exhibit and show
forth the gratitude of the American people for the
avors conferred their unhappy connections 10y the
iunctionary Of foreign government in foreign land
These honors and entions bestowed on Mr. Smith
by the public authorities Of New Orleans, Mobile,
and other Southern cities, are remarkable in some
other respects On that occasion, Mr. Smith with
degree of frankness and manly eloquence which
will be appreciated by all, undertook to prove,
and succeeded in convincing all those with
whom he associated in those Cities that the
Spanish government in Cuba-partcularly while
General Concha Captain General-had acted
throughout with a degree of forbearance and kind
uhich had been hitherto acknowledged in the
American newspapers Of that quarter to such an ex
tent it deserved In this respect, Mr. Smith exhib-
tied remarkable moral courage and manly feeling, in
becoming as it were, pacifcator on the occasion
bet~een the fHibuSte,o spirit of the Southern cities
and the loyal Spanish sentiment Of the Island Of
Cuba. He stepped in as a moderator, md we have
no doubt his speeches in explanation, his generous
description Of the noble conduct of General Concha,
and the honorable and upright career whish he pur-
sued, viii have more effect in producing a favor
able reaction ir Southern sentiment in order TO pre-
vent. hereafter any attempts or expeditions OF
that kind, than anything that has taken place or
grown ont Of the events Of the last two unfortunate
expeditions. In this way Mr.. Smith has displayed
great tact and almost unexpected craftsmanship,
Ieconciling with wonderful address the hostile feel
ings which have for the last few years existed
between our Southern cities and the authorities and
Spanish influences Of The Island Of Cuba While
We read his ingenious speeches, and admire the
boldness with which, in the midst of the Southern
fHbpaoo sentiment, he rises up and defends the
Spanish government, and particularly General Con.
cha, we surprised at the ability and graticd at
the franlness with which he manages his subject
1t reminds also of the coDsummate tactics by
which Sir Henry Bulwer, late minister to this
try, regulated his conduct and managed his dipo.
matte affairs during his brief but brilliant
British ambassador at Washington. Few British
ministers seem to have understood the trade Of di
Ilomacy, az applied to the government and people
of the United States, before the appearance
Of Sir Henry Bulwer. His genius and sagacity
and tact at once opened the road. ani whils
be was negotiating at Washington with Daniel
Webster, the Secretary Of State, and settling points