The southern press., 1852-01-17
From ts National laisiiigsAtss. lat iasi
Letter from the Hon. A. y. owen.
WAsAINerok, Dec. 29, 1851.

the favor to allow me- through the medium of
your extensively circulated journal, to make an
exposition purely of a personal character? am
aware that such matters are usually uninterest-
ing and not unfrequently quite distasteful to an
Intelligent public. But in this instance feel
that have right to ask hearing even without
apology.
In my conduct as late Consul for Havana,
have been harshly assaed and bitterly de-
nouneed; not to say grossly misrepfesented and
shamefully traduced before the American peo-
pie. VI the character of those who were the
most efficient actors in this conspiracy against
my good name and reputation, or their objects
and motives, have no intention at this time or
in this way to speak. If my cause cannot stand
upon its own merits before the tribunal Of an
impartial and right thinking people, | am willing
that and 1t may be consigned to that reproba-
ton which both wonld so richly deserve, if /
were such mansas / have been represented TO
be. My object therefore, in asking of you the
favor, is not to use the medium of your paper
for the purpose Of assailing any one, not even
my calumniators, but only to defend myself /
feel that have been most unjustly 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
to say.
What, then, are the charges which have been
brought against me? Not having seen any pre-
sented in any regular form, shall have to alude
to them as have seen them stated in the news
papers at different times. And to begin with
the most prominent:
LIST. II has been said, in substance. that re-
fused to take any steps on the morning of the
10th of August last, to arrest the proceedings
vuh IN fha dor ~
tence of death pronounced against my unfortu-
nate countrymen, who were taken in the i'll
fated Lopez expedition, who were that day
executed by the authorities in the Island Of
Cuba; and not only this, but that refused to
see them, or to bear any messages from them
to their friends, or to do any thing manifesting
any commisseration for them in their miserable
condition.
To this have simply to say, that it is not
true that refused to take any steps to arrest
the proceedings which resulted in the order for
their execution. 1t is mol true that knew Of
their capture till after their condemnation AS
i have stated on former occasion, they were
condemned before heard of their capture; so
that had no time to act, or to do anything to
prevent their sentence, if had had the power
to do so. Again: it 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, did express desire to see
them, for the purpose of bearing any message
they might deliver to me to be borne to their
friends. And j was informed that Mr. Costa,
of New Orleans, known personally to some Of
them, had been sent for, and had attended to
such matters. And ask that all fair men will
bear in mind that had no more poioer or au-
thority from my official position to act in the
matter than any other American citizen who
happened to be there, as will hereafter be fully
shown. But it Is not true that even. failed TO
do the utmost as an individual to avert the sad
fate of these men under the most moving and
melancholy circumstances of their situation. As
soon arrived at my Office, little after ten
o'clock in the morning, ard heard of their SEN
tence and approaching doom, | addressed note
TO the governor and captain-general of the
Island. This did not do in my official charac-
ter, because, apart from my knowledge of the
full extent of my official powers, | had an in
terview with the captain 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 Interference either Off
cially or personal, by any consul in their behalf,
let them belong to whatever nation they might.
therefore, on reaching my Office, fearing a per-
sonal interview might be denied me, wrote and
delivered in person TO the private secretary of
the captain-genera the note which follows, pure
ly as an act of humanity. The note and the
reply the public can Judge of for themselves:
COMMERCIAL AGENCY OF THE U. STATES,
Havana, August l6, 1851. {
Sir: have just arrived in the city, and heard
of the capture of about fifty Of the men who
came with Lopez, and that they have been con.
demned TO be shot very soon. Under these EN-. |
barrassing circumstances, regard il as my sol.
emn duty to make an appeal to your Excellency
in behalf Of those unfortunate men; and trust |
that this will not be considered as an 'interfer-
ence,' either official or personal, on my part. I
earnestly beseech that the hUes Of the prisoners
may be spared and if all cannot be spared, that
no more shall be taken than are deemed TO be
absolutely neceSSdry and If neither of these pc
titions can be granted, that your Excelency will
not permit the prisoners 10 be executed imme.
distely, but allow them all the time possible in
their dreadful condition. Will your Excelency
allow me an interview at once
have the honor TO be your Excellency's
obedient servant, AT. OWEN.
"His Excellency Sr. ID. JOSE DE LA CoScHA"
[ Seal Of The Government Of he Island Of Cuba
OFFICE OF THE POLITICAL SECRETARY.
have just received the communication that
you have been pleased 10 address me, interesting
yourself that | shall spare the lives of all, or
some Of the fifty prisoners, or that the penalty |
Of death upon them should at least be suspend |
ed. II is impossible for me TO accede TO any |
one Of the three extremes that your letter con- |
tains. The fifty captured men are not Amer. |
can citizens, or citizens Of any other nation.
They are pirates, acknowledged and declared rs
such by the Spanish government long before
theyhad attempted the criminal undertaking that
they accomplished; and no otherwise can be con-
sidered those who, without any acknowledged |
flag, assemble, arm themselves, embark. invade, |
and spill the blood Of tho defenders of quiet
country, that is in full peace and friendship with
the nation Of which they call themselves citizens.
The American 90 1ernment itself thus consid. /
cred them also, when, in such solemn and public /
documents as its proclamations, il not only rep
rotated the expedition Of which they formed
n mart lint aasurpd in the elearaat and most nv.