The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-23
AT MOBILE.
From the Mobile Register, Nay Il ]

spendlu service OF sllNeI, as tesumonial oI lneF
gratitude fcr the noble and philanthrope services
rendered by him to the American prisoners who
were taken in the ill-stared Cuban expedition
der Gen. Lopez.
The following il the prei minary correspondence:
NEW 0RLE ANS, Nov "a 1881.
W SIDNEY SMITH, ESQ,
Secretary to the English Consulate at Havana
DEAR 5IR-The committee appointed by tne
young men Of New Orleans, TO present some testi-
ansnia Of their 10 you for the kindness and
attention manifested and shown to their associates
and friends connected with the Lopez expedition,
While prisoners in the hands OF the Spanish author
hes at Havana, do herewith tender you the accom-
panyipg service OF plate which they trust you will
accept in the same spirit in which IL is presented
While they feel assured that your conduct towards
ahsse who by the fate Of war rendered helpless
And unprote cted. cmanated solely from those feel
ngs OF rectitude. humanity and Justice. with which
yeur noble heart is fully stored: and that the ap
probation Of that heart, and the approval of your
senfeience is of far reward to you than any
teetimonial which they can offer. Yet they cherish
the hope that as the grander objects Of nature
aypifed by those ofsimpler formation, may the
accompanying present impart to you some faint idea
es that deep gratitude and lasting remembrance
which will, while life lasts FIJI the breasts Of those
who new feel themselves under 50 great an indebt-
ednoss to you. May God in his wisdom. order
that your course through life may be that Of pros
psrty and happiness, ana should tbe clouds Of so.-
Row or difficulties ever oyershadow it, may yoa find
these whose hearis overlooking with those
nest noble Of al nature gifts with which she h1s
~ bountiiully filled your own. TO cheer, comfort and
assst you. With the assurance Of the deepest gra-
titado and regard, we have the happiness 10 be
your most sincere friends
LEWIS A. DTrEYpERrFER,
J. CRowTLL GORE,
JAMES ii. WIHGFlELD,
GEO w. SI2ER,
u. A. TYLER.
HAVANA, November IS. IsJl
e'ESrl FpEk--ln doing myself the honor to
knowledge the receipt OF your letter dated the 2fth
INST, accompanying a very beautiful service of
llste Of which d" you request MY acceptance ia the
name Of the young men Of New Orleans esti-
Inonial Sf their gratitude to for the kindness and
attention manifested aud shown to the unfortunate
men-prisoners at IIavana-the survivors Of the ex-
petition which, under Lopez, recently invaded this
lsland,' ! request that you viii do me the favor to
accept my best thanks, and that YOU will thank the
young men Of New Orleans, in my name. for this
disting uished mark of their esteem and which be-
heye me- il received IN the same spirit in which it is
presented. Ii affords me very great satisfaction TO
think tina, MY poor services, in behalf of those
fortunate men, and that my efforts in the cause of
humanity should have meTited your high approba-
ton. But, gentlemen | cannot refrain from avail
sg Myself q so good opportunity to pay Just
tslbute to the noble and bgn-minded Captain Gene
sal Of this island, the magnanmous Don Jose dc Ii
Concba. But for his inerciful proclamation Of the
18th OF August, granting pardon Of their lives to all
euch Of the invaders rs had not been taken at that
date not man OF that expedition would be left to
tell the tale The condition of the prisoners when
brought to Havana was deplorabe in the extreme.
hut representation thereof having been made to the
Captain General, his Excellency issued immediate
orders that they houldbe better cared for and their
Suierngs afterwards as light as was consistent
with their situation as prisoners. To his Excel
leRey humane Indulgence also, those sent to Spain
indebted, for the assistance and comforts which
allow cd to be supplied to them at the time of
their departure: and il must not be forgotten how
many he has released and permitted TO return TO
Their friends and families. hope you will accept
sny assurance that your notice OF me in so distin-
Huished manner thought OF. nor
ted
services attracting your notice anticipated by
ne. Permit me once more. gentlemen, to express
10 you my warmest Acknowledgements for your great
kindness, ami with my best wishe; for your health
and happiness. lhaye the honor most respectfully 10
'uSfeIibe myself your ySsgry faithful servant,
To Messrs. Dgendorfer, Gore Wingded Sizer
and Tyler, &c, New Orleans
The presentation took place in the dra ing room
y the Euiaw House, at u o'clock. The Mayor,
ndge Seawell upon rendering the testimonial Of
citizens, addressed the recipient in substance
oll0Ws:--
Mr. Emth--It affords mo very great satisfaction
to greet you with cordial shake of the hand, and
tender YOU the respect and admiration Of our eiti
The circumstances Of the late Cuban expe-
dition arc too well known to the world 10 need
reeapitulation now. At this moment they live
freshly IN the memory Of all. from coatemporape-
Gus tradition, and are ripening fast into mature
history. The part which you have enacted
therein has Attracted the attention of the
world Connected with a foreign Consulate
N-hN%'NN
hostile lnvasion-near a government flushed with
the capture Of invaders and victory, and above all,
4midst a ropulace bent upon the most summary and
eondigu punishment Of its foes-for the cause Of
humanity alone and without motive other than the
impulse of personal generosity and the dictates OF
an enlightened moral sense, you advanced boldly
forward TO the relief of the unfortunate and friend
iess regardless ofpersonal consequences and claimed
for them that justice and that hberality, due TO
their misfortunes from a civilized nation. What
aid, what comfort, what considerations consistent
Wi go mt III or anda
and demand for the prisonersi II is for such
rieee Is these that the respect. admiration and APP
probation Of mankind are due and it is for such
services that J am deputed by a committee of our
citizens to express to you their cordial esteem with
their high regard. las further my duty to offer
you also substantial testimonial of their sense OF
yonI exalted philanthropy and beg that you will
receive this service Of plate (whose intrinsic value
bears slight proportion The motive that prompts
the Offer az token Of their gratifcd Judgment. |
trust, Sir, their proceeding herein may meet your
appreciation.
TO tbis appropriate and wel-expressed address
which was very handsomely delivered. Dir. Smith.
who was evidently very sensipy affected by the hon
6Ts paid him, responded IN very felictous speech
which was quite Impressive aud eloquent from the
modest, sincere and cordial manner in which it
uttered II Is ont Of power to do justice to
Mr. Smiths remarks: but may say that he ex-
pressed his deep and heartfelt thank. for the honor
shown him hy this unexpected mark Of distinction
and regard. BE felt most sincerely that his own
poor services extended to the unfortunate members
Of the Lopez expedition, deserved 70 such express
fion Of kindness and appreciation. lie had only
done what every philan'hroric heart would have
been prompted to DO under tie same circumstances
and would have done il the same opportunity had
been afforded. He saw the prisoners in Havana in
distress and suffering, af.er having endured the
greatest hardshils in their unhappy though GAL
liant expedition--in which they had entered
iron honest but mistaken nod0Hs-and he had
rendered thcm such public assistance as was
IN his power lie felt bound say that he could
have done this without the assistance of The gene
IoGs and humane inhabitants u Havana who mani
Tested tie utmost sympathy and sorrow for NE I'M
fortunate prisoners lIc would aso say that great
praise and honor were due to the high official au-
Ihorties Of the island sor the enity and kindness
they had unaffected. General Concha, after the
Changers Of the invasion were ever, had molly and
generously inteposcd all his powers TO relieve
tnose unfortunate men from the penalties Of their
CONDUCT, Wy hs order 70 spare the lives Of al who