New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-01-10
Defence Of Consul owen,

Defence Of Consul Owen,
Hon A. 7. Owen. aS-Consul at Havana, comes out in
the National Integencer with long defence against the
charges made against him while acting Consul in ref
to inhumanity and neglect towards the Cuban
prisoners He asserts that his actions have been nsre
reseted people of the United States and that he
has been vllifed beyond measure He mainly replies 10
the three following charges which he thus specifies
LIST It has said i'll substance that refused TO take
any steps the morning of the 10th August lat to arrest
the proceedings which resulted in the ana
sentence of death pronounced against my LUZ @
coultrvmen who were taken in the fated Lopez expo
on who we're that day executed by the authorities of
the Island of Cuba not only this but that refused 70
see them, to bear any message from them 10 tneif
friends or to do any thing manifetn any comseiution
for them in their miserable condition
ID Ii has been said that after the surrender and cap
tre Of those who came in under the proclamation of the
Governor and CaptainGenerl of the 9th August and
were committed 10 the Puna prison afterwards refused
to see them to do thing for them to make any
inercesson for them. One of these prisoners Captain
Kelly has published under his hand since his return
to this country statement which has had extensive
circulation through the medium of the presses of the
country making this charge, and other charges also,
which shall not degn to notice.
Sd. 1t has been said that negligent in the DIS
charge of my duty to John S Thrasher who has lately
been sent to Spain On this point barely say that
did all in my power to have Mr.. Thrashers case pre-
sented in the way he desired it. as the several conm,n
cations addressed TO the Captain General will show and
to which need only refer at this time
TO rehut these charges Mr. O. produces copy OF let
learned the capture Cittendens command cnrcating
that the lives of the prisoners might be spared or if all of
them could not be saved nfiict extreme punishment
only so far as was deemed absolutely necessary Mr. o.
states that the prisoners had been condemned to death
before he knew of their capture He produces the reply
of the Captain General this communication informing
him that he could not accede to his requests; refusing
him an interview giving him to understand in posi-
tive terms that interference. either official other
wise would be allowed on his part the part of any
other Consul residing in the city
In reference to the second charge Mr. Owen produces
letters from Capt Patt and Lieut. Taylor disprovpg the
allegation that he refused to the prisoners any
thing in their behalf Mr. Owen further states that
was through his exerions that Capt Kelly who since
assaled him, pardoned and further that, but for
the assault on the Spanish Consul at NewOreans the
prisoners would probably all have been parloned.
To dsprove the third charge. Mr.. Oowen produces the
following letter.
Moro CASTLE Nov 26. 1851.
Dear S,-About to embark for Spain to fill Il most ill.,
auitous sentedce have to thank you, which do most
sincerely only for your exertons my behalf which
we can only roget have been unavang but also for
many acts of kindness which you have extended me-
You well that do not go sadly to my mpris-
onment because not only that perfectly innocent of
the charges against me- but also because do not believe
my counlymen will suffer my unjust sentence to be
ried out.
Reiteratiug my thanks to you. remain your obliged
servant. J. S. WHRAsHER.
A. F. Owen Esq, Consul of the United States of
America.
Mr. o. also publishes copy of the royal Easquate is
sued to him by the Queen of Spain which clearly defines
his powers commercial agent and explicitly sets
forth that he shall not Interfere any thing beyond
mercial matters. Mr.. Owen thus concludes his letter
Now, Messrs Editors, have done have only alluded
to the more prominent charges that have been made
against as have been enabled to comprehend them
before and since my return.
have neither time inclination to take up the thou
sands of other silly and unfounded ISLANDERS that have
been industriuusly circulated against me.
have said that did not intend at this time in this
way to call in question the motives oecs of those who
treated unfairly. This rule have endeavored tc
observe My only object has been to speak in defence
myself and Of my official conduct.
1T proper that should also that have not al
lued to the charges above specifically set forth
in any way connected with the reasons of my recall
do not know upon what grounds for what have
been recalled do wish to be considered complain.
ing of that recall am not the man to appeal to the
public account of such grievance if felt it,
But can say with truth that have very little feeling
on that subject indeed none at all except in far
the fact Itself might corroborate the idea that had
deied myself unfit for such place. by proving that
destitute Of those kinder feelings of nature which
prompt the heart to feel anothers woe and
Ito hide the fault see' which value than all
the emoluments of all the Offices that all the powers
earth have it in their power to bestow.
Whatever may be my errors, am that none who
know will attribute them to any instruction of the
impulses of the heart And it is for the information of
those who do not know that have been induced to
make this exposition
But wherein may not be allowed to ask have erred
in any respect in this NATTER May not put the ques
ton in all confidence to those who have done
greater injustice than simply to say that they do not
approve ofmy conduct wherein do they not approve it 2
What act do they find fault with? What deed of oms-
sion commission do they complain of! Did 1 do any
thing wrong Or did leave undone any thing which L
ought to have done and which in my power to do
Is there any higher standard of duty than this If so
what is it
My greatest perhaps, has been that which friend
had the kindness the other day TO point out to and
it requires friend sometimes to bring real
notice. Mr.. Owen said he. you have done every
thing which you ought to have done except take
OF yourself If such shall be the general opinion of my
countlymen, shall be satisfied
Respectfully, your obedient servant.