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

We have attentiyely perused the lengthy de-
fence which ex- Consul Owen makes, through the
columns Of the Intelligencer. against the charges
of inhumanity and imbecibty made against him
while acting as Consul at Havana. We are by
no means convinced that he has wiped away the
stains which rested on his official character. Sc
far as the case Of Mr.. Thrasher is concerned, the
letter Of that gentleman, on the eve of his sail
ing for Spain, acknowledging in the most liberal
terms his obligations to Mr., Owen, for kindness
and efforts in his behalf, is conclusive, and ex-
onerates Mr.. 0. from the charge OF femissness
of duty in this particular instance, at least in
the opinion Of Mr.. Thrasher. The defence to
the other charges is of an entirely different
character. and Mr.. Owen appears rather to avail
himself Of technicaities, than plain statement,
He entrenches himself behind the formal in
structions of his Government, and the narrow
limits of the royal erequater, and seems to rely
upon these as a secure breast-work against pub
lie censure He produces the letter addressed
by him to the Captain General, in reference to
the fifty prisoners who were executed. and the
reply to the same, taking especial care to set
forth in his remarks concerning these communi-
were SO limited that he could do nothing.
The people Of the United States are well aware
that his authority was limited in ordinary mat
tiers, but here was an extraordinary case, and
he the only representative of Iris Government on
the spot. 1t was no time for him to study the
technical definition ofhis instructions, while an
ignominious death was hanging over the heads
of fifty of his countrymen, but moment for
him to entrench himself behind the flag Of his
country, and assume o position which would
have commanded attention, and, possibly. Sc
cured to the unfortunate men, at least, hear
ing and a trial.
In regard to the charge Of neglect Of the pris-
oners who were sent to Spain, Mr.. OWENS de-
fence is still more lame. He asserts, with an all
of injured innocence, that he did not refuse tc
see them, and produces letters from Capt. Plat
and Lieut.. Taylor to prove that he only wanted
to ascertain whether they wanted to see him
or not. Of the charges made against him
in reference to his conduct in the case of the
brig Franklin, Mr.. Owen makes no mention,
and we consider his culpability in this affair as
strong, if not stronger, than in the Others But,
he appears satisfied Of having proved himself
officially innocent, and thus we are willing to
let the matter stand but on the grounds of hui
mainly and frmness we consider him proved to-
tally untitled for the responsible position which
he occupied. To talk in &c bated breath - about
his not having s refhsed' to see the unfortu-
nate men Captured, is unworthy of an American
representative, and confirms us in our opinion
OF his utter incompetency An American who
could talk thus, deserves no office Of trust or
honor, or profit He lacks the nerve which
should characterize an American abroad, and
we are happy in congratulating the country on
the recall of MIR. Owen