Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-03
NATIONAL INTELLfGENCER.
LETTER FROM THE Hos. a. F. OWN.
WASHINGTON, DECEMBER %. Is

WASHINGTON, DECEMBER % 1851.
Messrs GALES SEAToN Win you do me the favor to
allow me- through the medium Of your extensively crcu-
lated journal TO make exposition purely Of personal
characterY / am aware that such matters usually
unnteresting and unfrequeny quite dstastel to
intelligent public But in this instance feel that have
a right to ask hearing without an apology
In my conduct as late Consul for Havana hare been
harshy assaed and bitterly denounced not to say gross
" misrepresented and shamefuy traduced before the
American people OF the character Of those who the
most efficient actors in this conspiracy against M good
name and reputation their objects motives hive
intention at this time in this way to speak. If my
cause cannot stand upon its merits before the ibu
nal of an impartial and thinking people will
ling that and it may be consigned 10 that reprotaon
which both would richly deserve, if were such
as have been represented be- My object, therefore
in asking of you the favor, is not the medium of
your paper for the purpose of assang any not even
my caumniators, but only to defend myself feel that
have been unusty dealt by. Whether others who
have not the interest in the shall be Of The
opinion will depend upon their Judgment upon what
j have TO say.
What them are the charges which have been brought
against me- Not having any presented in any regu
lar form, shall have to alude to them have
them stated in the newspapers at different times And to
Degin with the most prominent:
ls 1t has been said in substance that | refused to
take any steps the morning of the 18th Of August last
to the proceedings which resulted the condemna
ton and sentence of death pronounced against my
fortunate countrymen who taken in the Inflated Lo
PEI expedition who that day executed by the
thorities in the Island of Cuba and only this but
that refused to them bear any messages from
them to their friends, to do any thing manestng any
commiseraton for them in their miserable condition
To this have simply to say that it is not true that
refused to take any steps arrest the proceedings which
resulted in the order for their execution 1t is not true
that knew of their capture until after their condemna
ton As have stated former occasion, they
condemned before heard of their capture that had
time to act do any thing prevent their
tenee if had had the power to do Again II is
true that refused to them after their condemnation
Nor it true that any desire expressed by any
Of them to see me that made known to On the
contrary, did express desire them for the pur
pose Of bearing any message they might deliver
be borne to their friends And was informed that Mr.
Costa, of New Orleans known personalyto Of them
had been for, and had attended such matters
And ask that all fair will bear in mind that had
no poaer authority from my official position act
IN the matter than any other American citizen who hap
pened to be there will hereafter be fully shown But
1t is not true that even failed TO do my utmost iRd
Uidudl the sad fate Of these under the
moving and melancholy circumstances of their situation
As | arrived my Office little after ten o'clock
in the morning and heard of their approach
ing DOOM addressed TO the Governor and Captain
General Of the Island. This did not do in my official
character because, apart from my knowledge of the full
extent Of my official powers, had in an interview with
the Captain General the day before touching the course
intended to be pursued by him in any men
,ela .1,a
him that he would allow any iatersace either official
personal by any Consul in their behalf let them be-
long to whatever nation they might therefore on reach
ing my office, fearing personal interview might be de-
MED me, and delivered in person to the private Sec
rotary of the Captain General the which follows
purely an act Of humanity The and the reply
the public judge of for themselves:
''CoMMERoIAL AGENCY or THE UNITED STATES
g HdrdRd, dugllst IL, 1851
Sn have just arrived in the city and heard of the
capture Of about fifty of the who came with Lopez
and that they have been condemned to be shot very
Under these embarrassing circumstances regard it as
my solemn duty 10 make appeal your Excelency in
behalf Of these unfortunate men and that this
Will not be considered as tsrsrencc either Official
er,oHd my part earnestly beseech that the ltres
Of the prisoners may be spared and if all cannot be
spared that aH be taken than are deemed to be
absolutely necessary and if neither Of these petitions
be granted that your Exceency will permit the pri-
soners to be executed Immediately but allow them all the
time possible in their dreadful condition viii your Ex-
cellency allow an interview at once?
" have the honor to be your Excelency's obedient
servant, 2 OWEN
His Excellency Sr. D. JOSH DE IA CoxcHA
Governor and Captain General Of the Island Of Cuba.
Sea- Of The Government Of the Island of Cuba.
OFFICE OF THE PoLrrTcAL SEcRErAnr
have just received the communication that Won lave
been pleased TO address me- interesting yorelf that
shall spare the lives Of all or some of nc sty pr;.
or that the penalty Of death upon - lii Z -sohers,
suspended impossible for me TO ede to any One nc
ontred men - that your letter Contains The fifty
tber MAJ not American citizens or citizens Of any
caN Ion. They PIRATES acknowledged and de-
1ed as such by the Spanish Government long before
they had attempted the criminal undertaking that they
accomplished and otherwise be considered those
who, without any acknowledged flag assemble, them
selves embark invade and spill the blood of the defenders
of quiet country, that is in full peace and friendship
with the nation Of which they call themselves citizens
The American Government itself thus considered them
also, when, in such solemn and public documents its
proclamatons it only reprobated the expedition of
which they formed part but assured the cearest and
explicit manner that Ii would acknowledge them
A. American citizens that effort would lie made in their
favor to them from the penalty that might be laid
upon them in the country where they going; and
that for the reason, il would abandon them the
fate they might there meet with cannot but he
psed therefore, that you should yourself their
heletter which am answering although with the
saving clause that IL be considered official
personal interference You that Consuls,
who are strictly commercial agents ought not in any
interfere in affairs Of this nature and you
not ignorant either that the will Of your Government il
that no efforts made behalf Of those who compose
such criminal expeditions the one alluded %.
Ii being in the complete proved that tho
fifty prisoners you recommend 70 part OF those