Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-01-03
DEFENI OF consul. OWEN

The acknowledgement OF Thursday contains a
letter from A. Oven, Esq. late Consul al Havana,
in which he dends himself against the charges of
want of hunlaiy and neglect of duty whilst acting as
Consul, IN retence 10 those who taken prison.
ers in the eXiiton of Lopez. He specifies three
charges, to weh he mainly replies. They are as
follows
Ist 1t has ba said, IN substance, that refused TO
take any stepsl the morning of the 10Th Aug last to
arrest the procdings which resulted In the condem-
nation and sennce OF death pronounced against nv
unfortunate cotrymen who taken in The III
| fated Lopez eyduon, who were that day executed
by the authoris in the island OF Cuba; not Fonlv
| this, but that refused to see them or to bear any
messages tromlem to their friends, or to do any
thing manestiIany commlseration for them IN their
mise rabie condDn.
"a. 1t has beesad that, after the surrender and
capture OF those9ho came in under the prouama-
ton of the Goveor and Captain General of the 24h
August, and welcommlted 10 the Puntd prison al
forwards, retus TO see them, to do any thing for
them. or to nakany inercession for them One of
these prisoners ant Kelley, has published under his
own hand, slncsis return TO this country, state
ment, which hasad an extensive circulation through
the medium OF presses OF the country, making
this charge and her charges also, which shall not
delgn to notice.
3d. 1t has beend that was negligent in the dis
charge of my dy TO John S. Tnrasher, who has
lately been sent tcspan On this point l may bare
ly say that did in my power 10 have MIR. Thrash
er's presente,in the way he desired it, as the
veral ,ommunicaons l addressed to the Captain e.
neral 10 his beha will show, and TO which | need
only refer at this ne.
In REPUTATION ote first charge, Mr.. Owen publish
es a letter address TO the Captain General in which
he urges that the les of all the persons condemned be
spared-or, If thate not graeed, that no more lives
shall be taken lhaare deemed necessary; and if both
requests be denied, at the prisoners shal be allowed
time 10 prepare n death. The Cantan General
would not perm ally interference whatever, and
| caused the men toe executed.
In regard TO the como charge, Mr.. Owes prove; by
Capt. Flat and Int. Taylor, that he did visit the
prisoners in contnaent and he publishes letter ad-
dressed by him 10 40 Captain General, in which he
earnestly interests ase for the prisoners; and he
serts, that all woul nave been pardoned had not The
assault on the Sparsa Consul in New Orleans taken
| place. He also SITES, that it was through his inter-
ference that Capt ely who has since assailed him.
was pardoned andberated
| 10 prove the fay OF the third charge, he publ sh-
es letter written thin by Mr.. Thrasher Just pece-
dung his embafkatt tor Spain, ia which he expires
his sincere thanks Mr. Owen, for his ezertions in
| has be halt and tor many acts ofknd1e5s.
1t appears that M Owen caused the prisoners, who
have been TRANSPORT, to be supplied with pro DIVISIONS
&c, whilst Ia prisottor which he paid out OF his wn
private funds.
We are always dbosed to hear both sides; and
thss more parculay niece ssary in the cas-, oil MIR.
Owen, as he may he been greatly represented by
cnemes We ihlnklat he makes fair aud ssliSFac-
tory defence, as to theiree charges exhibted-and on
these tIee charges haeamor been principally excited
We condsmned him I'm the eyiGen exhibited in the
public prints and we glad to lind that he has con
uoyerei and disproye the main allegations.
Bali Ciipper.