Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1852-02-05

Vi Tie ueleuOcIS vi quitt ccuhti tHdt -
in full peace and friendship with the nation
of which they call themselves citizens.-
The American government itself thus con-
sidered them, also, when, in such solemn
and public documents asits proclamations,
it no! only reprobated the expedition of
which they formed part. but assured, in
the clearest and mostexplicit manner, that
it would not acknowledge them as Ameri-
can citizens that no effort woul1 be made
in their favor to save them from the penal
" that might be laid upon themin the coun-
try where they were going and that, for
the same reason, IL would abandon them TO
the fate they might there meet with.
cannot but be surprised, therefore. that you
should interest yourself in their favor in
the letter which am answering, although
with the saving clause thatit may not be
considered as an official or personal inter
ference. You are aware that consuls.
who are strictly commercial agents, ought
not in any manner interfere in affairs OF
this nature; and you cannot be ignorant,
either, that the will of your government
is that no efforts be made in behalf of those
who compose suck criminal expeditions as
the one now alluded to-
''It being in the mos. complete manner
proved that the fifty prisoners you recom-
mend to me are part of those who, tramp
ling upon all international law, invaded in
arms this pacific island, and fought against
the soldiers that defend it; it being noto-
rious that their companions still resist, pro
tected by the mountains, the attacks OF our
troops; and that they, after the defeat they
sustained, were trying to save themselves
by fight-neither justice nor policy coun-
sci me to accede TO the wishes expressed
by you and in this affair | will not admit
any interference, privately or officially,
from you, nor from the other consuls resi-
dent in this city.
Good preserve you for many years
..JOSE DE LA CONCFA.
"HAvAYA, August 16, 1851"
1t may be proper before proceeding fur
ther to state that very general misarpre
hension seems to prevail in the public mind
touching the powers and duties of a con-
sui for Havana. 1t does not seem to be
known or appreciated that he is restricted
IN express terms to such matters as are
strictly commercial. He has no diplomat.
ic powers, and is so informed by the gov
ernment of the United States, and every
communication made by him on subjects
other than commercial can only be addres
sed as matters of facor, and not of right
This can readily be perceived by reading
the extent of the powers, as set forth ii
the following royal exequotor
1Dona Isabel, tie Second, by the grace
of God and the constitution of the Span
ish monarchy. Queen of Spain
.'Inasmuch as the minister plenipoten
tiary of the United States has reported tha
the President of said republic has ap
pointed Mr.. Allen T. Owen consul of tn,
same for Havana, as itappears from tn,
commission which he has exhibited, beg
ging that would be pleased to approve o
it, in order that he may exercise the func
tons of said Office, and to which have as
sented: Therefore, command the cap
tain general of the island of Cuba, and
the over authorities whose duty it may be
to see this my royal decree carried out, to
receive and to recognise the aforesaid Mr.
Allen F. Owen in the capacity of consul Of
prescribed by the royal ordinance of the
twenty fourth of March, one thousand
eight hundred and twenty nine, and tc
permit him, to enjoy and to exercise hi:
functions in doing which he is not te
exercise any act of jurisdiction, beng
only allowed to interpose his arbitra
ton in controversies which may occur
between merchants and seafaring people
with view of reconciling them and Offset
Ting their differences Under which con
dition, and none other, l grant him this my
royal authority to perform the functions o.
said Office and to this effect i order thai
he may be allowed to exercise the priv,
leges and to receive the emoluments ap.
pertaining to the same, and that he may en-,
JOY the exemptions, prerogatives, and i'm
munities compatible with the special law
which is in force in that colony.
.Given in Madrid, on the 18th of Au
gust, one thousand eight hundred und ff
ty-Gne.s
Il, THE QUEEN.
THE MARarIs MIRAFLoREs.'
This is the usual form of the powers al
lowed by Spain to all consuls in her trans
marine dependencies. And from this i
will be seen that l had no more power te
act IN the matter under consideration thar
any other citizen of the United States If
|. Havana at that time-no more than an,
one Of our naval officers within rance O
whose guns the execution took place. L
any one of all the American citizens tler
there, either with or without anv offcia
connexion with our government, did more
than did, or even as much, have vet te
learn it. But to proceed
Cd. Ithas been said that, after the sur
render and capture of those who came ir
.nndcr the proclamation Of the governor
and captain general of the 24th August
aud we're committed to the Punta prison af.
terwards, refused to see them, or to dc
anything for them, or to make any inter
cessionsfor them. One of these prisoners
Capt Kelly, has published under his ewn
hand, since his return to this country, q
statement, which has had an extensive cir
culation through the medium Of the pres.
les of tire country, making this charge, and
other charges also. which I shall not deign
to notice. til due tom that the public
however, should know the facts and
shall not SO Ear compromit my own self.
respect as to ask the public to Judge be.
tween mesand him But that Captain Kel.
ly may see himself how far he is sustained
By Capt Plat and Lieut.. Taylor of the
United States sIoop-of.war Albany, tc
whom he referred ID part Of his state
ment, / suhjoin their joint letter to me. /.