The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-11

THOSE THREE AMERICAN PRISONERS AT HA-
On the eighteenth Of July last we published
the statement. dated July s, Of William Free
burn. William Atkins, and Harvey c. Parks,
American sailors confined in prison at Havana,
to Gov Marcy, Secretary of State, Washing
tom the substance of which was briefly as
follows -
These three men shipped from New York in
the bark Jasper, on what was represented to
be Legitimate trading voyage to Sierra Leone,
but, on nearing the coast of Africa, it was an
nounced that the vessel had been sold. She
was then ran down the coast, and, shipping
cargo of slaves, turned about, and finally sue
ceeded in landing the said cargo safely on the
south side of Cuba. But the ship, in her en-
deavors to hug the shore, was run aground,
when to escape the British cruisers, perhaps,
she was set on fire, and burned to the waters
edge, and the crew dispersed. These three
men took to sea in boat, expecting to be
picked up in day or two and brought home.
But, on landing one day for supplies, they were
seized and put on board the Spanish war schoo-
ner Habanero, brought up to Havana and put
in the Punta prison, where, according to our
latest advices they are still confined.
Now, the question arises, why has not Secre-
tary Marcy made some inquiries into this case
Why were these men seized by the Cuban au-
thorities Why imprisoned? Why still de-
tanned? What are the charges against them?
What are the proofs? These questions should
have been promptly put upon information Of the
aforesaid facts. Our Premier could not have
failed receiving this information from the pub
lished statement in the HERALD. But we learn
that our Acting Consul has also attended to the
matter and that the prisoners arc much disap-
pointed that nothing in consequence has been
done towards their release. Why nots-thats
the question-why not?
We understand that one of these men is an
rishman, another Scotchman, and another
native Of the United States, but that they are
all American citizens. This fact, prima facie,
gives them the right to demand the interposi-
tion OF the home government. But they were
among the crew Of a piratical ship, and were
thus outlawed Not so fast. They positively
assert that they were deceived into service on
pou4u TIC JuspcT ny lasc pTtteHCcs, anu bliil
on discovering her true character they asked
to be discharged, but were compelled by force
Of deadly weapons to remain on duty down
to the landing Of the ship at the island of Cuba.
These declarations entitle them at all events, to
a fair examination, before they are adjudged as
outlaws. The fact that they are American cit-
zens makes their government responsible for
their protection against any unjust and
unwarrantable punishments from the pro-
vincial officials Of foreign power. Ac-
cording TO their own statement, these men
do not owe their imprisonment to the fact that
they were portion Of the crew Of slave-shp
The proof Of that fact would probably have Sc
cured their prompt discharge, as having been in
the service Of the Queen Mother of Spain.
They were doubtless picked up and imprisoned
as American Gifibnsteroes in disguise and if
this be go they have powerful claim to the
Immediate attentions Of our Premier, because
the suspicious of Spanish officials at Havana
against American citizens, whether as passen-
gers or as sailors, have been carried quite far
enough in all conscience.
We do hope, and trust and pray, therefore,
that Master Marcy will take up this case, and
make case Of it, on account of the polit-
cal capital that may be made ont oft, If for no
other purpose 1t may be turned to good ac-