Washington sentinel., 1854-07-11
From the Louisiana Courier, July q

| From the Louisiana Courier July 2.
| Yesterday morning was fixed for the reading
Of the report of the grand jury, in relation to
| the Investigations concerning an attempt to
violate the laws of the United States by prepar-
ing an expedition against the Island of Cuba.
Judge Campbell took his seat at an early
hour, and the grand jury came into court at
! 10 o'clock. The clerk called the roll of the
Jury, and fourteen jurymen answered to their
1 names.
Judge Campbell Has the jury found any
| bills2
The Foreman.-It has not
| Judge Campbell-The jury has presented a
| report which / will trouble Mr.. Noise to read.
Mr.. Noise, the United States district attorney,
| then read the following:
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
The grand jury beg leave to report to your
| honor that, in the discharge of the duty con-
| tded to them by the court, they have cited from
among their fellow-citzens number of per-
| sons as witnesses to testify, and to prove from
| them, if possible, evidence in relation to the
rumor in this city of an expedition, said to be
on foot, the tendency and purposes of which
| would be to violate the neutrality laws Of the
| United States.
1
whose names figured most prominently with the
rumored expedition, and from the refusal Of
some of them to testify (as is known to the
court) on the ground they could not do so with
out eliminating themselves under the ruling OF
the court; the obvious inference left upon the
minds of the grand jury was, that those rumors
were not altogether without foundation, and
| from collateral evidence brought to their notice
in the course of the investigation, they are fur
ther left to infer that meetings have been fire.
quently held upon the subject of Cuban affairs,
and that what are termed Cuban bonds have
been issued, that funds have been collected,
either by contributions, sales of these bonds, or
1 promises to pay, to very considerable amount,
which was, or would be hereafter, at the dis
posal OF whomsoever might be chosen to the
command of an expedition, purporting to be in
aid OF the Cuban resolutions but from a strict
and searching investigation of the witnesses
through the district attorney, and grand jury
have been unable to elicit any facts upon which
to found an Indictment against any one.
Although the grand jury strongly incline to
the opinion that these meetings and collections
OF funds have for their end the organization Of
an expedition, either for the purpose of assist
! ing in Cuban revolution, or of making de.
monstration upon that island, yet the plan,
whatever it be- seems altogether in the pro-
spective, and aware as we are that great deal
has been said and written about the extensive
and formidable preparations on foot for the
purpose of revolutionizing Cuba, we believe it
has been very much overrated and magnifed.
Nothing like military organization or prepa-
ration having been brought to our notice.
That there are large number of the citi.
zens of the United States, whose feelings and
| sympathies are deeply enlisted in behalf of
what is termed the " Creole" or native popula-
ton of the Island of Cuba. there can be no
question and that there have been means con.
tributed, either by themselves or their friends
in the United States, for the purpose of amelio-
rating their condition, or for getting up an ex-
element in this country, in view of procuring
the aid and sympathy of our citizens, we con.
fdenty believe but that it has succeeded to the
extent of furnishing the means necessary to
the raising of men, arms, or ammunition with
which to make an hostile movement towards
that island, they have had no evidences in
deed, they very much doubt the ability of the
friends of this cause to command means suffi-
cient to organize and equip any military expe.
dition equal to the task of invading it with any
degree Of success; nor do they believe any
such expedition, even if organized, could elude
the vigilance Of our government officers, or of
our law-abiding citizens, believing as we do
they will not lock with indifference upon any
attempt to infringe the laws of our govern
ment, more particularly the Constitution of the
United States; but looking to that instru-
ment as the grand link which binds the ma
ton, north and south, as one people, as the
very ark or palladium of their safety upon
the observance of which the future prosperity
or progress of this great nation depends-they
will rally in behalf of the Constitution and
their country, and with the strong arm of the
law on the one hand, and the moral sentiment
of the masses on the other, visit upon every
offender the just and merited punishment due
to such crimes and misdemeanors.
The grand jury, therefore, deem it inexpe-
dent to prosecute the investigation of witnesses
any further for the present; but will continue
to make dilgent inquiry in relation toithis sub
ject or any other matter that may be brought to
their notice from time to time, as your honor
! may deem fit to direct.
ALE. PENN, Foreman.
New ORLEANS, July l, 1854.
REMARKS OF JuDoE CAMPBELL AND THE CouY-
sEJ.-GESERAL QUITMAN AND HIS FRIENDS
PLACED IN CUSTODY OF THE MARSHAL, ETC.
The Judge expressed his gratitude at the eff.
forts made by the jury to ascertain the exact
state Of the reputed expedition against Cuba,
and, after some further remarks, stated that he
felt it to be his duty to require Gereral Quit
man, Mr.. Thrasher, and DR.. Saunders-the
three witnesses who had refused to answer on
the grounds Of selfcrimination-to enter into
what the common law calls recognizances, to
observe the laws of the United States.
Mr.. Waul.--In behalf of those parties alluded
to by the court, would ask on what the deter
mination Of the court is based
Judge Campbell.-The court has based its
decision on the report Of the grand jury. Judge
} Campbell here read from that part Of the re-
port of the grand jury in which it is stated to
be the belief of the jury that an expedition is
on foot
Mr. Waul.-Ths course appears to me to be
a very extraordinary one. It is strange that
recognizances should be required from these
parties without any reasonable ground of sus.
picion, or anything that can legally be brought
before the court being proved against them
without even an affidavit making accusation
against them. As your honor has well OBJ
served, it is one of the most important priv.
leges Of the citizen not to criminate himself
| Rat hat 4Lo uhn &c he