The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-10
TIE CUBAN FILIBUsTERs.


PROM rhe New Orleans Delta June 80
Our description OF the interview betweea General
QuitmaD, the suspected head and front OF the hli-
buster offenders, did not do full Justice to tho scene.
We therefore reproduce il in fuller and moro &C
eurate FORM The General appeared before the
Grand Jury On Wednesday afternoon--one Of the
hottest afternoons ever experienced In New Or
leans-as cool and calm as an antumual eve. He
was received with great courtesy and cOnsidera
ton. There could not have been more studied
respect and polteness In a coterie of European di
plomatists, which assembled for purposes the re-
verse OF amicable.
Az soon as the parties were seated, and the ardor
OF their mutual admiration and respect had subsidized
into the requisite gravity and self Of high
officials charged with very important duties, the
District Attorney handed to the General printed
circular which purp0rted to contain q report OF
meeting held at some unnamed place relative to the
Island OF Cuba, and OF oertaiu eloquent speeches
delivered on that occasion by certain alphabetical
gentlemen. The General very coolly nspec ted this
document, after which he was asked il he knew
anything about said meeting. or of any other meet
ing, which contemplated any expedition or enter.
prize Of revolutionary character against the Island
o. Cuba. Thereupon, the General addressed the
Grand Jury substantially rs fOilows:-
"Gentlemen-I have no knowledge OF any act or
speeches of tho character referred to- Of any other
mpiating a revolutionary movement In the
Island of Cuba in which have not participated to
as great an extent as any other person. have done
nothing, however, which, in my judgment, u either
lawiess or dishonorable. My conscience is clear on
these points. But after the Interpretations that
have recently been given To the law submit it to
your sense OF honor, justice and propriety. II can
be expected TO answer any Questions relating to such
movements or purposes"
Certainly not" remarked several Of the jurors
~ i is your Assure, then. gentlemen, will re-
foreman if he regretted to part with the General,
and thereupon the gallant gentleman bowed him
sclf out.
Report OF the Grand Jury-Addrcss OF
Judge Campbell.
flrom he leila, July
10 the United States Circuit Court, YESTERDAY at
10 o'clock the Grand Jury, through their foreman
presented the following report -
The Grand Jury beg leave to report to your honor
that in the discharge Of the duty confded to them
by the Court, they have cited from among their fell
low.ctizens a number of persons as wit nesses, to
testify and procure from them IL possible evidence
IN relation to the current rumor in this CITY, Of an
expedition said to be foot the tendency and pur.
laws OF the United States.
Among the witnesses cited, wero several whose
names figured most prominently with the rumored
expedition; and from the refusa Of some II them TO
testify. Gas Ii known to the court) on the ground
that they could not do without eliminating them.
selves under the ruling Of the court the obvious in
ference left on the minds Of the Grand Jury was,
foundation; and from collateral evidence, brought
70 their notice In the course OF the Investigation
they are further left to infer that meetings have
been frequently held upon the subject Of Cuban af
boen issued; that funds have been collected,
either By contributions, sale Of these bonds,
OF promises TO pay. to very considerable amount,
which Was, or would be hereafter att the disposal
OF whomsoevcf might b. chosen to the oom
mand Of an expedition purporting to be in aid Of
tho cause Of Cuban revolutionists but from strict
and searching investigation Of the witnesses through
unable 10 elicit any facts upon which to found an
indictment Againr any one, Although the Grand
jury strongly incline to the opinion that those
meetings and collections Of funds have for its end
tne organization Of an expedition either for the pgr
ing demonstration upon that Island, yet the plan,
Whatever b, seems altogether in the prospective;
and aware, q We are: that great deal has been
preparation on foot for the purpose of revolutionz-
ing Cuba, We believe IL has been very much over
rated and magnifed- nothing like o military or
ganisation or preparation having been brought to
That there are . large number Of the citizens Of
the United States, whose feelings aud sympashies
are deeply enlisted in behalf Of what is termed the
creole. or native population Of the Island Of Cuba,
means contributed, either by themselves or their
friends In the United States, for the purpose Of
ameliorating their condition, or for getting up an
excitement IN this country In view Of procuring the
aid and sympathy Of our citizens, we confidently
believe; but that 1t has succeeded to the extent Of
furnishing the means necessary to the raising OF
men,. arms. or ammunition, with which to make q
had no evidence. Indeed, they very much doubt
the ability oftbe friends Of this cause to command
meaDs sufacient TO organize and equip any military
expedition equal to the task Of invading il with any
degree OF success. Nor do they believe any such
expedition, even II organized, could elude the vigi
Lance Of our government officers, or Of onr lawabi
ding catsens, believing a. We do, they will not look
the laws Of our government, more particularly the
Constitution Of the United States but, looking TO
that instument the grand link which binds this na-
tion, North and South as one people, asthe very Ark
which tho future prosperity and progress Of this great
nation depends, they viii rally In behalf Of the
constitution and their country and with the strong
arm Of the law on the one hand, and the moral SEN
timent Of the the other, visit upon every
offender the Just and merited puniskment due TO
such crimes and misdemeanors. The Grand Jury,
therefore, deem II inexpedfent to prosecute the In
but win continue to make diligent inquiry In rela-
tion TO this subject, or any otner matter that may
be brought to their notice, from time to time, o.
your honor may see fit 70 direct.
ALT. PENN, Foreman.
New Orleans, July l, 1854.
Judge Campbell ordered the report to be copied
into the records, and stated that he should have q
copy Of Il transmitted to tho Secretary OF State.
Judge G. embraced the opportunity TO restate the
points expressed by him In his former charge which
appear TO nave given rise to some misconceptions.
The do, trfnes Of that charge were not new. They
were taken terally from repeated decisions touch
ing the question. He then read the decision In the
Chambers case, where sale Of land was set aside,
because the purchase money was to be employed in
aiding the revolution Of Texas. The decision of the
Chief Justice In that declared that no citizen
can do any act enter int, any agreement relating
10 military enterprise against power with which
We are at peace, without committing breach Of his
duty as q citizen. aud Of the faith pledged to the
Boeign nation, and OF consequence Judge G. declar
ID without personal discredit and obtoquy. The
Judge read several other decisions; be sketched
lhe cc0C0mifQnta and essentials of a military
prise and dwelt at length upon lite effects and ten
hencies- Referring to the issue OF bonds a. the
means Of raising the funds for the expedition. he
laid that the eject Of the employment Of such means
against all steps for the legal and pesceable acqui
sition Of the island. He read from Chief Justice
Marshalrs charge In the Burr trial. TO show that all