The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-04-14

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- vIRGINIAk.
We give below an interestins letter from
young gentleman of Richmond, who has
recently visited Cuba. twill be seen that
it confirms the statements with which the
newspapers have for some time been so rife,
Of the manner in which Americans are treat.
ed on that island. II also gives an account
Of the gallant manner in which the noble
Estrampes met his doom. The silence Of the
multitude on that occasion, noticed in this.
letter, is ominous We trust 1t may prove
the solemn hush that precedes the outbreak
ofthe storm.
Sr CHARLES, HOTEL, I
New Orleans, April 4, 1855 (
Dfar arrived here this morning In
the steamer "Cshawba,' having left Havana and
the Antilles at IL o'clock, last Sunday, making q
beautiful run of exactly three days.
Although do profess te have az much moral and
physical courage as the general run of my own
breed of dogs, am tree TO confess that never felt
half so happy or breathed with less constraint
than when was safely put aboard the steamer
end run OF forty minutes carried me abreast of
Moro Castle, where found myself at least safe
from the garotte and the suspicious conduct Of the
Spsniards.
At this time no one is safe In Cuba, and the most
LQlDg IS tn6t an american Is euuGeuiy
missed, and the first thing that Ia known of him is
proclamation from the Captain General that such
| man will be garotted at seven O'Clock to morrow
| m)rnng.
| When I was nearly ready to leave jamaica,
| fkingston) was warned by our Consul not to at
l tempt passage to Cube The very next day the U.
| s. steamer Fulton came into port, and our Consul
explained the case to Capt Mitchell, who at once
| offered me a passage to Havana. We cruised
along the coast of Yucatsn and the Bay OF Honda
4 l.. T. a.
| sci Is used good deal in carrying distinguished
| men, Consuls, &c.
| An hour after we were landed one OF the Span.
sh officials came aboard TO ask If there were any
passengers aboard. The officer OF the deck sal d
that there was one The surprised official asked II
twas distinguished man the officer midship.
| man Smith, making joke Of it, said was and
ushered him into the Captains Cabin. where was
waiting for leave to 60 ashore The little Spania,d
came In bowling, scraping, and wrigsling bis body
into all kinds OF twists, while stood astonished at
his odd mixture of politeness and gymnastics -
After great effort he finally recovered his equl-
brium, and asked in what way was connected
| with the U. s. Government. said, not at all. He
looked doubtingly but finally filled rp my pass to
go ashore. I. like every other American, found
| myself constantly watched Sometimes, in cafe,
| turning suddenly around, would see fellow at
tentively regarding and listening to our conversa
tiou observing actions so, to tell the truth,
| | never felt exactly easy.
| The evening of Sunday. the Goth, several of us
| WHntea 10 drive on the PaseHO (tne eaIne rs tne
Italen Boulevarde In Paris) but could not sue
coed In getting two horse team FL to make an ap
pearaDce In So looked about for the worst
looking onehorse volante that could be found, and
three of us getting into it, you may imagine what
1 sensation we created When about one mile up
the Passao, we met Captain General Concha
guarded by Is or 20 horsemen. Midshipman Wea-
yer saluted him, and he Immediately returned 1t
ln'the most courteous manner.
The excitement about poor Estrampes' sad fate
Is at the highest pitch there He convicted OF
landing arms on the island and when questioned
that 1t was for the purpose OF revolutoniZing Gu.
ba AT once his fate was sealed. Although ma
tive OF Cuba, he naturaZed citizen of the
United States. For that reason our Consul pro-.
tested against his execution, but with no avail -
| was one of $4,000 who saw the poor fellow ga.
rotted, last Saturday morning, at 7 O'clock.
As he was marched from the {" Ponta TO the
gerofte, he continually shouted I" Libertate de la
lsia de Cuba" and with his head perfectly erect
and defiant he cooy walked up the steps and
took his seat or the garotte as If he going to
rest himself. His last words were death to ty-
rants-long live lio"- when the leiver was
twisted, anc with one shudder his head or chin
falling en- his bosom. his neck entirely severed, he
breathed his last ,.-.
never saw such feeling An execution, by the
garotte, am told, is usually scene of most boi-
sterous nd disgusting merriment But here there
was scarcely dry eye, and not sound: every
one went off quietly and sympa thising with the no.
Ole young man. Felix, one of his companions, was
seIteno ed to ten years in the chain gaieys. When
! rssa RI | will tell you of my attempted visit to
him. Many Americans called 10 see him.