The New York herald., 1869-03-13
@ U b A.

u VI u IA
~~S>~>->~>-~~~>~~~~
The steamship MIRO Castle. Captain ADAMS rom
,,aa ma etb lasL ana Nassau Sth, arrived ~ this
pert yesterda.
ves,sr,S from Havana and Key West with malls
on1 rSsengers from the former port, and one conl-
80 OF the Fifth United States artillery from the
bEteT.
Among the passengers by this steamer we notice
the name u senior Don NJ. Lopez Roberts, the newly
aDpolnteI Spanish Minister the United States, who
pas been a lew weeks IN Havana on hss way from
suan 10 Washington.
me particulars OF the news by these arrivals win
be found in our correspondence below.
Political Prisoners 70 be Sent TO Fernando
Po-Conditicn of Those i'm Prison--Case OF an
American Applicant for Passporss--rhe Norti,
Atlantic s9uadron-Eaorts Of Commodore
lioa.
IN the matter OF the disposal OF those arrested,
charged with completely in the insurrection, the
government has determined upon the questionable
mercy OF sending them TO Fernando Po, an island
on the coast OF Africa, Punishment to which is tata
mount to a lingering death by the worst OF fevers,
under the most fearful circumstances. To correct
appreciation OF this act it should be known that
these prisoners arrested on the street in their
houses are hurried or to some fortress without
moments notice. are secretly tried--f the word can
be so desecrated--by q military tribunal, whose
members bitterly prejudiced against them, with
out counsel or consultation with friends, are, OF
course convicted, and without opportunity OF ar
ranging their business family matters secretly
as may be, sent or to penal colony, where the
arondeacon himself would have too much mercy to
send dog.
10 mad been for some time previous rumored that
such disposal was 20 be made OF prisoners but their
friends, up TO the appearance or the Official adver
tssement for transportation, had hoped against
hope. With this, however, came despair and as
many families as there are prisoners were plunged
IA the deepest gloom. Mothers, wives and daughters
visited the palace, where. with q refinement
OF cruelty to which the Spanish character is alone
equal they assured OF the speedy release OF their
friends. while at the same time preparations are
being made to send them away forever. Spanish
volunteer officer, Gpropos OF this subject recently
remarked ave favor OF shooting these prison
ers rs an act OF mercyn and indeed 1t is so in com
parison with the horrible death which awaits them
gentleman who was recently brought here from
Remedies and imprisoned by mistake was soon after
released he reports that the number OF prisoners Is
very large, including not few Spaniards and four
priests He states that the manifestations account
Of their Imprisonment are extremely various. few
are cheerful and apparently hopeful; many are de-
monstrative, filed with grief and shedding tears
oopiously; while Others are fierce and intractable
losing no opportunity to heap abuse on the volun-
tears who guard rhem and upon everything Spanish,
toward which their hatred is beyond comparison.
Said Cuban now In the United States the father OF
aboy inst beginning to talk ~ shudder to hear him
speak spanish; wish to take him where he will for
get 1t and speak only the language OF freedom
fn nxrfo1
but the volunteers who rule in the Cabaha
fortress do not like this, and prevent any
gentleman. armed with a pass from conpetent
authority, called to see a prisoner. He conversed
with HIM Tor while. wnen the sentinel ordered him
away. Hard words ensued and he was Knocked
down with the heel Of q bayonet, and would have
been killed had not an officer interfered. The
evening the sentinel saw prisoner levelling pistol
st HIM. He raised his gunsand nred, woundng the
man in the arm. The sequel is not given.
Everything sent the prisoners is carefully ex-
volvers have been found inside OF l0aves OF bread
and roast turkeys all neatly trussed. They also
state that many OF the prisoners have weapons,
though how obtained Is a mystery. Every person
going in or out is stripped to the skin ana searched.
Among those still confined Is Don Miguel Embi n
wealthy Mexican citizen resident here, and wen
known in the United States AS has been before
tanned him at his house. HIS only o1ence' II any, is
sympathizing with the Cubans In the present strug
&c. Great Great efforts have been made to grocare
surance that he should be taken Immediately
on board l. vessel and sent out Of the
country. He states In answer that he dare not re-
lease him al present, as he would be killed by the
volunteers. His beautiful and accomplished wife is
uniiring In her efforts 10 procure his release, and
has received many promises OF the same. She has
made all preparations TO leave the country immedi-
aiely thereafter There is, however, too much rea-
son 10 fear that he Will be among those sent to
Africa as the feeling against him Is inteDse and no
fear Is HAD Of Mexico.
In this connection may mention that an Ameri-
can who had FOR some time been under suspicion OF
The authorities, recently applied for his passport 1t
few remarks minated that he had better leave the
country at once as he was likely to be arrested II he
remained. Responding something TO the effect that
he was an American citizen aud should look 70 his
country for protection the official informed hm that
his government would let him rot before 1t made any
effort in his oehal or II 1t ever did IL would be after
he was on his way TO Fernando 20. Struck with the
truth OF these remarks the cfzen OF the Great Re-
publicr made his preparations toleave at once, and
win much quietude - awaiting the departure OF
steamer for anywhere.
hr.J. N. Utley, emplcye OF the Consulate, has
been released by the court after examination. The
following American citizens are in confinement
stiil;-R LAMA, Ignacio Leon, L. Rozas, Theodore
Capias, s. Pintado, n. Fribot. They are mostly, if
not all, Of Cuban birth. Among those arrested and
released are Antonio z. Macas q merchant, In
whose house ride and pistol were found. lie was
retained thirty days; Ramon Luaces, q naturazed
aa,srlsan arrested on susp:;9p Kept thIty days
iSnprant OF the reasons for his apprehension; J. "
BTito and James Daley. The xexicans arrested as
iar as known are Embil ojeda Martes, Colonel
flguerera and }: y. Bolio. The latter has been re-
leased. Colonel Figuerera. as | am Informed, was
IN reriasi, who recently made his escape from
ouIarce ~ nexico ana was Immediately arrested
on his arrival here suspicion.
Ilese are all thai are known. II IL probable that
thcrs are many others confined IN the dark recesses
OF the fortresses here, whose fate viii never be
known until the hiding places OF earth yield up their
secrets.
However dratory In the matter OF protecting Ame.
rcan citizens abroad may your "astute Secretary
of state" or MS young and Lively coadjutor, the
Secretary OF tae Navy, the fact Is un1ouoted that
they are not responshle Tor the present paucIty
vessels IN West india waters and The consequent
danger 10 American citizens and property. Soon
after the close OF the Congress, with that pro-
verbally wise policy OF stopping leaks al the splgo
reduced the personnel Of the navy TO $500 men. As
the result perforce the greater number OF vessels
were dismante1 and slowed away IN the dockyards,
and as ever before, American interests abroad
allowed TO take care OF themselves, and American
trade and commerce were outstdpped by those OF
other Da0natles
when Mr. Seward learned, upon conference with
the secretary OF the Navy aud communicated to
Messrs. samuel William Welsh, Of Phiadelphin.
that "at least onehal OF the vessels under Command
OF Admiral Hot are now In Cuban waters,n he un-