The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-15
FIRST EDITION
II T. RoIc CON SUE S.
The Consuls of Great Britain and the
United States Interpose their
Flags and Persons to
Save O Refugee.
Fren, the London Herald.

1 Frcn, the London Herald.
The following interesting ard exciting narra-
tive, of which we published a short telegraphic
account few days ago, is extracted from the
: Jamaica Guardian of August Z, to which it was
furnished by a correspondent who recently
escaped from Santiago de Cuba, where he was
kpersecuted by the Spanish volunteers in conse-
8Nuence of being suspected as "a Cuban sympa-
RthiZer"
Mr. Ramsden, the consul, being well known
] and greatly respected in Kingston, the subject
has been one of general conversation, while his
heroic conduct has called forth expressions of
universal admiration. The paragraph runs thus:
"a poor unfortunate seaman had been appre-
hended on charge OF being Implicated IN a
J filibusterng expedition, and he was thrust into
I prison and afterwards condemned to be shot, on
evidence as improbable as any one could
/ conceive. He was an American, the son of Eng
lish parents and Notwithstanding the strenuous
efforts on the part of the English aud American
I consuls, the Spanish authorities seemed deter
mined to sacrifice this poor mans life. On the
fmorning appointed for his execution he was
marched out TO the usual place, amidst great
show of bloody solemnty. He was immedi-
setely followed by Mr.. Ramsden, British vice.
consul, and the American vice-consul to make
a still further protest in the prisoners favor.
'Mr. Ramsden read the document, protesting,
in the name of England and America, declaring
that the prisoner was altogether erinnocent of the
charge which had been laid against him, de-
manding his immediate release, and declaring,
if the unfortunate mans life was taken, those
who took it would be guilty of murder, and
would be alike answerable to the Governments
of England and the United States of America.
During the reading of this document, which was
done with calmness and determination, the pri-
soner tainted from excitement, and there were
strong signs of impatience on the part of the
WSpanish troops, who manifested thorough de-
termination TO force the authorities to take this
mans life in spite of all remonstrance.
"a consultation followed, and Mr.. Ramsden
and the American Consul were eventually in
kormed that their remonstrance came too late;
the prisoner had already been sentenced to
death for having taken up arms against Spain,
and that the sentence must be carried into effect.
With this the order given to the firing party
TO present 1t was the work of an instant, and
Mr. Consul Ramsden and the American Consul,
rushing with the flags of their respective nations
before the leyelled rifles of the Spanish troops,
and in front of the unfortunate man. shouted
FHold' Ard throwing the English flag around
himself and the prisoner, and addressing the
officer IN charge of the firing party, said, Gen
Llemen as a consul of her Britannia Majesty
cannot stand silently by and see this foul murder
of an innocent man. 1t is my duty to protect
his life, and if you take his you must take it
through these !'-placing himself Immediately
in front of the condemned seaman, his
eyes sparkling, while his manly form heaved
with the indignation his speech had so heroically
Expressed. The American Consul, wrapped in
the Stars and Stripes of the Union, stood
abreast, and for some moments the Spaniards
stood aghast the conduct of these two Consuls
being more than they could comprehend The
emotion of the prisoner was extreme; he was
supported right and left by the Consuls, and the
poor fellow shed profusion of tears from weari-
ness and excitement. \ consultation was again
leld and the prisoner marched back to jail
inder an escort of troops, the Consuls support
ng tho unhappy man all the way along. The
urore was beyond description. After dark the
prisoner was reprieved, and finally shipped off
he country through the indefatigable eXertions
% the Consuls."