Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-09-24
non,antlc and heroic incident.

The following interesting and exciting
narrative was furnished by correspondent
10 the .Jdnauica Guardian, who recently es-
Saned from Santiago de Cuba, where he was
prosecuted by the Spanish volunteers in con-
sequence OF heing suspected as Cuban
sympatlizer." Mr.. Ramsdcn, the consul,
being well known and greatly respected In
Kingston, the subject has been one oil gen
eral conversation, while his heroic conduct
has called forth expressions of universal adj
miration. The narrative runs thus:
"a poor unfortunate seaman had been ap-
pretended on charge OF being implicated
in a fiifbusieiing expedition, and he was
thrust into prison and afterwards condemned
to be shot on evidence as unlikely and I'M
probable as any one could conceive. He
was an American, the son Of English par
ents, and Notwithstanding the most strenu.-
ous exerlions on the part oi the English and
American consuls, the Spanish authorities
seemed determined to sacrifice this poor
mans life. On the morning appointed for
his execution, he was marched out TO the
usual place, amidst great show OF bloody
solemnity. He was Immediately followed by
Mr.. Ramsden, British vice consul, and the
| American vice consul, to make still further
protest in the prisoners favor. MIR. Rams
den read the document, protesting, in the
name of England and America, declaring
| that the prisoner was altogether innocent OF
| the charge which had been laid against him
demanding his immediate release, and de-
claring il the unfortunate mans life was
taken those who took it would be guilty OF
murder, and would be alike answerable 10
the Government Of England and the United
States of America
During the reading of this document,
which was done with calmness and determi.
nation, the prisoner tainted from excitement
and there were strong signs OF Impotence
on The part of the Spanish troops, who man
lrested thorough determination to force the
authorities 10 take this mans life, in spite ol
all remonstranee. A. consultation followed,
and Mr.. Ramsden and the American consul
were eventually informed that their remon-
STRANGE came too late; the prisoner had al.
ready been sentenced 10 death for having
taken up arms against Spain, and that the
sentence must be carried into effect With
this the order was gwen to the firing party
to present
II was the working of an instant, and Mr..
Consul Ramsden and the American consul,
rushing with the flags of their respective ma
tions before the levelled rifles OF the Spanish
troops, and in front of the unfortunate man,
shouted Hold + And throwing the English
flag around himself and the prisoner, and ad-
dressing the officer in charge Of the firing
party, said, Gentlemen, as a consul OF her
britannia Majesty, l cannot stand silently
by and see this foul murder OF an innocent
man. 1t is my duty to protect his lie, and
If YOU take his, you must take il through
these l'-placing himself Immediately In
front of The condemned seaman, bis eyes
sparkling, while his manly form heaved
with the Indignation his speech had so hero
ically expressed.
Tic American consul, wrapped In the
stars and stripes of the Union, stood
abreast, and for some moments the Span
iards stood aghast, the conduit of these two
consuls being more than they could compre
hend. The emotion of the prisoner was ex
treme; he was supported rigAt and LETT By
the consuls, and the poor fellow shed pro
fusion of tears from weariness and excite
ment. A consultation was again held, ant
the prisoner marched back to Jail under al
escort Of troops, the consuls supporting tht
unhappy man all the way along. The furoor
} was beyond description. After dark the pris
oner was reprieved, and finally shipped OF
the country, through the indeiatigahle exer
tons Of the consuls.