The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-10-07
HEROIC CONSULS.
The Consuls of Great Britain and the
United States Interpose their Flags and
Persons to Save Cuban Refugee.

, CHilcu OlhteS lnLerpOSe tnelf FlagS q
Persons to Save a Cuban Refugee.
- The following interesting and OK,
" ting narrative is extracted from Il
jamaica Guardian. to which it was fu
nished by u correspondent, who i
Gently escaped from Santiago de Cub
where he was prosecuted by the Spal
u ISL volunteers in consequence of bein
suspected AS q Cuban sympathizc
! The narrative runs thus:
"A poor unfortunate seaman In
been applehended on charge ofbein
implicated in filibustering expedition
and he was thrust into prison and al
terward condemned to be shot, on eyi
dence as unlikely and improbable 4
any one could conceive. He WAS y,
American, the son Of English parents
and Notwithstanding the strenuous ec
forts on the part of the English ant
American Consuls, the Spanish author
tiles seemed determined to sacrifice
this poor man's life. On the morniuo
appointed for his execution, he was
marched out to the usual place, amidst
great show of bloody solemmty. lie
was Immediately followed by Mr. Rams
den, British Vice Consul. and the
American Vice Consul, to make 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 innocent of the CHARGE
which had been laid against him, de.
manding his Immediate release, and
declaring ii the unfortunate mans life
was taken, those who took it would be
guilty Of murder, and would be alike
answcrable to the Governments of
England and the United States of
America. During the reading of this
document, which was done with calm
ness and determination, the prisoner
tainted from excitement, and there
we're strong signs of impaticnce on |
lie part Of the Spanish troops, who
manifested a thorough determination
o force the authorities to take this
mans life in spite of all remonstrancc.
"A consultation followed, and Mr..
and the American Consul
we're eventually informed that their re
Aonstrance came too late; the plison-
+ mad already been sentenced to death
Or having taken up arms against
pain, and that the sentence must be
arried into effect. With this the order ,
as given to the firing party to pre- c
mt" 1t was the work ofan instant, i
I'd Mr. Consul Ramsdon and the i
mericaA Consul rushed with the flags i.
their respective nations before the h
Heled rifles OF the Spanish troops, and Il
front Of the unfortunate man. h
louted, "Hold' y and Mr.. Ramsden. d
rowing the English flag around him t
II and the prisoner, and addressing q
e officer in charge Of the firing party, {
id: Gentlemen, as Consul Of her =.
rittannic Majesty, | cannot stand 81 "
ntly by and see this foul murder Of A
innocent man. 1t is my duty to =
otect his life. and if you take his, YOU Fl
ust take it through these m-placing
msclf in front of the condemned sea- +.
an, his eyes sparkling, while his man i,
form heayed with the Indignation s,
speech had so heroioally expressed. Il
lie American Consul, wrapt in the fc
tars and stripes" OF the Union. stood o
reast, and for same moments the r,
aniards stood aghast, the conduct Of
csc Consuls being more than they
uld comprehend The emotion OF T.
2 prisoner was extreme; he was sup 81
rtcd right and left by the Consuls, II
d the poor fellow shed a prolusion Of fl
rs from WEAKNESS and excitement. Ot
was again held, and the lty
soner marched back to Jail under an ho
'ort Of troops, the Consuls support III
the unhappy man all the way along. tn
e iurore was beyond description. nc
ter dark the prisoner was repritted, no
| finally shipped Off to the country, dc
ough the indelatigablc excrtions of III:
Consuls." pr