The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-13
MR.. OKELLEY'S TALE OF THREE
PRISONS.
FORTRESS OF THE CABANA,
HAVANA, MAY 80, 1873

FORTRESS OF THE CABANA, !
HAVANA, May 80, 1873.
It appears that the Spanish government has at
last resolved some decisive action in my regard,
but, like most Spanish resolutions, it is in it's
ture most unlocked for 1t would be useless to
waste time in conjecture either to the cause or
end OF my voyage to Spain. so far have no
Official intimation that am to be sent across the
ocean, although the steamer sails tomorrow.
However, the General commanding the fort in
formed Mr.. Price yesterday that would be sent
away by the next steamer 1t has been my misfor-
tune to be too much in contact with Spanish
oflicals to allow any action on their part to sur
prise me, SO that
WHEN READ IN THE HERALD
that was to be sent for "trial" to Spain only
shrugged my shoulders consoling myself with the
reflection that in no part OF the world could fall
Into the power OF more shameless lot OF rascals
than the gentry who hold me prisoner in Cuba.
Some notice has already reached the HERALD OF
the manner of my treatment by the soLdisant
| chivalry whose dread of the light OF truth makes
them desire my extinction. Fortunately,
THE LIGHT CANNOT BE PUT OUT,
nor hid from the world, before this letter leaves
Cuba General Millen the gallant HERALD corre-
spondent, who entered the insurgent camp after
me, will be able to supply the missing links OF in
formation about the state OF affairs in Cuba Libre
| Some OF
THE CORRUPT ORGANS OF THE SLAVE DRIVERS
in this island have been plumng themselves on the
| liberty allowed me in writing from my prison; but
II was like every other liberty l have enjoyed
since my arrival in this much governed country-at
| my own risk. Every phrase that could be torture
! into sense likely to be injurious to me in the
minds OF the Spanish factions was called and COM
mented on in the dsingenuous and cOwardly
manner which marks political criticism among
| the ''chivalrOus, scrbblers OF the ever Faithful
| Ise." The editor OF the Didrio, blinking like an
owl perched up in an old r0okery, mistakes me for
a swallow and solemnly screeches forth his COM
| plant, which even the spice OF
| DELIBERATE FALsEHooD CANNOT RELIEVE FROM
DULNEss.
After publishing my letter from the insurgent
| camp in full, and writing know not how many
pages Of editorial stun calling the attention of the
| government to the valuble information for its
| guidance to be found therein, the distinguished
| writer can imagine nothing more severe to say
| to me than that l am "a swallow" and that
perhaps the very illustrious and learned
and chivalrous editor OF the Did,io does
me too much honor in peltng column
and half OF heavy type at my head. Fortunately
the weight Of dulness is not material or would
long since have been crushed into POWDER for only
the strongest constitutions could resist the pom
derous weight OF even two paragraphs OF Dtari0
editorial. But am taking too much notice OF this
| scribe. He Is paid to screech and howl and by
turns play the Jesuit and the fanatic by the faction
| whose whips are
RED WITH wOMENS BLOOD
and whose deeds OF valor seldom get beyond the
murder OF helpless students. The conduct OF the
remainder OF the reactionary press is of the same
stripe. More than one scribbler has attempted to
af In to han bv,t 7 tava nloary hat
one generous or manly word has been
spoken in defence Of right and justice since
my arrest. There seems to be some
thing in the atmosphere OF this island
that changes the nature Of men and is fatal to all
noble and generous thought Somehow
other there got abroad impression in the earlier
days OF my captivity that / was mere waif and
stray on the waters OF life; in fact, that mo
b0dy's child" and could be disposed OF without
protest or interference from any power other than
the HERALD. One OF the things that shall want
to know in connection with my Imprisonment by
and by is
HOW THAT RUMoR GOT AFLOAT.
III mistake not the author will be discovered
under an 0ficial nightcap, and it Will not be well
for him nor conducive to his peace. Most OF the
nl-treatment to which was subjected at FIRST
was due to the state Of security in which my per-
secutors found themselves, but their dream was
dissipated by the timely
ARRIVAL OF HER BRITISH MAJESTY's SHIP PL0vER.
Commander Hippisley Immediately demanded
Information OF the cause OF my arrest, and pro-
tested theoretically against my being detained in
the calaboose but was answered evasvely. The
tone Of the people about me soon changed how
ever, when they saw the attention paid me by the
oficcrs Of the Plover and the really interest
they took in my well being. Indeed, overc0nn
dence In their certain hold gave way
to panic fear that the Plover meant to
take me out Of Fort Corona by main iorce
The immediate result was closer surveillance than
ever over my movements which led to some I'M
pleasant incidents, such as the sentry being placed
In my room with orders to bayOnet me II ! should
leave my bed in the night. These inconvenience
marked respect with which l was treated, and
which contrasted very strongly with the cavalier
way In which my demands for better treatment
had been received when was looked on az mere
wanderer, without any strong government at my
back to support me.
THE RAGE OF THE SPANISH OFFICIALS
was In part turned away from me to the Plover,
which had appeared SO inopportunely to interfere
with their schemes. II had been more than once
limited to me that my claim to be removed from
Manxanillo was inadmissable and that the court
martial would proceed with the farce OF trying
me without paying any heed to my pro-
tests or my objections. II was never the
intention or desire OF the clique that dishonors
the name VI SPAN ana VI humanity " thls