NEWS FROM CUBA. EXECUTION OF LOPEZ.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 57, 7 February 1852, Page 3

NEWS FROM CUBA. EXECUTION OF LOPEZ.

[From the Wellington Independent.'] We have been favoured with Californian papers up to Oct. . 3rd. From the Daily Alta, we extract the following important intelligence from Cuba. " The history of the war up to the latest dates, can be learned from the accounts below. We extract the following from the Panama Echo, of Sept. 10. v-.. ' The Express came by the steamer " Illinois," direct from New York', and was forwarded from Cliagres to this city in advance of all others. Some of the passengers of the " Illinois," state tjjjit this steamer stopped at Havana, but they were not allowed to land. The U. S. steamer " Vixen " arrived at Pensacola from Havanna on the 20th tilt, in four days, and brings intelligence of the struggle between the Spaniards and the Patriots. Gen. Lopez had made a stand at Mariel, and had had two engagements with the Spanish troops, and was successful in both. They lost 300 men and 80 officers. The wounded and dead were carried to Havana, where the latter were buried with great military pomp. The force of Lopez is increasing with great rapidity, from 1200 to 1400 per day. There is a report also that one entire regiment has gone over to the Patriots. The public mind is shocked at the barbarities of the Spanish soldiers, and disgust is aroused in every Cuban breast, by the revolting profanation of the dead bodies of the Americans who were massacred. Their remains were given up to the unbridled rabble, who, like vultures divided the inanimate bodies, and dragged them around the streets, using the most profane and savage language against the Americans. They were principally Spanish officers and soldiers, and Spanish rabble—not a Cuban took part with them, but looked on with horror.' The Echo of the 13th Sept. is before us. By it we learn that Gen Lopez was garrotted on Monday, the Ist inst. ! and that the revolutionary movement on the Island is suppressed for the present. The report of the number of Spanish troops slain, in the second engagement, where Gen. Enna was killed, was greatly exaggerated. The official accounts admit that there were two thousand killed and wounded, and that the number under the command of Lopez did not exceed three hundred. There are now in prison at. Havana one hundred and fifty-five 'Americans—the balance of those composing the expedition have till been killed Two, only, of the Americans have received an unconditional pardon ; the rest tire to be sent to Spain to work in the chain-gang for ten years. In the Panama herald of Sept. 15th, we find the following account of the execution of

General Lopez, and condition of affairs at Havana. ' After the engagement, in which the Lopez party fought with great desperation, killing and wounding some four or five hundred of the Spanish troops, it was discovered that the Spanish forces became reinforced by a laro-e number, and that it was impossible to contend against them in their weak and nearly prostrate condition. They had already suffered for want of food and rest, and their ammunition was becoming nearly exhausted. More than half of their number had already been killed, and the remainder were suffering dreadfully for the reasons we have named. Seeing this state of things, General Lopez advanced to the head and addressed his brave followers. He told them that there remained no chance to escape. They could no longer contend with the unequal force sent against them, and if they were taken without a voluntary surrender, they would all suffer instant death. " Therefore, my brave comrades," said he, "go to the enemy and surrender—your lives may then be spared—go ! leave me to perish at their hands, for I know that my fate is scaled — it is certain death !"

Obeying their commander, they called for a parley, which being granted, they marched out in a body and laid down their arms. General Lopez made his escape into the woods. The Spaniards immediately set some blood-hounds on his track—but he succeeded in avoiding them for a considerable time. At length, however, he found there was no hope of escape, and rushing to a steep precipice, he plunged headlong over it, unquestionably with a determination to kill himself. In the fall, his thigh was broken in two places! Thus mangled and bleeding, he lay on the ground until he had partially recovered, when he crawled out to a shantee or peasant's hut, where he asked for a glass of water. He was then taken by the negro to whose hut he had crawled, and conveyed to Havana. Early on the morning of Monday, the Ist of September, he was taken out by the authorities to meet his doom. Having taken his seat at the garrotte, he adjusted it about his neck, and then addressed the spectators, who numbered twenty thousand. He said— "Cubans! lam ahoufto die! I have struggled to liberate you, and make you free ! My efforts have been unsuccessful, and I am now your prisoner. I hope for no mercy. Kill me, and you have done your worst! But with me the cause of Cuba does not die. Cuba will yet be free ! I may not live"— At this moment the order was given to the executioner—the screw was turned, and instantly he ceased to live! A small portion of the people shouted " Vive la Reina!" " Vive Espagna !" but alt demonstrations were instantly put down by the soldiery.' The death of Gen. Lopez will create a tremendous excitement in the U. S., and we have no doubt but that thousands will bend their way towards Cuba, as soon as they learn the news. It is stated that two of the party taken with him received an unconditional pardon—the balance are sentenced to the chain gang in Spam. The Americans at Havana till concur in censuring Mr. Owen, the Consul, for his noninterference when Col. Crittenden and his men were shot. Although he could have done nothing officially, yet he failed in his duty to humanity in not visiting them, and attending to their last requests. Americans in Havana are treated with civility by every one, though the lower orders grossly insulted passengers from the American steamships, on shore, on receipt of the news of the riot at New Orleans. Over one thousand Creoles are imprisoned in various parts of the island, arrested upon suspicion of having extended aid to Lopez —several of them men of wealth and influence. It is supposed that they will be dealt with leniently, as the government dare not proceed to extremities with them. A band of Creoles is still secreted in the mountain fastnesses near Puerto Principe, whence they occasionally ..descend and commit depredations upon Spaniards residing in the vicinity. A reinforcement of troops is expected from Spain, to be concentrated at the latter place, where the disaffected feeling is the strongest. The Creoles generally sympathised with the late revolutionary movement, but dare not now avow their sentiments opev:ly—with the certainty of being garroted if they attempt to

send money or munitions of war to the United States. It is thought by the Americans at Havana that the day is not far distant when the island will be relieved from the present arbitrary and despotic government.