New Orleans April 5th 1850
Dear Sir:
Your favor of March 31st was handed to me by our friend Mr. Henderson, yesterday morning. In the evening I had the pleasure of an introduction to Genl. Smith(1) and Maj. Bunch(2) who also handed me two notes of presentation from you.
I will say in answer to your inquiries 1: that none of the emigrants will arrive here until the very day appointed for our sailing. It is our intention that no steps shall be taken in N.O. which may diffuse the knowledge of this matter, at present circumscribed to a very few persons. By not having the emigrants here until the day of sailing a much greater degree of secrecy is insured than otherwise. 2: Major Theodore O'Hara, who I believe was in your staff in Mexico, commands the Kentuckians. He has been Editor of a Kentucky paper and started lately the Champion of Reform, if I mistake not. Among the officers associated with him are Adair, Craig, Hancock, Field, Mr. Pickett, late U.S. consul at Turk's Islands. All belonging to the best families in the State and all and efficient men as I have been told. Most of them have served in Mexico and some have been in West Point. 3: I am now contracting for a steamer of nearly 600 hundred tons; she carried during the Mexican War 560 men at one time, and her owner assures me that she can very conveniently carry 600. Great hopes are held out to me of effecting the negotiation. The basis is this: to pay the owners $10,000 cash on our arrival in C. and $40,000 in bonds. I have extended the contract to as many 500 men as they may be able to take over within 30 day after our departure and at the same rate $100,000 in bonds to be given them in case they succeed in landing in C. 3,000 men within the 30 days above mentioned.
The owners and captain of the steamer wee no difficulty whatever in getting out safely, with a tolerable supply of arms, and in going into one of our ports. As one of the owners is still to be consulted, I cannot know the definite answer until to-night. I hope it will be favorable: for that is the corner stone. 4: The steamer is actually in the Chagres line and it will be on the return of her actual trip that, without awakening suspicion, she will take us out, and drop us in the way. 5: Our friend has not decided yet where he will land. He has many plans: according as the force he takes ranges from 200 to 600 men, so will the plan be which he will adopt as also according to any further news he may receive from the island. 6: We hope to be enabled to sail on the first day of May: as by that day we can reasonably expect that the transportation will be secured and ready, the men all in, and the money collected which we consider barely necessary for the great point the starting under successful auspices of our revolution. 7: The news from the land are cheering. All are expecting us. Some with dread, some with hope and anxiety. The brother of one of our Junta,(3) in a recent letter writes to the latter, that he had just returned from Vuelta Abajo and that the chiefs were ready on the moment the Genl. should land, to seize the forts of Cabanas, Mariel and Bahiahonda, and the towns of Guanajay, Mantua and Pinar del Rio; the latter the capital of the Province; and that by themselves for as I have stated to you they have several thousand men already armed and munitioned. The remainder of the island is in the same state of feeling and the organization although not so compact is more formidable for it embraces the men who for their wealth and influence are the lights of our people. Among this news I will include that of the Havana Club having completely disavowed and rebuked the New York Consejo, presided by Mr. Madan. You know that this Club is composed of men of great wealth, of progressive views although not of practical abilities in these matters nor of the desirable knowledge of the resources to be found in the country or facilities to aid us materially, nor of sufficient energy and decision to subvert a state of long existing things. It is shielded behind the promise given by these men, and counting upon the guarantees which they have placed in his possession for the purpose of contracting a loan under certain specific conditions, that Mr. Madan has acted throughout this whole affair. Now these gentlemen have sent an official letter to our friend the genl. which came by the last arrival of the Falcon. In said letter the notify the Genl. that they have ceased all official intercourse with the New York Consejo because they consider it incapable of organizing an expedition. That the proposition for reunion which the Genl. had made to said improvised corporation were deemed admissible by them. That although Mr. Madan and Betancourt had still their confidence, in case they should not unite with the Genl., they would name other commissioners in their stead. That their guarantees were not to be touched until such reunion with the Genl. should be effused and that they would take no part in any combination which should exclude Genl. Lopez without whom nothing could be done in Cuba -- and to the New York Consejo they have addressed the following words "We are henceforth entirely disconnected with that body for the want of ability and policy which it has exhibited in alienating Genl. L. without whom nothing can be done in C. and to show our disapprobation of the want of courtesy and consideration with which a genl. has been treated who is certainly entitled to all the respect and gratitude of his countrymen." On the reception of this communication in N. York by the Consejo, there was a great flareup. Mr. Madan and three more called for its dissolution which I suppose has taken place by this time. Three of the members have left for Europe and the remainder except two say that they have been humbugged and that they will follow the Genl. whenever he will admit them. This he will be glad to do.
With regard to the communication from Havana, it would be all very well if a clause were not inserted requiring that their guaranties shall not be used until the certainty is acquired that the U.S. government will not prevent the sailing of an expedition. This destroys the whole. But even without that, the Genl. has no confidence in Mr. M.(4) The time which would be lost would be more than six months in carrying out new and what is more, in his conviction, impracticable plans. He doubts moreover the sincerity of men who have left him some experience in the matter and last of all he is too near his object to do else than admit the cooperation of these gentlemen in the only manner that it can made available and practicable. He has written to them to the effect of obtaining for the forces which are to follow him, the armament usurped by Mr. M. which is now in the hands of a N.O. banker and then instructing them to give immediate orders to Mr. M. to place at the disposal of his agents here and for the furtherance of American troops the famous guaranties which he is convinced would never come to light, unless by compulsion or necessity. We have not the slightest doubts that all these gentlemen repenting of their proceeding and immensely interested in the success of the movement, will, when once started come with all their means and support to the aid of the Genl. Before this time, a thousand petty motives and childish apprehensions will enerve their actions. In the news from N. York I will include that the Hungarian patriots have offered their services to us and to sell us 16 pieces of artillery of 12 p. calibre. So says one of our friends. 8: With regard to the 2d party, you know how limited our means are and how at a loss how to provide immediately for its equipment and support. As the news of our sailing from these shores and still more so those of our landing will necessarily create an extraordinary excitement and interest in this country. The bonds which the Genl will leave with his friends will be taken up with more favor than this can be now. There is a source of immediate use for the 2d party. Besides the Genl. is confident of sending from 50 to $100,000 in cash as soon as he lands on the island by the return steamer and more afterwards by the steamer he has there.
The 750 muskets, 200 rifles, 200 sabres, 100 revolvers, 1,000 lances, 1300 uniforms, hats and cartridge boxes, 100,000 cartridges, 1 howitzer with ammunition & composing our former armament must necessarily be placed at the disposal of the Genl. as soon as he leaves; and finally the guaranties alluded to above which Mr. M. could not escape giving over. If the transportation be contracted the principal difficulty and expense will be removed, for the men could be had at their own homes until the [...] would be in readiness. 9: The second party should land in bodies of 500 men whenever you should have the means to forward them, which we would strenuously exert ourselves in furnishing to you. 10: Of the disposition of our people, I will only say as a very eloquent and significant fact, that in some cities of C. the ladies have given up dancing and attending to public festivities in token of mourning. A revival of the act of your revolutionary matrons.
I hope you will excuse the writing for the sake of the hurry in which I am for the mail. On your visit which I trust will soon take place, I shall be able to be still more minute. We want very much at this stage of our affairs of your presence in this city. In your aid in getting us out and your valuable cooperation hereafter we principally rely as the main pillar of our success.
With very cordial assurances of the consideration of the Genl. and myself
I remain
Your obt. sevt.
Ambrosio J. Gonzales
Genl. John A. Quitman
Jackson
Miss.
From letters received today from the West, I see that we have there the full numbers of 200 select emigrants. But in case we can get the steamer I have referred to, which I will know by tomorrow, what steps could be taken to secure the balance of the required number from Mississippi, that clan of men who could pay their expenses down the river?
3. 3 Juan Villaverde, brother of Junta member Cirilo Villaverde.