The main body of them proceeded to and took possession of an inland village 6 leagues distant, leaving others to follow in charge of the baggage as soon as the means of transportation could be obtained.  The latter, having taken up their line of march to connect themselves with the main body, and having proceeded about 4 leagues into the country, were attacked on the morning of the 13th by a body of Spanish troops, and a bloody conflict ensued, after which they retreated to the place of disembarkation, where about 50 of them obtained boats and reembarked therein.  They were, however, intercepted among the keys near the shore by a Spanish steamer cruising on the coast, captured and carried to Havana, and after being examined before a military court were sentenced to be publicly executed, and the sentence was carried into effect on the 16th of August.

On receiving information of what had occurred Commodore Foxhall A. Parker was instructed to proceed in the steam frigate Saranac to Havana and inquire into the charges against the persons executed, the circumstances under which they were taken, and whatsoever referred to their trial and sentence.  Copies of the instructions from the Department of State to him and of his letters to that Department are herewith submitted.

According to the record of the examination, the prisoners all admitted the offenses charged against them, of being hostile invaders of the island.  At the time of their trial and execution the main body of the invaders was still in the field making war upon the Spanish authorities and Spanish subjects.  After the lapse of some days, being overcome by the Spanish troops, they dispersed on the 24th of August.  Lopez, their leader, was captured some days after, and executed on the 1st of September.  Many of his remaining followers were killed or died of hunger and fatigue, and the rest were made prisoners.  Of these none appear to have been tried or executed.  Several of them were pardoned upon application of their friends and others, and the rest, about 160 in number, were sent to Spain.  Of the final disposition made of these we have no official information.

Such is the melancholy result of this illegal and ill-fated expedition.  Thus thoughtless young men have been induced by false and fraudulent representations to violate the law of their country through rash and unfounded expectations of assisting to accomplish political revolutions in other states, and have lost their lives in the undertaking.  Too severe a judgment can hardly be passed by the indignant sense of the community upon those who, being better informed themselves, have yet led away the ardor of youth and an ill-directed love of political liberty.  The correspondence between this Government and that of Spain relating to this transaction is herewith communicated.