The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-20
TIL E REPU BLIC.
WASHIN GTON:
MONDAY MORNING, AUG. 90, ls4s
THE ABDUCTION CASE.
Juan Garcia, alias Rey.

We learned last night by Geographic
despatch from New Orleans, that the ex-
animation in the case of Don CARLOS DE
EsPANA, the Spanish consul, arrested on
the charge of kidnapping Juan Garcia
or Rey, closed on the 18th instant, and
that he was required by the United States
Commissioner to give bail with securities
in the sum of five thousand dollars, for his
appearance at the next term of the circuit
court of the United States. The other de-
PENDANTS were held to bail by the State
officers.
For some time past We have been en-
gagged in the publication of the testimony
taken on this examination. The great con-
trariety of evidence occasioned an equal
diversity of opinion in the public mind in
regard to the guilt or innocence of the
consul; but all have agreed that if the
consul were guilty, more atrocious and
infamous outrage upon the rights of a
friendly nation was never perpetrated by
any foreign power.
We do not hesitate to say, from peru
sal of all the evidence, that there has been
more perjury and villany disclosed on this
trial than ordinarily meets the eye or ear
of any Old Bailey lawyer. 1t can scarcely
admit of doubt, that bribery to an i'm
mense amount has been employed to SUI
born witnesses and induce them to for
swear themselves.
We cannot believe in the innocence of
the Spanish consul The weight of cred
ble testimony satisfies US that GARCIA
was fraudulently, II not forcbly kidnapped
and carried on board the Mary Ellen. We
doubt the innocence both of the captain
and crew of that schooner We believe
that GARCIA, who left New Orleans with
out single change of clothes, was put on
board the American vessel, Andrew Ring,
nominally for quarantine, but really for a
prison; that vessel being all the time kept
under the guns of Spanish man-of-war,
so that she could not possibly escape out
of the harbor with GARCIA on board;
while the fact of his performing quaran-
tine in our American vessel was but
trick of the crafty Spaniard who governs
that island, to induce the people of the
United States to suppose that GARCIA was
free. We have not doubt that the con-
fession of GARCIA TO our consul, Mr.
CAMPBELL, in the presence of the captain
of the port, that he came voluntarily from
New Orleans, was an acknowledgment
extorted by fear Of death, and that he has
long since retracted it, If he has not gone
to his grave. We learn from Havana that
the captain general has refused permission
to Mr.. CAMPO ELL to visit GAR IA in pri-
\ son, and when we last heard from him he
was confined on board Spanish man-of-
war.
A few days ago, in our anxiety for JUS
tice in thi, business, we published the
| Spanish consul's defence without one word
Of comment. The story was artfully
drawn up, as we now believe, to conceal
his guilt GARCIA was kidnapped, be
cause, as the second jailer Of the prison al
Havana, he had aided in the escape Of
VILLAvERDE, who was confined in dun.
geon for high treason. The Count of AL
coy has been, we fear, guilty Of aiding
and abetting in this Infamous act. How
much money has been expended in brlblne
witnesses at New Orleans, as well as
agents engaged in the abduction of GAR
GA, we have no means of knowing. Bu
the outrage is one to which the American
people will not submit; and although tho
President Of the United States has recent
ly eyinced to the Spanish authorities anc
to the world his determination to suppress
all undetermined and unprnciped effort
TO seize the island Of Cuba, yet we know