The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-20
THE ABDUCTION CASE.

THE ABDUCTION CASE.
JUAN Francisco REY, ALIAS GARCIA.
Before Hon Geo Y. Bright, Second Justice of the
Peace, and NJ M Cohen, IT, S. Commissioner
ELEVENTH DAY-THpRsDAY, AUG. g.
Summing mp or the evidence.
Al O'Clock, p. M, yesterday, the courtroom
was crowded to hear the arguments of counsel in
the case. We give condensed report of the same
Mr.. Dufour, for the prosecution, stated that he
stood on the ground of AN outrage committed on
our soil. He asserted that the evidence fully sus-
tanned the charge alleged against the defendants.
Mr. Morante was the first TO make an affidavit in
the case, who felt that his feelings as man. and
his sacred home, had been violated He came TO
cause this investigation, and has acted faithfully
The Spanlards IN this city had a right to know
whether one of their own countrymen had actually
been made victim of this midnight abduction
! The press first sounded the alarm. In the mean
Time, the Spanish Consul, feeling the pressure of
pubic opinion, found il necessary TO say some
thng, and letter was published by his friend, Mr.
FouhouZe, containing bold challenge to nvesti-
gate the case.
Capt Mcconnell also, on his arrival, published
a card, challenging investigation into his con-
duct
In the month of May last, three persons sailed
from Havana for the United States; they arrived
at Apalachcola These three persons were Rey
Vicente Fernandez and Vlaverde. This is proved
by the tTorto sent from Havana by the captain
general to the consul. Mr.. Dufour here read the
letter from the captain general of Havana Here
is evidence OF the fact of the escape of these three
persons. On the LIST of June the consul makes the
following answer: READS the letter of the Spanish
consul TO the captain general of Havana, already
published. The closing line Of the letter aludes
only to the person who effected the escape of the
prisoners. The consul states that the reason why
the erorto could not be executed was, that the laws
OF the country, the nature of the offence, and the
condition of the individuals, did not allow it, He
adds, however: 4" think that the means have put
IN motion will permit me to give you further intor-
nation IN regard to the prisoners" This letter
aludes to some secret letter which accompanied the
eT0rto
We see the Spanish consul going to the Office of
the Mexican consul and requesting to be informed
If two persons should call for passports under
tam names. The Spanish consul says, learn that
Mr.. Fernandez is going to Vera Cruz, and if he
dared to go he would be arrested, for there was a
treaty Of eXtradilon existing between Spain and
Mexico This was strange conduct on the part of
the Spanish consul But what was the result :
why Fernandez, Notwithstanding, sailed immedi-
ately for Vera Cruz.
Another of the means put in motion by the
Spanish consul was conversation held with Tres
cazes. We see the Spanish consul going a coffee
house making inquiry for Trescazes. He tells
Irescazes that a man, formerly a turnkey at Hava-
ma has escaped with two other prisoners, and if he
will assist TO arrest, he shall be well paid. Mr.. T.
refuses, and supposes the Spanish consul would
have given him $500 for his services.
On the 9Th Of June another person makes his APP
pearance on the boards-Don Fulgencio Llorente.
We see him going TO the house Of Morante TO pro-
cure for Reya place of safety and from that moment
we see him IN his grasping clutches We see him
poisoning the ear of Rey with all sorts of fear and
apprehensons for his safety telling him that Fernan-
DEE sought his life. We see him at the house of Mo-
rante with Rey, when the latter was i'll, introducing
two persons, whom he calls his friends And who
are they! Ayala and the Spanish consul. These
confessions made by Llorente to Morante, in
which he tells him that Rey had been sent off to
Havana.
MIR. Dufour here detailed the testimony Of Rey
being carried TO the house of the Spanish consul by
Lorente and Ayaa, and of the manner in which
the declaration of Rey was made. 1t was written
positively IN the paror of the Spanish consul, ard
witnessed by Llorente. What means were taken to
make Rey sign II, God alone knows whether IL was
by moral persuasion or by force At the same time
he showed 1t was the evident intention of Rey 90
to Vera Cruz. He had procured passport from
the Mexican consul, and missing the mail steamer
he engaged passage the TIT, and, up to the
day of his abduction, he had applied at Fernandez
store for money. Mr.. Dufour then proved that
the letter NJ Sandovul dd not relate TO Rey the
person who was expected in Havana, but Ayala.
Ii was on the 9th Of June that Ayala sailed for
Havana. Key made his declaration on the Both.
By that letter ii would appear that Rey had pro-
missed TO comply with something. Then 1t would
appear that Key ready TO start on the 18th of
June. The letter intended To deceive the pub
lie the court and the prosecution, and the Spanish
consul knew IL.
Mr. Dufour showed that Ayala had been sent to
a.fsx
ton that he was secretly received at Havana, and
carried TO the Castillo del Principe and kept there
till the y. Soue (the vessel on which he saed) re-
turned. We see, he said, that the Spanish author
tiles keep on the American soil secret police for
the purpose Of crushing the spirit Of liberty which
is struggling IN the island of Cuba, and for the pur
pose of crushing influential families who are desirous
Of obtaining their liberty from the Spanish yoke
He commended that il was the life OF Rev that
! the skllful and artful maneuverlng was aimed at,
but the political offenders and that they wished TO
secure Rey TO carry out their ends.
| Mr.. Dufour then commented on the testimony
/ Of Mr.. Laborde, the conduct Of Captain McCon-
nell, and the extraordinary course Of the Spanish
\ consul who was seen by Correno with Marie,
walking arm-in-am with man who II was shown
in evidence only visited low balls, cotfee-houses,
aud police courts He stated that It was beyond a
doubt that Rey had been abducted and through
| the agency OF the Spanish consul. In concluding,
Mr.. Dufour said that the national dignity had been
trampled upon. He had done what he conceived
It to be his duty, and he would leave the case in
the hands Of the State and the Government.
Mr.. War6eld occupied the court for an hour,
and read the law applicable in the case
Mr.. Reynolds said, so far as the State and the
! Government were concerned, the case was sub
/ mitted
MIR Preaux, on the part Of the defence, then rose
and addressed the court IN French, and spoke until
near eleven O'Clock, when the court adjourned.
/ The argument will he resumed tomorrow evening
at FIVE o'clock.