The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-23

furnishing the same. But Mr. Thrasher wa
something more than simply an American citizen
for he had become donliciled in the island. IN
order that your excellency may the better under
stand the duties appertaining TO his posi- ton a
domicied foreigner, will state that, according ID
our laws there three classes of foreigners, viz
transient domiciled, and naturazed. The first !
named entitled to protection, and are bound o|
obey the laws, in the manner hitherto specified |
Those of The second class may acquire property j
with exemption OF taxes and excise duties, and
exercise certain callngs and professions but, in
return, they are obliged 10 take the oath of allie
glance and submission before the Governor,
promising to obey the laws and the general regula
tons OF the Indies TO which all Spnniards are sub
ject And those of the third class enjoy the same
rights and are bound by the same obligations as
the natives. Such are the provisions Of the first,
second, thirteenth fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth.
and seventeenth articles Of the royal decree of
October 2lst, 1871
Having given this explanation, your excellency
will easily perceive that even if Mr.. Thrasher had
been considered simply in the light OF foreigner,
he had no right to complain, as II has been shown,
in consequence of having been tried and sentenced,
a conspirator, by the military commission.
How much greater the cause foc considering his
complaints as unfounded when il is remembered
that he was n domiced foreigner. In assuming
this character of his own free WILL he swore 10 be
faithful to our Government; and in return he en-
joyed certain rights and privileges which, as sim
ply foreigner, he could not have possessed. Will
Mr. Thrasher still say that he cannot be charged
with treason? The fact OF his having been com
PEELED to discontinue the publication of the Faro
for want of naturalization, is of no Importance 1t
has already been said that domicied foreigners are
allowed TO exercise certain callings and professions,
and, those that naturalized, all. Among the
former, the privilege of publishing political news
papers is not, and could not b., comprised without
manifest danger to public security. Nor is this
privilege granted to all Spaniards even, because
the circumstances Of this island require that the
government should exercise the utmost circum-
spection on this point. How, them could that priv
lege have been extended to domiciled foreigners,
the piratical expeditions had sailed?
think that what have said, together with such
other reflections cannot fail to present themselves
to the enlightened mind of your exceency, Will
sufiice undoubtc dly, TO give ample satisfaction to
all the reclanations which the Government of the
Union may address to you on the subject; remind
ing you moreover, that this is the first of the
kind that has occurred on this island, and TINT il
relates to an individual who has been for long
time branded by public opinion as the instigator
and promoter of conspiracies for the purpose of
overthrowing the order of things being notorious
ly known the correspondent of filibuster jour
nals published in the United States and for being
connected with all those that disnfiected to-
wards the government. Even his own countrymcn
acknowledge the justice of the sentence, eince his
revolutionary sentiments and tendencies were
manifest to all God perserve you, &c.
JOSE DE LA CONCIIA.
HAVANA, November IS, 1851
The most excellent the Minister Plenipotentiary
of her Majesty in Washington