Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-13
Mr.. THRAsHER's CASE.

setting forth his own view of the wrong done him
by the authorities of Cuba was brought from Ha-
vana by the steamer Prometheus, and is obtaining
general circulation through the public press. It
will no doubt be interesting to Of our readers.
We are authorized to say of it, however, that no
such letter has been received by any Department
of our Government; and we further learn fra4n the
New York Express speaking, it assures us, on
reliable information from thiscity, that only brief
communication has been received here from Mr.
Thrasher his friends in regard to his trial and i'm
prisonment. "The Secretary of State" the Express
adds, " has been much more active to secure Mr. IT'S
release than he has been himself. Mr.. Webster has
written two dispatches which will doubtless secure
his release The Government has taken steps proper
in the case, and had Mr.. T. shown little more conf
dence in his Government and stated his case to it
more promptly, rather than, as now, making appeals
to the people, his case which has been Of pecu
liar hardship would have awakened more general
commiseration"
In DUNGEON OF THE PuSTA CASTLE,
HAVANA, NOVEMBER 81, 1851.
TO The Government Of the United States Of America,
and to my Feitoic- Counhrymen
An American citizen deprived of liberty and denied JUS
tce respectfully beg leave to lay before you the following
facts and appeal Upon leaving the steamer Georgia.
the 10th of October last suddenly and without
vous accusation arrested and taken to the office of the
police On searching my person and that of gentleman
who accompanied me- no papers or letters OF any kind
found upon either of We then taken to the
hotel where boarded accompanied by the chief of psce
who demanded to be shown my room. On ascertaining
that had there taken to my residence,
and all my papers seized The gentleman who accompa
MED me then set Mt liberty Myself and all my books
and papers taken to the residence Of of the
police commissioners where four days occupied by
two Government Interpreters in reading my letters On
the 2lst October thrown into dungeon of the city
prison, and all communication of my friends strictly
prohibited.
On the 18th was removed to my present dungeon and
the Fiscal of the Military Tribune made his appearance
and began judicial examination. On the Goth this
continued, and then l until the 4th instant
when the questioning proceeded with and on the 9th
again questioned, and finally informed that was
accused of treason. AT the time required to
select from list of officers that presented to me-
who should conduct my defence. Not knowing any of
them chose ut random supposing he would consult
with and with my legal advisers, is usual in such
cases. in regard to my defence. On the 7th instant
for the first time allowed to my friends and to consult
with them to the best to pursue conferred
with Consul and he passed several communications
in my behalf the Government here, all Of which have
been utterly disregarded and not replied to-
On the 18th was informed that was to be brought
up the next day for sentence Immediately wrote to my
nominal defender to come at once to consult with me- and
bring with him the proceedings which were in writing
He replied verbally that he would come in the afternoon
He did come and entered at protest against
the proceedings alleging that had not been heard and
neither myself my legal advisers had been consulted
proper defence sent this to the President of the
Military Commission that night who refused to receive it.
saying that it could only be admitted by the Captain
formed of this proceeded to the palace and protested
against sentence being pronounced as had not been
heard in defence. In the morning my nominal defender
my prison inform that he had been allowed
by the court only twenty hours to prepare my de-
fence that he had been occupied till that moment ex-
aiming the proceedings which voumnous and
that within hour he must return them to the Fiscal
On the 18th taken before courtmartia composed
of brigadier general and six officers of the army
The testimony and proceedings read before was
brought into court which is contrary to law and to
i ton, md uheu II WaS i
had TO cay the oharges against me replied that
had not been furnished with copy Of the charges that
had been denied access to the proceedings and testi
mony that my nominal defender had neither consulted
with with my counsel and that asked my pro-
test and petition for stay of proceedings should be admit
ted was told by the president of the court that it
should be considered was remanded to my dungeon,
and heard nothing of the proceedings until to-day
when have been formally notified that have been
fenced to eight years labor in chains at Ceuta In Afr
ca, with payment of costs.
1t is unnecessary for to enlarge upon the mproprie
ty of bringing before court martial in time of pro-
found peace the injustice of sentencing without
hearings the utter contempt of international law, civil
rights and treaty stipulation in my trial upon the
wful disregard in the proceedings of the
suon and rules Of the very court which has assumed
jurisdiction without right has tried me without
crime and sentenced me without defence. The Govern
ment that has the power and the will commit these acts
is beyond the reach Of reason and my only to
appeal the physical power of Government for
protection which its moral power has not been able
to extend me, and to ask from my feowcounrymen
such will encourage the Executive in the
manifestation Of rmness and carry appreciation of
national rights and national duties to the hearts of the
scrupulous rulers Of Cuba.
4 soemnly affirm that have had any connection
with the parties who invaded this island and that the
grounds for hatred to the part of the Govern
and Spanish portion of the population here are that
American; that refused to abjure my nationa-
year since when required by this to do
So or to abandon the business then engaged in
that succored far able, those Of my unfor
countrymen who captyes here and that in
the court had the independent spirit they call it auda
city) rely upon my innocence and my rights as an
American citizen Having been denied justice, nov ask
hands Of the American Government and the Anne
rcan people, that liberty of which iniqutously
deprived All the horrors Of the Spanish galeys be-
fore me- and my only hopes in the sympathies of my
counymen and the prompt action Of our National Gov
ernment j. 8. THRASHER.
An extraordinary Cave has been discovered in Casveras
county Texas about six miles from San Antonio which
has been entered and partially explored to distance Of
fourteen hundred feet 1t is described by those
who have it being divided into countless chambers
and apartments all of easy access and adorned with
rously shaped figures of stone, making them resemble
we'll furnished rooms; and from the ceilings, hanging
pendant in huge Masses bright crystals, flashing in the
light of torches give the appearance Of gorgeous chande
liers suspended from richly Furnished DOME to shed
ustre upon the magncence that lies scattered around
while of the apartments foors walls and ceilings
reflect back such food of light from nnumerabe stslsc
tites be almost binding There is gentle and
guar descent to the Of about thirty degrees
I