Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-27
SPAIN, FRANCE, AND GREAT BRITAIN
ISLAND OF CONGRATULATIONS IN THE
WEST INDIA SEAS AND ON THE NORTH

SPAIN, FRANCE, AND GREAT BRITAIN
ISLAND OF CUBA-SQUADRONs IN THE
WEST INDIA SEAS AND ON THE NORTH
AMERICAN COAST.
The SPEAKER of the House OF Repr esentatives laid
before that body Tuesday several Executive commun-
cations in answer 10 the resolution adopted on the 18th
instant requesting the President of the United States
Ito communicate to the House if not incompatible with
the public interest, Information, il in his power first
to the conclusion OF treaty between Spain France and
Great Britain in respect TO the Island of Cuba and the
nature OF that treaty; secondly, the relative strength
Of the British French and the United States squadrons
Ia the West India seas and thirdly whether additional
appropriations necessary increase our force on
that station"
In reply the first bran CHI Of the resolution the Sec.
rretary OF State replies: This Department has no in
formation or knowledge Of the conclusion of any such
treaty as the one therein mentioned. On the contrary
mere Is good reason 10 suppose that such treaty
mas been entered INTO, although there is oficia in
formation in the State Department"
Ihe Secretary OF the Navy responds to the second
branch OF the resolution, that the squadron of the u
States at present employed on our own coast end in
the West India SEAS consists of the steam-irgate Sa
raDac, SIX g ms; the sloop-owar Albany, twenty-five
guns; the Cyane, twenty guns the Decatur, sixteen
guns and the steamer Vixen one gun; in all five YES
sells, carrying slxty-iYe guns The most recent in
formation relative to the British naval force ernploved
on the North America and West Iadia station gives
Vessels
Sailing vessels, one OF seventytwo guns, one of sew
entyone guns one of twenty-six one of eighteen and
one OF sixteen two OF twelve each, and two of six
guns each. Steam vessels one screw of forty-six
guns two of side wheels OF six gans one of four
guns, and TWO of three guns each. In addition to
which, there is cruising squadron of British vessels
Tor the western coasts of British isl nds, comprising
three sailing ships ane three steamers, viz -
sailing vessels, one of ninetyw guns, and two of
MY guns each; steamers, one OF sixty, of fifty,
aud one OF twenty-four guns making, in ALL an
vino Iy
bundled and thirty-two guns.
The Department has no information of the extent or
nature OF the French naval forces employed on the
North American coast or the West India seas, though
It deemed safe 70 infer that it is equal to the British
squadron in the latter seas.
The vessels IN ordinary of the navy of the Uaited
States which might be put in commission TO augment
the Home squadron, cruising in the West India seas,
should that measure be found necessary, are shown
IN the annual report recently transmitted from that
department This augmentation, however, would call
Tor an additional appropriation over and above the n
nna expenditures unless IT shall be supposed prefer
able to withdraw vessels from other and distant sta
tons tor service IN the West lndles-a step which
Ia justice to commercial interests, the Department
cannot recommend except in the event OF urgent
necessity
The communications referred 10 the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, and ordered 10 be printed.
CASE OF JOHN S. THRAsRER.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives also
laid before that body on Tuesday, message from he
President of the United States, enclosing documents
from the State Department, in Spouse 10 the resolu
ton requesting the Pie sdent $50 far as in his udg.
ment may be comp ttibe with the public interest, 10
communicate to the House any Information posses.
sion OF the Executive respecting the imprisonment,
trial and sentence of John S. Thrasher in the Island
OF Cuba and to hisrght to claim the protection OF the
Government as native born citizen OF the United
States"
The Secretary OF State says that all the information
10 possession ot the Department respecting the I'M
plsonmen tia and sent4uce of Nh. John S. Thrash
e. Is contained in the despa ches If Allen F Owen,
Esq, late United States Consul at Havana. There is
no doubt that Mr.. Thrasher is a citizen of the United
oats by birth, nor Is there any doubt hat he has
SIDED IN the sand OF Cuba for considerable number
Of years, engaged in business, although the precise pc.
nod and duration OF such residence not known
| On this point the department has sought in vain for
exact Information. Mr. Thrashsr himself has made
| no communication to the Department, although he
mas through the press, addressed general letter of
remonstrance to the Government and people of the
United Stairs, ln ietter OF The government of Cuba
TO her Catholic malestys minister ia The United
oates eready mentioned it Is stated that he has been
not only res ident IN Havana for a considerable time
out oomIced there by regular proceedings. and that
ne mss in solemn form, sworn allegiance to the Span
| ish crown.
| There is no evidence in the possession of the Gov
eminent 10 show what was his purpose with regard TO
MS returning TO his native country at any fixed def
n.te time. Other members of his family under
stood to be like himself, residents in Cuba his father
having gone to that island some years ago.
These all the known general facts respecting the
nature OF his residence in Havana which have 10
the knowledge OF the State Department
Alter reviewing the general question to Mr..
lhrashers right 10 exemption from Spanish la W and
Spanish authority Il ground of his being a native
born citizen OF the United States, the Secretary con-
cudes by saying hat if indeed Mr. Thraher in his ar
rest and trial. did not enjoy the bcnef which native
born Spanish subjects enjoy in like cases but more
harshy treated, or more severely punished, for the
reason that ne was native born citizen Of the United
States, 1t would be clear of the violation OF urea
~ Obligations, and would demand the interpretation Of
the Government. There exists in the De partment no
Thrasher Il may have taken place. Ia the absence
OF all other Information, reference made to the doc
uments submitted embracing those OF the Governor
General OF Cuba 10 MIR. Calderon, her Catholic ma
jesty's minister Plenipoentiary 10 this Government
This document reiefred 10 the Commilee on
Foreign Affairs, with directions-moved by Mr.
Brooks-to examine into the laws of domcile in the
Island of Cuba and they are proper mat
ters Tor nsgoialiop and treaty. with Suain