The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-29
Singular Movement in New Granada.

nd
EDITOR OF TINE PANAMA STAR -
Sir-ln the Star, Of the l4th. you suggested tho
naturaiizaton OF several foreigners residing in this
city as citizens Of this republic for the purpose of
rendering them qualhed to be elected to the legis-
latve body Of this province, with the Interior view
of obtaining seats in the Congress of the republic of
New Granada, as a measure of policy to reform the
laws Of the land to more suitable ones to the age
we live in Among the names you mention is mine.
and, in concluding your remarks upon the subject,
you say: What say you, gentlemen, to our sug-
gestion Is II not worthy Of consideration ~
In to this call, beg leave to say that the
subject referred to is worthy of the most serious
consideration and that after taking the same un-
der advisement, and due elaboration in my mind,
have come to the following conclusion
! am convinced of one thing to be positive fact,
and that is that foreigner IL and ever will be a
foreigner everywhere, although he be reared up and
educated from his tender infancy in the land OF his
adoption, and although he hath expended his for
tune, devoted his most useful days, and even suffer-
ed the loss Of his limbs in tho defence of his adopted
countrys rights, yet the appellaton foreigner"
(esffdngGo) as contemporary styled at times,
especially when aspiring to official distinction or
matrimonial preferment, will be lost sight Of
by the eye OF envy, as stigma to divest the indi-
yldua OF his good qualities, eclipse the brliancy Of
his merorious services, or to awaken suspicion and
disrust in the breasts Of the native citizens rela-
tive to his fidelity to his adopted country, or the
sternness of his integrity.
i speak advsedly and feelingy upon this subject ,
so far "a concerns my humble self having on pre-
yious OCCASION prompted by similar noble motives,
as you indicate in sur editorial, exchanged my cit-
Zenshp of the UnitsA States Of America for that of
the Republic of Mexico, where, as such citizen L
held Offices civil and military rendering such SER
vices to my then adopted country were required
OF me, in sustaining the rights and interests of the
same, and in attempting to regenerate the polti-
cal, social and religious condition of the people, in
days which tried mems souls. And what was the
recompense imprisonment confscaton of my
property, and Punishment from the country, by the
arbitrary act of the executive of the nation, and,
finally, by a decree Of the sovereign Congress,
sentence OF death, if apprehenaed. On the contrary,
might have exclaimed with Paul of Tarsus, is
IT lawful Tor you to scourge man, that is Roman,
and uncondemned?' - appeal to General jack
son, because am an American citizen" This sad
experience will ever be warning to me of tho
danger of bartering away my birthright for "mess
/ of pottagc."
/ am again a citizen of the United States of Ame-
RIGA, in the enjoyment of all the rights, privileges
and prerogatives Of SUCH and hope to remain thus
( long | may live. Citizens of the United
States cannot and do not sufficiently appreciate
their rights as such, until after they have placed
themselves beyond the pale Of the star spanged
Banner. Had been a citizen of the United States
at the time of my imprisonment and the contiscaton
Of my property in Mexico, and the Punishment
theretrom contrary to the constitution and the laws
of that land, by arbitrary power, | should have
had right to appear before the commissioners
appointed in conformity to the act of Congress to
adjudicate the claims Of American citizens for in
demnity against Mexico, as have Messrs. Leggitt,
Santangeo, one of my confreers, and many others
have done; but my right Chartered away"
and stood forsaken, unprotected, and without re-
dress relief.
As you have called upon the gentlemen whom
you have suggested to become naturalized, to say
something OF the subject one, deem it my duty
to define my own position, which you will please no.
tice as an answer. | am respectfully yours,
PANAMA, March, 1851. GEORGE FISHER.