The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-24
MIR. Tnra.hsr's Case.

ms. Thrashsr's Case.
Inc more we hear OF this outrage upon an American
cizeh IN Cuba the worse II looks, and the unsat
Siaeloy and indeed unintellgbe, does the OF
the administration in regard TO il appear
we have Just received from an American gentleman.
resident IN Havana letter upon the subject containing
important information The writer signs his name but
requests us not TO publish it, nor 10 make any such use
oil ms communication as TO give the Cuban authorities
any clue to lis authorship under the apprehension doubt
less well founded that such discovery of his name
would subject him TO official outrage like tina, which has
been pefpelrated on Mr.. Thrasher The letter animad
Ver's with great severity upon The conduct and alleged
motives OF Mr., Consul Owen in the whole business; but
the details of this part of the communication we do not
now deem II necessary 10 publish 1t is enough this
point 10 say that we have evidence OF any suf-
cien' Official exeriion by Mr. Owen in Mr.. Thrasher's
behalf and that the letter before us fully confirms this
unlavorabe impression.
lhe letter, moreover, fully Explains aohy no eonuni-
eahon had been received by tie Department of State
from Mr.. Ihrasher prior to the date of Mr. Websters
despatch on the subject 10 Minister at Madrid II
will be remembered that this fact is noticed with EN-
phass IN that paper by the Secretary of State The gen
eman who writes 10 MS states positively that when Mr.
Thasher wrote in his prison his appeal 10 The people of
the United States he enclosed one copy of TO the consul
Nth hs request that he should Jor,card to The Depart
ment Of State. Another copy of the same paper Mr.
Thrasher enclosed to friend in Havana Both these
copies were handed for delivery TO the negro who took
him his food. A third copy he concealed on his own
person. The two copies in the possession OF the negro
were intercepted, and sent 10 The caplain-geneal Mr.
Owen was persuaded TO demand the copy Intended for
him. He did SO; and the 23d OF November seen
IN his hands, and he then promised 10 send By the first
opportunity to The Department Of State The steamer
Prometheus sailed in three days hereaitero the Goth
and arrived at New York on the LIST of December Mr.
Thrashers letter. therefore, should have reached Wash
ngton on the I'd or Sd instant Mr. Webs,ers despatch
in regard TO Mr.. Thrasher bears date of 18Th ms nj.
and up TO that time states that communication from
him had been received by the government The presump
lion must be- therefore, that the letter as not sent by Mr.
Oroen The copy which did reach this country and was
published in the here the one which was
concealed on Mr. Thrashers person. Ii was transmitted
in spite of the vigilance of the Cuban authorities, by
means OF which we fully informed Ii was not sent
directly to Washington, because Mr. Thrashers friends
knew Of the previous arrangement, made through Mr.
Owen, TO convey copy to the government We cannot
imagine any excuse explanation which Mr. Owen can
give justify his failure TO forward the copy intrusted
to him. if the fact shall turn out TO be, now strongly
appears that it not forwarded 1t is proper to add
that when first heard that communication had been
received from Mr. Thrashe at the Department of State
regarded it attributable to some such official neglect
or maleasance as now appears TO have occuued and
therefore the regretted that the administration
should have permitted the fact TO operate the prejudice
of Nh Thasher, it plain that it did from the whole
tone Of the Secretary's despatch,
Accompanying the letter OF our informant in Havana j,
another paper addressed by MIR Thrasher TO Consul Owen
also from bis prison. under date Of 18th November Thu
letter copy below appears 10 be conclusive the
question OF Mr., Thrashers American citizenship. As the
administration, in The Secretays despatch appear be in
great doubt on this point and such letter from Amer
lean citizen. imprisoned abroad. 10 his consul, invoking
his nerposon would in due order OF business be prompt
ly transmitted 10 Washington, and upon its arrival be
titled TO be regarded a communication from such ci
zen his government, we are led by Mr.. Websiers des
patch inevitably TO the conclusion that even this paper
also, had not been forwarded by Mr.. Owen in time Il
reach The Department, of State the date of the despatch
though the paper bears date a month previous. il
this be So would seem clear that there has been gros.
proper to add that such delay, neglect, and loss OF
in this natter involved 10 Mr.. Thrasher nothing les.
than the question whether he should be depored 10 pun
ishment in Spain before he could make has complaint
dam for protection knopn TO has government and country
PUsrA PRisos, Havana, Nov. 10, 1851
DrAp SIR: In state of complete uncertainty to III,
course my trial is taking since the presentation 10 III,
council OF OF my solemn protes, against ludgmen
being entered without allowing every fair and lega
means OF defence, (which l herein do most solemnly
aver has not been allowed me-my noRinal defender o
adj yocate never having in any consulted with
as TO the best line of defence to adopt, even asked
what counter testimony could bring forward, nor eve
having consulted with my legal counsel 10 the points
of aw) find myself under the necessity, TO secure jus
tcs, 10 reqsest you TO bring forward my rights
American citizen and 10 press with all due rmness upoT
The government my complete -amenaby TO the charg,
OF treason which they bring forward against me- the IN
consrui,y of trying me by courtmarral in time o
profound peace and the injustice OF refusing me there
fair and free defence
Resides the evident and well known state oil The Law
in regard to white colonization in this island, by which
domicialory letters granted to foreigners whou
affecting in any degree their allegiance TO and right o
pro,ecion from their own governments, and which dom
eilatory letters are essentially different in their nature
from letters OF naturalization, there exists in my owr
case peculiar and significant fact 10 which bee leave
10 draw your attention. that you may bring II Immediately
before The government Of this island and our own, i
| necessary.
About the middle Of August Of last year s50) rented
as matter OF speculation, The paper entitled "faro In
dustral de la Habana" presented TO the censorship az
.I;,o, o,bor ,ba, myself and who was n Spanish sub