The southern press., 1851-11-21
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 81, 1851.
The Cuban Outrage.


more cruel sentence, visited on Mr.. JOHN ..
THRAsHER, in the correspondence OF the New
York Journal Of Commerce. During the dark
est hour of the French Reign Of Terror, men
were guiIlotined "on suspicion Of being sus-
pected" The Cuban authorities seem disposed
to follow the same precedent-substltuting the
chain-gang for the guillotne.
While ex-Consul OWEN is attempting to ex-
plate his former neglect, and seems TO be active
in his exertions in behalf of the prisoners, where
slumber the thunders of our Executive so
promptly launched at the heads of our fill
busters? 1t will be seen that Mr.. THRAsHER s
brother has been released at the iDtercesslon OF
Mr.. OwEE--and the circumstances connected
with his case prove how benihcent system OF
government those wicked expeditionists sought
to overthrow.
We believe that the ex-consu has been made
the scapegoat for the sins of others, as well as
his own, and, if we are not mistaken, will saddle
some of the responsibility now fastened on him,
on other shoulders Personally, we know Mr..
OWEN well, and although no one can dsapprove
more strongly of his course, under any circum-
stances, than we do, must yet do him the justice
to say that we have always regarded him, in his
private relations, as eminently kind hearted
man, and one full of generous impulses A
mistaken sense of duty could alone have be-
trayed such man into such course--and his
demand g. for justice" should not be denied,
though the public judgment has already visited
heavy condemnation on his head He has de-
cared his intention of explaining his conduct,
Gas far as it may be susceptible of expanaton)
and he is entitled to a hearing
[By the Steamer Georgia.
Correspondence of the Journal Of Commerce.
HAVANA, Nov. Ia. 1851.
MIR. b. +. Thrasher was released on the lst
instant from his cell, nothing having been ascer-
tained by documents or personal testimony to
inculpate him, or sustain the recent accusations
made against him by some vile creature that had
crept to light from the ilth-corners of our COM
munity. He ia indebted for his freedom, imme.
dialely, to the prompt action of Mr.. Owen, who
brought the subject to the attention of the cap
tain-general the previous evening, al O'clock
proving effectively the influence Of personal action
in cases of emergency, even where no right Of
interference obtains on the part of the consul as
recognized by the terms of his exequatur. The
captain-general did not seem 10 be aware of the
arrest of the younger Thrasher, or the cause for
which it had been made; so that it appears the
"chief of police" has discretionary power, in
volving the personal freedom of any foreigner
who may, however innocent and loyal, become
obnoxious to a malignant hanger-on" of his
office, for the precarious living, dependent upon
the quantity of mischief he can accomplish as in.
former.
At this date Mr. John Thrasher was first al
lowed communication with his friends, after som,
sixteen days solitary confinement in a pestilent
ial cell, unfit to inhume dog-sustained by
remarkable constitution, clear conscience ant
nerve to endure any inventions that refnet
cruelty might devise.
Nine prisoners were also placed on board o
the Spanish war steamer Isabel for Spain,
sort of funeral oblation.-viz: George W. Rich
ardson, New Orleans; George Edgerton, Michae
Keanon, Mobile Laudisla Patauka Jessup, Hun
garian; David Gano, New York; Chas John
Hodge, England; Ransem Beach, Louisville
Ky. and Henry Jasper. Mr.. Breckenridge oi
Louisville, who had received pardon at the in
stance of Mr. Owen was also placed on board
but recovered by the action of the captain gen
era, who although perfectly engressed by the
exciting scenes of the day, found time to attend
to Mr.. Owen, and reciify the mistake. Mr. B
left this on the 9Th per brig Sumers for Charles
ton, having had his persons wants amply sup
piled through the kindness of Mr.. Charles Tyny
We have now remaining here Col. Clumentha
in Dost Betort's private inirmary, and in the
heritary hospital James Fdes, English, and o.
II or l8 years of age, Samuel Aragon, Creole,
and Oor Doran, Spansrd.
HAVANA, November l4'h 1851.
THE CASE OF Mr.. THRAsHER AT HAVANA
On the 18th inst. John s. T'hrasher was ar
reigned before military tribunal and had reac
to him the proceedings and findings against him
for treason.-lt was no trial-no opportunity
given TO him for defence-and no adviser al
lowed him, as is required by the Spanish law,
for Spanish subjects. He was claimed as
Spanish subject in order to nhbt protective
action on the part of the American consul
The whole proceeding has been in fraud upon
Justice fraud upon Spanish justice to make q
case not to be approached by the United States
with inquiry. He cannot be deprived of hi.
American citizenship, although he may have tc
suffer, temporarily, before he can be reached By
the power of the United States. II is perfect,
reliable that there is not the first particle of tes
timony that would attaint him as loyal subject
DtlOTe Tue civil tflDu0hls Ol ine dUu. n lew
months since, when Mr.. Thrasher sought a
license for his press, il was denied him by a
coordinate branch of the government for The
reason that he Uds an American citizen" MOI
Spanish subject, and he was compelled to get
the license in the name of Spanish subjects.
Now, when revenge for New Orleans riots is
wanted-when the malignity of the Spanish
people is to be INDUCED and gratifed, ,ohich
has been Jostered by The Spanish papers in dle
United Staies,--he is made citizen, against
fact and truth.
Mr.. Thrasber had his letters of domicil which
expired within five years-witbout which no
foreigner is allowed residence here for business
He did not take the steps required by that DOM
icil, II he wished 10 do So to naturalze himself
but left for the United States, where he resided
near two years, and then returned here, since
which he has sought neither domicil nor natu-
ralization, aud Is liable to fine only for the
negligence. He was condemned on the asking
of the Fiscal" by the military tribunal, to eigh
years preside in Africa, as we understood on the
i2th--but to-day we have pretty good assur
that he IN doofb hv