The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-24
g speaker vOtlng IN DE negative, thus making a

Of, when the question stated on ordering the
original bill to be engrossed for third reading,
and decided IN the afirmative-yeas 50, nays Co.
motion was made TO reconsider the vote Just
taken, and brief debate ensued, in which Messrs
Tuck, RicHARDsoE, BAYLY of Virginia, CARTTER,
and JONES of Tennessee, participated. The last
named gentleman said, in the course ofhis remarks
that it was evident that the bill was not in a form
TO meet the wishes and views of the majority
While there is a decided majority for the main and
principal features of the BILL he thought that there
was majority against il il now stands; there
fore II should go TO committee, there TO be per-
ieced and brought into the House in ineligible
form.
The vote by which the bill was ordered to be en-
crossed for third reading was reconsidered; and
the whole subject was then referred to a select COM
mittee of five members.
SPAIN, FRANCE, AND GREAT BRITAIN-IsLAND OF
cUBA-sQUADRoNs IN THE WEST INDIA sEAa AND
ON THE NORTH AMERICAN COAST.
The SPEAKER laid before the House several Ex-
ecuNVe communications. in answer to- the resolu-
ton adopted the 18th instant requesting the Pre-
sident Of the United States to Communicate to the
House, if not incompatible with the public interest
information, if in his power, first, to the conclu-
sion of treaty between Spain, France, and Great
Britain in respect to the Island of Cuba, and the
nature of that treaty; secondly as TO the relative
strength of the British, French, and United States
squadrons in the West India seas; and thirdly,
whether additional appropriations necessary to
increase our force on that station"
In reply to the first branch of the resolution, the
Secretary of State replies: "This Department has
no Information or knowledge of the conclusion of
any such treaty as tue one therein mentioned. On
the contrary, there is good to suppose that
no such treaty has been entered into although
there is no official information in the State Depart
ment.'
The Secretary of the Navy responds to the second
branch OF the resolution, that the squadron of the
United States at present employed on our own
coast and in the West India seas consists of the
steam-frigate Saranac, six guns; the soop- Of war
Albany, twenty-five guns; the Cynne, twenty
guns; the Decatur, sixteen gun; and the steamer
Vixen, one gun; in all five vessels, carrying sixty
live guns. The moot recent information relative
to the Britsh naval force employed on the North
America and West India station gives force of
nine sailing vessels and six steam vessels. Sailing
vessels, one of seventy-two guns one of seventy
one of twenty six, of eighteen, and one Of six
teen two OF twelve each, and two of six guns each
Steam vessels, one screw OF forty six guns; two of
side Wheels OF six guns, one of four guns, and two
oil three guns each. In addition to which, there is
cruising squadron Of British vessels for the west
ern coasts of British islands, comprising three sail
ing ships and three screw steamers, viz sailing
vessels, one OF ninety two guns, and two of fifty
guns each; steamers, one of sixty one of fifty and
one OF twentY-fouf guns; making, in ALL an avail
able force OF vessels, carrying six hum
dred 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 1t Is deemed safe to infer that il is equal to
the British squadron in the latter seas.
The vessels in ordinary OF the navy of the United
States which might be put in commission to aug
ment the Home squadron, cruising in the Weat
India seas, should that measure be found necessary
are shown in the annual report recently trans
mitted from that Department. This augmenta-
ton, however, would call for additional appro-
priation over and above the annual expenditures,
unless II shall be supposed preferable to withdraw
vessels from other and distant stations for service
IN the West Indies-a step which, in Justice to our
commercial interests. the Department cannot re-
commend except in the event of urgent necessity.
The communications referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, and ordered to DO
printed.
JOHN 8. THRAsHRR.
The SPEAKER likewise laid before the House q
message from the President of the United States
enclosing documents from the State Department,
IN IN response to the resolution requesting the
President. $50 far in his judgment may be
compatible with the public interest to
to the House any information in possession of the
Executive respecting the imprisonment, trial, and
sentence OF John b Ihrasher in the Island of Cuba,
and TO his right to claim the protection of the Gov
eminent as native-born citizen of the United
States"
The Secretary of State says that all the informa-
ton In possession of the Department respecting the
imprisonment, trial. and sentence of Mr. John S.
Thrasher, is contained in the dispatches of Allen
r. owen, esq, late United States consul at Havana
There is no doubt that Mr. Thrasher ia citizen Of
the United States by birth, is there any doubt
tnat ne has resided In the Island of Cuba for con-
siderable number of years, engaged in business
although the precise period and duration of such
residence are not known. On this point the De-
partment has sought in vain for exact information
Mr. Thrasher himself has made no communication
TO the Department, although he has, through the
press, addressed general letter of remonstrance
to the government and people OF the United States.
In letter OF the government of Cuba to her Catho
lie majesty's minister in the United States already
mentioned, it is stated that he has been not only u
resident in Havana for considerable time but
domciled there by regular proceedings, and that
fnr ALL IL
Spanish CROWN
There is no evidence in the possession of the
Government to show what was his purpose with
regard to his returning to his native country at
any fixed or definite time. Other members of his
family are understood to be like himself, residents
IN Cuba, his father having gone to that island some
years ago.
These are all the known general facts respect',,
the nature of his residence in Havana Wien bayee
come to tho knowledge Of the State rcnartmept
m Alter reviewing the general question as 10 MIR.
ihrasher,s right to EXEMPTION from Spanish law
and Spanish authoritv on the ground of his heinz
native born citizen Of the United States the SecSe
s snry concludes by saying that if indeed Mr.
hrasier, In his arrest and trial, did not enjoy the
oenehts which nativc-born Spanish subjects enjoy
in like cases, but was more harehly treated or
more severely punished for the reason that he was
native born citizen Of the United States it would
be clear case of the violation of treaty obligations
and would demand the interpolation of the Gov
eminent. There exists in the Department no
proof of any such extraordinary treatment of Mr.
Ihrasher. 1t may have taken place. In tho alb
sence OF all other information reference is made to
the documents submitted, embracing those of the
Governor General OF Cuba to Mr. Calderon, her
Catholic majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary to this
Government
This document was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, with directions-moved by Mr.
bnooKs-to examine into the laws of domicil in the
Island OF Cuba, and to zee if they are not proper
matters Tor negotiation and treaty with Spain
several other communications were laid before
the House and appropriately referred; and
An Adjournment took place until Friday next.
PETITIONS.
BY Mr. H. ID. MOORE: The memorial Of cti-
zens of Philadelphia, asking an appropriation for
the erection of piers and harbors In the Delaware
river and bay.
Also, memorial of Messrs. H. p & w. c. TAYLOR,
and Powers and Weightman, of Philadelphia, ask
ing Congress TO pay the expenses of sending the
American specimens of art to the London Indus
trial Exhibition.
BY Mr. APPLETON, of Massachusetts: The
petition of Z. II. Cartwright and others, that the
duties on merchandise destroyed by fire in the city
OF New York, July, l8i5, be refunded Referred
to the Committee on Commerce.
by Mr.. CHANDLER; The memorial of Patrick
Hayes, C. Massey, jr., and many other citizens of
ali