The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-04
Tas Case Of Air. Thrsshsr.

BY the last accounts from Havana We learn that MIR
Ihasher had been sentenced to the mines for eight years
bu, It was reported his sentence 10 be reviewed
The following letter. addressed by him from bis dan
geon 10 his government and his counlrymen we find IN
the New York Tribune;
In DUNGEON THE PuSrA CAsrLr
Havana. November n, 1857
10 The goverent of The United States of dmsrica and
10 my Jsiiolc countrymen
An American citizen, deprived OF liberty and denied
justice respectfully begs leave 10 lay before you the fol-
lowing facts and appeal. Upon leaving the steamer
without previous accusation, arrested and taken TO the
office OF the police On searching my person and that of
gentleman who accompanied me, papers letters of
any kind were found upon either OF us. We were then
taken TO the hotel where boarded accompanied by the
chief OF police, who demanded TO be shown my room
On ascertaining that | had there. we were
taken 10 my residence, and all my papers seized The
gentleman who accompanied then put at liberty
Myself and all my books and papers taken to The
residence OF one OF the police conmssaes where four
days were occupied by two government Interpreters in
reading my letters On the 2lst October | thrown
into dungeon Of the city prison, and all communication
OF my friends strictly prohibited on The 25lh was re-
moved TO my present dungeon, and the fiscal of the mil
itay tribune made his appearance, and began judicial
examination. On the Goth this continued and then
saw no one until the 4th instant, when the questioning
was proceeded with and on the 9th was again ques
Toned and finally informed that was accused OF trea
son. Az the same time was required 10 select from
conduct my defence No, Knowing any Of them. chose
one at random, supposng he would consult with and
with my legal advisers, usual in such cases.
gard to my defence.
On the 7h instant | was for the first time allowed TO
my friends, and to consult with them the best
course 10 pursue conferred with our consul and he
passed several communications in nv behalf 10 the gov
eminent here, all of which have been utterly disregarded
and not replied TO. On the 18th, was informed that |
was to be brought up the next day for sentence. i'm
mediatey wrote 10 my nominal defender once
to consult with me, and TO bring with him the proceed
ngs which were in writing He replied, verbally, that
he would come in the afternoon He did not come, and
entered at once protest against The proceedings, al
egng that had not been heard, and that neither myself
my legal advisers had been consulted for proper de-
fence sent this TO the president OF The military com.
it could only be admitted by the captain general
The American consul, Mr. Owen, as soon in
formed OF this, proceeded to the palace, and protested
against sentence being pronounced, as had not been
heard in defence. In the morning my nominal defender
came to my prison to inform me that he had been allowed
BY The court only twen,yfour hours 10 prepare my de-
fence; that he had been occupied till that moment
ming the proceedings, which volumnous, and tina,
within an hour he must return them to the fiscal. On
the l2h was taken before court-maraI, composed Of
OF brigadier general and six officers OF the army The
testimony and proceedings read before | was
brought into court which is contrary TO law and
tom and when brought in, was asked what had to
say 10 the charges against me replied that had not
been furnished with copy OF the charges that had
been denied TO the proceedings and testimony that
my nominal defender had neither consulted with me nor
my counsel and that now ask that my protest and ne
tition for stay OF proceedings should be admitted was
told by the president of the that it should be con-
sdered | remanded 10 my dungeon, and heard
nothing more Of the proceedings until to-day, when
have been formally notified that have been sentenced to
eight years labor, in chains, a, Ceuta, in Africa with
payment OF costs.
II is unnecessary for me 10 enlarge upon the impro
prIeiy OF bringing before court martial in time OF
profound peace the injustice OF sentencing with
out hearing on the utter contempt OF International
law, civil rights, and treaty stpuations in my tral or
upon the wu disregard, in the Of proceeding
OF the constitution and rules OF the very which has
without crime, and sentenced me without defence.
The government that has the power and the will To
nit these acts is beyond The reach of reason and my
only is 10 appeal 10 the physical power Of
own government .for that protection which its moral
power has been able TO extend me, and 10 ask
from my fellow -countrymen such countenance will
encourage the Executive in the manifestation OF firm
ness and carry appreciation OF national rights and
national duties the hearts OF the INSCRIPTIONS rulers OF
Cuba.
solemn!y affirm that have never had any connexi ion
with the parties who invaded this island. and that the
only grounds for hatred 10 the part OF the govern
men, and Spanish portion OF the population here are
that | am an American; that ! refused 10 abjure
my nationality one year since, when required by
this government TO do so, TO abandon the business
was then engaged in; that ! succored, far
was able, those of my unfortunate countrymen who
were cap,ives here; and that in the court had the in
dependent spirit hey call il audacy) TO rely upon my
innocence and my rights American citizen. Hav
ing been denied justice, ask at the hands OF the
American government and the American people that lib
erty OF which am inquitousy deprived. All The hor
rors OF the Spanish galley. before me- and my only
hopes in the sympahes OF my counirymen and the
''0'''' 1870 : j. S. THRAsHER.