Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-19
MR.. THRAsHER TO THE AMERICAN CONSUL. |

I MR.. THRASHER TO THE AMERICAN CONSUL
PUNTA Prison, Havana, Nov. Is, 1851
Allen + Owen, Consul for the U. s A., Havana.
Pear SV: Ia state of complete uncertainty, as
10 the course my trial is taking, since the presena-
| ton to the Council of War of my solemn protest
against judgment being entered, without allowing me
every fair and legal means of defence, (Which here
IN do most soiemnly aver has not been allowed me,
my nominal defender, or advocate; never having in
any consulted with me as TO the best line Of
defence to adopt; nor even asked what counter tes
mony could bring forward, having consult
ed with my legal counsel as to the points of lawD
find myself under the necessity, Justice 10
| request you to bring forward my rights an Ameri-
can citizen, and to press with all due frmness upon
the Government my complete amenabiIity to the
charge of rea on, viii ch they bring forward against
me; the incongrnity Of trying me by court-niaral
IN time OF profound peace, and the injustice of re-
iusng to afford me a fair and free defence.
Besides the evident and well known state of the law
IN regard to white coonizationin this island of which
domcIlaory letters are granted to foreigners without
affecting in any degree their allegan TO- and right of
! protection from their Governments, and which
domcilIatory letters essentially different iu their
nature from letters of naturalization there ex lists in nv
own case peculiar and significant fact, to which /
beg leave to draw your attention. that you may bring
| it Immediately before the Government OF this island
and cur own if necessary
About the middle of August of last year G85O rem
red as aatter Speculation, the paper entitled Faro
Industrial de la Habana" | presented to the censor.
ship an editor, other than myself and who was a
Spanish subject and undertook myself only the printing
and publication OF the paper. For reasons best known
TO the government, an order issued BY the Cap
tain General. (Which would present here but was
refused copy thereof by the officer who made il
known TO me,) by. which order / was prohibited to
publshany paper in the island unless first took out
letters OF naturalization Withia the prescribed term
replied TO the order in memorial which I presented
TO the Captain General declining to take out letters Of
NATURALIZATION and stating that ceased to publish the
paper, which from that time passed out of my hands
10 this proceeding you will perceive there is dsci.
ded recognition the part of the Government of my
entire want OF allegiance TO her Cath Jo Majesty, and
OF the complete validity OF my rights American
citizen, notw hstandingI possessed at that time the
same doncillaory letters under which they now pre-
tend TO right to accuse. try aud sentence file as
Spanish SUBJECT and have since then by any act
or by the operation of any known law, lost my rights
OF nationality and allegiance to the United States of
America.
state these facts from memory merely, beingin dll-
rance and without face to my papers, and am
not certain but that the terms of the order to which
nave referred may not, in their wording, present the
facts IN stronger light than what have placed
them
lcal upon you, therefore, as Consul of the United
States, and representative here OF common coun-
try and Government to bring these facts forcbly and
urgently TO the Wedge ofthe Government OF Cuba
to protest firmly and energecaly against the infringe
ment of the rights of an American citizen in nv per
son, and the denial of Justice to me; and to ask from
the Captain General that there be accorded to me a
proper and sufficient time to make my defence; that
and evidence in my case, TO which am entitled by
law and by treaty, and that be freely furnished with
copies OF all documents that may deem necessary TO
my perfect exculpation from the charges brought
against me-
must also request you to urge upon this Govern
ment the incompatibiy of considering me at one
moment an American citizen, and at another Span
lsh SUBJECT; the lmpossibilty ofmy holding allegiance
to two powers at the moment; and that the G G.
yernment here, having viewed in the light of a
foreigner, and not holding the allegiance of a
spanish SUBJECT, allow me tp prosecute my exculpa
ton and defence against the charges now living
against me- with full recognition Of nay lights as
an American citizen.
From the information can gather of the proceed
ings OF the court in my case, have reason to fear
hasy and unjust decision against me; would there
tore, respectfully urge upon you immediate and ener-
getic action my behalf.
have the honor TO be your very obedent servant
]. S. THRASHER.