The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-19


Hughes to Kossuth and his mission. But a
last, the Abolitionists, having imprudently
forced the great Magyar under their protection
while DIR. Kinkel is cooperating with Abolition
ism in the West, we may well acc cunt for tn,
misgivngs of the South, when il is declared tina
after the liberation of Europe, the next blow
shall be struck for the Emancipation of the slaves
of our Southern States.
The Administrators -Mr. Thrashor and the
PrOmothcus.
we take the following document, (of which
our reporter was to obtain copies on Wednes
day,) from the Republic of yesterday. The first
is an apology for the Thrasher affair; the second
relates to the Prometheus
THE CASE OF JOHN 8. THRAsHER.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate MESA %
from the President of the United States, in reply
TO resolution of the Senate calling for all In
formation in the possession of the Executive re-
lating to the arrest and imprisonment of Mr.
John s. Thrasher. The correspondence com
municated is very volumnous and the following
despatch is selected
Mr.. Webster TO Mr.. BaYringer.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, December l3, 1851
To Daniel mr. Berringer, Enpoy, dc, Madrid
| Sir The object of this despatch is to call
your attention particularly TO the case of John
$. Thrasher, native born citizen of the United
States, but for some years past resident in IIa-
vana, and there lately tried for high treason or
conspiracy, and sentenced to eight years confine-
ment at hard labor, and sent to Spain. in execu-
ton of that sentence. He has respectable friends
and connexions in the United States, who feel
much Interested for him-who have pressed his
case upon the consideration of this department,
earnestly invoking the ipterposition Of the gov
ernment in his behalf II is much TO be regret
ted that Mr.. Thrashcr has made no commuDica-
ton whatever, to this department, respecting the
circumstances OF his case, SO as to enable us to
see what are the precise grounds of his com.
plaint. We have used all the means in our
power to learn the particulars, as you will per-
ceye by copies OF two letters addressed by this
department to the American consul at Havana.
To these letters we have received rs yet no
answer.
| A despatch Oh this subject was prepared for
you some days ago, but, before it was delivered
to the messenger, communication was received
from Mr.. Caicron her majestys plenpotentiary
| here, communicating a copy of letter Of the
opinion Of the Court Real Audiencia pictorial
(royal court of judicature) upon the construc-
lion Of the seventh article of the treaty between
the United States and Spain. The translation
of these documents has necessarily caused some
delay. Yon will perceive that the Spanish au.
horlties of he Island represent that Mr. Thrash.
er had been long resident in Havana had be
come domiciled there, and had taken tho oath OF
| allegiance to the Spanish crown; and therefore
AZ they suppose was answerabe to the ordinary
tribunals of the country for any criminal act
committed by him This causes it TO be the
more regretted that he has made no commuuica,
ton to the government of his own case, as he
understood IT, He has, Indeed, addressed gen
eral letter of remonstrance, through, the press
to the government and people OF the United
Statas, and this is all we hear from him person
ally. Nevertheless his cause has been thought
deserving of attention, and there is DISPOSE
ton in the government to do all which may b,
proper in his behalf If the official account o
. the Spanish authorities be correct, Mr. Thrashe
: appears to have erpdtridted himself and to hav
! become, at least for the time, subject of th,
= crown of Spain He had chosen new govern
r ment aud new home. and, so long as he chos,
to remain under the authority and pre- lection o.
that government, he would seem to have little
right to set up against it any immunity founded
on his original and native character as citizen
of the United States.
There is no doubt that any one who choose.
to reside in country is bound to conform to its
aws and is amenable to its tribunals for their
violation; the more especially If he has prom
ised subsection and obedience to those laws
and taken an oath of allegiance to the sovereign
power. Mr. Tnrasher's friends insist, neverthe-
less, that, his trial. he was deprived of certain
privileges secured to the citizens of the United
StAtes, by the seventh article of our treaty with
Spain of 1895. But il may be doubtful whether,
after having sworn allegiance to the Spanish
government, he can longer claim the priv
ileges and mmunities of an American citizen.
In the United States as you know, the oath of
allegiance is the consummation of the proceed
ings by which foreigner born becomes citi
zen of this country, and renounces all allegiance
20 any foreign government. 1t may be doubtful,
also, whether, if he were to be regarded in all
respects as an American citizen, the provisions
of the seventh article of the treaty Of 1875 bave
been violated In his case. Probably, under ex-
| istng circumstances, the most useful course for
the government of the United States to pursue
in his behalf, and in order to obtain his release,
is to make the same application for him which
has been made in favor OF the persons connected
with the expedition of Lopez, who have, in like
manner been sent to Spain. His case, how
ever, is certainly less fragrant than theirs They
were violent invaders, proceeding to Cuba with
arms in their hands 10 make war upon the
Spanish government and people He, at most
could only be guilty of some connivance or Sc.
cret countenance of these unlawful proceedings;
and, as his friends represent the matter, his con-
duet was principally j. stigated, not so much by
sympathy with the invaders in their general
objects, as by desire 10 minister to their neees-
sites. You will perceive, therefore, that this
case is one more fit for a lenient consideration,
than that of those with whom the project OF
invasion originated, and who were made prison
ers in attempting its forcible execution You
will present this point as fully as may be, to the
consideration of the Queens government, and
urge it with earnestness.
repeat, with still more strengthe ned con-
] -.