The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-19
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, December 10, 1851.

SIR The object Of this despatch is 10 call your aten-
ton particularly the OF Jno 1hrasher-a native
born citizen OF the United States but Tor some years past
resident in Havana and there lately tried for high
treason or conspiracy convicted sentenced TO eight years
confinement to hard labor and TO Spain in execution
Of that sentence lie has ssPsnSe friends and t oon mex
and who have pressed his case upon the consideration o
this department. earnestly invoking The mleIposiuon oi
the government in his behalf
II Ssmach 10 he regretted that Mr. Thrasher has made
no communication whatever TO this department respecting
The circumstances Of his case, SO As to enable us 10 sec
what are the precise grounds al his complaint
We have used all the means IN our power 10 learn Tue
parcuars as you will perceive By copies oil two letters
addressed By this department to the American consul al
Havana To these letters we have received asyet no
answer A despatch on this subject was prepared iot
you some days ago but before II was delivered 70 me
messenger n communication was received IRON MT Calde.
ron her Maestys penIp oentIaty here, communicating
cnpy of letter OF the Cove General Oh Cuba TO HIN,
and also an opinion Of the Court Real Audenca pfetonas
Royal Court Of Judcature) upon the construction OF the
7th article Of the treaty between the U6ed States ana
Spain The translation " these documents has necessarily
caused some delay You viii perceive that the Spanish
authorities OF th. island represent that MT ihrashe bad
been long a resident ~ Havana had become domiclch
there and had taken the oath oil allegiance to the Spanish
crowns and therefore, they suppose, was answeaplg
the ordinary tribunals OF the country Tor any oiai
act committed by him. ,,Lr
This causes i to be the more regretted that ne has
made no communication TO The government on ns oMn
case he understands j. Tie has inueeu, uousn w
press addressed general letter OF temonsuanos 20 lne
and peope o the United STATES, anu lhs ~
ali we hear from him personally NeyeItheess hls case
has been thought deserving OF attention. ana hete y
disposi,ion in the government to do all wbch may 0e
,nor ~ bis behalf II the official account OF the span
IN AUTHORITIES be correct Mr. Thrasher appears TO have
rp1ty,nfed himself andto have become, at least Tor the
lime subject of the Crown OF Spain lie had chosen
a new government and a new home and 80 long as he
chose 10 remain under the authority and protection OF
that government he would 10 have little right 70 sci
nm AGAINST il any immunity founded his original and
native character as citizen OF the United States There
is no doubt that any who chooses to reside IN coon-
try is bound to conform to It's laws and amenaele 10 s
tribunals for their violaonhe especially IT be
has promised subsection and obedience to those laws and
taken an oath of allegiance TO the sovereign p~wer
MIR Thrashets friends insist nevertheless, that on his
trial he was deprived Of certain privileges secured TO c
zens OF the United States by the 9TH article Of on treaty
with Spain, of 1895 But It may be doubtful whether
after having sworn allegiance to the spanish govern
men he can longer claim The privileges and nmuniles
OF an American citizen. In the United States, as yot
know the oath Of allegiance is the contamination ol h'
proceedings by which foreigner born becomes clhzer