The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-19

cuPied in preliminary business.
The American Prisoners In Spain.
Our readers familiar with the views which we
have taken from the first of the delinquency of the ad
mns'raon in failing secure for the American asso
cales of Lopez the legal trial which, as offenders they
entitled by the of treaty with Spain We
have also expressed astonishment and regret the
renssness and apparent reluctance OF The administration
10 make any suitable nteposilon TO protect Mr. Thrash
er from the cruel and unlawful treatment he has re-
ceiyed from the Spanish authorities in Cuba The facts
and the law of his case given by eye witness
the spot, have already appeared in columns, From
these it quite clear aud presume undisputed.
that the proceeding which pupored 10 be his trial before
court-maral was a mere mockery of justice The
following paragraph from The New York Times, wing
Journal represents the view taken OF his case by almost
the whole press of the country excepting the metropo-
organs which supposed to speak specially for the
administration
"Ma THaAsHER-There is little doubt,la Congress will
take action in behalf of this unfortunate gentleman,
when il gets the facts and the time. The Executive
whom resolution of inquiry has been directed by both
branches. be unprovided with information but there
surely enough notorious facts to base diplomatic
ceedngs upon IL not should suggest resolution OF
inquiry, addressed to the of Madrid, and sent by
| steam irgae Cadz. The would probably be
the captive in person."
Congress in both IFS branches, readers know
has already moved in the matter BY resolution calling
for the papers in the case and the wing journals of yes
erday give the result of their investigation the pub
shed copy OF despatch the subject from the Depart
ment of State Minister in Madrid, which copy
in another column.
We regret to say that it appears to in its whole tone
and character to be inadequate and unsatisfactory
paper So far as perceive, utterly fails TO claim
anything for Mr. Thrasher a matter of right. i
makes objection TO the suicency legality of hi
trial Ii virtually admits that his letter of domcil" ir
Cuba Invested him OF all his lights as an American CHI
zen. On this ground it doubts the applicability OF tn,
terms of the treaty his II this doubt be wei
founded, NE treaty rs todse paper in far a
American citizens resident in Cuba concerned-lo
no American reside there without such letter o
domicl as is now considered by the administration t
divest Mr. Thrasher of all his rights under the treaty
Since the seventh article of the treaty drawn witt
exclusive reference the protection of Americans within
Cuban jurisdiction, it is impossible perceive any so
ground upon which the construction adopted in this cas-
| by our government stand
In this despatch moreover, Mr. Webster refers again
to the associates of Lopez, and, grouping Mr. Thrashe
case with theirs, with some determinations in Mr.
Tbrashers favor asks mercy and cemency for them all
This is the whole brunt of the paper 1t is simply sup
pcaon Spain for pardon-pardon TO be granted not al
all a matter Of justice, but merely royal boon
This a tone for the American government TO tax,
in case like Mr. Thrashers 1t TO us il-judgec
as j, is novel It may get the prisoners, of them
off, and il may not But, however this shall turn out il
places the American government in unworthy attitude
| 1t impars national dignity
| The despatch informs that the Englishmen associ-
a,ed with Lopez in his expedition have already been
leased by Spain. This was 10 have been expected.
English in,erposltion in behalf Of English subjects is
rarely Intellectual In this respect our government may
profit, than the administration in this appears
inclined do, by English example In this connection
we cannot forbear notice the strange terms in which
The despatch audes the probable dst Of the release
OF the prisoners. The Spanish government is formally
assured that the American government considers itself
alloped TO hope that the forbearance and clemency
asked for from Spain mil not tend 10 encourage crimi.
nal enterprises IN fiurtr Such eneay that strikes
us az less than lukewam. II is frigd. Merely 10 beg
in Mr. Thrasher's not, in our Judgment, the fl
thing 10 do But the administration, having once made
~ its mind 10 get on in the matter by begging, should
beyond doubt have begged more sturdly
We repeat that we regard the policy Of the adminis,ra
ton in these Cuban transactions not only ndeensbe
but uninelligble The most natural solution Of il, per
haps is the unwlngness fully 10 confess the original
and capital blunder OF the proclamation. To this may
perhaps be added the consciousness Of such cebeness
aud inefciency in the preventive and precautionary meas
ares taken by the government against the expedition as
10 call for a compensaiing remssness 10 ntepose in any
way for the offenders after they captured. In this
view Of the matter bunder beges another, and the
good fame Of the government suffers from the couneract.
ing errors of ts NAL administration.