The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-12-04


during
DIG yoQ A r ea
lave lone fight
bare doa nei.i1 s9ng
& president here adfesssa some ifont
ga ana very 4 remar 70 Cue co1ls
sing Ia eject
aI1e Thought i mere ehild play and
very easy Is oxolntionike Island aua IS.
form its laws; aasier than "a edi naper. IS
goto another country whore the laws we're
good, t1e thought heeenld do all this aud
yet escaps punishment, because he Is for.
To the prisoner
Have you anything further to say before
the court proceeds to pass its sentence upon
youg'
d. Nothing, except to read the memo
rial ! sent to you, and which you rejected.
By the President
Youcau read itnow."
Ihrasher then read the document, which
was we'll drawn up, protesting against the
jurisdiction Of the court on the ground that
he was an American citizen, and could not
be unfaithful where he owed no allegiance,
and alleged treaty stipulations.
The President interrupted him, and for-
bade has making use Of the words "Amsri-
can citizen and "treaty stipulations.p
Thrasher alleged that he bad been for sew
enteen days in solitary confinement; that
latter the accommodation was nominally re-
moved it was notreally done, as he was only
lallowed two hours each day to see his Fela-
Etiyes, consult with his friends, Consul and
Illegal advisers; that his ignorance of the
lcharges prevented him from producing testi-
tmony to prove his innocence; that the de-
lfensor appointed by the Government to de-
lfend him was incompetent, and had not in
tue least informed himself Of the merits Of
the case.
The President asked:
Have you anything further toadd? Z"
Nothing, except to reiterate my pro-
test againstth whole proceedings"
The President showed much vexation and
ordered him to be removed, which was done
escorted by soldiers. The defensor was then
asked if he had anything further to say?
He answered Nothing, and the court adj
ljourned to meet again yesterday, the 10Th.
The prisoner was informed, not officially,
that his sentence was recorded and sent up
for the approval of the Assessor and the
Captain General, and is ''EIGmT YEARS AT
HARD LABOR IN SPAIN; aud moreover in
formed, "You will probably be sent to the
quicksilver mines"
If this case be allowed to pass over in 81
lence, every American in the island, but cs-
Pecially such as have been unfortunate enough
to make Spanish enemies, must leave the
island with all speed, and at whatever sacri-
flee of property he may be compelled to sub
INIT to. Even this communication, if traced
to me, or even if amy one should assert /
had.writtcn and sent,it for publication. might
send me to meet ThIashcr in Almadcre.
This case, from first to last, has been car
ried on in direct and fragrant violation Of all
Spanish law The Codtgo dc C0mercso,
article IS, says all foreigners, even not domi-
ciliated, may employ themselves in trade, in
accordance with rules laid down in treaties,
and when such rules are not laid down, shall
enjoy all the privileges and immunities which
SPaniards enjoy in the country where the
foreigner comes from. Article %, of the
Bdntio de JUen Gobier7,o says "no foreigner
shall reside more than three months in the
island without taking out u domicilatory let
ter" Article 80, Of the new regulations,
says the domiciliatory letter is that which
authorizes foreign subjects to reside more
than three months, employing themselves i'll
commerce or any other useful industry
Article 30 prescribes fine of from fifty to
one thousand dollars for delinquency in this
matter The letters of domicile expressly
state that the letter is good for five years,
and that at the expiration of that term the
foreigner must become naturalized or leave
the island
In September of last year the Gtvern-
ment refused to allow Thrasher to edit a pa
per, because he owed no allegiance to the
Queen, in direct violation of the Codigo de
Concrete. In September of this year, they
again infringcd the same law, and probably
upon the same grounds, although none were
given.
They now claim him as Spanish subject,
and try him by court-martial in time Of
peace and quiet, in direct violation of treaty
stipulations and Of their own laws. He is
condemned under proceedings, every step Of
, which is illegal. They now demand allegi-
ance from him who but year ago was for
: eign subject.
, In short, every step has been an infraction
of law, treaty and previous decisions. The
Americans here hope that at last the supine.
ness of our Government will be thrown off
and an example given for future guidance
in similar cases.
UNCLE SAM.