The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-23
Mr. Thr.shcr,s Case

traon OF country, and unknown so far to the Su.
preme Court OF the United States Alb.
Mr. Thrashcr's Case
The conduct Of the Spanish authorities towards Mr..
s. Thrasher late editor OF the "Faro Industrial" at
Havana, presents grave question. We cannot believe
that Spanish audacity would have gone so far in
this case it has gone but for that unfortunate to
say criminal-procamalio which invited ourages on
our citizens not only at the hands OF Spain, but at the
hands OF England and Of France. The government has
received ample notice of the arrest OF Mr. Thrasher and
Of the charge preferred against him. but as yet we have
evidence Of its interference Soon the legisla
tive branch Of the government will be in session then
least may expect 10 democratic majority watch.
full over The rights OF American citizens In the mean
time we wish to keep readers advised To that end
we lay before them the following extract from letter
which we find in the New York Herald, dated at Ha.
vana November IL, which says Of Mr.. Thrasher:
"His final trial was summary one. He was allowed
two hours TO prepare his defence; and from list of fifty
officers he permitted TO choose his defensor His
lawyer however did not appear court, and he
permitted TO defend himself In this exigency-the Ameri-
can consul being worse than complete nuy-all that
Thrasher could do was 10 protest, which he did most
egeticaly against the proceedings OF the trial. differ
en from what be imagined he had every TO expect
He protested against the proceedings violation of the
rights 10 which he was entitled an American citizen,
under treaty stpuaions between the United States and
Spain He cited those treaties, but told by his Judges
that they could in way relate 10 him, nasmuch that
he having, in ls42. taken oua cdra dr. domieuio et-
Ter Of domciliationl he had in consequence. al the
expiration OF that documeni--a term OF five years
become subject OF the OF Spain, and that as
SUCH he answerabe TO their laws, and could not ap
peal from them TO the citizenship which he had volun.
tarily relinqushed in the United States. .a
Upon this very point the whole merits OF the de-
pend The simple question is Did Mr. Thrasher. in
If ot;np utsb
right the protection OF The government OF the United
States and did he become subject OF the Of Spain
This very subject OF domcaton has for time past
engaged the attention of several OF the European govern
ments, in consequence oil the urgent representations
which have been made against that arbitrary law the
part of foreigners residing on the island of Cuba.
"The treaty between the United States and Spain OF
1885, STIMULATING for certain rights and privileges OF Amer
lean citizens establishing themselves in Cuba.
supreme law between the two nations twenty-five years
before The royal order Of the King Of Spain, upon which
the citizenship OF Mr. Thrasber has been decided That
royal order, Of October al. 1917, says:
"Ft Tha, al foreigners from friendly nations and pow
establish themselves already b.
shed, in the island Of Cuba Will be obliged TO state,
through their corresponding media 10 the of the
without that Indispensable prerequisites they win not be
allowed 10 reside in il, nc.
men, OF foreign ooon, in The island, he will be obliged
10 live pcrpetnay In H. NC.
nauralzed the foreign coonss viii 10 The government
ofses with their residence card, and will manifest thai
they oblXc themselves 10 Ave pefpeualy IN tbe sand
&c.
$50 that the first instance, American citizen. not
anding his privileges such, and the s,pulatons
OF the treaties is compelled against his will, io
take out the cdria dc doriicio upon the expiration oil
three months after his arrival on the island, without
which he will be permitted TO reside in it that bis
complying with this arbitrary order constitutes him, afte
the expiration OF five years. Spanish SUBJECT and as such
10 be de alt with after their fashion Upon his plea, and
Spanish subject and not an American citizen, has Mr.
Thasher been tried and condemned 10 eight years presi
do n royal order OF the King OF SPAN issued long
to solemn treaties entered into and duly rat
fed by the two governments, s permitted TO nuy those
would be better that they had never been
entered in,o because parties going TO Cuba Tor the pur,
pose OF establishing themselves that island would
know exactly what they had TO depend upon but know
ing such treaties 10 exist and putting faith in their due
execution, every American has right 10 expect proiec-
ton from his government, and that having alien
aied himself by his own act from such protection, he
should be entitled whatever may be his crime to lar
and open trial. with all the privileges duly stipulated Tor
in the treaties.
Upon this royal Order and in coniraventon OF treaty
spulaions, has Mr Tbrashcr been tired and condemned
TO eight years hard labor in the fortress OF Ceuta the
coast OF Africa II s for Mr Webster to inquire
OF every American in Cuba who has taken out ticket Of
domiclison But sir, does the constitution oil the Uni
ted States recognise the night oil alienation as belonging
10 any citizen, under any circumstances whatever
The royal order OF the King Of Spain, exactog doml-
cary license Of strangers residing IN Cuba. and making
il the evidence OF their snbecon 10 the Spanish crown
has, repeat, been the occasion OF trouble heretofore
MONSIEUR David, The French consul general demanded
his passports and left Havana for France, in May, s9
upon dispute upon this very subject OF oario de don't
clio and The matter understand, now engages the
attention OF the British government The idea - prepos
terous that because man is compelled 70 take out
letter OF domication, that act constitutes INN Span
ish subject"