The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-12
,rhe Case of mr.. rnr.snsr


thus gentleman by the authorities OF Cuba, aud in anti
eipation OF the introduction oil similar resolution in
the House, we lay before our readers the following
papers in relation 10 the subject They come 10 US from
an American gentleman OF high character now resident
in Havana, who speaks OF the facts OF the Trial with the
accuracy of eye witness, and who has made with his
own hands copies and translalons OF the legal doeu
ments in relation 10 the case We have no doubt that his
statements, both 10 the law and the facts are mainly
authentic and reliable They were sent in private letter
TO gentleman OF this city, the material parts Of which
letter we prefix 10 them
HAVANA, November 10 1851
suppose you must have heard OF the arrest and sub
sequent imprisonment OF ). Thrasher, esq editor Of
the Faro Industrial, of this CITY He was arrested on
the 10Th OF last month, and, contrary to all treaty spnla
lions, was placed incomuneads"that il, in solitary
confinemenl--ior seventeen days and half. He
then ordered 10 choose his defender from list given him
by the government officials He also had the privilege OF
choosing lawyer for consultation This lawyer never
saw The "dutos," and of course could aid nothing in
his defence. The officer (hs defender before the court
martla notified Mr.. Thrasher that he could make
much OF defence, the ground that he charged
with a political offence, and feared the result il he
showed too much interest in his favor Thus the matter
stood, until at last the day of the verdict 2h arrived
The case opened on the behalf OF the government by
reading the written summary IN which MIR Thraher IL
accused oil entertaining hostile feelings against the gov
eminent and OF perverlng facts OF holding correspond
ence with the American papers OF going board the
steamers to get his private correspondence Of being the
author OF the declaration OF Cuban Independence and
finally of having in his possession letters written 10
cipher. which the accused dsowned as his These are
the main points in his accusation, by of which
they try to prove that he was conspalor aud leagued
with Lopez and his adherents heard the (wrten) pro.
read from beginning TO end and must say that not
one indictment is subsanriaed by fact Suspicion and
prejudice OF the grossest kind visible throughout
The government il is lrue found several papers and let
tiers in his possession that would far to convict him Of
sympathy with the cause. but nothing They say that
his sympathy for the imprisoned patriots is proof positive
OF his Intentions &c. On the whole, every impartial man
who present at the trial felt convinced OF Thrashers
innocence. evinced by the evidence For all these cap
tal offences, the fiscal asked the punishment of eight
years Imprisonment in the chaingang, the payment Of
the COSTS and prohibition meyer again TO return to the
Island. When the evidence had been read, Thrashers
defender in trembling voice, read his defencea school
boy production that excited only the visibility of the court
The defence concluded, Mr. Thrasher brought into
court between file OF soldiers and took his seat The
prisoner bore himself web under the trying circumstances
and answered all the questions put to him like true
Anglo Saxon. His demeanor was polite Blu, undsmay-
ed-a glorious comparison with that OF the president
Vargas, who could not command his overbearing temper
ami showed by his harsh, uneeng, ungenlemanly and
unmtary conduct that he fell kind feelings for the
prisoner
Mr. Thrasher then read 10 the court petition he had
in the preceding day for the postponenent of his
trial, (refused and sgnhed to the court his determine
ton OF making no defence. He induced so 10 act
from the fact that he allowed neither time nor op
portuny TO defend himself.
The prisoner then remanded 10 his cell in the cas-.
tie OF the "Puna and the court adjourned to another
room 10 agree the verdict The question 10 be solved
by our government s whether the Spanish authorities
have right TO try American citizen for political Of
fence before court martial in time OF peace The treaty.
believe says that political denquenis time OF peace are
to be tried by the ordinary courts 1hrasher never took
up arms nor has II been proved that he did any for
the cause than to show sympathy in behalf of the de-
uded followers OF Lopez His conduct towards these men
was brought up proof against him. The question is
whether the letter Of domc which all Obliged have
deprves an American citizen OF his birthrght The let
ter of domicii that. after the lapse of five years.
the applicant must either take out letter of natualiza-
ton leave the island. The authorities take the ground
that the letter places foreigners in the light Span
sh subjects have given you but slight sketch OF the
affair." that you may bring the before the eyes of the
public in It's true light This trial is that vitality con-
Germs the safety OF all American citizens residing on the
island OF Cuba.
Statement Of Mr. Tirasher'S Case.
The case OF Mr. Thrasher is one which should be laid
before the American public, with the hope that public
opinion may coYAel our government 10 take some steps
to protect Ame6an citizens from the fangs OF Spanish
despotism Mr. 1hrasher was formerly agent for mer-
camille house in Boston, and lost heavily through the
failure of his principals. About year since he bought
or leased the Faro Industrial the Creole paper not be.
cause IT advocated the Creole cause published aughl
against the existing government, but because il was
owned and edited by Creoles, and protected by
them When Mr. T. took upon himself the manag cement
OF tho paper, he soon improved so much It's character
and appearance that II rapidly from the low state
10 which il had been reduced from want Of Official pa
tronage. This rapid rise brought upon him the
contemplate editor Of the Diario de Ia Marina; who
continued almost daily attacks for months without
effect Its pace still upward. Finding rijeue and
Bilngsgae OF effect they adopted another, and ap.
piled 10 the government, TO stop the PAPER the plea
that Thrasher Spanish subject An order to
this effect obtained and be had his choice between
naturalization suspension Of his paper He, however
obtained the aid OF an influential Creole who became the
responsible editor The consprators against him
thus defeated, but they did not abandon their attacks
and finally obtained order for the suspension OF the
publication; cause whatever being assigned for this
arbitrary proceeding Not satisfied with his and 10
venge themselves Thrasher for his exertons in be-
half Of the prisoners, scheme concoc'ed which
such piuful the editor OF the Diario de la Ma
rtnd could have conceived. This plan was we'll laid
and only frustrated by mere accident
On October 18th, two OF the police IN citizens dress
ordered TO watch every movement of Thrasher and
follow hun board OF the expected that
and arrest him The moment be landed taking care to Sc
cure all papers he might have about him. As before /
.aid this hne plan failed by most trivial accident
Tbrasher OF the steamers arrival, and did
no, get on board until about half hour after the visits
had been passed and passengers allowed to land let
ter which handed the clerk with special charge TO
deliver IL 10 one but Mr. Tbfasber was sent on shore
by another person who carried 10 the office and finding
no one in threw il upon The table, where il fonnd
W The office searched by the police officer II /
was handed to Thrasber open; bat his suspcons
cited by the anxiety Of the officer that he should open
H. and noting thai the letter directed TO J. = Fraser,
he refused 10 open except upon the responsibility OF The
officer Had hs letter been found upon him. intended,
his fate would have been sealed. All his papers were
seized and examined in his presence by the police Such
of them contained any ausons TO political affairs were
claimed and the balance returned to him. Six written
By different friends retained, together with that
ound upon bis desk. The last, when opened, appeared
o be letter in cipher On the lg;h 20th he was put
Mo rloaa ron held