Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-21
IOHN s THR

JOHN S. THRASHER.
This gentleman, after being released from his
severe confinement in Spanish prison, has at
length returned to his native country. He sig
nalizes his advent by the publication of two letters
in the New York Herald, one of which he OH
March 22d, addressed from Madrid to Mr. Web
ster, and the copy of another, which, under the
same date and from the same place, he addressed
to the Governor General of Cuba. In these seve-
raj productions we have the elaborate details of
the many hardships Mr.. Thrasher has under
gone since he voluntarily abandoned his native
country and the full protection of its free nstitu
lions. We frankly avow that these voluntary
exies have but small share of our sympathy.
Mr. Thrasher many years since withdrew
himself from the dominion of our laws, and, in the
exercise of that freedom of action with which he
was endowed by the public law, took up his resi-
dence in country subject to the most despotic of
monarchies. From all the facts that have been
adduced, it appears that, though he might have
entertained general idea of returning to the
United States at some future time, he had yet
fixed no definite period to his residence. He de-
MES, 1t is true, that he had ever become natu-
rallzed subject of Spain, but he does not pretend
that he was not foreigner domiciliated in Cuba
| for an indefinite period Of time. Indeed, so fixed
was his determination to establish himself per-
manenty in that appendage of the Spanish
crown, that he had taken out letter of domici-
liation, which had the double effect of investing
him with privileges not to be enjoyed by unac-
knowledged strangers, and imposing upon him
obligations which do not attach to them.
By the terms of the law of domicaton, pro-
mulgated in 1917, we are told by Mr.. Thrashel
that strangers wishing to reside in Cuba were
obliged to profess the Roman Catholic faith, and
by solemn act, submit to the authorities, tribu-
nails, and laws of the country, to the utter erclu-
, saon Of all other allegiance and rights" The
letter of domiciliation which Mr.. Thrasher and
other foreigners took out limits tn obligations OF
this law to five years, ION the expiration of which,
the party is therein suffered to be underthe ob-
CATION to leave the country, take out letters of
naturalization, which shall perfect his allegiance
to the croa0n Of Spaan.'' So, appears from this
emigrant's own account of his obligations, that
the effect of letter of domciiation is to create
an imperfect allegiance to the Spanish crown
Can the man who has in full view of the legal con-
sequences of his act, contracted, by solemn forms
OF law, ties OF this nature to q foreign monarch,
be said to be still an American citizen and entitled
to the protection of our government? 1t is true
he tells that these legal requirements were not
exacted in their utmost stringency, and that
"manypersons are now temporarily residing in
Cuba under their orr gnal letters of domiciliation
taken out twenty and even thirty years since who
consider themselves fully, and to all intents and
purposes, astruly Americans or Englishmep, and
as good Protestants, as when they left their own
land" But however they may consider them
Selves" they have beyoud any sort of doubt in the
eye tthe public law, become either partially, or
entirely Spanish subjects. The facts of Thrash
ers case, presented by himself do not materi-
ally differ from the facts as presented by Mr..
Webster, in December, 1851, in his communica- |
ton to the President.
Mr.. Thrasher has emerged from the dungeons
Of Spain, filled with the idea of his own impor-
lance and that the principle which his case en-
bodies. This bid for continued notoriety and
public sympathy, we trust, win not be responded
to, and that no part of our people will decree him
the honours of Martyrdom. Whilst millions of
the oppressed subjects of other nations are flock
ing to our shores, attracted hther by the freedom
of our institutions and the ample rewards that
await honest labour, this man Thrasher like an
other Esau impiously disposes of his noble birth
right, and contracts the bonds of allegiance to a
despot. Since he ignobly proposed to become
bondman and thrall of Spain, let him abide by
the penalties of his choice. Since the free air
of this Republic, where alone man is found in all
the dignity of civilized freedom, did not suit the
constitution of Thrasher's mind and he must
needs seek in the effeminate climate of the trop-
les, the rank atmo phere of despotism, let him
not complain; it is right he should drain to the
dregs thechace he has himself prepared. The
protection of this Government is designed only for
our people, for those who, wherever they are
acknowledge its allegiance. 1t is not intended |
for those ignoble and degenerate of our SOIL
who in the pursuit of gain and for the objects of
gain, have contracted the obligations of either |
perfect or inchoate allegiance to a foreign mon
arch Instead of humby thanking our Govern
ment for the grace of its interpostion, in virtue
of which he has been restored to freedom, this
man returns to his forsaken country, speaking tho
language not of gratitude but of complaint.
We perceive from the Mobile papers that a |
splendid service of plate had been subscribed for,
and was to have been presented in that city on
Thursday to William Sidney Smith, Esq, Sec