The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-05
Powers OF the Captain G eneral In Cuba.

Powers OF the Captain General In Cuba.
The following letter brings view important feature
in the relations Of the captange of Cuba 10 the gov
eminent of Spain abou, which correspondent thinks
there has prevailed very general error:
New ORLEANS, March 30, 1854.
To the Editor of the Union:
SIR In your paper of lslh instant find the following
paragraph:
"Cuba is peculiarly situated She belongs TO a gov
eminent that Is far distant and whilst that government
gives lis officers power 10 commit ourages it does
authorize them TO make reparation We are. therefore,
compelled to resort TO Spain for redress whenever the
Cuban officials perperate wrong"
This is the very general belief this country as to the
attributes and authority OF the cap,angen of Cuba;
but il is great error.
The authority of that oticer-,he Spanish Crown IN
Cuba-is dual authority, and far exceeds that of any
other captain-geneal in the Spanish domnlons. The
paragraph above quoted describes very accurately the
usual attributes OF captaingeneal but higher owers
conferred upon the captain general OF Cuba by the
royal decree OF 25th May, 1895, which is still in force
and which reads as follows:
MINISTRY OF WAR.-The King, our lord, whose
royal bosom has been inspired with the greatest conf
dence by your excelencys approved fidelity your indie
augabe zeal in his royal service, by the iudicous and
wedevised measures which, since he honored you with
the command oil that island, you have taken maintain
its possession and To preserve the tranquility OF its faith
full inhabitants, 10 restrain within just limits those
who would leave the path OF honor, and 10 oh as,ise
those who. orgeful OF their duty rashly commit ex.
cesses against our wise laws; and his Majesty being
well convinced that at no time, nor under any circum
stances the principles OF reeude and OF love for his
royal person which characterize your exceIlency will be-
come weakened, and his Majesty wishing, at the same
time, 10 toresail The inconvenience that might result
from the DIVISION OF power, and from the complication
OF the authority and the attributes OF the several officers
Tor the important purpose OF preserving in that precious
island his legitimate sovereign authority and the public
tranquility has seen HI, in conformity with the decision
of his Council OF Ministers, authorze your exec ency
oonhng upon you pnary all NE jaH powsr given by The
royal ordinances governors Of places ia state of sge
In consequence thereof, his Majesty gives TO your excel
ency the most ample and Unlimited authority not only
TO remove from that island al persons, holding office or
not, OF whatever station, rank, class, condition. whose
residence there you may deem preludcal, whose public
private conduct shall inspire you with disrusi re.
placing them ad interim with faithful Of his
Majesty who may merit your entire confidence but also
TO suspend the execution OF any and every general order
or decree IN regard TO all the administrative branches so
far your exceency may deem proper the royal ser
vice. this OF authority TO be in all PROVISIONAL
your excellency reporting 10 his Majesty for his sove
reign appreciation.
His Majesty, in comforting upon you this marked
proof OF his royal esteem, and OF the high confidence
which he Ieposes your accredited loyalty expects that
corresponding worthiy to n, your exceIiency will ex-
erclse The most continued prudence and ccumspeclop
with, at the same lime, interchangeable activity and an
invarable hrmness IN the OF your authority and
confidently expects that your excellency, constituted by
thus proof oil his royal goodness strict respon-
siohty, will Tedoube your vigilance in exacng the oh
servance OF the laws, IN the administration OF justice in
The protection and reward OF the faithful vassas OF his
Majesty and that you will punish, without respect or IA
vor, the errors OF those wbo forgetting their obligations
and what they the best and benecent OF SOW
eregns, give loose rein To sinister Inirlgues,
venng their duty and Infringing the law and its authority
"All OF which | communicate to your excellency by
royal order, for your intelligence, satisfaction nod exact
observance God preserve you many years,
"MkDRip, May as, 1925 "AIMERICH
" To the ChPTAIN.GEssRAL or CuBA"
II is in the exercise OF these extraordinary powers by
the captain general of Cuba that nearly ALL il not ALI
The acts which we deem niungements Of international
comfy are committed The wording Of the gift OF pow.
er-" conieung upon you. penarly, all the ful power
given BY the royal ordinances governors OF places in
state OF slege'-wil convey the most obtuse mind
clear idea OF The vast extent Of those powers Iii the
most absolute reach Of supreme authority persona,ing
the sovereign.
When the captsin.genea OF Cuba replies to foreign
power making claim upon him that be has no authority
TO treat is well understood by all intelligent persons in
Cuba and in SPAIN that be refers TO the usual powers OF
captain general II the party claiming refuses TO ac.
cept this plea buinssts, by exhibition OF force upon
his assuming the authority for the purpose OF epa
ration which he assumed 10 inure, then he does so for
that OCCASION and il is held be precedent for or
binary cases under and within The law of The realm
This royal Decree which send YOU is no, hidden OF,
commission OF power, but has ever been public
and published one Our government, or any other that
chooses so to do bring the captain general 10 account
under il for any infringement By him OF international
law comfy and any one question settled by holding
him to responsibility governor Of place in state Of
s'ege would put final stop all these chickering's and
insults, and place upon firm and peaceful basis our re.
alions with Spain and with the Spanish government in
the island OF Cuba
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. s THRASHER
He recently came 10 The Commereial Uosn;tai ha.o