Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-01
From the N. Y. Journal OF Commerce, April 27.
DIR. Peck's Treatment by the Cuban Au-
thOrities.

Dr. Peck's Treatment by the Cuban Au-
thorities.
There can be no doubt, from Dr. Peck's re-
port of the examination to which he was SUBJ |
jected upon his arrival as a prisoner in Ha- |
vana, that he was supposed to have been one of
the party led by Lopez to the invasion of the !
Island of Cuba at Cardenas, and was suspected |
of being emissary Of the Cuban Junta in |
this city. His employment in the latter capa-
city was doubtless inferred solely from the fact |
of his assumed identification with a person |
known to have accompanied the Lopez Expe
dition, by the name Of Pickett For he had no |
printed or other documents connecting him with |
the enemies of the Spanish rule, as was proved |
by careful search on the part of the author- |
ties, both before and after his arrest; and the |
inability of his prosecutors to find any inculpa- |
tory testimony against him goes far to confirm |
his own reservations of innocence, and his re- |
pudiation of completely or even acquaintance
with the Cuban Junta in New York. 1t must |
be obvious to the unbiased judgment, from pc
rusng the various statements that have been
published on the subject, and especially from
the moderate and dignifed tenor Of the letter
in which this latest victim of provincial tyranny
details the series of annoyances and hardships
to which he was subjected, that DR.. Peck is
what he represents himself to bean invalid
who sought to avail himself of the restorative
influence Of tropical climate, and who, being
possessed Of limited means, proposed to earn
money to defray his expenses while on the
island by the practice of his profession in the
town Of Principe He established himself
there about the middle of March, and within a
week thereafter his Office was invaded at eleven
o'clock at night and bis effects we're fruitlessly
examined in search of evidence tending to
crimiuate him. A few days later he was mott
AZ IL n1 81 IL.
lodgings without informing the police, when in
fact he had made no change at all. On the 4th
instant he was arrested, and shortly after con-
Quoted to the military barracks, in which he
was confined, being allowed egress only "to the
stable and horse-yard." There he was kept till
four o'clock the next morning, when he was
taken by railway to Nuevitas. At Nuevitas he
was put in Jail, and remained without food since
the day before, till noon, when it was furnished
him by friends outside the prison. He was de-
tanned that night in Jail, and at four a. m on
the 9th was carried on board the Spanish
steamer Pelayo, in which he was conveyed to
Havana. On board this steamer food was fur
nished him by his captors, for the first time
since his arrest. While in prison he had to
supply himself, not only with food but even
with bed, at his own cost. Arrived at Ha.
vana, morning Of the eth, he was consigned
The next day he was Intercepted as to his
identity and occupation, and from the questions
put to him il appeared that he was suspected
Of 6llibustering. He was kept in confinement
till the llth, when, without ever having been
notified Of the charges alleged against him, be
was released on security given by a person
whom he had never before seen; and two DAYS
after he was notified Of his unconditional re-
lease, with permission to reside anywhere upon
the Island, except at Principe, where he had
left his business and the instruments of his pro-
fsssion, and where alone he wished TO 90.
After such an experience Of Cuban hospitality,
it is not to be wondered that he should have
left in the first steamer, without regard to its
destination; which he did, having availed him.
self Of Captain Bullock's offer Of passage in
the Black Warrior to New Orleans, although
his home is in this city.
The treatment DIR. Peck experienced, is what
every American, who goes to Cuba, is liable to,
and may expect, unless the Spanish govern
ment is made to respond in damages for the in
jury inflicted, as often as such instances OF wan
ton aggression shall occur. Ii is no sufficient
answer to the demand for redress, that the Gu
ban government is compelled by considerations
OF selfdelense to exercise rigid supervision
upon the acts Of foreigners. That plea affords
no excuse for subjecting persons arrested on
bare suspicion, to privations such as are calcu-
lated TO destroy comfort and impair health; nor
in ordinary cases would il justify the removal
of the prisoner to a great distance from his res
idence, without information Of the offence i'm.
puted to him, or opportunity to explain the cir
cumstances Of suspicion and rebut the proof
adduced against him. which he might be able
readily TO accomplish, if allowed preliminary
trial or examination at the scene Of his arrest
IL is a barbarous characteristic Of Spanish Judi
cial proceedings, unworthy Of an enlightened
age, that by their operation persons are arrest.
ed and discharged in ignorance Of the cause Of
either action, and without even pretext being
assigned for the invasion Of personal liberty,
next to life the dearest right that man possesses.
This is not alone the practical effect Of Cuban
police, as administered under General Concha,
but the avowed policy of his government, and
is proved by bis reply to Colonel Robertson,
Acting United States Consul at Havana; who,
in this very case of Dr. Peck, protested against
his confinement without being apprised OF his
imputed offense, and was told by the Captain
General that the government did not hold itself