Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-05
Spanish Outrages.

through her, TO the Teucral government. WneH
anything personal Is said In relation to these sent
ments, shall answer in monosyllabe.
Spanish Outrages,
The New York Herald has obtained through the
agency of one Of its Washington correspondents
from the files of the State Department, a copy of
the following letter addressed by j. s. Thrasher to
Mr. Marcy in reference to the Illegal imprisonment
of two American citizens by the Cuban authorities
New ORLEANS, December %, 1854.
Sin 1t has been stated III several Of the public
prints that two persons said to be American citizens
lately arrested in Baracoa Cuba, are to be subjected
by Gen. Concha to the same ordeal that was sub
jected TO in Havana some three years since; and
this statement being confirmed by letter from
Col. w. II. Robertson, our acting Consul ut Ha-
vana, published in this evenings Picayune Il am
induced to address you on the subject in order re-
spectfnlly to urge that the Department of State
take such steps in the matter as in my belief will
save those persons from much of the terrible suf
fering was compelled to undergo and ensure
truth and justice in the proceedings.
The usual course pursued by the Spanish gov
eminent in Cuba, in these cases. Is to conine the
accused for days. and sometimes for weeks, in the
strictest solitary confinement, communication with
any person being absolutely prohibited. When
the physical and mental powers of the accused be-
come sufficiently debilitatcd by the agony Of this
confinement, the fiscal or prosecuting attorney of
the court proceeds to his dungeon, and he is sub
iected to the most stringent and searching ques-
lioning that the wit of men long practsed in the
subtleties Of the law can devise. Fancied facts
and declarations of other parties are cited; me-
naces and deusive promises are made; opinions
supposed to be entertained are sedulously sought
for, accompanied with the fallacious assertion
g that the government does not punish for them,
but only for acts !" and every artifce is used TO
make the accused lay bare every act of his life,
and to contradict himself in his statements, in
der that the confliction in his testimony may
weaken his assertions of innocence. These deca-
rations by the accused are all taken down in
writing and constitute the basis of the process
against him by government whose only aim is
not to fail in prosecution, because 1t weakens its
moral power. b-a ss
Any one even the most innocent. subjected to
the horrors of such an ordeal, without friend or
counsel near must have strength of constitution,
physically and mentally, that is seldom found to
enable him to bear up against them, ] can say
this truly, for l know it from bitter experience.
American citizens hope to find protection from
these influences In the seventh article Of the treaty
of hes between the United States of America and
SPAIN which reads as follows:
/" And in all cases Of seizure detention or arrests
for debts contracted or offences committed by any
citizen subject Of one party within the jurisdc-
ton Of The other, the same shall be made and pros
cording TO the regular course Of proceeding in
such cases. Tho citizens and subjects of both par
ties shall be allowed to employ such advocate, so
licitors notaries, agents, and factors they may
Judge proper in all their affairs and in all their
trials at law in which they may be concerned be-
fore the tribunals Of the other party. And such
agents shall have free to be present at the
proceeding in such causes, and at the taking Of all
examinations and evidence which may be exhibited
In said trials"
IL the Spanish government be induced to com.
ply with these stipulations, and allow the counsel
for the defence freely chosen TO be present at the
proceedings In such and at the taking of all
examinations and evidences which may be exhib-
tied In said tralsn Il win be freed from any accu-
sation partially and injustice; and there be
no reason TO believe that the presence Of such
counsel for defence would interfere with the clicits
ton Of the truth, that IL would subterfuge
and delay as supposed by General Concha in his
letter TO the Spanish Minister at Washington re-
garding my case.
II the desire Of the Spanish government in Cuba
is il asserts simply TO do justice to all il would
seem that there could be no valid reason why il
should evadc the stipulations Of the treaty. and
persist In practically denying to accused person
the benefit Of counsel and defence. This ancient
rule of law has been long since abrogated among
civilized nations. contrary course IN the trial of
any American citizen in Cuba can only gather new
complications around the already numerous qucs-
tons pending between the two governments, and
increase the necessary requests for copies Of test
mony and proceedings before the Spanish courts,
which you have so often and so unsucccsfuy made
for me.
In respectfully urging the consideration Of these
views upon the Department OF State must say
that ] have no knowledge of the persons now under
arrest in Cuba, Of their acts, further than what
read in the public prints, and my only wish is to
see justice accorded TO my fellow citizens there.
have tho honor to be, respectfully, your obedi-
ent servant, J. s. THRAsHER 4
Hon. WV. L. MARCY, Secretary Of State.
THE AMERICAN PARTY.--We publish in this
issue the mastery reply of a gentleman of dis
tincton from this State to the celebrated letter Of
Mr.. Wise upon the Know Nothing movement 1t
is signed R." but from the editorial of the 4meri-
Organ, in which II appeared it is generally be.
cved TO have been written by the-Hon. X. Ray
ner II is a calm review Of the positions assumed
by Mr.. Wise and forcible, clear and logical de-
fence of the principles of the American party. In
its tone and manner, IL Is highly commcndabc,
and It's sentiments are such will be readily en-
braced by every true, patriotic American, jealous
Of the rights and liberties Of his country and de-
voted to the welfare and perpetuity Of the Union.
h.y Roieigb, N. G. Star.
supreme Court of the United states.
THURSDAY, January 4, 1855.
Nos. 8S and 80. James Williams's administrator,
IL.