Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-19
CASE OF DIR. PECK.

CASE OF DIR. PECK.
In our last issue, we published an account OF
the arrest of Dr. Peck, an American citizen,
recently arrested at Trinidad, Cuba, by the
Spanish authorities. We also published an
abstract of the proceedings Of public meeting,
held to concert measures for his relief A
committee was appointed by the meeting to
present to the President of the United States a
true state of the circumstances connected with
his arrest, and to ask his official interposition
in behalf Of DR.. Peck. That committee con-
sisted of Messrs. Edwin o. Perrin, William II.
Stafford, and Lyman Fisk. We find in the
Union Of Tuesday morning, the following letter,
which was addressed to the President by the
committee:
WAsHNGToN, d. c., April l6, 1855.
SIR The undersigned were, on Saturday
evening last, April Il, appointed committee
to wait upon your excellency, in order to lay
before you the case of DIR. Charles A. Peck of
New York city, recently arrested at Trinidad,
Cuba, and to ask the immediate action Of this
government in his behalf
DR.. Peck is native OF Bridgeport, Connec-
tlcut; thirty years of age; and has for about
to- ears practised dentistry in our city, where
has quiet and gentlemanly department has rem
dered him greatly beloved by q large circle OF
personal friends. lie has a wife and two
children 1.-THE eldest about four and half years
of age) now residing there
For some years past his health has been ex-
tremely delicate; aud close confinement to his
profession brought on q pulmonary disease,
| and to avoid the fatal effects of which, one OF
us, DR.. Fisk, who has been his family physician
for several years past,) in February last ad-
vised him to seek warmer climate.
DIR. Peck, being totally dependent upon his
own exertions for support, was advised that in
the island of Cuba he could not only recruit
| his declining health, but maintain himself and
| family. Accordingly, on the Sth of last month,
| march, he sailed from New York for Neu-
| vitas, where he arrived on the 18th His
| place of destination was Puerto Principe
and he was accompanied by a young Cuban,
named Lorenzo de Zayrus, native of this
| place, who had for some three years been a
student in the Office of DIR. Peck. DIR. Peck is
| totally unacquainted with the Spanish Ian
guage; he has no acquaintance in the island
with the exception OF this Young man and
family. Nor was he in any way or manner
connected with any Of the political parties O
on Friday last by his wife, announcing bis safe
arrival out. On Saturday morning his friend.
we're shocked by Geographic dispatch from
Charleston, published in the New York papers
announcing his arrest at Trinidad, and remova
and confinement in Havana. A large, sponta
neous meeting of his friends took place on the
same evening, and we were deputed to pro
coed forthwith to Washington, and present hi,
case to the government. A letter was received
| by one : of his friends from gentleman a
| Principe, stating that DR.. p was arrested Inc
cause or reason being assigned) at midnight
| his residence and office ransacked, and ht
| grossly insuled and confined in stable among
cattle, where it was feared that the unhealthy
exhalations will quickly overcome him, and thu
immediate action of his friends urged as thu
only means to save his life.
We, sir, have known him most intimately
have been connected with him in social, lite
rary, and other associations and no young
man in our city has more numerous anc
warmer friends.
We are all well convinced of his entire limo
cence, and entertain no doubt of his ultimate
release. But the danger is, that before that in
nocence can be made known the victim, unac
climated, in delicate health, and in close con
hnement may perish before the dilatory actor
OF the Spanish Government will take cogni
zance of his case.
We, therefore, ask your excelency to senc
Immediately special agent with instructions
First. To examine fully into the circum
stances of the case Of DR.. c. A. Peck and, i
guilty Of no offence, to demand his immediate
release; and, in the mean time, that proper at
tention be paid to his physical condition ant
comfort.
Second. That he be at once furnished witt
the charges against him, and allowed an imme
date examination, with the privilege Of coun
sci, the attendance of his friends, and the ben
eft Of witnesses
Third. That the said agent Of Government
take the most immediate and active measures
necessary to secure to DR.. Peck all the rights
and privileges due to an American citizen.
And, finally, to claim from the Spanish Gov
eminent pecuniary Naturalization for any loss
OF property or other damage sustained by him
and such other and further PREPARATION as his
case imperatively demands.
We have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obedient servants,
EDWIN 0. PERRIN,
WILLIAM r. STAFFORD,
LYMAN FISK,
Committee from New York City.
To his Excellency FRANKLIN PIERCE,
Il. e ..-IC