The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-26

proof VERY forum ately, indeed 'If you desire
peace prepare for war; says the old wisdom sprinsng
PLAIN sind direct an application
Abuse lof Americans In Cuba!
LETTER FROM DIR. Oh. A. PECK.
From the New Orleans Pcayune, April 10
No. II ROYAL STREET, April Is, 1855.
Having just reached New Orleans, after my release,
rather my escape from the clutches OF Spanish ter
T0rsm To- Cuba permit me 70 make ss tnsonsn
citizen have been subjected.
The objects in doing this are threefold:-First that
the American people may know what usage they are
liable to receive goiag to the island second that
true statement OF the may be made public; and
third that in so far as tae public press may be able,
may induce IT 10 be Instrumental in enabling me to OBJ
tain frcm the Spanish government indemnity for its
wrongs towards me- and for the damage | have sus-
tanned Il ID true am but ordinary citizen, yet the
protection claimed has its foundation in the principle Of
On the sth Of March left New York in the brig Dun
kirk the benefit of my health company with Mr.
Lorenzo de Zsyas, with whom designed forming bust
connection in Puerto Principe, with the full de.
termination to take no part in any fhbustering
volution airy movement the island determination to
which most relgiously adhered while there. had
certificate Of citizenship under signature and seal
Of the Hon. VIM. L. Marcy, Secretary of Stite
and duly authenticated passport from the Spanish
Consul in New York. On arriving at Nuevtas on the
18th at first refused permission to disembark but
finally after givtne security not to interfere with
political msters on the island was permitted to land
fifty miles by railroad. proceeded thither complying
cheerfuiy with all laws and regulations Of which
taxes reporting my arrival to the authorities, &c.
As soon rs health would permit me- after recover.
Ing from the effects OF travelling, arrangements
made for the prosecution of business and in accordance
with the established usages and customs Of the place
had scarcely been there week, when one night, at
eleven O'Clock, was required by four government Of
fcers to and my office, that they might search
luggage which was there and which had already been
subjected to tie critical examination Of custom house
officials Being satisfied, after their SEARCH that nothing
was wrong, they departed. The next annoyance was
Arr nj n hmm on mi for
changed my lodgings without informing the police For
tunately my lodging had not been changed at All and
my receiving information, through anonymous
munication that underneath my name the police
gistry were the words: "Ksep close watch on this
On Sunday March 25 while walking in the street with
my partner officer horseback rode up aud accost
ed him as follows: els your Lorenzo de ZsyasS'
SIT isn aThen you are prisoner You are in com
nicated; yos cannot speak one word; come along" He
taken prison, Ike day and released without
having word said 10 hum and without knowing why he
was arrested or why he was discharged.
On the 4th Of April government officer entered the
Office wbsre we we're employed upon work we had
gagged to do and said to my partner, Translate into
English all say Yoa ana this man nan, are prsoners It .
snce to Havana. You cannot leave my sight, but you
can have the remainder Of this day to arrange your a
Hcer replied, az don't know" asked him how long
should be detained in Havana, and received the
answer then sent friends Of Principe
for information with satisfactory results. That
afternoon confined in the barracks OF the Saliva
Guardias, military police with free egress
from room (which seemed to be kind Of nursery
for fess spiders and other vermn 10 the stable and
horse yard.
the Neuvitas railroad In Neuvitas delivered
to the Governor TO be kept safe untu the next
d,y He caused to be put in the jail under guard
Of soldiers. Here the keeper locked in and went
away with the key; that when had something to
eat brought TO by friends could not be given
% 70
and 1t not for the provision of friends outside,
should probably not have or dined that day
at all During the whole time while under conhne msnt,
except lie the steamboat from Neuvitas to Havana,
obliged TO furnish our own food and to have
bees brought INTO the al UIr own Con." Mr.
Richard Gibbs, before whom l made protest In the
name Of sn American citizen against al powers, au-
thorss and PSI that holding me In bondage
and declaration that held them responsible for what
e1peuse temage to myself might result from it.
SON. Acting L. s. Consul at Hnvana, and by him trans
mittsd to tie Department of State at Washington.
Ala O'Clock, on the th, was again summoned 70 go
nishei with forward deck passage, among horses and
dogs and negroes and what still worse in the scale
ofoer IN ci aree provided himsel, with comfortable
quarters in the after cabin Being much out OF health
sent to the officer to know where could find bed 10
lie down upon The answer was, that at night berths
would be put up the deck-until that hour must lie
where's could find place ! accordingly selected a
place on the upper deck when fell asleep and contract
ed cold from the effects Of which, owing to the deli
cate state Of my lungs have not yet recovered Once
wandered
part Of the boat sruy ordered forward BY under
fngs on board and as nearly as could Judge from my
slight knowledge Of the Spanish language nsuled in
altogether uncsled for At night, being unable
and not disposed to sleep in the place provided
by the kudess OF FRIEND furnished with birth in the
after cabin Upon arriving in Havana, was taken to
the palace or prison whichever it may be caledl Of
the Captain General who could not be seen at that
time and from thence to the Saliva Guardas barracks
where was again confined under guard Of soldiers
As soon as circumstances would PERMIT, on the even
ing Of tha. day, succeeded in getting the American
been all day unsuccessfuly trying to obtain such ufor
nation. He Immediately called upon me, and through
bis influence, as believe, my case was expedited, for
the next day was waited upon by two government OH
cer Who in answer to their questions, received the fol
aMy name 10 Charles A. Peck; was born in Connecti
cut In the United states thrtythree years old by
profession dentist and have family residing In Ne
YORK where am citizen and voter came to Cuba on
the 18th Of March hfst for the benefit OF health
oond. to establish business had money to sup
port me until business should be established lodged al
thought printed papers letters from the Cuban
Justa do not know them; was never kno ~n by the
name OF Pickett and Was not at Csrdenas when Lopez
landed IN 1851; this is the hrs time the
isiand.n
On the nth Apr, notice was given me that the Cap
tain General would release me security, which
rity was given me by q gentleman had before
seen-not money security-but bond requiring the
siver to put his neck in my halter should escape OF
course hoHor made me more OF q prisoner than was
before.
On the 18th received notice from the Captain
Of my entire release upon the spot then and With
the privilege Of settling In any part Of the island
chose except Puerto Principe, where had left my bust
ness and Instruments for IT, and where all my acquain.
tsnces the island were living. declined the offer,
preerng TO return to the United States By the FIRST
opportunity, rather than be subjected TO any more
arrest TO the present time had from the govern
nent any intimaton further than my examination led
me 70 in'er, OF the cause OF 4, nor could ascertain
va. 10 ne equally unaccountabis my arrest and
ia'sar than wait for steamer 20 New YORK thsrsby
lEc n she rsk SOanfah r.ant Ia