The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-26
From the N. o. Picsyune.
ABUSE OF AMERICANS IN CUBA.-LETTER FROM
DIR. CHARLES A. PECK.

lcan citizen have been subjected.
The objects in doing this ihreefod lst that the
American people may know what usage they liable TO
receive going to the island I'd that true statement of
the may be made public and 3D. that in far as the
public press may able may induce i'll be instrument
al in enabling obtain from the Spanish government
indemnity for its wrongs toward and for the damage
have sustained II is true but ordinary citizen
yet the protection claimed has It's foundation in the prne
pie Of protection for all.
On the eth Of March left New York in the brig Dun
kirk for the benefit Of my health, in company with Mr.
Lorenzo de Zayas with whom designed forming BUSH
ness connection in Puerto Principe will the full determine
ton take part in any fbusterng revolutionary
movement the islands determination to which most
reigiously adhered while there had certificate Of c-
Zenship under signature and seal of the Hon. VIM. L.
Marcy Secretary of State and duly authenticated pass
port from the Spanish consul in New York On arriving
Nueyitas the l7tb first refused permission
disembark but pay after giving security not to inter
ere with political matters the island permitted to
land and furnished with pass TO Principe distant about
fifty miles by railroad. proceeded thther, complying
cheeully with all laws and regulations of which could
acquire any knowledge paying all necessary taxes report
ing my arrival to the authorities, &c.
As health would permit me- after recovering
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
ly been there week when night at ii o'clock, was
required by four government officers to go and open
Office they might search luggage which there and
which had already been subjected the critical examine
ton of customhouse officials Being satisfied after their
search that nothing wrong they departed The next
annoyance call by officer, few days afterwards
with the notification of fine having been imposed
for having changed my lodgings without informing the
police Fortunately my lodging had not been changed at
ALL and was again left in peace The next curious mat
ter my receiving information through anonymous
| communication that underneath my the police
registry the words Keep close watch this gen.
tleman"
| On Sunday March 25th, while walking in the street
with my partner, officer horseback rode up and
costed him follows as your Lorenzo de Zayas?'
ut is" "Then you prisoner. You neommuni-
Gated you cannot speak word along" He
taken to prison. kept day, and released without hav
ing word said to him, and without knowing why he
| arrested or why he discharged
On the 4th of April government officer entered the Of
fee, where employed upon work had engaged
to do and said my partner: Translate into English all
say You and this prisoners it is the order Of
the captangeneral that you be taken at Havana
You leave my sight but you have the remain
der Of this day to arrange your affairs asked the
of the arrest to which the officer replied al don't know
asked him how long, should be detained in Havana and
received the then friends the gov
ernor of Principe for information with sasac-
tory results That afternoon confined in the bar
racks of the Saliva Guardias military police organization
with free egress from (Which seemed to be kind
of nursery for eas spiders and other vermn the stable
| and horseyard
At four o'clock morning were conducted to the
Nuevas railroad. In Nuevas delivered to
the governor to be kept safe until the day. 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 by
friends it could not be given TO without sending per-
son to find him, which took about hour. We break
IA 10
vision of friends outside should probably not have break
tasted dined that day at all During the whole time
while under confinement except when the steamboat
from Nuevitas to Havana obliged furnish our
food and to have beds brought into the prisons
| own expense
At Nuevitas sent for the American consul Mr. Richard
Gibbs before whom made protest in the of an
American citizen against all powers authorities per-
that were holding in bondage and declaration
that held them responsible for whatever expense
age myself might result from it, This protest was mme
diatey forwarded to Col Robertson acting United States
consul at Havana and by him transmitted the Depart
ment of State at Washington.
| At o'clock the 9Th was again summoned to 90 on
board the steamer PeYayo for Havana was furnished
with forwarddeck passage among horses and dogs and
negroes and what still in the scale of existence
the mercenary soldiers of SPAIN while the officer in charge
provided himself with comfortable quarters in the after
cabin. Being much of health sent to the officer to
know where could find bed to lie down upon The an
swer that at night berths would be put up on the
deck until that hour must lie where could find place
accordingly selected place the upper deck when |
fell asleep and contracted cold from the effect of which,
owing to the delicate state of lungs have yet
covered Once twice for having wandered far to-
wards the after part Of the boat gruy ordered
ward by undengs board and nearly as could Judge
from my slight of the Spanish language nsulted
in altogether uncaed for. At night being una
BILE and disposed to sleep in the place provided was
by the kindness of friend furnished with berth in the
afer-cabin Upon arriving in Havana taken to the
palace prison whichever may be caed) of the cap
taingenera who could be time and from
thence to the Saliva Guardas Barracks where was again
/ confined under guard of soldiers.
i As circumstances would permit on the evening
of that day, succeeded in getting the American consul
informed of my whereabouts he himself having been all
day unsuccessfuy trying obtain such information lie
Immediately called upon me- and through his influence
believe my case was expedited for the day was
waited upon by two officers who answer to
their questions, received the following information:
"My name is Charles A. Peck was born in Connecti-
cut in the United States thrty-hree years old; by
profession dentist, and have family residing in New
York where am citizen and voter; Cuba on
the nth OF March first for the benefit Of health
ond to establish business; had money TO support
me until business should be established lodged at 35
Santa Anna street my Office 20 st John street
brought no printed papers letters from the Cuban
junta; | do not know them | known by the
name of Pickett; and at Cardenas when LOPEZ
N 10 tho frat tirnaI