The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-25
DR., s1OUARD.
Ills Spanish Prison House at
Cadiz.
CHAINED TO THE WALL.
The Irons Stricken Off at Our
Consul's Request.
A n u M A NJ w r Z G < !.
A HUI M Al w r Z G K .
Tried by His Personal Enemies and In
His Absence.
FACTS FOR SECRETARY FISH.
Interview with the Unprotected
American Citizen.

OADIZ, Spain, May D. 1872.
DR.. John d. Houard, the American citizen whom
drumhead court martial OF Cuban volunteers
after a mock trial, at which the accused was not
present. condemned to eight years. penal servitude
at Ceuta reached this port the 1st Of April. He
was accompanied by the famous Cuban revolutionist
Domingo Guira, who was sentenced to ten years.
hard labor at Ceuta. Immediately on landing they
were conducted, heavily chained and under an i'm
posing escort Of troops, to the Pententary Of this
city, there to remain until an opportunity might
present Itself to transport them to their future
prison. 1t was intended not to make known the
place of confinement OF these two State prisoners
because the Spanish government, which Is always
imagining and dreaming Of ideal and visionary
enemies and dangers, apprehended an attempt to
rescue the hard-lated men by handful Of Cuban
exiles, now residing In Cadz under strict police
surveillance Hence as soon as q few Cubans pre-
scented themselves before the gloomy iron gate OF
the prison and politely requested permission to
visit the prisoners the Governor brusquely informed
them that peremptory orders had been Issued from
Madrid
MOTTO ALLOW ANY PERSON WHATSOEVER
TO hold intercourse with Messrs. E6uard and
Guiral The Governor, furthermore, made this visit
OF the Cubans pretext for increasing the load OF
irons on the wrists and ankles Of the prisoners
which were already heavy enough to chain an ele-
plant poweress. few days ago Sehor Guiral and
another prisoner were stealthiy embarked on board
vessel and shipped to Ceuta DR.. Houard, how
ever, was ordered to remain here. This action of
the Spanish government is regarded by the friends
Of the Doctor earnest that it Is the intention
OF the authorities at Madrid to heed the tenor of
the resolutions recently introduced into the House
of Representatives by General Banks, and notice Of
which was received per cable.
Yesterday afternoon ! accompanied General
Dur1e, the American Consul for this port, on
VISIT TO DIR. HoUARD.
General Durfie who has been unremitting in his
attentions to the Doctor since his arrival, has
Gently .cceeded in inducing the Governor Of the
prison !, remove his shackles and handouts, which,
II they had remained on much longer, would have
gnawed into the unfortunate old mans nesh and
become part and parcel OF what is left Of him. The
Doctor has also been permitted to purchase a few
articles OF dress, to replace the ragged garb
he wore when he came here.
THE SPANISH PRISON HOUSE.
We were not long In reaching our destination.
The prison is located on the southern extremity OF
She city, facing the It stands by itself on top
Of the thick high walls that ercumscrbe the city,
nm ordinary, square, large, two-story, stucco old
building, painted white, and looks more like a de-
serted military barracks than pententiary. 1t
was probably constructed O hundred years ago, and
since It's erection has doubtless served a null
hpliety of purposes, from palace downwards.
II IL now In the last stages OF decay,
and was on this account deemed quail
Ted for a penitentiary. Four or five sem
tinels paced slowly up and down the long front of
the edihce and cast urtive glances at us as we ap
preached. They may have taken US for ON army OF
two, which is the usual size Of the terrible Carst
armies the Spanish papers say the government
and data ,lny Rnfnr
ing up to the entrance could hardly refrain from
contemplating for moment
THE BEAUTIFUL SCENE FROM THE RAMPARTs.
1t was remarkably bright, clear day, clear
that far away to the south, we could just discern
the shadows of the hills OF Africa. The soft, blue
ocean lay before calm that not ripple marred
Its CLASSY surface. What pity that spot lovely
should be devoted to purposes of torture and suf-
fering
Az we approached the gate the sentinel stood OF
"attenton," and riveted his big, black, r0gush eyes
on us, II lie would eat us up. General Durfe
raped his cane against the iron bars Of
the gate and turnkey Immediately ap-
peared. The General, without waiting to be asked
what we wanted told him to inform His Excellency
the Governor of the prison that the Consul of the
United States desired TO be granted
THE DISTINGUISHED HONOR OF AN INTERVIEW
The turnkey left. He returned in about minute,
md unlocking the gate, we entered. He closed
the gate behind and escorted us into small,
cherries room, which was scantiy furnished with
o table, at which two convicts In convict garb sat
writing. few chairs and sort OF antique cane
bottom sofa completed the economy of the room.
This room communicated with the Governors
private sanctunl. We could see nothing Of
this apartment, except the back OF the
Governors secretary, who was buejly engaged in
writing ct deal table. Opposite 10 him and facing
MS was the Governor, who was at that moment
disposmg Of his breakfast, y was about halfpast
one IN the afternoon His Exceency, on seeing
ns. ran his napkin across his black mustache,
smiled and advanced 70 meet US. lie cordially
shook us boil by the hand and asked us we
would do him the honor OF Joining him at break
fast We, Of course, politely declined with thanks.
wonder what he would have done If we had
accepted After the customary bows and saluta-
lions spanish fashion, during which tho Governor
overwhelmed US with assurances Of his everlasting
affection, His Excenency requested US TO be seated,
and
ORDERED THE ruRNKEY TO BRING DOWN DIR.
HouARp.
HIS Excenency then excused himself and returned
10 finish his repast. In few minutes DR.. Houard
appeared. He is n tall, thin gentleman, and bears
nnmistakable evidences OF his long and rigid i'm
p:isonment, now extending over n period OF sew
enteen months. He wears q full short beard, but no
mnstache He was 20 pale and haggard that he
seemed like a man Just arisen from bed OF sick
ness His eyes especially had lost all their Iustre
During the conversation that followed he was RE-
qlently so overcome with emotion that he went
His demcanor was renned and marked with
that cautious, polite reserve so frequent among
gentlemen OF his profession. He was attired in
deep black. He il ffty-seven years old He speaks
English with the nuency OF native who has never
resided In q foreign land, and
ACCENT IS PURELY AMERICAN
Doctor" observed II trust that your mis-
fortunes viii soon be over. I understand that
General Banks has introduced resolution in the
House OF Representatives. requesting the President
N demaRd Of the Spanish government your uncon-