New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-29
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1872

a verdict that the Doctor was guilty OF the
high crime OF treason Even to the most
ultra adherents of the crown this decision
caused astOnishment. But he was an uncle
of the brave Gavadas. and deserved all the
hatred of the Spanish Heart, and must be
got rid OF some way.
The sentence soon followed the decision
of the court, and it was that the prisoner
should undergo eight years servitude in
the cllain-gane. with the cOnfiscation of all
his.estate, OF which he had considerable, to
the crown. From CienfuegOs he was sent
to Havana, where he arrived on the fifteenth
of February last. United States Consul
General Torbert, writing to the Doctors
brother in this city, the letter being dated
the twenty-third of February, says: 'Dr.
Howard reached here on the evening Of the
fifteenth. and | went to see him in the
city prison. An extension OF Morr0
Castle.-REr.l on the sixteenth, as soon as
| heard he had arrived. His sentence had
not commenced to be put in execution. l
at once interceded with the Captain Gen
eral so far as to ask that he be not sent to
work outside of the prison, as is the regu-
lation. and | was assured that my wishes
should be complied with His servant has
Just been 20 see me, and informed me that
bis hair and beard have been cut off and
the prison garb put on, but he has no
chains on, nor has he been put to work"
1t seems that the Captain General how
ever, does not differ in one respect with Of
fciaIs nearer home, whose promises can not
be relied upon. In few days he was
loaded with chains and put to work, with
criminals of the worst stripe, IN the pub
lie streets of Havana.
Thus wrote gentleman who saw him in
the chain gang: He has been lncessant IN
his appeals 10 his government, but he feels
that it has neglected him." and we'll he
might. But working in the chain-gang in
the streets OF Havana, this victim of
Spanish justice proved sharp thorn in the
sides OF the authorities. They felt that So
long as he was daily presented as a com
mentarv on Spanish equity, his hardships
would be popularly discussed, and perhaps
might arouse the dormant sensibiiities of
the United States. They decided there
fore. to exile him to the penal colony ol
Ceuta, where he would be immured for
years, never, it might be, to look upon the
faces OF his children or his friends again. as
thoroughly cut off from intercourse with
the world at large as though he were dead.
To permit this. they strained a law under
which all convicts sentenced to ten years in
the chain-gang were to be sent to Ceuta.
and those with shorter sentences to labor
in the streets of Havana, or other cities,
and on public works. A few days ago, not
withstandiDg his term of servitude was
eight years. he was ironed, taken on board
a Spanish man of war. and is now OF his
way to the far OF penal settlement on the
coast of Africa.
Thus il is that an American citizen, limo
cent of all the charges n.,de against him,
is, by the apathy Of the nation owing him
protection. carried into cruel exile. That
there may be no doubt OF his unchanged
allegiance, We give here the affidavit OF a
NJ f -iIn at
Cientue"os. now in the possession of the
State Department.:
II, Oh Ga h. say that in the latter part of
1868 and the first part of 1869 was United
States Consular Agent at Cientutgos. in
the island OF Cuba. and that in the latter
part of 1868, or first part Of 1869. d..
Emilio J. Howard, then at Cieniuegos, was
enrolled as al American citizen at the
United States Consulate in that city; that
lie was one of a number of American citl-
zens who signed an application to me to
have an American man-ot-war sent to the
port of Clcntuegos ior the protection of
the rights and property of American citi-
zeus; that | never knew him to act or talk
otherwise than as a bonatlde American
citizen: that | was acquainted with hun,
and he was generally known as an .ilEeri
can citizen; | have never had any knUwl-
edge information or intimation OF his tax
ing any part whatever in political matters
in the late disturbances in Cuba"
NJ. II. Morris, Esq present United States
Consul at Cien1uegc-, makes affidavit as
follows:
Il do hereby certify that on the twenty
fifth daT OF November, A. ID. 1870, per-
sunallv appeared before me John Emilio
Howard, physician, and declared himself
citizen of the United States of America,
having been born in Philadcphia. Penr-yi-
vania.' .
Dated Cienfugos, March I. 1872. :.
The Spanish authorities alleged that Dr.
Howards father held government ottirc.
and became thereby Spanish subject,
which is absolutely false. as he never held
Office under the crown Of Spain.
This is the story OF Dr.. Howard's arrest.
imprisonment and exile. 1t is based upon
athdavits-a large number OF them-Dow in
the keeping OF the Secretary OF State In
the light of this revelation. has not the con
duct OF the government been shameiul!y III
different to his misfortunes! Perhaps some
thing may yet be done TO rescnG the lnuo-
cent man. since Congressman Randall. o;
this city. on Tuesday, Offered and had
passed il the !0use, resolution asking Tor
full information respecting hts case from the
Secretary of state.
TIE final act Of injustice was committed
few DAYS since. wheu an order WAS prumu,-
gated confscating DR.. Howard's estate.
thus leaving his three daughters II de-ti-
TUE Circumstances.