The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-27
CUTTINGS THANKS.
A Letter TO the People, the Govern
ment aud the Press.

FL PAso, TEN, August 24.-Cutting
today published the following address:
To Ms Fellow Citizens of the United States:
am at last free from the Mex can
dungeon, and consider it my first
duty 10 tender my heartfelt thanks to
the people Of my country for the pa.
triotic and determined stand they
have taken in my behalf, for ne, sim
ply ss the representative of the prin-
cip'e that American citiz2ns must not
be punished by foreign governments
for otensss committed within the
jurisdiction Of the United States.
also return my sincere thanks to the
representatives OF our Natoual Gov
ernment, to the eminent statesman,
the Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, Secrs-
tary OF State, who came 30 promptly
to the rescue, ard laid down 20 clearly
the doctrine of non-in,eIferencs By
foreign nations with matters over
which our American States alone
have jurisdiction. l am also
under obligations to the American
Minister in Mexico, Gen. Jackson, but
more especially am l confident that l
but epeak the sentiment of 600O0,000
American citizens when l compliment
our own patriotic and efficient Ameri-
can Consul at Paso del Norte, the
Hon. j. Harvey Bri4 ham, for the
skillful and able manner in which be
has conducted this international affair
from its inception. His manly pres
ence in my dungeon and many cheer
ing words of hope and confideDcs in
our great and good government at all
times, was like balm to my depressed
spirits. II l may believe it, Consul
Brigham has outwitted the hand
writing on the wall of many Mexi.
can dungeon where today are rotting
away Americans bereft OF all hope.
THANKS TO THE PRESS.
To my brethren of the mighty press
for the zeal and esrne tness and I'M
ceasing energy with which they have
discussed this matter, and kept it be-
fore the people and the government, |
owe debt Of gratitude | shall never
be able to repay; aud the citizens OF
Ell Psso-God bless them one and all
i hope many yeals to remain with
them, and by my acts SLOW my ein-
cerity of appreciation for their many
kindnesses during my il carcerstion.
am satisfied tnat The Uni'ed States
can never yield the point involved in
my Imprisonment and sentence. With
a frontier extending over 1900 miles
between Mexico and the United States,
and the business relations of the two
countries growing more intimate, our
government can never allow the claim
of Mexico 10 punish American c,ti-
zens for ofenses comm United within the
i, United States; should it be, it would
become unsafe for Americans who
ever had q difficulty with a Mexican
on the American side of the lac
10 Gross the river into old Mex
leo, as in my case. The matter
his been brought so prominently be-
lore the not ce of our government and
people, now is the proper time to set
e it forever. 1t will be noticed that
in releasing me from custody Mexico
SILL claims the privilege 10 punish
Americans for acts committed on
American soil, and simply expresses
herself as satisfied that the amount Of
punishment ] have lr;ady undergo
is sufficient to atone for the ofenss.
The same principle is asserted here ss
would have been carried out il l had
served twelve months at hard labor in
the mines and paid the $500 fine i'm
posed. The court which arrC sted,
TIED and convicted me has been fully
supported by the Mexican govern
ment, and, as far as ! can see, no coz
cessions have been made by my liberia
ton.
PUNISHED ENOUGH.
l have been punished enough, there.
fore l am set free, but the main issue
between the two governments is thai
one claims the right to punish Amer
leans for ofensss committed within
the United States, and the other deny
ing that right, remains unaffected by
my liberation; however, ! have full
faith in the determination of the gov
eminent to settle this matter at once
and forever as well as to require Of Mex.
leo ample inc emnity for the wrong she
has done me, which she has unjUst!y
and cruelty inflicted.
In conclusion, l can t7uthiully as
sert from experience during resi-
dence, off ard on in old Mexico for
nearly two years, that the Mexican
heart is inspired with a cowsrdly
hatred Of the American, and not until
the stars and stripes are borne from
the border to the Gulf will the lives
and property of Americans be safe
within the line of this semi.civiIizsd
corner of the northern country. Most
respectfully, Al CUTTING.