No. 20
... ...

Consulate of the
United States
Havana Nov. 25, 1851

Sir,

Herewith, I have the honor to enclose duplicates of my communications ... 28 & 29 together with several copies of communications of Mr. John S. Thrasher to me dated respectively the 7th, 8th & 15th Inst. also copies of my communications to the Governor & Capt. General of the 12th, 15th, 16th & 21st Inst. & copies of the Govr & Capt. General’s letters to me in reply dated 10th, 22nd, & 23rd Inst.  All of these relative to the trial & sentence of Mr. John S. Thrasher.

In the letter from the Capt. General of the 23rd Inst. marked “received this day” 25th Inst., you will perceive that he declines to allow any interference on my part in behalf of Mr. Thrasher: such interference being as he says not within the consular functions.  And he therein also asserts that he is a mere subordinate of the Spanish Government without the rights to disturb the course of the laws established by the Spanish Government for this Island.  It being his duty to comply with the decision s tribunals of justice.

The Capt. General said to the mother of Mr. Thrasher today that her son would be sent to Spain on the 27th Inst.

Mr. Thrasher requested me in writing to ask the Capt. General to commute his punishment of eight years to Ceuta (the Presidio) to he banishment from the Island & I have done so but have yet heed no reply.

                                                                                                                                                                I have the
                                                                                                                                                                honor to be
                                                                                                                                                                with great respect
                                                                                                                                                                Yr. Obt. Srvt
 
                                                                                                                                                                A. F. Owen

Hon Daniel Webster
Secty of State
of U.S.