AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED AS PRESIDENT, "TO THE SECY OF STATE" DANIEL WEBSTER, APPROVING "THE HOUSE RESOLUTION IN THRASHER'S CASE," 23 DECEMBER 1851.
[Washington: 1851]. Single octavo leaf, folded to 2pp, autograph letter signed by sitting 13th U.S. President Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), as "Millard Fillmore" at the center of the second page. Docketed on the outer leaf: "The President. Dec. 23. 1851. Returning the report to the House Resolutions in Thrasher's case with his cordial approval." Spine fold partly split, two shallow blank edge chips. Near Fine.
Fillmore's Letter, in full:
"Dec. 23, 1851.
To the Secy of State
My Dear Sir
I herewith return the report to the House resolution in Thrasher's case case [sic] with my cordial approval.
I would suggest a verbal change from 'citizens' to 'inhabitants' on the 2d sheet in two places marked, as bring technically more accurate, and the addition of a sentence on the 4th sheet marked in pencil.
Is not some word omitted in quoting Mr. Jefferson on the same sheet?
Please prepare and send up the Message and I will immediately transmit it to Congress.
Yours truly
Millard Fillmore."
Daniel Webster was President Fillmore's Secretary of State. "Thrasher's case" involved a U.S. citizen, John Sidney Thrasher (1817-1879), who had relocated to Cuba in the 1830s. A successful merchant and newspaper editor, he was arrested by Spanish authorities in late 1851 for supporting efforts to topple the Cuban government; and for publishing editorials opposing Spanish rule in Cuba. He was tried, sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, and exiled to Spain to serve his sentence.
Thrasher's American friends engaged the U.S. government's help in freeing Thrasher. Webster conceded that Thrasher was subject to Cuban laws as a domiciliary of Cuba, despite his American citizenship. Webster also recognized that Thrasher's trial failed to follow American constitutional protections. He explained: "No man can carry the aegis of his national American liberty into a foreign country, and expect to hold it up for his exemption from the dominion and authority of the laws and the sovereign power of that country." [12 Writings and Speeches of Daniel Webster. National Edition, page 202 Boston: 1903.] Thomas Jefferson had written to the same effect during his tenure as George Washington's Secretary of State.
However, American intervention resulted in Thrasher's release from Spanish custody and his return to the United States. Item #42354
Price: $2,500.00