| Content Description | Encloses a copy of a letter from Mr Manby, a British subject and representative of a French company at Seville who had been contracted to build the Cordoba and Seville railway; Mr Manby complains that he had been arrested at Cadiz and brought at a prisoner to Seville by order of the Captain General of Andalusia, because he had ignored a court summons; he had explained to the Captain General that he had left instructions at Seville for his attorney to appear for him; Mr Manby described his arrest as a "scandalous false imprisonment"; the Spanish press believe that the General maintained the dignity of his court; it would be impossible for him to obtain redress for Mr Manby, although his has complained to the Foreign Minister; he has enlisted the help of Mr Murphy, lawyer to the British legation.
Mr Murphy's opinion is that a person cannot be proceeded against for contempt of court until the summons has been ignored three times; Mr Manby will be satisfied with an apology; he therefore thinks it best not to seek further redress; comments on the power of Captain Generals in the provinces; the French company has complained of injury to itself as a consequence of the arrest; he is urging satisfaction for Mr Manby as soon as possible. |