The Express.
London, England, 1855-02-01 00:00:00

AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED STATES.

(mow ma SP2CIAL

01 THI DAILY

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NEW YORK, SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. 13.
The news received here from Madrid is pacific. The
Spanish ministry have become satisfied that no more
efforts will be made for the present by our eovernment
or people to get possession of Cuba. The President of
the United States paid no regard whatever topublic opi-
aloe during the first eighteen months of his admini-
stration, and when the new mysterious society, the
Kaow-Nothings, made their appearance, he and all
his party organs treated them with affected indif
lassoes or contempt. General Pierce sent Soule,
the champion of the Filibusters, to Madrid, expressly
teporchase Cuba; and with instructions, oa the re-
fuel to sell, to involve us in a difficulty with Spain,
that we might be furnished with a pretext for
taking possession of the island by force. But early
last autumn it became evident that the Know-
Nothings were likely to sweep the country, and now,
when it is fully ascertained that they will oppose
all attempts to acquire foreign territory, Pierce
changes his policy, and reluctantly gives up Cuba.
The following despatch, received last night from
Washington, can be relied on as correct :
Mr. Sou% endorsed by Buchanan and Mason, urged OUT
governmentto permit him to lay the whole Cub►n question,
with a distinct cffer to parchase, before the Spanish Cortes,
ignoring the Spanish ministry on the ground that they
dare not take the responsibility of eubm Wog such a quer-
tion as long as under Espartero's influence. Mr. Soule
argued that, as everything connected with Cuba was novel,
as well as the extent of the power of the Cortes, there
could of cootie be no pricedent for the course suggested,
but that the emergencies and peculiarities of the case war-
ranted it ; and, once before the Spanish people, with the
&stifle% offer of money, it would sweep away all objections.
This despatch Secretary Sickles brought to Washington
when here some few weeks ago. The reedy by Mr. Marcy
war, that the American government would not countrnance
such a course—that Soule might renew to the ministry the
offer to purchase if he was well assured beforehand that it,
, would be accepted ; but in no other event. This was re 2".
sidered tantamount to the withdrawal of the whole question,
as it is known the ministry are pledged against ir. If any-
, thing has been done contrary to tbe'e instructions, the go.
vernment will disavow it. Some member of the Cortes, on
his own reeponsibility, may have introduced the question.
The Know-Nothing feeling is running so high
that, so far from favouring any new territori a acqui-
, sitions, there is a growing disposition to discourage
European emigration as tar as possible. The newly-
, elected Know-Nothing Governor of Massachusetts
thus speaks iu his inaugural address to the Legisla-
. tars :

The present European immigration is deeply prejudicial
to the fair remuneration of American labour. The me-
chanic, the artisan, the agriculturist, daily surfer from its
influence. There is no statemt at in poli•ical ethics more
palpable or fundamental than that honest industry should
receive its own ieward. Those who hourly feel the oppress-
ing competition of Mi. n labour, deprecistorl under the task-
masters of the Old NVorld, sad schooled in the self denials
and modes of existence there so universal, properly believe
t►at their owo, as well as the interests of the republic de-
mand that their elective franchise should be exereisea for
the protection of American labour.

All the Filibustering schemes of Pierce's adminis-
tration are knocked on the head. He began by buy-
ing the Mesilla valley of Santa Anna, and carried it
through Congress. Next he proposed a treaty of
' annexation to the King of the Sandwich Islands.
Then be sent General Cayman and his wile to San
Domiogo, to buy a part of that island. Then he
battered down Greytown, to inspire terror among
our weaker neighbours. Next ho purchased the
Gallipagoes Islands—all the while he was straining,
wind and limb, to get hold of Cuba, and he has
recently favoured the Kinney expedition to colonise
Central America. But the Know-Nothiugs have
risen in their might against all these atrocious
schemes of robbery and wrong. Mrs. Cazanau has
come back from San Domingo and brought her hus-
band with her, as a slight solace after her defeat.
Greytown is rising from its ashes, to hate and despise
the name of Frank Pierce. The bargain for the
Gallipegoes will not be confirmed. Cuba goes by
the board, and the Kinney expedition's stock is
going down, while all other stocks are coming up.