The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-08 00:00:00

AMERICA.

THE CUBAN EXPEDITION.
Shortly before eleven o'clock on Saturday night, the
British and North-American Royal Mail steam-ship
Africa, Captain Ryrie, arrived in the Mersey from
New York direct, which port she left on the 27th
alt. at noon, thus performing the passage in ten days
ten hours. The Africa brings the usual mails from
the United States and the British Provinces, 73 pas-
mongers, and 831,333 dollars in specie on freight.
On the 28th ult., when one day out from New York,
she signalled a steamer, supposed to be the Asia;
and on Saturday night, at a little before eight, she
passed the Europa from Liverpool, which steamer
was taking the north course on her outward run, as
the Africa did on her homeward passage.
The chief topic of interest in the United States, am
well as here, is the Cuban expedition. In the
southern states of America, indeed, that interest has

amounted to a perfect fury of excitement, which in
' some places has manifested itself in actual riots. The
fate of Lopez, as far as we have received advices, re-
mains uncertain. The government of the United
States have despatched a frigate to Havana, with in-
structions to inquire into the circumstances attend-
ing the capture and execution of the American
citizens recently shot at that place. An investiga-
tion will also be had into the firing upon the Falcon
'by a Spanish cruiser. The government continue to
take the most stringent measures against the viola-
tion of the law by Americans, in engaging in an ex-
pedition against Cuba.
From Mexico we have some very important items
of news, although the affairs of that country seem to
remain in a very disastrous state. Our dates arc to
the 22nd July, when Congress was still in session,
but little business was transacting, the chambers
almost every day adjourning for want of a quorum.
The pecuniary embarrassments of the government
remain without relief. No plan for obtaining a re-
venue has been adopted. A convention of the go-
vernors of the several states has been called to meet

in the capital on the 10th of August, fur the pur-
pose of considering the present condition of the
finances, and suggesting a plan fur the relief of tho
treasury. This convention is summoned at the in-
stance of the minister of finance, but the measure is

condemned by the chambers and by public opinion
generally. It was considered doubtful, in view of
the objections lying against the proposal, whether
the convention would be actually held.
A good deal of excitement has been produced by
the publication of the letters of Payne to the presi-
dent of the committee of Mexican bondholders in

... -
London. It seems that the assertion of Payno that
he was Charge' d'Affaires of the Mexican legation to
London, and was commissioned to adjust certain
matters pending in Europe, was entirely destitute of
foundation. On the publication of the letter con-
taining these statements, and others equally untrue,
a resolution was introduced into the Chamber of Du-
puties, inquiring. by what authority Payno had re-
ceived the appointment of Charge, and how much
' money was appropriated to his mission. The minis-
ters replied that Payno had never received the com-
mission from the government, but that 20,000 dole.
had been applied to defraying the expenses of the
voyage. In consequence of this information, a com-
plaint was lodged against the former ministers of
finance And of foreign relations. The affair was also
taken up by the senate, which has recommended
Lacunza as minister to England.
The appropriation of the church property to the
necessities of the government has been warmly, re-
commended by some of the public journals. fhe
estates of the clergy and of various religious incor-
porations amount to 50,000,000 dollars. 'Phis sum,
which has been accumulating in unproductive
hands for the last three centuries, it teas main-
tained, would save the country from bankruptcy
and ruin.

The Junta l'atriotica, a body of men for the purpose
of regulating the annual celebration of the Nlesican
independence, has been dissolved by the president,
their regulations not being approved by the govern-.
ment. An abortive attempt at a pronunciamento in
favour of Santa Anne has been made in Guanajato.
The plot, which probably had plunder for its chief
object, was diseoveredbefore it had come to maturity,
and the leaders were taken into custody.
A revolution has broken out in Chiapas, aiming at
the abolition of the internal custom-ho'isec. Colonel
Munoz, commanding the battalion of Guerrero in
Tehuantepec, was ordered to proceed to Chiapas and
aid the government party in the suppression of the
rebellion. His men began to desert soon after the
commencement of the march, and before he had ad-

vaned fifty miles from Tehuantepec he had not
more than 70 men. The revolt is headed by Mel-
dono, one of the wealthiest and most influen!ial men
in the state. _

Our correspondent writes as follows :
NEW YORK, Arc. 27.
Up to Sunday last the greatest uncertainty pre-
vailed with regard to the news from Cuba. In my' i
last I sent you copious extracts from tho letters re-
ceived here from Havana. Since then tho story of
the shooting of fifty Americans, who were captured
on their way along the coast in four launches, is
fully confirmed, and there is no doubt the greatest
indignities were practised upon the remains of the'
unhappy dead. No doubt the Spanish authorities
were justified in making a terrible example, but in
mutilating the lifelessbothes of men who met their fate
with a heroism worthy of a better cause, they have most .
assuredly laid up for themselves the most bitter reta-
liation. This Cuba question is a difficult and delicate ono. . t
If the rule be, once a colony always a colony, then
there is no more any relief from oppression. Cube -
is the worst governed territory in the world. It is
even worse than old Spain. The most detestable ro:
ligious bigotry, the most oppressive restrictions Oa;.,
commerce, and the most painful restraints on per-
sonal liberty,are there concentrated. The government
is a bloody, political. and religious inquisition; and
the large majority of the people sweat and gram
under a weary life. The question is whether, under,„
these circumstances, they are not as much entitled to.
the sympathy of the protestant world as were tint ..
Greeks, or as have been the Spaniards sad; ,
Portu in the days when England allowe4-
b • to be caroled for the protection or ,
humanity. I cannot very well see the differ-,,,
once. (hubs, as a republic ander the guarantee
of England and the Umted States, would become is; •
nation, and a nseftil friend of both. Why it should
exist merely for the purpose of sustaining the /go.
tligato court of Spain,
a country almost without
pile of decency and civilisation, is more than I MN
understand. I believe that it will be free, and ilia
" manifest destiny "much quickened by the li ',, idea! that the Cubans have gained by their pet ,
lui:1
course with the United States will hasten the era .1
its emancipation.
The popular feeling just now in the United States
is entirely in favour of giving aid and assistance to
the Culiims ; and Mr. Arebster's opinions, expressed
when he was secretary of state on a similar occasion
some years ago, are now revived as evidence that he
will not allow this bloody execution to pass 112110
tined.

When the execution was about taking place, the
crew of the sloop of war, Albany, lying at Havana,
asked permission of Captain Randolph to go ashore
and rescue their countrymen.
The intelligence which ws have of the movements
towards and in Cuba is up to this moment very con-
tradictory, but highly important. There is no doubt
but that oonsiders,ble accessions to the forces of the
invaders from the United States are going on, and the
steamer Pampero, which took out Lopez,has not
only appeared boldly off Havana, and been signalled
from the Moro, but has landed her forces, and re-
turned to the southern coast for more. Two or three
' steamers have also taken c ver reintormments. It