The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-15 00:00:00

Vie erpregso.

To CORRESPONDENTS.
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HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
taws DAV—llkandag. Ufa... Afternoon. lb. 4.111.
794"48" SY. tomTftiwooi. fl. sta.

LONDON. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15.

AMONG the vague reports from the scat et erne
on the Danube by which the restless electrie tell
graph supplies the lack of detailed informatics'
there ate some that speak of a reverse sus-
tained by the Turks. Indeed a story of this kind,
although it still lacks the precision and definite
character which specific statements of time and plate
can alone impart, has been repeated so often, with in-
creasing confidence, that intelligent and impartial
judges begin to lean to a belief in it. Nor is the tale
impossible or improbable in itself. All war is as
altercation of success and defeat ; a war extending
over so long a line of operations as that
between the Turks and Russians is peculiarly liable,
especially at the first outbreak of hostilities, to such
vicissitudes. It is possible that the Turks may have
been beaten on some point or points along their line.
The Russians are not sheep, to be driven back and
dispersed without the risk of an occasional bite from
them. They who augur from the relative positions
and conditions of the two hostile forces that victory
must ultimately rest with the Turks, do not expect
that it is to be achieved without an arduous struggle.
Meanwhile, it is not undeserving of remark that the
Wet and his Ministers have sadly miscalculated in
their last attempt to throw dust in the eyes of the
Western Governments and their subjects. They
have left out of account the fact that unbroken lines
of

by electric telegraph have for some
time been established from London and Paris as
far east as Vienna and Berlin. To this oversight
alarm can be attributed the shocking blonder of
allowing only one day to intervene between the
completion of the NESSELRODE circular to the Rus-
e= diplomatic scents at foreign courts, in which it
is affirmed that the Porte 's declaration of war "has
made no change in the pacific dispositions of the
Emperor," and the Manifesto in which the Russians
are informed that their Emperor is at war with
the Turks, and the God of battles appealed to with
mendacious profanity. The smooth, fawning circular
of NESSELRODE is dated the 19th (31st) October.
The Manifesto of the Emperor is dated the 21st
October (2nd November). The former is calculated
for the meridians of London and Paris—meant to
impress the good easy folks of those capitals with
the idea that the CZAR is a just and pacific sove-
reign ; the latter is calculated for the meridians of St.
Petersburg and Moscow—meant to stimulate Russian
fanaticism and cupidity to go forth and fulfil the
stern behests of a ruthless despot. Both may have
left St. Petersburg by the same post or courier, and
reached Berlin simultaneously. But from Berlin
westward the telegraphic wires conveyed the printed
Manifesto (at least its substance) with lightning
speed, while the unprinted communication for the
Ministers could only be dragged on by locomotives.
Before the Russian envoys at Paris and London could
communicate to the Governments in those capitals the
pacific sentiments of their master, the newspapers
had put those Ministers in possession of his warlike
Manifesto. Even Russian diplomatic impudence
must have been taken aback by such a Contretemps.

Even without this awkward miscalculation, how-
ever, the NESSILRODE circular was but indifferently
qualified for purposes of deception. It is too meek,
too honeyed by halE It is an emanation from a
political Ifriah Ilev—so very "'amble" that nobody
can be deceived by him. On the 20th of June (2nd
July), according to Count NESSELRODE, the CZAR
" declared that in temporarily occupying the Princi-
palities as a material guarantee destined to ensure
him the satisfaction which he demands, he did
not wish to push further the measures of
coercion, and would avoid an offensive war
as long as his dignity and his interests
would permit him." Does the smooth-spoken
Muscovite imagine that the Governments and peo-
ples of Western Europe have forgotten the mean-
ing attached to words in their own languages?
What are " measures of coercion " adopted by one
Government towards another but " war" ? And
does not the Government whose " coercive mea-
sures" consist in an invasion of the other's territory
take the initiative or offensive? To address such a
shallow play upon words to independent Govern-
meets is in itself a deliberate insult. Nor is this all.
Count NESSZLRODE promises on behalf of his master
that he would avoid an offensive war "as
long as his dignity and interests would
permit him." Other Governments when they
speak of going to war deem it necessary, or at
least decent, to allege that their rights have been in-
fringed upon ; but the Russian Government avows,
in this circular of its Chancellor, that its Sovereign
holds himself warranted to go to war with any other
state whenever "his dignity or his interests" are
concerned. Russia, it is clear from this, does not re-
gard the moral code recognised by the civilised Go-
vernments of Europe as binding upon it. Russia
avows that it will attack any neighbour for the mere
purpose of promoting its own interest, or augment-
ing its own dignity. By thus renouncing the great
principles upon which European international law
is based, Russia has renounced the protection
of that system, and has warned every na-
tion which regulates its conduct by that
system to be constantly on its guard against
so lawless a nation. The principles avowed by Rus-
sia, as (from its position) a member of the system of
European States, are precisely those upon which a
highwayman or burglar sets as a member of society.
Russia's "coercive measure" of invading the Danu-
bian Provinces, to obtain " a material guarantee " for
its claims upon Turkey, can only be paralleled by
BLOOD'S attempt to steal the crown, in the reign of
CHARLES 11., on the plea of distnicing for a debt
he alleged to be due to him by Government.

Count NESSELRODE asserts that his Government isl,
ready to evacuate the Danubian Provinces " from
the moment reparation shall have been made to as."
Reparation for what? No Russian subject has been
injured by the Porte or any of its subjects. No
Christian subject of Turkey complains of any wrong
being done to himself or any of his co-religionists.
Russia, indeed, was refused when she called upon the
SULTAN to bind himself by a treaty not to alter in
any respect the existing relations of his Christian
subjects to his Government without the previous
knowledge and consent of Russia. By concluding
such a treaty the SULTAN would have tied up his
hands, not only from altering these ;elation' for the
worse but for the better. He would have pledged
himself not to concede greater pol.tical immu-
nities to his Christian subjects wehout the
consent of the CZAIL This is no ;ontempla-
tion of a fanciful or extreme case. It is more
than probable that the object of the MENCIIIKOFF
mission was to arrest the Turkish Goverm.nt in its
career of liberal improvements. For a time Russia
had paused in its machinations against the peace and
isdepondeneo of the Ottoman empire. The reimaci-

tation of a spirit of active hostility againi4 Turkey t
the Russian councils dates from the period at whiljb
the Porte refused to deliver up ihe patriot
from Hungary and other olktrestled esaatriese=
despots from whoa they had escaped. The real
offence given by the Ottoman Government to Russia
is no imaginary affront to the superstitions of the
degraded Greek Church ; it is the assertion by the
Porte of the humane principle that political exiles
who take refuge within the territory of an indepen-
dent state are not to be molested or betrayed so long
as they abstain from conduct that might compromise
the protecting Government with other powers.

And this consideration it is that renders it so
necessary at present to watch with scrutinising,
jealous attention the conduct of the Jesuitical Au&
trian Government. Austria, it is understood, has
intimated that its sense of what is due to the cha-
racter of neutrality compels it to withdraw from the
Conference of the Great Powers. According to this
novel interpretation of the duties of Neutrals, they
can only mediate while hostilities are impending,
not between belligerents engaged in active warfare.
This prudish over-anxiety to escape any suspicion
that might result from communications with a power
at war and its allies contrasts singularly with its
conduct in some other respects. Austria, it is stated,
is drawing together an army of "observation" upon
the Servian frontier. Now it only needs to give a
very hurried glance at a map to see that such an
army, in the position mos favourable to regular
communications with Vienna, must be so placed as
to be able to move with equal promptitude in the
direction of Servia or Montenegro. The very sus-
picious hints given not long ago by the Austrian
Government of the possibility of events occurring
that might render it advisable to take military occu-
pation of Servia are not yet forgotten; and Austria
has not yet explained, much less contradicted, the
averments that Russian agents are being allowed to
convey arms into Montenegro across the Austrian
territory. These circumstances have the appearance
of throwing a light upon the late interchange of
courtesies at Olmutz—where each Emperor assumed
the other's uniform—anything but favourable to
Austria's character for sincerity in its neutral
professions.

SLAVERY IN CUBA.

-

Our own Correspondent writes u follows:
HAVANA, Ocrossa 22.

The new system of apprenticeship, or voluntary
labour, which it is generally understood will be
adopted for Cuba, will be a legalised slavery, which,
once established, neither the philanthropy of England
and France, nor the combined civilisation of the
world, will be able to soften or control. The restric-
tions which were brought to bear upon the planters
of the British West Indies will not be practicable or
effective in Cube. The violence, the fraud, the
murders which now reign, will be contined, and pro-
bably be a thousand times multiplied; for there will
asatainly be no "voluntary" emigration for the pri-
vilege of toil without hope and without reward. The
same offers have heretofore been made to Asiatic
emigrants. They are to come to an Australia
or California—a land of gold, lowing " with milk
and honey," and to have cabins and land of their own.
They come and find the fulfilment of the promise in
being sold like other chattels without any guarantee
of protection after the lapse of seven years' servitude.
The desire to get their " money's worth" for the
limited period causes the master to make but scant
provision for the wants of the labourer, while his
task is increased to the utmost extent of possible
human endurance, and if not performed, stripes and
blows are administered ad libitum. If death ensues
in consequence of this treatment, u has been the
ease already in several instances, the charge of mu•
tinous conduct against the dead covers the sin of the
living murderer. Slavery as it exists here now can
be mitigated and restricted by energetic British ac-
tion at Madrid—but with slavery as it will be, under
the new name, there will be no power to reach and
check the abuse of the system. It is said this secret
convention between England, France, and Spain,
for the freedom of Cuban negroes and other concur-
rent interests, is to be approved and in operation in
the month of February next. Already large prepa-
rations are making for bringing natives from Africa.
One individual has obtained a license from Madrid,
which has been approved by France and Englund, to
bring 30,000 " voluntary apprentices " from the coast
of Africa. Smaller operators for, in all, 38,000
more. are at work, not waiting for the formal an-
nouncement of the governments. And this is but as
a drop to the ocean, in proportion to the anticipated
action of the speculators. Facts will speak for
themselves, and it is well now to see what has been
done in slavery here since 1849, and compare
with that what is to mature in the few coming
months, according to present indications and present
pledges :
Arriveckia Cabs In. Negroes known.

1849 by 20 vowels - 6,575
18.10 „ 7 ditto
l&il „ 7 ditto
1852 and 1853 to August 1, 1853
Omitted in previous report by the brig Ilan
over at Sierra Morena 6.50
At Samosa 4OO
At Enseasdade Brea, south side seer Trini-
dad, is dept., per brig Annum (Spanish)
At Esseasis de Cochleas, Oct., per schooner
Maria Arm (Spanish), subsequently burned 180
At Ramada de Carmelo (Dun of vessel not
given), is October 260
At Ls Palogoa, Oct. 15

Total 20,497
Add one-third more, which not cover the
_ _

--nQ.;.l,..ti;t ;.ili., iiiilidiii;,;;tliii;ft 7: 9,832
Add also for lows in pursuit, and kidnap-
ping; for deaths on the pump; for want of
air, food, sad aster 4,200
And Mere will be • grand total of 43,529
human beings that have been dragged from their
African homes during a period somewhat less than
five years. The number of apprentices already in-
tended to be brought to Cuba is 66,000. To
this must also be added for loss of life
in pursuit, capture, and transportation an estimated
number of 6,966, making in all 71,966 persons, and
representing an aggregate of human misery, un-
equalled in the history of the past, to be consum-
mated under British and French protection! Such
are my views,justified by long and familiar acquaint-
ance with the subject, and by association with the
Spanish and Creole planters for many years. The
three American seamen who were taken in May last
off Cape San Antonio in a small boat, and sent
to Havana, have had a trial, and I am credibly
informed were condemned to four years in chains.
They stated that they had shipped on board the
American barque limper in the port of New York,
under representations mule to them that she was
' bound on a voyage for palin oil, &e.; that after they
ascertained the character of the vessel, they were I
kept on board by force, and that they took advan- 1
tage of the first opportunity to escape, which only
occurred after discharging of a cargo of negroes at
Bailen, south side. This landing has been denied
by the Captain General Canedo, and by four commis-
sioners that were appointed by him to investigate the
circumstances, compelled by representations of the
British cansudgeneral, Mr. Crawford, and, I believe,
l' to this moment remains without official acknowledg-
!
I merit before the Spanish aml British governments,
"on the part of the supreme authority here. Yet
these men are condemned, under the sanction of the
'same authority, upon their acknowledgments, for
an offence which had not been committed, and of
which there ia no recorded testimony against them.