Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-25 00:00:00

SPAIN.

MADRID, JuNn 19.
The complaints concerning the slave-trade in
Cuba are stronger and more frequent than ever,
and persons very competent in the matter assure
me that at no time since its existence has the treaty
been more flagrantly violated in the Spanish West
Indies than during the latter period of General
Concha's command. To the remonstrances ad-
dressed to it, the Spanish Government makes the
usual reply. The British agents, it says, make
exaggerated, not to say erroneous, statements ;
and it knows, from the very best and highest
source, that the slave trade is completely stopped
in Cuba. But this excellent source of Senor
Pidal's knowledge is no other than Gen. Concha,
who, as it is perfectly well known here, gets a hand-
some doueeur for every slave imported. This is an
extremely notorious fact, and it is impossible to
believe the Spanish Government is so badly in-
formed as not to be fullyaware of it. General Concha
showed, during the period of his former command
in. Cuba, that he could, when he pleased, effectually
check the traffic. There is no reason for its sup-
pression being more difficult now than then. Yet
cargoes of slaves are continually landed, and vessels
fit and sail, almost without a pretence of disguise, in
and from Cuban ports for the African coast. It is
for the British Government to consider how far
it will permit the policy it has mad.) such sacri-
fices to carry through, to be baffled by the bad
faith and wilful blindness of Spain and her West
Indian Viceroys. Lard Howden, who certainly
does not allow the subject to sleep, has just
sent in another, and, as I understand, a very
strong note. One hardly dares to hope that it
may have more effect that the many that have
preceded it,
A long conference that took place; on the 17th
instant, between Senores Pidal and Lafragua, does
not appear to have greatly improved the chances
of a settlement of the dispute between Spain and
Mexico. There is no reason, to believe that this
Government is otherwise than pacific in its wishes,
perhaps, be as conciliating and yielding as would
be desirable, or as it couhrwish. The report that
General Concha had sent vessels to the coast of
Mexico is fully confirmed. This might induce one
to think that that officer, who, at the commence-
ment of the dispute, did not show at all a hostile
_ _

feeling towards Mexico, had changed his views
and plan of action. Meanwhile, with Spanish
ships off Vera Cruz, there is risk of collision—a
small spark might soon become a flame; and Senor
Lafragua, already indisposed to remain much
longer in Madrid unless received in an official
capacity, would scarcely have a choice but to depart
at once should news come of the slightest act of
hostility having taken place. Opinions here are
very divided as to whether the quarrel will be settled
amicably or the reverse. The situation, at this
present moment, is critical, and it is difficult to
form a judgment as to how things will turn out.
The English and French ambassadors are doing

everything in their power to bring about a recon-
ciliation. According to present appearances, not
many days can elapse without the question assum-
ing a more decided aspect for better or for worse.
The question of the coupons continues to be the
subject of paragraphs and conjectures in the
Spanish journals. The Clamor Publico says that it
learns, from London and Amsterdam, that the ap-
proaching recognition of those certificates waa con-
sidered as almost certain on the Exchanges of those
two cities. Commencing on this, the semi-official
Correspondencia persists in saying that nothing will
be done speciizlly in favour of the coupons, but that
it does not know what benefit may accrue to the
holders from the general settlement or arrangement
which it is said that the government proposes to
make, in order to put an end to all sorts of claims
(reclamaciones) against the credit of Spain.

Rome, whether his Ministers will it or no, and as You will be better able to judge than we
his intimate advisers and fellow-Sovereigns, the are of the value of the Camor's statement. As
Emperor of Austria and the King of Naples, have regards
the Co:yespondencia, the nu merous pare-
done as much before him, the Jesuit party at graphs it 1- aas had on this subject seem in-
Florence very reasonably hope that the expected tended rather to bewilder the public than to
visit of the Pope there, on his return to lea() to any just conclusion as to the intention of
Rome, will decide the question, and that the ";he Spanish Government. Having no reason to
Gromd Duke will then be induced. to tiip aviu:4 I think that there is any change in the position and