The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-22 00:00:00

Cluntitta

LONDON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 185 L

General LOPEZ has been garroted. September the
Ist witnessed his execution at Havannah, and the
piratical attack upon Cuba has consequently been ter-
minated with the complete discomfiture of the adven-
turers. From the fearful reception accorded to their
assailants, we conceive that the population of the island
may calculate with some degree of confidence upon a
perfect immunity henceforth from all such lawless
excursions on the part of freebooters from the United
States. Even allowing a certain amount of exagge-
ration in the returns of killed and wounded issued by
the Spanish authorities, it must be admitted that a
terrible vengeance has been wreaked upon the ma-
rauders, a vengeance so terrible that few will be in-
duced to indulge in similar dreams of capture and
spoliation. Thanks to the vigorous administra-
tion of affairs by General CONCHA, Cuba has been
spared from the miseries of a calamitous subjugation.
Ever since the death of Colonel CRITTENDEN, the
fortunes of his followers have appeared to be more and
more on the decline, while the death of General
ENNA, the leader of their antagonists, seems to have
secured additional successes to the Cuban Government
by infuriating to the last extremity the whole mass of
the Cuban population.
The narrative of the gradual defeat of LOPEZ must
remain henceforth as a warning, and a warning
moreover of a very frightful and melancholy charac-
ter, to every similar scheme of these rash and desperate
buccaneers. In consequence of the untimely separation
of his forces from those under the second in command,
Colonel CRITTENDEN, it is believed that the whole
plan of their campaign was thrown into confusion—
the confusion proving in the end altogether inex-
tricable. Baffled in his first intentions, LOPEZ ap-
pears to have been yet more embarrassed by the sei-
zure and execution of his colleague. From the
intelligence received by LOPEZ of the miserable fate
of CRITTENDEN, the former in all likelihood felt the
pangs of no very agreeable presentiment. Deceived,
as he has since acknowledged himself to have been,
in regard to an anticipated rising of the inhabi-
tants of Cuba in his favour, he must have
been yet more horror-stricken at the consequences
which this apathy on the part of his fellow-country-
men rendered apparent among his own immediate
companions. Instead of remaining on that very ac-
count more staunch than ever in their adherence to
his authority, by reason of the desperate nature of
their position, the " patriots," as they have been
designated, one by one shrunk from the banners of
their ill-starred chieftain, until, according to the in-
telligence just received from America, on the very
eve of his capture, his immediate attendants were re-
duced to about thirty—a number which, consider-
ing the extraordinary peril of his situation, must
be confessed to have been sufficiently insignificant.
Ultimately even these seem to have dropped off ra-
pidly, seeking safety, like their predecessors, by a
flight to the mountains, so that LOPEZ himself was
at length left alone in his misfortunes, a prey to the
miseries of an ineffectual regret and to the torments
of the most horrid anticipations. After wandering
for several hours in a state of panic and distraction,
the leader of the invading army was hunted down by
bloodhounds on the evening of the 2g th ultimo, con-
veyed forthwith to San Christoval, and on the follow-
ing day to Havannah, where he perished miserably, as
we have already intimated, on the morning of the Ist
of September.

It may be some satisfaction to those who are in-
terested in the fate of LOPEZ as a brave but lawless
adventurer, to learn that he met death with fortitude,
notwithstanding the terrors of an ignominious execu-
tion. With his demise have terminated the feeble
hopes which may still have been cherished in refer-
ence to his extravagant expedition. Referring to the
struggle which took place between the belligerents
shortly before this total discomfiture of the assailants
of the Cuban Government, it is curious to observe
that the final conflict took place upon the
coffee plantations formerly belonging to the wife of
General LOPEZ, and that on the death of General
ENNA, who was killed during the engagement, his
body was transmitted by the leader of the invaders to
the very city which a few days afterwards was to
witness his own disgraceful execution. Havannah has
consequently been the scene very recently of no
ordinary spectacle, its inhabitants having scarcely re-
turned from the funeral of ENNA when they were at-
tracted to the scaffold upon which LOPEZ was, on the
Ist, garroted. Since the last-mentioned occurrence
the insurgents have apparently abandoned all ex-
pectations of redeeming their position, though
a select band seems still to be holding
out on the mountains near Principe, impelled to that
course, we presume, by feelings of sheer desperation.
One hundred and fifty prisoners, or, according to an-
other account, no less than four hundred and thirty-
six, are already in the hands of the Government, and
these, with the numbers already destroyed by shot
and strangulation, reduce the army of invasion to a
very insignificant body indeed—insomuch that no
fears need any longer be entertained as to the proba-
bility or improbability of ulterior success on the part
of the Cuban Government.
After everything that has hitherto transpired in
reference to the whole of this nefarious transaction we
conceive that the upholders of the project of the un-
fortunate LOPEZ must feel themselves in a situation
which would be ludicrous, if it were not disgraceful
even to the limits of infamy. Saving the recent
loss of life, however, the effect of the exploit has been
very different in regard to the people of Cuba, the
triumph achieved by their arms over those of their
assailants having secured them, at any rate for a
considerable period, from the dangers of a similar
incursion. Unfortunately for them, they have lost
a gallant soldier in the person of General
ENNA, while, yet more unfortunately, they have
seen the national honour tarnished by the cowardly
behaviour imputed to General Roslees. From the
narrative transmitted to England, by way of Balti-
more, of the latest struggle between the contending
parties on the 17th ultimo, it would appear, that im-
mediately after the fatal charge, in which ENNA at
the head of a party of Cazadors perished, General
RosALES collected together five hundred of the Spanish
troops, and, like FALSTAFF, regarding discretion as
the better part of valour, fled, having been subse-
quently " superseded for cowardice," says the
report by General PAva of Matanzas. With
these exceptions, the population of Cuba have
only cause to felicitate themselves upon the
result of the late peril to which their insular
independence has been subjected—a matter of satis-
faction to the rest of the world, or to that portion of

LONDON,

it at least which may be supposed to entertain a pre-
ference for justice, valour, and patriotism.

Protectionists are an exacting race. Every person
who desires to retain a position in their good graces,
and to have his name greeted with enthusiasm at their
gatherings, must be prepared "to go the extreme
animal," to advocate any absurdity, however outra-
geous, and to eschew all prudential considerations,
and everything in any degree savouring of common
sense. He must address the passions and not the
reason ; and if he should strive to direct the undisci-
plined masses into a better path, so that they may
have a chance of achieving some practical success, it
is more than probable that he will be denounced as a
traitor, and the utmost indignation lavished on his
devoted head.
Such is already the fate of Mr. DISRAELI. His
judicious suggestions at the meeting of the Royal
Bucks Agricultural Association have brought nests
of hornets about his ears. The worthy PAUL FOSKETT
stands prominently forward. He it is who ventures
to attack the witty, eloquent, and accomplished
Member for Buckinghamshire, and to attempt a sneer
" at eloquent yet time-serving ambiguity, Parliamen-
tary chicanery, or political cowardice." The fate
of " the dead lion kicked by the living donkey"
has often been deplored, as affording a melancholy
illustration of the instability of worldly affairs ; but
here we have something far worse. Not a dead but a
living DISRAELI, in the full pride and vigour of his
intellect, actually assailed by a—PAUL FOSKETT ! ! !
Such an event may well startle the leader of any
party and induce him to regret the moment he aban-
doned a private station to enter on such a career. It
most indeed be a " vaulting ambition" that could
withstand the spectacle of PAUL FOSKETT assaulting
BENJAMIN DISRAELI I
But what is the grievous offence which the
Honourable Gentleman has perpetrated to merit such
condign punishment ? He endeavoured first to prove
that some of the reasons assigned for the repeal of
the corn-laws were unfounded—to show that the
British farmer was not a man deficient in energy or
enterprise, " and also that the- change in the law did
press most seriously on the price of provisions." But
having done so, and referred with pardonable
complacency to his own strenuous and inde-
fatigable exertions in support of protection,
while it still survived, he declared that " to uphold
a system that exists, and to bring back a system that
has been abrogated, are very different things,"
enunciating at the same time his own conviction,
that " the system generally known as the protective
system can never be brought back unless it is the
interest of all classes—at least of all classes of im-
portance—that this should be the principle which
should regulate the national industry, and unless
the nation speaks out in an unmistakeable manner."
This was the head and front of his offending. His
judgment, warped for:a time by party feeling, at length
satisfied him that there was no chance of bringing
back protection, unless in the very improbable contin-
gency of all classes uniting to demand it—the labourer
or artisan insisting on paying twice as much for
bread for his family for the purpose of supporting the
territorial aristocracy in pomp and splendour. Was
he then to submit to a perpetual exclusion from place
and power by maintaining an untenable cause ? The
temporary resignation of the Whig Ministry,
the chance of office afforded to the Pro-
tectionists when the then Lord STANLEY
was sent for to his SOVEREIGN, and received the
Royal command to form a Cabinet, showed that the
fancied. restoration of the corn-laws was a rock
ahead that could not possibly be got over. The at-
tempt of the Noble Lord was utterly fruitless, and in
his subsequent explanations to the House he declared
that unless the country spoke out unmistakeably at the
next general election he would receive the legislation
of 1846 as final on the question. Mr. DISRAELI is,
no doubt, well aware of the present feelings of Lord
DERBY on the question. He sees, too, that there is
no possible chance of the country speaking out
" unmistakeably" on the subject, and he does not wish

to waste the time that must elapse previous to the dis-
solution in maintaining an unavailing conflict.: He
therefore tried to persuade those who respected his
counsels to direct their energies into a practical di-
rection, and to endeavour to obtain relief from the
enormous burden of taxation under which they are
suffering. An 3 for this he is scouted by PAUL
FOSKETT, and his name is held up to bucolic acorn and
contumely. "A house or a kingdom divided against
itself cannot stand ;" what then must become of a
party that ejects from its ranks all those who
evince a glimmering of common sense, who are
alone competent to guide and direct them ?
If they repudiate the DISRAZLIS, the DB TABLETS,
the BEAUMONTS, aye, and we will add the DERBIS,
tol follow the FOSBETTS, the BOOKERS, the CHOW
LEES, the BBNBTTS, and others of a smilar class—
if we indeed behold the " blind thus leading the blind,"
it will require no very extraordinary powers of vati-
cination to predict the inevitable catastrophe that
awaits them.

We may not agree with Mr. DISRAELI in the
nature of the fiscal alterations which he desires, but
we know the entire system to be rotten, and we
are convinced that a mighty change is impend-
ing. Mr. DISRAELI professes to ask for justice
and a more equitable adjustment of the burdens
that press upon the people. It is a reason-
able demand, and if he can show that the
agriculturists pay more than that for which
they should be responsible, he is entitled
to demand a fair adjustment. It cannot, however, be
by an extension of indirect taxation, but by a more
equitable arrangement of the charges on accumulated
and realised property of every description.

The Viscount Gormanston and Lord Ffrench will,
it is rumoured, be offered by Lord Clarendon the ribbons
vacant in the Order of St. Patrick by the decease of Lords
Clare and Donoughmore.

The Hon. George O'Callaghan, eldest surviving
son of the Viscount Lismcre, will be appointed lieutenant of
the county of Tipperary, in the room of John, Earl of Do-
noughmore, deceased.
William Walker, Esq., Government Secretary of
British Guiana, is appoin6d Lieutenant-Governor of that
colony, in the event of the death or during the absence of
the Governor. The Hon. Julian Fane, attache to her Ma-
jesty's mission at Berlin, is transferred to the mission at
Vienna in the same capacity.

PEMBROKE DOCKYARD, SEPT. 19.—Two new
steam men-of-war have been ordered by the Lords of the
Admiralty to be built at this yard—one, a frigate, fitted with
the screw, is to be laid down on the lines of the Tribune, 28
guns, now building at Sheerness; and the second one, which
will be a paddle-wheel steam-sloop, is to be formed on the
plan of the Cruiser, now building at Deptford Dockyard.
The following are the dimensions of the Musquito, 16-gun
brig, lately launched and coppered at this dockyard :
Feet. Inches.
Length over all ... ... 128 8
Ditto, between perpendiculars ... 110 0
Ditto, of keel for tonnage ... ... 86 9*
Breadth of extreme . 34 10i
Ditto, for tonnage ... ... 34 6i
Ditto, moulded ... 34 0
Depth of hold 15 0
Borden in tons ... ... 550 61.94.

The Pique, 36-gun frigate, is to be fitted with the screw, and
considerably lengthened. The Victoria, 110 guns, is nearly
ready ; her consort, the Albert, is in course of construction at
Woolwich.

ANTICIPATED MINISTERIAL CHANGES.--Some of
our contemporaries have of late referred to the probability of
several immediate changes taking place in the composition of
the Ministry. We are enabled to state that the only changes
which have been deemed likely to occur since the rising of
Parliament, relate to the offices field by the Marquis of Lans-
downe and Sir George Grey. The Marquis of Lansdowne
has been anxious for more than twelve months to be relieved
from the cares of office, owing to the infirmities incident to
advanced age; but we have reason to believe that what was
formerly only a wish has now been converted into a fixed
resolution to withdraw from official life before next session.
The death of the Marchioness has greatly increased the dis-
relish of the Noble Marquis for public life. With regard to
Sir George Grey, the question of his retirement from the
Cabinet will, we understand, depend entirely on the state of
his health towards the re-assembling of Parliament. At pre-
sent the Right Hon. Baronet is much better than he was a
few weeks ago, but his health is still far from being in a satis-
factory state.— staiertifer.

FABHIONABLES IN THE NORTH.—Lord Moreton,
from Brahan Castle, arrived in Inverness on Tuesday, and
proceeded to Monar yesterday. Lord and Lady Byron have
joined the circle visiting the Earl and Countess of &afield,
at Cullen House, N.B. Lord Jocelyn is expected to arrive
to night, via the Caledonian Canal, en route for the Duchess
of Bedford's residence, the Doune of Rothiemurchus. Lord
Chelsea is also expected by the same route for the same
place. Sir George and Lady Lee posted south by the High-
land-road on Wednesday last. Air. Starkie posted north-
ward over the Highland-road, on Friday last, to Highfield,
near Beauly. W. 11. Lindsay, Esq., posted southwards by
the Aberdeen-road. from Gledfield, Ross-shire, yesterday.
Albert Ricardo, Esq., M.P., left Radcastle, Colonel Baillie's
seat, yesterday, for Gordon Castle, the seat of the Duke of
Richmond. The Right Hon. Fox Mauls, who is improving
in health, has left his seat near Dunkeld, on a visit to Mr.
James Duff, M.P.,
and Lady Agness Duff, at Corriemulnie
Cottage, near Braemar, where a large party are staying.
Inverness Courier.
REPRESENTATION OF BRADFORD.--There are two
bond ?Me candidates in the field, namely, R. Milligan, Esq.,
and 11. W. Wickham, Esq., and a third candidate in the per-
son of lgr! G. W. Al. Reynolds, the Chartist.