Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-04-15

establishment OF an energetic government in Cuba is
the only measure that be devised eectuay sup
press piracy shall be pretty stated. We believe
that the authorities of the Island under the present 90
vernmen OF Spain cannot effect this desirable object
for II would be to suppose them infamous than the
Pirates themselves, ii admit that, when an evil of
this magnitude has been suffered to exist for many years.
r Is, or ever has been, their power to suppress it.
Can Spain by any exerton of her authority or power
putt down? Even when she was an indepenient
and, in comparison with her actual condition power
full nation, she neither did could exercise complete
jurisdiction over Cuba. DEGREES inerdicnr the free
commerce of that Island were issued at Madrid in re-
peated instances but were carried into execution
by the local authorities of the Island. They were
aware oil the utter mpracticabilty of doing so they
oared not attempti ls then, probable that Spain
now that she cannot with the aid of foreign force Sc
cure the allegiance OF her subjects her own cap
ha anu mas nocontro whatever over the neighboring
ProVhces-wlii be able to compel the Inhabitants of
Cuoa, oil an Island 300omes Off to observe the duties
they owe to other nations? That NAV issue
decree alter decree against the pates the local auho
[Iues Gould not execute them The present Captain
eheral OF Cuoa deserves, no doubt, all the euogles
ne mas received IN this county but fhe possessed
I'm more eminent degree, the purity and energy of cha
tacer attributed to him, he could not consistently with
MS duty to his sovereign take the necessasy steps to
rest and punish the pirates. They are numerous veal
thy, and powerful. They are Europeaps-on whose
and he must rely to suppress any attempt that might
be made by the Creoles to shake off the yeke of Spain
1t even doubtful whether the military would CO op-
strong measures against the pirates In the summer
OF 1872 British squadron arrived at the Havana from
Cadz, bringing an order from his Catholic Majesty di-
rected to the Captain General of Cuba, and conman-
ding him to cooperate with the British forces for the
purpose of suppressiny piracy in those seas. After
long delay the Captain General informed the English
commander that, with every inclination to obey the or
der OF his sovereign ne could not comply with them as
ne had no disPosabe force. AT that time there were
not less than 5000 men in garrison at Havana and
there were III that port three corvettes, gun brig
and four schooners armed and equipped and ready for
1t matters not: therefore what, answer Spain makes
to our renonstrancesshe has not the powor to act et
hcienty Is manifest, them that, independently of
the system OF Piracy in Cuba of the notorious corrup
ton OF the Spanish tribunals of JUSTICE and the conni
vance OF all the subatern authorities of the Island there
exist other and important causes to prevent tbe
suppression OF piracy by Spain alone, by ordinary
In tue of the arrival of British squadron at Ha
vana with orders to the Captain General to CO.
operate with that force against the pirates that officer
aware OF the effect such measure was calculated TO
produce, did not think for the interest of his sovereign
to obey them. In fact he did dare to execute them
Aud IT'S hazardlng teto assert that future CAPTAIN
General OF Cuba will obey such orders from the curt
OF SPAN If, them Spain is too distant and too feeble
to exercise complete jurisdiction over Cuba; if the au
thores OF that Island dare take anv measures ia
put stop TO the awless course pursued by inabi-
tants and to prevent them from pundering the COM
nerce of other nations it is only the right but it be-
comes the duty of all governments and especially of
ours situated as are in the immediate vicinity of
the nuisance to adopt effective to protect the
persons and property of those engaged in that commerce.
The argument so often urged, that it would be I'M
worthy OF us to take advantage of the present weakness
OF Spain, carries with it weight. When govern
Inent is too feeble 10 subjects from punder
ing and numbering the citizens and subjects of other
States ii becomes the duty ofa nations to interfere and
TO establish IN the country, which is the Seat of such
ulsorders capable of restraining and pun
M hirh iS he
leyed to be the only efecual of suppressii,e
piracy III the Island of Cuba full of difficulty; and
WILL we should be compelled to adopt without the
consent OF other nations excite their eaousles and
fears Cuba is situated, as to command not onl,
our Maritime frontier south OF avannah but the whole
coast of the Gulfof Mexico We SHALL 1t is to be hoped
never be so wanting III foresight suffer any great
maritime nation TO acquire possession IL and IS not
probable mat the great maritime powers of Europe
would Peaceably permit us to take it, They could not
however, all the principles which have governed
their acts, OBJECT to occupying until the pirates
are eXtITpaicd. The evil certainly requires more
prompt measures than negotiation promises.
These means have been granted, and no doubt will
be successfully eXerted to keep the pirates from gong
far from the land The squadron, under the command
OF that active and vIglant officer Commodore Porter
changed the character OF their deDredaons So lonr
as remained on the coast the pirates were prevented
from cruzing the high seas, and they could but sell
dom capture vessels by laying in wait for them among
the keys and under the highlands The withdrawal of
that force the signal the pirates to issue forth o
plumber and destroy And it will ever be- as long
as the present government exists in Cuba. If the eli.
mate were healthy there would be less objection to the
constant employment of large naval 10 the West
indies The trade in those vastly more impor-
tant than that of the Mediterranean. But this service
has already cost us many valuable lives and the dam
ger to our commerce is greatest in the summer which
is the sckly season. there to anticipate still fur
tler losses from the fatal effects of that climate. Aud
these suferIngs undergo because Spain is
too feeble to exercise jurisdiction her ura-arine
POSSESSIONS or rather because the Galatians and the
vile raoble OF the cities must be concated in order TO
keep the Creoles in subsection.
1t may be supposed by those who are not well &C |
quanted with the people of Cuba, that after short
time the pirates finding us too vigant to permit the ex
ercise OF their present profession will gradually follow
some safer pursuit. and this would certainly be the case
were all VINO are engaged IN Pratical expeditions mari
ners, or persons without any other employment But
they are flshcrmen, cOsstDg seaen, charcoal makers
and all the idle and dissolute inhabitants of the ces
who, in Spanish towns, and in mild climates are very
numerous Their Piratica expeditions have been pro-
htabe to all concerned in them, and the temptation to