The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-07
TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNION.

The "rainy season" has fairly set in, to the great
annoyance OF planters whose products Of sugar will
be much essened in consequence. IL will cause
diminution Of exports from this city alone OF at
least 100 900 boxes; at the current price, Of near
ly two millions of dollars. | know Of several plant
ers who have already closed their works for the
season, and now planting extensively, and are
preparing for the crop Of lS47 which, from present
appearances, will exceed that Of any previous year
These fine promises for the future make them sub
nit with becoming philosophy to the present great
misfortune. But In spite Of all the burdens inn
posed upon the labor of Cuba she is better prepared
to meet reverses than any other country in the
world The aggregate value of her productions are,
population Of like numbers, not excepting the
most favored portions of the United States When
we consider that the people here not permitted
to enjoy the benefits Of thing like general sys-
tenn Of education, and are compelled to live under
government of complete despotism, where there is
no such thing liberty Of the press or of speech,
the extraordinary position Of the island with refer
ence to its annual productions will be better under
Stood What it might do under free system of
government, one foretell. Her fine climate
and emnenty fortunate geographical position, with
her known resources would at once realize for Gu
ba the noble title which her people claim for her
"The Queen of the West Indies" Her present
srictive laws not only in relation to the internal
government Of the island, but also to her commerce.
are unfortunate as they are injurious to the peo
consumers and in return not less so the producers
of those products which are required by her, and
which from her soil and climate she is unable her.
self to supply. The two countries in this respect
are capable Of doing each other, under anything
| like wise regulations for their mutual government
most important and valuable service Their pro-
ducts variant, but such the labor OF the two
must have and if they were not separated by the
most reprehensbe barriers to commerce, alike inju
rous to both countries, an interchange Of products
would follow, and with it surprising prosperity,
which no untoward circumstances could prevent.
No illustration be made more complete of the
benefits of free trade than is found in surveying the
position of Cuba and the United States. Not even
do Louisiana and New York, to whom this price
less boon is secured by the constitution of the
| American Union, afford more conclusive proof of
the benefits of the freedom of commerce. States
and cities have risen up under the influence of this
principle, and attained degree of prosperity and
happiness unparalleled in the history of the world
and yet in the Congress of the United States even,
and especially in the government Of Spain, it is op
posed destructive to the happiness of the masses.
But the people Of Cuba-the masses--are right in
their views of these laws; and they hail the con-
cessions made by the British government, and the
position of Mr. Polk upon the question of reduc-
ton of duties in the United States, as messengers
oflight to their beloved country. These great ex,
ampes cannot fail in the end to have their inhue nee
upon the statesmen of Madrid.
Great anxiety continues to be felt on account oil
the Oregon dispute. The position of the govern
ment of the United States upon this question, 1t is
believed here, will insure peace. Great Britain
cannot undertake war for Oregon--it is utterly
, impossible. She can contend for the lions share
and if she can obtain itby peaceful diplomacy, 1t Ii
very WE'LL but she has no idea of enforcing he
claim by arms. When she finds the American gov
eminent infexble, unyieldng, she will propose
settlement equally satisfactory to both countries
The government at Washington by its energy, viii
have the credit Of closing this unfortunate Oregon dis
pue, that it shall no longer disturb the commercial
peace Of the world. l heard day or two agc
! a gentleman who is largely engaged in European
commerce. and political disciple Of Mr.. Webster
say that, as much he might deprecate the genera
views of Mr.. Polk, he believed he had conducted tn
/; Oregon controversy with consummate ability; tina
by his wisdom he would bring: the Question to
peaceful issue, which, under IA more tame and sub
mssve policy, would have rernained 10 disturb GU
politics 10 the presidential election, to saynoth
ing of it's influence with every new Congress upol
our commerce, which is the first branch of industry
to be seriously affected by the slightest doubt thrown
upon the peaceful foreign relations Of the country
Such, believe, is the general estimate Of the pocl
Of the government in this matter.
| General Santa Ana remains near Havana, with
out the slightest idea Of returning to Mexico at pres
ent. Affairs in that country seem to defy explsna
ton; and as well as he understands the Mexicans
he is now without opinion Of their future course
Great efforts have been made at Havana to carry
out the idea Of establishing monarchy in Mexico
and large sums Of money have been forwarded L
further the object. II is supposed that many Of thu
, officers Of the Spanish government at Havana hav
been engaged in this work, but little reliance ough
. to be placed upon these suggestions, as many o
, them know 20 be groundless. Those who are in
vestng their money in the government OF Mexico
need not look for large dividends. In this all intel
ligent men concur, for there is not the slightes
change, or hope Of erecting monarchy on the con
tinent Of North America. A serious attempt to d.