Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-16
cUBA-THE UNITED STATES.

Several of the Paris journals Of November 10
published the following paragraph, which is sup
posed TO have emanated from the Spanish Embassy
"The English journals speak, for some days
past, OF negotiations opened between the United
States and the Court OF Spain for the cesson OF
the island of Cuba to the United States. We are
authorized to declare that this piece of news has
not the slightest foundation
The rumor that negotiations were going on in
Madrid for the purchase of CuBA by the United
States enlisted the discussion of the London Times.
That paper denies the right Of Spain to ALLEVIATE its
most marketable property to the detriment of its
creditors, who have claims, it says, to the amount
of some three hundred millions of dollars. As to
the general consequences of the purchase, suppos-
ing il TO be made, the s'Times y thus speculates
In The first place, onehalf of the slave trade would be
summaly struck off, and this infamous traffic. which eff
ec.ualy defes msudged efforts to suppress it. would be
reduced to such exports the then isolated demands Of Bra
I'll might require Even the abstract question of slavery
slavery in Cuba there would probably be hot dispute
among the States Of the Union. is not however, probable
that the terms Of the Wmot prosso could under all the cir
cumstance be extended Cuba and the Southern and West
States would succeed in all likelihood in assmang the
lstuloIs Oh the new acqulsuon 10 those retained py e
selves. Still there would be mportaons Of Africans
into the Havana for il be that many estates of
the island already owned and worked without any quams
Of conscience by American propretor yet transactions which
could be carried under Spanish coors will be prac
tcabe when Cuba has become recognised member of the
URion and the slavery Of these plantations will all events,
assume that modified and termnable form which
Georgia and Carolina
Nor there any to suppose the other hand that
the production of sugar will he diminished by sudden pro-
scripon of the machinery which unscrupulousy
employed Its manufacture. On the contrary should be
justified rather concluding that the enterprise OF the Amer
character would far counerbaance the nefaous appl
Of Spanish give stimulus to the ag
cuture Of the island the time that its competition
with colonies would be placed less invdous foot
ing than present This, at least should anticipate
the eventual result.
That political school which holds colonies unworthy of
keeping by the maxim which it takes its stand upon
commerce, would of disregard the influence which
such cesson this might exert the tenure OF
Atlantic possessions. Other parties be appehen
ve Of the results but not perhaps with any great
Indeed except from the contrast which would be offered by
just and honorable dealings Of the Supreme Government with
nsuar citizens scarcely how the change Of masters
in Cuba could materially affect As point of
ground the possession of the Havana would confer
great additional opportunities and to- the pudces likely
originate in the consed results of two systems OF West
Indian policy, take the consequences of acts
The hour OF trial. however, may not be imminent, and the
notification may be rather the expression Of traditional am
bion, than this publication of accomplished fact At
least certify thai if had always placed implicit
lance those Of information in the Spanish capital
TO which transatlantic contemporaries proudly appeal
should have introduced readers to many stories far
wonderful than the bargain and sale OF West India island