The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-13
Cuba and It's Condition,

Cuba and Its Condition.
The intelligence which we have been receiving
from the Island of Cuba for some time past, is
very interesting news TO the general reader, and
very important in Its bearings on the political con-
diton of that island aud its future fate and pros
poets, to the politician and 10 all who have
watched its past history.
# will be recoected, that a few weeks ago the
people of Matanzas in return for some hospitaties
which were extended to them by an American ship
Of war, were DESTROYS of giving the officers of that
vessel a complimentary ball on shore. As soon
as their intention became known to the Captain
General, that functionary prohibited the ball, on
the ground that IL was unnecessary, because the
American officers could be invited TO the fefe
which was soon to take place in honor of the
Queen of Spain, on the anniversary of her birth
day. The Cubans, as was natural felt aggreved
Al the prohbtIon, and determined not to attend
the birthday fdte. To the extreme modification of
the Commandant, the banquet was perfect blank;
and TO svenge the insult which the Commandant
imagined was thus offered to the royal authority,
some young men, who exerted themselves to prevent
general attendance, were seized, imprisoned in
Moro castle, and afterwards shipped to Spain, TO
answer for their conduct. This silly but sgnfi-
cant movement created great sensation through
out the island, and formed the principal topic of
discussion for some time after Its occurrence,
among all classes of the population.
Another movement, of a similar character, re-
Gently took place the same island.
On the ARRIVAL Of the steamship Ohio at Havana
on her last trip, information was conveyed to the
Commandant that Col White, the leader of the
famous Round Island expedition which was put
down by our naval forces under the direction of
the cabinet at W-shington-was one of the pas
sengers on board. Had thunderbot from the
forge Of old Vulcan been discharged by the i'm
penal Jove, and struck the Captain General, he
would not have been more surprised than he was
when this information reached him. Quick as
thought, he ordered the Captain of the port to
guard the ship, and by no means TO allow the
terrible Col White TO go on shore. For that pnr-
pore, soldier was placed on board, TO prevent his
landing, by force, il necessary; and lest the awful
Colonel should concoct any schemes on board,
while in port, tending 10 impair Spanish authority
in Cubs, the Chef Of the Police force was like
wise placed on board the Ohio, ia citizens dress
for the purpose ct overhearing all that Col White
might say, 50 that he could communicate the same
TO the Captain General, in order that measures
might be taken in time to defeat any such purpose.
A Spanish spy also came IN tue Ohio to this city,
and is daily watching all the movements of the
redeubtabie Colonel here.
Now, what can be the meaning of all those move
meats In returning the civilites extended by the
officers Of The United States vessel Of war IN Matan-
zas, the Cubans were dong nothing. IA fact. but
what common poteness and etiquette required.
A 10 Col white-why should the Captain General
exhibit 30 much fear aud dread Of hun lie was
merely passenger IN the Ohio, on his way to New
York. and perfectly harmless individual after his
expedition wss broken up and scattered under Mr..
Csyton's order. And who Is Col White-thls ap-
partition this nightmare of the Captain Generill
lie is an adventurous sodier-a native of Ireland,
who came TO the United States, some time ago, to
better his fortune il he could For many years he
served il dry goods store in the Bowery, in this
atty, aud afterwards went to New Orleans and
acted in the capacity there, selling ginghams
and eorsets to the ladies, and kid gloves and po-
yustum to the southern dandes. When the war
with Mexico broke out he elected lieu
tenant OF a military company, Jumped at one
bound over the counter, and marched to the
Geld 10 defend the honor Of his adopted country,
where no aosbt, he did some service in STAY
ng the Mexicans This was the founda-
titn q he advancement. But when returning to
New York, passenger, he was a harmless indi-
udusl, perfectly quiet gentleman, very polished
and veIy mbane what, therefore, can be the
meaning Of the Captain Generals fright at his APP
pearsnce in the hatbor OF Havana The truth IL,
that all these movements only show the extreme
fear and sensitveness az the Spanish authorities
in Cuba, and the constant dread which is enter
tanned. that at no distant day, that beautiful island
with her productive soil and her twenty millions Of
revenue, will Zip from the Spanish government
and become State Of the American CONF deracy.
what will all those movements tend to, IS per-
tment question. They cannot, we verify believe,
have any other tendency than that ct bringing
about IN early separation Of that island from Spain,
by some means, peooease (orcibie. IL the Spanish
government in Europe were actuated by common
sense and ssgacity, they would at once see that
their hold on Cuba sloosened and almost destroyed
They would at once enter into negotiations with
the government OF the United States for ns peace
allie transfer 10 this country, for sum Of money
TO be agreed upon, and which sun would, no doubt,
be contributed by the Cubans themselves, soon
after the exchange Of notifications. NJ. Caldsron de