The New York herald., 1850-05-22
Zhe Cabinet at twashIngton-Thc Cuba EI-
peditiOn,


Rochester knockings-that there is a certain Gu
Iious and mysterious understanding between GER
tain members and attaches of the cabinet at Wash
ington, and some leaders and fomentors Of the
recent military expedition which started nom
New Orleans to make descent upon, and an at
tempt to revolutionize, the Island Of Cuba IL there
be any truth in these ntimations, il would appear
that some portions of General Taylors administra-
ton have been cognizant of the movement in all
its steps and of all the preparations taken for the
expedition now on its course. Yet the avowed
policy of General Taylor's administration, as dis
closed in his proclamation against the attempt
| meditated last summer, and as contained in the
late naval orders issued to certain vessels on the
Cuba staiien would all seem to indicate decided
and positive hostility to any attempt, at the present
| time looking to revolution or descent upon the
| island of Cuba. But, when reflect upon other
disclosures, and upon the general weakness of the
present cabinet, we shall not be surprised TO dis
cover, that while General Taylor advises openly
and above-board the discountenancing any such
| expedition, as contrary to the treaty with Spain,
| yet certain managing, intriguing spirits about the
cabinet are secretly aiding and abetting the adven-
ture in order TO be able 10 raise new issue, and
get rid Of the dilemma into which their imbecility,
| their corruption, their nepotism, and their inca
| pacity have put them before the American people.
| Let US explain.
Ii will be recollected that curious opinions,
| originating with Mr. Clayton himself upon this
subject were disclosed in the famous 60 Brega Cor
| respendence," which we published, for the first
| time, last autumn, in our columns In the various
| cony ersations which Mr.. Clayton held with Mr..
Brega, disclosing the political views Of the govern
ment, there was one passage which particularly
struck us with surprise, and that a conversa-
ton in reference TO the policy Of the government
in view of the future liberation and fate of the
Island of Cuba. In these disclosures Mr.. Clayton
did not hesitate declare his opinion and his views
TO be in favor of the separation Of Cuba from the
authority and control of Spain. lie did not, in
deed, make known the steps by which this was TO
be accomplished; but there was no doubt but that
he approved of it. He also, on another occasion,
with other members of the cabinet, expressed
warm sympathy in favor of the movements made
in various parts Of the country having for their OBJ
ject expedition 10 the island Of Cuba. 1t must
be admitted, however that the proclamation of the
President, last summer, against the attempt then
made, would seem to convey different idea Of the
purposes and views of Mr.. Clayton and the cabinet.
Recent events, however, and the terrible difficult
ties which they have involved themselves in, with
their own party and the country, may have brought
back the same impulses which, in the early part OF
the administration they did not hesitate to avow to
Mr.. Brega, in those famous interviews Of which he
sketched the general outlines in his very valuable
correspondence. A weak cabinet is always ready
to snatch at popular questions, and to connect them
selves with popular excitements, when they are
plunged in inextricable difficulties by their own
folly or corruption.
A variety of circumstances connected with the
recent expedition, would seem TO warrant a con-
frmation of these suspicious in relation TO the real
purposes Of the cabinet, notwithstanding the appa-
rent alacriiy with which they have busted them
sclves in sending out orders to intercept the Lopez
expedition.
Ii is well known that the headquarters of General
Lopez short time before the starting of the expe-
dition, were at Washington. He had rooms at the
Irving House, Pennsylvania avenue, where he re-
sided the greater part OF last winter, and he fire.
queuily visited at the soiress Of the secretaries and
the President. His councils were openly held and
talked of in public throughout the winter, and they
even published pronr~ciamento, undisgui.edly
avowing their views and purposes and saying that
their headquarters were at certain place in Wash
ington Now, all these thing. were well known to
the cabinet during all the last winter, and several
Of the leaders of the expedition even persons
intimate with the administration.
Now, il such was the intercourse between the
leaders of the movement against Cuba, and the
friends Of the cabinet, to say nothing Of the cabinet
ministers themselves, there must have been some
kind of mutual understanding and the intentions
Of the patriots could not have been unknown to
the cabinet throughout the whole present Con-
grcss, till the prescn, moment. Ia fact, we have
reasons for believing that every step taken in
ference to the fitting out OF this expedition, was per-
fectly known before, by certain adherenls of the
cabinet, and to certain members Of the cabinet
Lenselves. II this inference and natural suppos-
tion be csrTect, there must have been purpose
and very curious purpose, contemplated in delay
inc public notice Of the sailing OF the expedition I'LL
after il had started from New Orleans, in all its
force and numbers. How do we know but that the
American squadron may not have received direct
orders to take such position would leave the
struggle TO be between Lopez and the Spanish au-
thoTiiics alone How do we know, (vhen all
parties beyond the waters Of the United Sta,cs)
that the American squadron may not advise the
British squadron on the West India station, to
unite with it in maintaining a neutral position,
allowing things TO be decided between the in
vaders and the Spanish authorities themsclvesl If
N"r iiiduf isrt NttAs Nuurf suCu
stances, in Cuba and the invading army should be
able to maintain themselves even in Entertainments
or encampmeni, bat one month. who can doubt that
tremendous excitement would be created in the
South, spreading itself norhwarls and iha, all the
troubles which have been boiling up during the
last Elk months in Congress, would then be all
oyerhorre, swept away, and carried down tie flood,
by The freshcr, the newer and the more positive
excitement, growing out Of such s,atc Of thing.
in Cubal
Taking all these facts and circumstances in con-
nection, and tracing them to their natural infer
ences and conclusions, we are no, sure but that
certain portion Of the cabinet are favorable 10 the
expedition now set sail, in spite Of the apparent,
show Of alaerty in stirring themselves in tn, busi-
ness full week after the sailing Of the expedition.
1t i certain that in the early part OF last year,
Mr.. Clayton was decidedly in favor Of the libers-