Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-29
FROM OUR LONDON CoRRESP oNDENT.
IoSnoN. lime S. 1850.

LONDON, JUNE S, 1850.
The UNITED STATES attract, at the present mo-
ment, much of the attention Of the newspapers and
other public journals of England, on two accounts
the first and most material to the immediate interests
of the country, is the state of your cotton market,
and the amount of the probable deficiency of the
last years crop, coupled with the prospect of the
present one. The result of the expedition to Gu
ba is another prominent subject Of discussion with
our politicians, who enter thereon with more zeal
than knowledge, and with more desire to establish
a theory than to communicate information. Tins
theory, as oracularly enunciated by the Times. is
the existence Of desire on the part Of the United
States to bring every province and island be-
g tween Hudson's bay and the river Plate within
/" the grasp and dominion of their Government"
The prospect Of deficiency Of cotton has direct
ed much attention to India as the source OF future
supplies of thatnecessary raw material. Some Tune
ago il was stated that the prospect OF establishing
railways in India, to facilitate the transit of cotton
from the place of growth to that of Shipment was
very cherries one in fact that there was scarcely
hope that such an event would be accomplished,
in any reasonable time. The Economist now as
serts that arrangements for making the first section
of line from Calcutta in the direction of the north
west provinces, are proceeding in the most satlsfac
tory manner.
little chance Of either the press the people OF
Western India falling asleep over the cotton ques-
ton The subject Of cotton cultivation is receiving
more attention at Bombay than any other; and it
is not regarded by any party, in despondlng point
of view. very general conviction appears to ex-
list there that India may be made to supply the fac
tories of Great Britain with the raw material OF their
cotton fabrics It is contended, however, by some
writers, that too much is not to be expected from
the establishment Of railways in India, as the only
line which is in fair train for construction, does
not pass through the principal tracts OF country
adapted to- or now under, cotton cultivation. The
most important tract Of cotton growing country in
India lies in Goojrat, and is but short distance
from the coast The great Indian Peninsular Rail-
way does not pass through this country and Col.
Grant an officer Of the Bombay engineers, says:
/" IF the Liverpool and Manchester merchants and
I" manufacturers wait for the improvement of the
cotton trade until the Bombay railway has pene-
trated the heart of the cotton-growing districts,
they will, fear be sadly mistaken" Near as the
district of Goojrat lies to the coast there literally
scarcely any available road by which the produce
can be transferred to a place of shipment Col.
Grant demonstrates that good common road for
transport by wheel carriages will afford much
cheaper mode of transportation than railway; and
that the former would realize even three times the
profits of the latter, and confer ten times the benefit
on the country.
The Times and Morning Chronicle, and others
of our journals, are rather harsh in their comments
on the expedition to Cuba, making to be altogether
an American affair in its conception and its objects,
ancying that it is part of plan Of almost universal
conquest, so far as the Western World is concerned,
and blaming the Government of the United States
for allowing the expedition to start The writer in
the Times says:
I will not fear be very easy to convey to the general
English reader an adequate comprehension of that Of
society," that tone Of political morality, which could permit
outrageous violation Of all principles Of international
right but the experience of the Mexican has combined
with that spirit Of license engendeed by the lax and ncom-
peten authority Of the Supreme Government in the States to
bring about state of opinion under which such projects
considered both feasible and attractive.
Ahough, however, in the eyes Of Americans, habuated
by the occupation of territory and the expulsion of
weaker races expedition against Cuba would probably
appear little less natural than voyage to California is not
be supposed that the present enterprise has been undertaken
without motives of greater DEPTH and prospects OF more
extended character Cuba has long been the object OF Amer
lean DESIRE and has been seldom that has lately pass
ed without manifestation, in shape other OF these
ambitious hankengs At time negotiations report
ed with the Court of Madrid for equitable bargain and sale
another the opinions Of the Cubans themselves des
cbed resisby tending to annexation, and even the
umored descens upon the island calculated to keep
olive the Impressions respecting its ultimate destiny Mean
tme surer methods adopted of suppanpg Spanish in
teres in the colony Either by purchase mortgage Amer
lean citizens became the virtual of many Of the PLAN
tations and far this kind Of influence extends, it
probable that the Spanish Government has long ceased to
possess any material hold upon its dependency Indepen
den therefore, of the love Of enterprise and conquest there
motives of very powerful character dposng the opinion
Of the States favorably towards the expedition.
On the other hand the Federal Governmenthas obeyed the
imperative dictates of justice and propey pronouncing
decsvely against such violation Of right and the crcum
stances Of the expedition have enabled its dis
possible force by ordering the United States squadron
serving the Gulf Of Mexico intercept the invading force
its passage. This movement may perhaps be successful
may be anticipated by the operations Of the Spanish
cruisers which have received orders to watch the
channel Of Yucatan through which the invaders must pass
IT. however, General LopEz and his band should succeed in
eecng landing they will be virtually beyond reach Of the
Federal Government and the question will DO brought to the
issue of the sword.
" 1t is much be hoped that the interference of the Gulf
suqsdron may be exered in time for if blows
changed is difficult anticipate any thing but embodiment
and confusion Should the invaders be wosed and subject
ed 10 that retbuton for their offence which Spaniads
likely to orego may be taken for granted that the SYM
pathzers in the States will in great strength, wh
in the event Of their success it is equally certain that there
will be inclination to quit valuable prize Once
conquered by American citizens, Cuba will be considered
throughout the Union American properly and although
the supreme Government may be honestly disposed to rest
tuition and amends its inherent weakness in this respect
such that its effective resistance to the popular opinion
result almost beyond reasonable anticipation" "
Sir E. Buxton has brought forward a motion
in the House of Commons relative to the duties on
sugar, declaring that it is unjust and impolitic to