The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-16

We received, a few days since, from Kingston,
Jamaica, the following letter, with quite large
package OF documents, consisting of personal me-
mcirs, correspondence, old newspapers, proclama.
tions, &c., relating to the various efforts made by
the Cubans. at different tmes, 10 sever their
nection with the mother country. These docH-
menis contain materials for very interesting and
dramatic history, and put TO flight the absurd story
10 which the organs OF the Captain General, and
their allies in this country, have given currency
that the Cubans were content with their lot. We
have translated the letter, intsrpolatng it, in two
pla ces, with lists taken from the documents en-
closed TO US: The interpretations contained in
brackets. The object of the writers in sending us
the documents, is fully attained By the pubica-
tcn OF their own letter.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 9, 1850
Our object IN addressing this letter, and the
companyIDg documents TO you, is to answer
charge made against the Cubans by several papers
published in the United States. The charge is,
that the lnha btants of the island Of Cuba have
never made any attempt to throw off the yoke of
SPAN, and to change their political condition.
whether this has been said in good faith, and in
ignorance OF our history, we cannot determine. II
is strange, however, that wel-nformed journalists
should know nothing Of the facts which have
transpired during the last twenty five years. in an
island almost within sight of the shores of their
own country. II is strange that men who hail
with Joy the revolutions of distant nations, should
even be ignorant of the sufferngs and struggles Of
neighbonng people, inhabiting the same hemis-
phere, and bearing the same name as themselves.
But whether made in good faith, or for the pur-
utterly unfounded. SO far from submitting pa
tiently, the people of Cuba have made repeated
efforts to throw of the dominion of Spain, and
have furnished as many and as noble martyrs to
the cause q liberty as any other portion OF Ame-
ncs, OF 81 extent and population. II Is not the
fault, buSthe misfortune, Of these poor victims,
that their leeds, and even their names, are un-
known to the free nations around them Neither
does il detract from their merit, and the veneration
due 10 their memory, that their efforts defeat
ed, whilst those OF their neghbos the continent
proved successful. They dared and Periled every
thing-everything which man could dare and peril
If they have failed, the failure must be attributed
10 the difficulties Ut the undertaking, and not to
any want of willingness and exerton on their part
Many OF these difficulties are apparent, from the
documents which we transmit to you there are
others still more formidable, arising from the cha
racter OF the government, and from insular
position. The government OF Cuba is emphaticaly
country or in the city, around the social board
or IN the private chamber, the Cubans live
constantly under the eyes of ever-watchfu detec-
tives, who, with the means afforded them by their
every form The conspiracy Of isas was discover
ed and reported TO the Captain General by the at
torney OF one of the conspirators. In other de-
spo'c governments the spy is but an occasional in.
strumen employed In times of dan ger; in Cuba il
is the main and permanent machinery of govern
ment. The difficulty of preparing and maturing
an extensive plan of revolution uRder such a re-
gime, 10 proved by the fact that every successive
attempt at organization made by the Cubans was
discovered and crushed almost in its very incipi-
ency.
Another appalling obstacle in the way of success
IL, the want OF arms, and the almost impossibility
Of procuring them, The people Of Cuba are not
allowed to keep fire arms and weapons of any
kind, and the system Of espionage which prevails,
rous in the extreme. Where and how can they be
obtained, even after general rising, # the island
is blockaded not only by the Spanish feet, but by
the Engish and American naves, and all neutral
n YYy ina thpSS If
forced TO turn back Must we create a navy of
our own What people in a state OF revolution
has been able TO do SGT Look at the recent failure
OF the German empire.
The want Of military leaders is another serious
embarrassment; for although there have been, and
there are still many distinguished Cubsns in the
army OF Spain, none are ever sent to Cuba with
military command. Those who, after resgning
their posts, allowed TO return 10 their couary,
are the objects Of such close surveillance by the
police, as TO render their connection with the
patriots more dangerous than serviceable.
Well, sirs, Notwithstanding all these dangers and
ifliculties-notwithstsndin the many disasters
which attended every efort-ths people Of Cuba
.Se sssr.
view to obtain more liberal institutions from the
mother country, than with view to separation.
Time and experience having proved that all hope
Of good from that quarter was fallacous, the peo-
pie began to consider independence the only re-
me dy Tor their grievances. The first extensive
conspiracy, having this object in view, was formed
in Havana, in the beginning of ISL. IL extended
over the whole island, and included the most re-
spectacle and influential men Of the country, as
well among the Spanish as among the native Gu
ban population. IL was unfortunately discovered
by the constitutional Alcalde OF Havana, Don Au-
gustin Ferret, on the 10Th OF August, before the
time for action had come. Col. Don jose Lemus,
the chief oItbe conspiracy, Don Lucas Ugarte, and
Don Pedro Recio Sanchez, were arrested during
the night, and papers were found in their houses
which exposed their plans and the persons impli-
Gated in the plot. Document A contains the de-
tails OF this conspiracy, and the names OF some Of
the most prominent persons engaged in H. We
might have sent you many hundred names, but we
deem these sufficient 10 show the feelings and
wishes Of the people Of Cuba.
lCd Don Jose Lemus and Doctor Don Juan pernan-
des both Of Havana; Don jose Teurbs Tolon, OF Ma
tanxas and Don N. Peeli OF Caracas all condemned
to death. Don Juan Gusberto ortega. Of Matsnsss,
was also condemned to death. but Of course aid
not return to Cuba. Don N. Esoarsr, Don N. Par
zero, Don Jose Mara Ieredis Don Melton Lamar OF
Maisnras. Don N. Araos OF Spain Don N. Brssa, Col
Don Ersy Hsrmsno. Don N. Gonzales, Don Felix Va
rel,, Of II.vsns; Col Don jose Mena Don Thomas
Don N. Guerro, Of Puerto Principe; Don N. RAJ
moe, Of yenszuela, we're all condemned 70 perpetus
exile
The threads Of this conspiracy, thus prematurely
broken, were resumed in the city OF Mexico. On
the fourth Of July, ISIS, "patrictic junta" was
there formed under the auspices Of President Qua
dalupe Victoria, who obtained from the Mexican
chambers the authority TO organize expedition
10 afford 10 the Cubans the assistance which they
ne eded TO commence the revolution Document
i contains narrative OF this affair the causes Of
the failure Of the enterprise, and the nance Of
some OF the members of the Junta. You will ind
among them persons Ct the highest standing in the
island for wealth, intelligence, and character.
president Of the Junta, Don Jose Antonio Unrueta,
Of Havana Secretary, Don jose Fsnsndes de yeiasco
cf Puerto Principe; Deputies from Havana, Don Dose
Unruots and Don Juan Rcdrieues; nom San ysgo de
Cuba, Gen Don Manuel Quail and Don Antonio Mono |
de Ia Torre from Puerto Principe Don Antonio jose
yallee; frsm sssti Espritu Don r. de Lars. from rri-
nidsd Don A. A. Isnags; from visclara, Don Tomas
Gonzales; nom Hoauip. Don Nicholas Tvllex; fron
San Antonio, Don Jore Dario Rous-.t; from Santiago
Don Juan p Coetls; from Be- NAL Don Antonis FER
rsrs; from Guansjsy, Don Antonio Maria vsldes from
Bayamo, Don Pedro Lemus; from Guanabseos, Bon |
Juan Amador; from Guines Don Manuel v. Msdfwrs;
from Jaruco, Don Jose Perez from Barocoa. Bon
Juan de zequeirs; from Fnpinas. Don Jose Apgustn
Persits; from sanjusn de los Remedies, Don Pedro
de Rojas
As soon ss the Cuban exles found that their
O Goxfa aniaf Eoreinn aid In their hehalf Wnnh