The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-09-19


obstacle; but she 10 supplied, and has closed her
ports against the African slave trader. Let the
traffic be practically consraband in Cuba; and but
little else remains to break up the barracoons, and
to transfer the slave ships along the whole African
coast into more useful and honorable branches of
commerce Such, it appears to US, are the practi-
cal consdera lions touching the slavery question, in
connection with the acquisition Of this invaluable
island.
The purchase Of Cuba is no new proposition. 1t
was preached some years ago in the United States
Senate; it has for some time been a familiar topic
ofpolitical discussion. The popular mind of this
country has become famliarized with it, until the
consum nation is considered merely a question of
time. Ii has, We have reason to believe, within
the last ten years, been under advisement before
the cabinet at Washington; and was, not long ago,
made the subject of special negotiations between
our government and that of Spain.
The negotiations for the purchase Of Cuba, under
PRESIDENT Folks direction, we presume, are now
considered as satisfactorily authenticated 1t viii
be remembered that, at the time, letter from q
correspondent Of the New YORK HERALD, writing
from Madrid, purporting to give a statement of the
overtures Of our Minister, General Saunders and Of
their reception by the Spanish government, was
most vehemently denied in this country, and pro-
nourced by many American journals, With various
pretensops to correct information as sheer bit
of invention or hum5ug. Quite an excitement was
raised upon the subject, so that even members of
Congress-John Minor Bolts among them-were
drawn into the discussion. But FIVE mi stake not the
letter Of our correspondent was at length indicated
by official testimony, in the most ample and conelu
sve manner. AT all events, it is a matter Of his
tory that there negotiations for the purchase
of Cuba by the United States, between cabinet
and the Spanish, during Mr. Folks administrator
ard we believe it is equally notorious that through
bad management, those negotiations fell to the
ground. We believe the overtures came at first
from Spain. She proposed to sell the island for
sum Of money, and the island being valuable, the
sum, Of course, was large. President Polk received
the proposition, read it, andturned it for cabinet
consideration. Secretary Marcy, it is understood,
recommended him to accept the offer, and to close
the bargain without higgling. 1t was good advice;
but Presdext Polk thought the price too high,
and to cheaper the article, transferred the
subject to General Saunders, at Madrid, with
instructions to try if Spain would not be
little more reasonable in her terms. The nego-
tiatiors leaked ous-the Spanish government.
falling back upen its reserved right and its national
dignity, cut short the whole business in fat deca
ration that Cuba was not for sale. Had not Presi.
dent Polk been hampered with the Oregon and
Mexican difficulties, different result might have
been achieved, and Cuba, at this day, might have
been luxuriating in the balmy sunshine Of our re-
publican institutions. The past may not be r.,
trieved; but tho ghtful recurrence to its teach.
ings is always attended with advantage.
There may be something in this report OF The
L1Tdon LeGGU. Spain wants mon2y. Her hold
upon Cuba, whatever alliances and treaties may
require, is, at best, bet precarious and insecure
Whatever may be the fact, it is highly probable
tina. the late events in Cuba will give RISE ia the
approaching Congress, to full discussion of the
whole subject 1t is also tightly probable tina. the
question will be carried into the Presidential can
vass; and the exam les Of Florida, Louisiana, and
Texas still fresh among historical recsllec-
tons. There can be doubt OF the result, If the
decision Of the question is turned to the Amer
;an people.