The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-12-10
Spain and the United States-The Cuba
Pris0ners-The Release OF British Sub

Spain and the United stases-The Cuba
Prisoners-The Release or British Sub
Jccts.
From the London Times, Nov Isl
We have already mentioned the clemency and good
feeling shown By the Spanish government in granting
free pardon to twenty three Brtsh SUBJECTS Who had
sral 2ops. against the island Of Cuba and wsr. sem
enced by the authorities in that island to be trans
ported to the penal Of Spain for their
offence, As individuals profess to feel nothing
more than bare compassion for who placed their
lives at the mercy Of the Governor Of Cuba, by
forgotten what they the country Of their birth
when they embarked In criminal adventure repudated
and BY the laws Of all nations Such acts
men on from the protection to which they entitled
British Subjects in all parts Of the world long they
are engaged in lawful svocstons; and do not think
justice Of their sentence and them from punish
ment they richly deserved But the Spanish
taken Cuba for the defence of the island ana
the severe punishment inflicted at upon the first
band OF pirates taken with in their hands were
sufficient vndication OF its rights and of the More
over 1t has been acknowledged by the cabinet Madrid
that not only were the British government and the
British nation absolutely opposed to the American
schemes for the acquisition of Cuba, but that
instructions were sent out to the British squadron
in the West Indies to co operate with the forces
Of Spain and of France. II necessary, for the
prevention Of further expeditions against the island
We infer therefore that the act Of clenency which
alude is intended by the Queen Of Spain to mark
her grateful of the support she received from her
allies this OCCASION and it Is the pleasing it
has been granted to the or LORD Howden
who had eXered himself with great alscrity and
to render that support prompt and eeotusl. The cir
cumstances In which the government of Spain fuds
itself placed with reference to that Of the United States
however very different from those which have arisen
out Of hs between spain and the European
powers The American government was say the least
OF It, guilty Of great neglect in net taking earlier and
more eectual measures to prevent the formation and
departure OF the Lopez expedition from its ports
was evidently afraid to act up to its ackno wedged
duty In oppotion to the popular excitement by
the mrs prese nations OF Lopez and his partisans In
breach Of the Law Of nations and the laws Of
Union. These officers have since been removed from
redress thus afforded by the cabinet of washington
was not granted until the failure Of the expedition
had stamped it with ridcule and disgrace But
this was not all. Upon the news Of the execution
of the first band of prisoners the mob In New Orleans
tackled the house Of the Spanish Consul tranpled
the ensigns Of the crown Of Spain and obliged the
Consul himsef fee for his s leaving the interests Of
his ceuntrymen which then most required his protec-
ton to the care Of his colleagues the French and Bri
tah Consus This act Of popular violence distinct
from the Cuban expedition, though arising out Of it, for
which the Spanish government entitled to require,
and the American government bound to grant, the
most ample reparstion. A government which cannot
protect the diplomatic agents Of foreign States from
suit and danger its te ritories fails in of the
most essential conditions Of those laws which regulate
the intercourse OF nations and though is possible that
such an occurrence as popular riot may suddenly
power the authorities in large city il Is the
incumbent the government to offer the fullest
compensation for outrage 1t had not the force pre-
vent These propositions obvious and elementary,
and are constantly acted upon by the most powerful
States without any derogsion TO their true dignity that
we cannot doubt that Mr. Webster and Mr. Fillmore
would feel themselves bound to act upon them IL SINH
lar insult were offered to American consul abroad
But appears that they have not the political strength
result is continuation and renewal OF the i'll feeling oc-
casioned by the Cuban affair The Spanish government
requires that the President Of the United States should
invite the Spanish Consul to return to New Orleans con.
sening however to send thther another member Of the
service and not the same person who was so
unceremOpiOusly eXpelled bv the ha hon
be received AZ brought in upon national vessel
the Spanish flag should be saluted BY the Americans
and that the value CT the property destroyed
by the rioters should be restored to him by the federal
government In the event of the rejection Of these
Minister at Washington is instructed withdraw from
his post. We learn with regret that Mr. Webster the
Secretary Of State has thought at TO refuse these terms
of accommodation and Mr. Csldsron de Ia Bsrca finds
himself bound act the letter Of his Instructions
the consequence may be more serious misunderstand
ing between Spain and the United States than had hth-
erto arisen out these events The case would appear
to be in which the mediation Of a friendly power
might settle dispute which turns rather point Of
usags and Of national feeling than any positive int
rest But the American government has already shown
30 much irritation ct the slightest sembsnce or inter-
fair that 1t Is not improbable that the feeling
which prevents IL from making the amende honorable
ing such mediation in the spirit in which it might be
offered Mr.. websters decision Is the more to be
GREETED inasnuch as 1t was understood that although
the spanards would not make the exercise OF the pre-
rogsuye Of mercy the subject Of diplomatic spula-
ton they disposed to release the Cuban prisoners
upon the settlement of the wrongs done their con-
sui In New Orleans; and the fact that the British pr
soners have actually been pardoned suggests compar-
son between the two nations which ought have
weight In the United States. We do the Amer-
can government the to doubt what its real OPT
MONS this unfortunate affair bat the Of
popular preudices and the excitement Of popular feel
ipgs, are nowhere more injuriousy felt than In the
foreign relations OF the American democracy 1t Is q
fact comparatively to the world in days that
whilst the whole sesesmanship Of cabinets constantly
employed In averting the caates Of war, and Ia heal
ing without blows, the disputes that arise between
nations peace OF unrequenty threatened BY the in
temperance wi1uness disregard OF law which arises
out OF pular passions misconc Acts such
government could attempt to paliate II IL were
really responsible for its conduct screened BY the
sumption Of popular competence and the
OF the day, when they endesvoring to plunge the
world into confusion, have more certain means Of
operation than TO transfer the direction of
relations from cautious and responsible
excited aud irresponsible people. UnhAppy, the feeble
government OF the United States Is compelled to yield
TO an impulse Of this sort however repugnant may be
to the better Judgment OF Its members Mr.. Webstsr
demands something more than apology IT, in truth,
eeconeeriDg flourish Of tbs Secretary State to
bis party and 1t 10 lsmenable to the most eminent
and moderate men In the United States reduced to
such e1pedien ~ 10 court popularity by identify
irg themselves with indefcnsibis courage indem
nifty 10 spain for the riot In New Orleans would probably
have cost Mr. Webster dear the PritoAard inden-
nifty cost NJ Quiet; but at least the French govern
ment bad, that occasion the courage 10 ADMIT that
they were In the wrong and 10 abide by the ems offered
for their acceptance