The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-28
Rumorsd Negotiations for the Transfer OF
Cuba 10 ENGLAND.

| trouble prevailed among the Spanish ministry at
Madrid, on the subject Of the Island Of Cuba, and
that proposition has actually been brought for
ward to transfer both that island and Porto Rico
to England, for the sum of one hundred and fifty
millions of dollars, that representing the capt.
tai of the revenue which Spain derived from these
islands. The obje,t which the prop,ser hal in
view was, to secure something to the government,
and to create war with this country, as it was
supposed Cuba would be eventually conquered by
| the United States.
This intelligence was not confirmed in any way in
England at the time the Pacific left, and we shall
look with great deal of interest for further par
culars concerning it, by the next arrival. 1t is
very likely, however, that the English government
have approached the Spanish ministry on the cub
ject Of the purchase Of Cuba, and that it would
willingly pay hundred and fifty millions of dollars
for its transfer. 1t is graspng government, and
is not scrupulous in the means it uses of acquiring
additional territory, whent once determines to have
it. History affords abundance of instances in proof
of this, and the last few years even abound with
them. We need go further than the American
continent within the last twenty five years, to fad
them. Within that time, under oolor of pretexts
that would not stand investigation, England has
wrested from the various Central and South Anne
rican states large quantities Of territory, and,
within year past, has secured several important
positions, controlling harbors and rivers leading
into the interior All she needs now, to complete
line of decentralization around the sea coast of
the United States, from Halifax on the North, to
Greytown, or San Juan, on the South, is the pos
session of Cuba, appropriately demo minated the
key of the Guf of Mexico. If she should acquire
that island, her ambition would be satisfied, for
tine at least, for she would be able by means Of
her navy, to control, or to materially interfere
with, our commercial communications with the
European world. Il is not, therefore, unlikely that
there is some truth in the statements put forward
by the European press this subject, although
they want confirmation, as far as at present
advised.
If such transfer of the island of Cuba 10 Eng
land, or to any other European power, has really
been proposed or thought OF, we take the liberty
of saying, in advance, that it will never be cen
sSmmated without the consent of the United
States. 1t is essential to our protection, and to
cur interests, that that island shall remain as it is
colony of Spain, and tina. no European nati,n
shall interfere with its destiny. /. would be an
unsafe act of hostility for England to commit
against the United STATES, to take that island
under any eircums stances. We are . natisn Of
twenty-five millions of people, strong and powerful
We feel abundantly capable of defending and main
tanning our rights and our Interests, which GER
tairy would be compromised By the sale Of Cuba
to any European power.
We do not want Cuba, and Spain need enter
tain no apprehension of its being wrested from her
by the United States There will be no more fool
sh expeditions, like tina. Of Lopez, against that
island, nor is there any desire among our rejecting
people for the acquisition Of Cuba. AL the Anne.
rican people desire is that it shall remain just as
it is.
AS far as England is concerned in the rumors and
reports of the negotiation 70. the sale Of Caba to
her, all We can say to her is, If she should come
Into possession Of it, the will commit act hostile
not only to the government Of the United Sta.es,
but 70 the whole American people, without regard
| TO class or party. The publ. mind Of the country
is unani nous this subject, and it will remain so.
| so unanimous is it, that it would be considered
tintamount to declaration Of war by England
against the United States. The press Of this coun-
try have frequently Informed Great Brit ain Of this
and IL she desire TO IN aintain amcabe relations
with the Uaited States, she will not interfere be
tween us and Spain, nor between as and Cuba, in
any manner whatever. The reason why this couu-
try has taken this stand is apparent. We could not
look on and tolerate any foreign government. 10
draw a Gordon, as il were, across OR whole At
lantic sea coast, controlling equally the Gulf
| Of Mexico and the mouth Of the Mississippi
ard thereby allow it the privilege Of cutting
Of our commerce, or have arsenals or naval de-
pots within almost sight Of our shores. Thus
situated, would be at the mercy Of such foreign
government The instinct Of self-presery alton
therefore, forbds Us to permit such acquisition
is now alluded to, Great Britain canno: bu, see
Al r Al l.
in negotiating seriously for the purchase Of Cd5a,
she cannot but see tha; IL will produce in brief
time, conflict, whcs would be disastrous In les
consequences, and end no one knows where
We repeat, the United states do no. cove; Cuba.
spain il welcome to retain it as long she peases,
lorg she car but, with the consen. Of the /
hittd states, it will never DC transferred 10 any
other European 20 yer, and least of all to l. asand
TIE BOUNDARY WIN MExico-gy tie treaty |
with Mexico, Il we mistake not, the boundary lire
was 70 be surveyed, run, anl marked, il one year
/ from the treaty. Upwards Of three years have
| eapstd, snd il IL not yet done Who Is to blame
for this Il would seem as !. The governnen. Of
the United states canno: &c: anything done il
double or treble the time, AZ less than fye times
the expense, that iniividgals private asso.iat ms
can Il hey get things done by the JOB, G. on
contract, they are cheated 10 The work. The great
seat Of the disease is tie lust Cor occ, aud ,5ns.
ing 70 make money out Of the government. Wien
the oGce Of CON nissiorsr to this boundary IN
der the treIy created there we're hordss Of sp-
picants for II, from every quarter Of The U4ioa,
for gave $4,000 per year, besides Tie riekngs and
stealings Mr.. Bartlett. from Rhode leland. was
the accepted sutton among those WHO paid their |
ADDRESSES for this ofice aiter Colo-el Wels: and !
Colonel Fremont had both been discarded. Colonel
Emery and Colonel NcClellen had both been en-
rcyed to DO the scientific part % the business; bat
they we're dispensed With, and Colonei James y. |
Graham, Of the Typographical Engineers was or.
dCred 10 perform tia. service We learn ,ha. Mr.. \