Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-27

upon people situated know that its approach has
already had powerful effect upon them, and that the
question: what they to do upon contingencies daily
pressing upon them and rpening into reality has for the
last twelve months constantly excited their attention and
stimulated them to action Were the population Of the
island of blood and color there could be doubt
hesitation with regard to the which they would
pursue dictated by their interests and their rights
the invasion Of Spain by France would be the signal for
their declaration of independence. That in their
present state it will be imposed upon them necessity
is unlkely but among all their rejecting it is
| admitted maxim fundamental to all deliberation
upon their future condition. that they not competent
to system Of permanent sefdependence they must rely
for the support of protection upon force from with
OUT and in the event of the overthrow of the Spanish
constitution that support longer be expected from
Spainheir only alternative Of dependence must be upon
Great Britain upon the United States Hitherto the
wishes of this Government have been that the connexion
between Cuba Spain should continue it has existed
for several years these wishes known to the princi
pal inhabitants of the island and instructions copies OF
which are furnished you, some months since
transmitted to Mr.. Forsyth, authorizing him in suitable
manner to them to the Spanish Government
These wishes still continue far they be INDUCED
with rational foresight of events beyond control
but for which it is duty to be prepared. If goveri-
is to be imposed by foreign violence upon the Spanish
nation and the liberties which they have asserted by ter
constitution be crushed it is neither to be expected
desired that the people of Cuba far from the reach OF
the oppressors of Span should submit to be governed by
them Should the of Spain herself issue mrc pro-
ptously than from its present prospects b antic
pated it is obvious that the trial through which she must
pass home, and the final loss Of all her donnions on
the American continents will leave her unable to extend
to the Island Of Cuba that protection necessary for its in
ternal security and its outward defence.
Great Britain has formally withdrawn from the coun-
ellis of the European alliance in regard Sain she dis
approves the which they have sanctioned and which
undertaken by France and she Aer determine
tion to defend Portugal against the application of the
principles upon which the invasion of Spain raises its
only pretence of right. To the commences she
declared her intention of remaining neutral but the
af tha with
much unanimity against France their inter-
deeply involved in the ssie their national
sentiments and jealouscs will be frcbly stimulated by
the progress of the war; whatever may that unless
the conflict should be short and tie issue decisive
that of which Italy recently tie scene it is scarcely
possible that the neutrality of Great Britain should be
long maintained The prospect is that she will be soon
engaged on the side of Spain; but, in making common
with her. it is to be supposed that she viii
yield her assistance upon principles altogether dsinter
esed and gratuitous As the price of her alliance the
two remaining islands of Spain in the West Indies present
objects no longer of much possible value benefit to
Span but Of such importance Great Britain that it is
impossible to suppose her Indifferent to the acquisition of
them.
The motives of Great Britain for desiring the possession
of Cuba obvious especially since the independence
of Mexico and the annexation of the Fordas to Union
the internal condition of the island since the recent Spanish
revolution and the possibility Of its continued dependence
upon Spain have been precarous the want of
ton there the power of aordng it possessed by Great
Britain and the necessities of Spain secure by
equivalent the support Of Great Britain for herself have
formed remarkable of predispositons to
transfer of Cuba and during the last two
have been multiplied that 1t already consummated.
We have been condentally told by indirect communica
ton from the French Government, that than two
years since Great Britain negotiating with Spain for
the cession of Cuba and eager in the pursuit to
have offered Gibraltar and more for il in exchange
There is to believe that In This respect the French
Government misinformed but neither is entire
lance TO be placed the declaration lately made by the
present British Secretary for Foreign Affairs the French
Government and which, with precautions indicating dis
trust has been also coRfdentiay communicated TO us,
viz that Great Britain would hold il disgraceul to avail
herself Of the distressed situation of Spain to obtain pos
session Of any portion Of her American colonies The
object of this declaration and of the communication Of
here undoubtedly to induce the belief that Great
Britain entertained purpose Of obtaining the possession
Of Cuba but these given with reference
to state of peace then still existing, and which it
the intention and hope Of Great Britain to preserve The
condition of all the parties to them has since changed
and however indsposed the British Government might be
ungenerousy avail themselves Of the distress Of Spain
to extor from her any Of her former possessions
they did forbear TO take advantage of il by order Of
repsas given to successive squadrons dispatched to
the West Indies, and stationed in immediate proximity
| 10 the island Of Cuba.
BY measures thus vigorous and perempory, they OBJ
tanned from Spain an immediate revocation Of the block
ade which her generals had proclaimed the Of
Terra Frma and pledges Of reparaon for oil the captures
of British vessels made under cover Of that military fc
ton. They obtained also, acknowledgment Of many
Government and promises Of payment Of them part
Of the national debt. The whole amount of them how
ever, well that OF the reparaton and indemnity
promised for the capture OF British property under the
bockades Of General Morales and by the Porto Rico pr
yateers yet exists in the form Of claims and the whole
Of them now is acknowledged claim for the satsac
ton Of which pledges have been given be redeemed
hereafter and for which the island Of Cuba may be the
only indemnity in the power Of Spain grant, will
undoubtedly be 70 Great Britain the satisfactory in
demnity which she could receive
The war between France and Spain changes totally
the circumstances under which the declaration above
mentioned Of Mr. Canning made, that IL may at its
very outset produce events under which the possession
of Cuba may be obtained by Great Britain without
raising feproach Of intended deception against the Br
tish Government for making it. An alliance between
Great Britain and Spain may be Of the first fruits of
this guaranty Of the island TO Spain may be
either Of threatened attack upon the island by France
or Of attempts the part Of the islanders their
independence resort to the temporary occupation of the
Havana by British forces may be among the probable
pedents through which il may be obtained by concert
between Great Britain and Spain herself IL is neces-
sary TO point out the contingencies by which
the transition from temporary and fduciary occupa-
tion to permanent and proprietary possession may be
effected.
The transfer Of Cuba to Great Britain would be an
event unproptous the interests Of this Union This
opinion is generally entertained that the ground
less rumors that about to be accomplished which
have spread abroad, and still teemng may be traced
the deep and almost universal feeling Of aversion to it,
and to the alarm which the probability Of its occur
has stimulated The question both of right and
Of our power to prevent it, necessary by force already
obrudes itself upon courcs and the administration
called upon IN the performance of its duties the
4 tenr ~ fnaof 10 No.