Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-01

footand nstructng them gve orders that the trans
ports on which the troops may embark proceed di-
recty to the United States, and in no event touch
at any place in Cnba.' The consul in his despatch
to me, also stated thai, if the revolution is attempted
and succeeds, immediate application would be made
TO the United States for annexation but he did not
seem 10 think that it would he successfully and proba-
bly, would not he undertaken Without the aid of Amer
lean troops. TO this portion of the despatch re-
plied-knowing the ardent desire Of the Cubans to
be annexed TO Union-tlat thought it would not
be I" difficult 10 predict that unsuccessful rising
would delay, if it should not defeat the annexation of
the island TO the United Sates,'' and assured him
that laid of volunteer troops could be OBJ
tanned.
Thus you will perceive with what scrupulous fl
deity we have performed the duties of neutrality and
friendship towards Spain. 1t is our anxious hope
that rising may not be attempted in Cuba; but if
this should unfortunately occur, the Government of
the United States will have performed their whole
duty towards friendly Power.
| Should the Government of Spain feel disposed to
part with the island of Cuba, the question, what
should we offer for it would then arise. In decd-
ing this question, it will be important TO ascertain
lst. What nett revenue il yields at the present mo-
ment to the royal treasury, after deducng all the
pendlture incurred on its account and, Cd. What
nett revenue would yield 10 the Government of the
United States in its present condition?
The first inquiry l have of answering
with accuracy. McCulloch, in his Gazetteer states
" that the whole of the island at average
of FIVE years ending with 1887, amounted to 49, 45,
5Sl per year; ana II is stated In II merchants
Magazine for October 1945, that the for the
year 1874 amounted to $l0,490, 252,S73. Since
1914 we have information the subject in the
Department upon which reliance can be placed. MIR.
Calderon informs me that the Spanish treasury at
Madrid have never received from Cuba in any
year sum exceeding $4,000, 900. In answer to an
inquiry, how the remainder CT the revenue ex-
pended, he stated that it appropriated to defray
the expense of it's colonial government, and to pay
and support the troops and maintain the vessels of
war necessary for its defence and security.
1t will you that Is Spain should cede Cuba
to the United States she would relieve her
self from great part, if the whole, of this civil,
military, and naval expenditure. In this view of the
subject, it would that the of $50 ,000, 900
would be an ample pecuniary indemnity to Spain for
the loss of the island.
2. What rett revenue would it yield to the Gov
eminent of the United States the present moment?
In estimating the amount of this revenue, must
mainly rely upon two sources-dutes on Imports,
and the proceeds of the public lands.
Of the average revenue Of $9945,591 for the five
years ending with 1887 HcCulloch states that the
maritime duties formed 81 per cent; the internal
es 223 per cent; the ecclesiastical deductions per
cent; the personal deductions 81 per cent; the mis-
ceIlaneous D per cent; and The casual rev.
enues lO4 per cent? Now, ismanfest that if Gu
ba were in the possession of the United States the
people would be relieved from the greater part if no.!
the whole of these contributions, with the exception
maritime duties. Besides, considerable proportion of
of hese maritime duties levied upon exports which
the constitution of the United States would forbid.
But the important inquiry this branch of the
subject is what amount of duties could collect in
the island ? and this must depend upon the amount
of the imports.
This ascertain for many years up, till 1874
inclusive from the tables published annually by the
Intendentes of the island. The following tabular
statement, extracted from Hunts Magazine, is doubt