The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-08

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a uniform part of our duty to expose the undis-
guised manner in which the slave traders OF the
island were permitted to carry on their unhoiy
traffic, that it appears now quite refreshing to
be able to chronicle the beginning OF better
state of things. While the civilized world Is |
interested in all that pertains to the extinction
forever of this relic Of mere barbarous and
unchrstian age, the United States has parti-
cular and special interest in the present and
prospective condition Of affairs in Cuba. 1t has,
therefore, always been our policy to obtain the
best and most reliable information concerning
events in that island, and to spread such intel
lgence fairly and independently before our
readers. If the general tenor and substance of
our news from time to time represented the
great augmentation of the slave traffic which
had taken place of late, and the IMMUNITY with
which the slavers were permitted by the Spanish
officials to pursue their avocations, we were
the most sincere and resolute in denouncing in
no measured terms the actors in and abetters
of it. And now that we have cause to know
that our exposures and denunciations of the
slave trade, as carried on with the island of
Cuba, have begun to initiate better state of
things there, we are equally prompt in making
known to the world that favorable change in
that respect has taken place.
In our anxiety to obtain the most correct and
authentic account of the state Of affairs in
Cuba we made the acquaintance q few days
since of gentleman who had recently arrived
in this city from Havana. This gentleman is
Mr.. Sydney Smith, whose name is familiar to
many Of our readers as having been actively
benevolent in mitigating the condition of the
American prisoners, the captured remnant of
the last unfortunate Lopez expedition. Mr..
Smith. by his humane and energetic conduct on
that occasion, not only deserved but obtained
the gratitude Of the American heart, and sub
sequently had the qualification of seeing that
sentiment manifested in New Orleans and
other cities Of the Union, where he was enter
tanned at public banquets, and where he availed
himself of his position to allay the high state
of excitement then existing against Cuba by
fair and candid exposition Of all the events
which had then recently occurred there. He
has been since then resident of the island,
and from his discrimination, intelligence, and
the persons best qualified to impart accurate
and reliable information as to the condi-
ton of affairs there. He arrived here some
days ago, en- route to England, and on our
calling on him and expressing to him our
wishes he readily consented to give us the re-
suit of his observations in regard to the present
staae Of Cuba, particularly in reference to the
IL f,ot hoJi a1 ~, fho f,11
ing eketch Of affairs in Havana we have derived
from our interview with Mr.. Smith.
The island Of Cuba is at the present moment
in the enjoyment of tranquility and high
state Of prosperity, though some uneasness has
been lately manifested on the subject Of the
vast increase Of the African population. The
slave trade has been for some time past, carried
on to a very considerable extent; but quite re
Gently diminution in the traffic is percepti-
BE. This is to be attributed as well to the re-
monstrances made by the British Minister with
the government at Madrid, as to the personal
sentiments of the Captain General, and to the
energetic measures which he has consequently
put in practice to enforce the treaty stipuations
with England.
The cholera had been making fearful rava-
ges among the negroes on the sugar planta-
tions and it was feared at Havana that the
void thus occasioncd would cause new i'm
pulse to the activity Of the slave traffic In
deed it was well known that many vessels had
actually sailed for the coast Of Africa, and that
others were then on their return to the island
with their cargoes Of wretched human beings.
The Captain-General had adopted stringent
measures to prevent the importation of negroes;
but the coast of Cuba was so extensive and in
dented with such numerous cages and inlets-
well known to the slavers. but dangerous and
difficult of access to vessels unacquainted with
them-that the probability was that most if
not all Of them would succeed in escaping the
vigilance of the British cruisers and of the
Spanish officials. Still, the traffic could not be |
carried on now with the same impunity as il |
formerly was First, because Of the unceasing |
and untiring activity OF the British Consul
General, Mr. Crawford, who watches over and |
reports upon every infraction Of the treaty
that comes to his knowledge and secondly, |
because, as we have said Captain-General |
Canedo himself evinces laudable disposition
to enforce the observance of the treaty stipula-
tions. and has issued orders to his subordinates
holding them responsible for any violation
thereof which may take place in their respec-
tive districts
We may, therefore, felcitate philantAropists
throughout the world on the probability of the
near extinction of the slave traffic in this its
last stronghold. The Captain-G General has IN
doubleday the power Of cxtinguishing it if he
would only exercise that power with real sin
certify, activity, and resolution. And Mr. Smith
says that General Canedo not only possesses
the power, but, in his opinion, the inclination
too In proof Of this he adduces the fact of his
Excellency having dismissed from Office several
Lieutenant Governors and other officials who
bad incurred his displeasure in consequence of