The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-08

ytude. The desire to get their moneys
worth for the limited period, causes the mas
ter to make but scant provision for the wants
of the laborer, while his task Is increased 10
the utmost extent of possible human endu-
rance and, if not performed, stripes and blows
are administered I'D hbitum. If death ensueS
in consequence of this treatment as has been
the case already in several instances, the charge
Of mutinous conduct against the dead, covers
the sin of the living murderer. Slavery, as IL
ex Is here now can be mitigated and restrict
ed by energetic British action at Madrid; Du'
with Slavery. az it will be under the new name,
there will be no power to reach and checS 'he
abuse of the system. IL is laid this secret con-
yenton between England, France, and SPAN,
for the freedom of Cuban negroes and other
concurrent interests, is to- be approved ana IN
operation in the month of February next. Al
ready large preparations are making ior bring-
inc natives from Africa One individual has
obtained license from Madrid, which mas
been approved by France and England, to
bring 10000 voluntary apprentices from the
coast of Africa. Smaller operators for, IN all,
5000 more, are at work, not waiting Tor the
formal announcement OF the governments
And this is but as drop to the ocean, I'D
proportion to the anticipated action OF the specu
lators."
Reference is made to "Asiatic emigrants."
When were they imported, or are they to be
impGted2 From time to time we have seen
notices in the newspapers, of plans tor bring
ing Chinese labOrers into Cuba. Still, IN this
letter, which the Union relies upon as proof
conclusive of the alleged scheme for Atrlcani-
zing Cuba, we can find nothing bearing direct
" upon it. An alIusion is made to Z" the new
system of apprenticeship but no explanation
is given of the nature of this system, or as to
who are to be the subjects 6" IL is Sdid'-that
convenient authority for things guessed ats
the only authority offered by this letter, in
support of the existence of a secret eonven-
ton" between England, France, and Spain,
for the freedom of Cuban negroes, and other
concurrent interests" It is we'll known, that
Great Britain, after the emancipation OF the
slaves in her West India Islands, undertook to
supply the resulting deficiency Of labor by the
importation of Coolies from the East Indies,
and natives from Africa, who were to be held
to service under Il contract for certain num-
Der of years We are not aware that the
Union arraigned such policy as intended to
to Afrcanize the British West Indies, or as an
interference in the affairs of this
hemisphere. Nor has it questioned hitherto
the right of Great Britain to form treaties with
Spain for the prohibition Of slave.importaton
into Cuba. Now suppose it should turn out
that Spain has at last been induced to adopt
q system looking to the emancipation of her
Cuban slaves, connecting with it q policy
similar to that pursued by England, for sup
plying the consequent deficiency of labor, by
both--does her conduct furnish case for the
of the American Government
Has she not right to do what England has
lone, without being questioned by us We
nay deprecate the policy, as uniavorable to
certain schemes of ours for the extension of
Slavery ar because it may not BIO exactly ac-
,ordant with the views of the shareholders of
he United States, or because the scheme of
importing free laborors into the colony, to Ia
,Or on contract, may be fraught with suffering
md cruelty, as we'll as disastrous in an Geo.
,omical point of view as was alleged by the
ibolitionists of Great Britain in relation TO
he same policy, when adopted by that coun-
ny. But the question recurs-What right
would this Government have to interfere, by
orce of arms to arrest this system of eman-
,ipation and apprenticeship
Nv So 49, S.~L (" '--.-'-c o~~a
leal at random; and We fear that the Admin
stration, in its excessive anxiety to please the
Slave Power, may place the country in a posi-
ton on these affairs at once disgraceful and
untenabe