The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-10
Very Important from Cuba-Brltish Plan Of
AbOllshIng Slavery In the Island.

AbOlishing slavery In the Island.
| Our readers will reeollect that some few
weeks ago there was report from Cuba of GER
tain overtures having been proposed in behalf
of the British government to the Spanish au-
thorities of Havana, contemplating the aboli-
ton Of slavery in the island and the substitu-
ton of the British West India apprenticeship
system. The Washington Union at the time
very emphatically declared that such policy
could never be permitted to go into practice in
Cuba without mourning the displeasure Of the
administration, from reasons Of manifest public
expediency, involving the institution ofslavery
in our Southern States.
Now if our latest information from Havana
be correct, it may not be long before Gen.
Pierce will be required to make good the de-
clarations of the Union, or disavow them. We
are informed, upon respectable authority, that a
demand or request had been made by order OF
the British government for mixed commission
authorized to search the estates and all places
in Cuba, where new importatons Of Africans
were suspected to be sheltered, and that the
Spanish government has granted the demand
of ngland, and that the Captain General has
received the official commission by the last
English steamer. The Captain General, we
understand had previously to this authorize
| ton, searched several estates. and had taken
great number Of negroes from them. These
| have been, as it appears, returned to their
masters, and among them, those that were
| taken from Zulueta's estate, and Zulueta him.
self has been removed from prison to his own
house, under arrest. The object of the Captain
General is probably to patch up the unjustifa-
BILE act Of searching the estates of the island
before any authorization was issued for the
purpose.
The present agreement between the English
and Spanish governments as it is proposed by
the first, and as communicated to us, is as fol-
lows
lst That England will consent to the i'm oortation
into Cuba Of apprentices from Africa for ten years
apprenticeship.
I'd. That new census of every slave in Cuba will
be formed now by m 'xed commission, authorized
to search every estate in the island that in future
| they can ascertain whether new slaves have been
introduced.
Sd. That in fifty years from the acceptance Of
these propositions, and treaty based thereon, the
present slaves and their children will be set Free
A draft, embracing these main propositions,
has been sent, it seems, to the English Consul
and to the Captain-General. in order to consult
| the principal corporations and planters Of Cuba,
and bring the bargain or treaty to a final set
| Element Judge Sharkey, while in Havana, we
| further understand, did communicate part of
| this scheme to the President and we are ad-
vised also, that the present acting consul, Mr..
| Robertson, has given more ample details on
this same subject to the administration.
| Such is the substance Of our special nforma-
| ton from Cuba concerning the movement Of
England in reference to slavery in the Island Of
| Cuba Let such a compact be adopted as the
| projft we have given foresbadows, and Cuba to
| the United States becomes forbidden fruit. 1t
is doubtless the primary object of England thus
to defeat the policy Of manifest destiny and
her Interior motive we may fairly presume is,
| to establish in Cuba such free black orgsni-
zstion as will be most effective in assailing the
| institution OF slavery in our Southern States.
| We presume that the administration, having
been duly informed Of the facts in the premises.
nds tahSH INC PioPSi osSP9i SVhsiStcHt WIN our
| relations to the Island Of Cuba, and with our
| policy concerning the Institutions OF the South.
for full understanding with the government
Of England upon this subject. Perhaps The in
| structons to Mr.. Buchanan and Mr.. Soul6 may
| cover this matter. II they do not no harm can
be done, and much mischief may be prcycuted,
| by such timely proceedings as shall nip in The
l ud Ibis British scheme Of Jamaica protccto-