Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-11-02
BRITISH DESIGNS UPON CUBA.


fairs of Cuba it seems have foundation in fact
1t is now confidently stated that Lord Howden,
the English Minister ut the Court OF Spain, in
June last made treaty with the Spanish Gov
eminent by which English cruisersare permitted
to land men to search the plantations of Cuba
on which slaves are suspected to have been car
ried from African savers. The same Embassa-
DOR it is asserted with equal positiveness, is now
urging upon Spain, with every prospect Of sue
cess, a treaty by which the English Government
offers to withdraw her cruisers from the coast Of
Cuba, and permit any number Of negroes to be
landed, provided they shall be emancipated at the
end of ten years, and that slavery shall be abo-
shed in the Island ut the expiration Of fifty
years.
We are the more inclined to credit these ru-
mors from significant article in the Washing
ton Union Of the Goth ult. Free Press.
Says that journal: "The rumors which have
prevailed for some time, rs to the interference
of Great Britain in the slavery question in Cuba,
are revived with circumstances Of confederation
so strong that there is but little room left for
doubt as to their truth. 1t has been about II
years, if our memory is not at fault, since Sir
Robert Peel justified the proposition TO indem-
Nifty the owners Of slaves in Jamaica for their
emancipation, upon the ground that the meas
ure of abolishing slavery in that island would
exert an influence upon this continent, and that
f20,000O0O sterling would be well spent for
such an object. That policy, as we believe, has
been steadily pursued by the British govern
ment, and is now actually consummated, or is
about being consummated, in the scheme Of in.
Producing apprentices from Africa into Cuba,
with the consent of Spain, and under the protec-
ton Of British ships of war, to be worked for
ten years as slaves, with the further agreement
that slavery shall cease to exist in the island at
the end Of fifty years. We have reason to be-
lieve from our private advices from Havana,
that wealthy Spaniards in Cuba are now negoti-
ating for the sale of African apprentices at fixed
prices, in anticipation of importations, for which
arrangements have been made with the govern
ment at Madrid, and sanctioned and guaranteed
by the British government. In that spirit of
open-spoken freedom which ought to be the ru-
ling characteristic fan American press, we deem
it our duty to call the attention of the American
people to the information derived from these sig
nifcant facts. 1t becomes us to survey them
with calmness and determination. We would
not indulge in passionate denunciation, but we
would speak as we would have our government
to act, with promptness., firmness, and energy.
Bearing in mind that this movement origin.
ates with, or at least owes all its hopes of sue
cess to the counsels and interference of Great
Britain, we cannot avoid the conclusion that as
it is to be executed under the guarantees of the
British navy so it must be made effectual by
continued British protectorate over the island
Of Cuba The effect is the transfer of Cuba
from Spain to Great Britain-making it sub
stantially British instead of Spanish province
or colony. In this aspect of the case, the decd-
cd action of our government is demanded by
that universally approved American sentiment
which is prepared to resist at all hazards any at
tempt of any European power to interfere with
the affairs of this continent. Upon all these
grounds the intelligence from Cuba indicates
the approach of crisis which must settle the
destiny ofthe island. We have every assurance
in the past course of the President and his cab.
met that they will discharge their duty with firm
ness and courage; whilst we have equal guaran-
tee that their action will be the result of the
most deliberate and patriotic convictions. In
view of a crisis so momentous, the heart of the
patriotic President must swell with emotions of
national pride to know that, with the exception
of few contemplate fanatics, he will be back
ed and sustained to the last extremity in his de.
termination to follow tho dictates of humanity,
to guard the constitutional rights of all the
States, to preserve the integrity of the Federal
Union, and to resist the aggressions of British
monarchy, by the united voice and energies of a
people who ars jealous of their honor, who are
informed of their rights, and who are ready to
stake life, liberty, and property on the preserva-
ton of BOTH BY all the considerations of in
terest, of honor, Of blood, we have appealed to
Great Britain to desist from her mad interfer-
ence in our domestic concerns; but our appeal
has been in vain, and we shall be compelled to
throw ourselves back upon our rights; and our
government, guided by helmsman who knows
neither fear nor dishonor, must stand by these
rights, and leave the consequences to an overru-
ling Providence"
SHIPMENTS FROM CHICAGO AND MILWAUKEE.
The following statement of the amount of
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