The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-17
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

try with the delicate subject of slavery in the
Spanish Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, continues
to be the leading topic of conversation in court and
other political circles. The story that there is a
secret treaty between Great Britain and Spain, in
which there is an article or articles authorizing
England to facilitate the emancipation of those
who are held to involuntary servitude in those
''gems of the gulf, requires confirmation. The
Hon. VIM L. Marcy, Secretary of State, feel
no hesitation in saying, has no knowledge of the
existence of any such treaty. Not considering as
refined, not to say classic, the expression call
CANNON" so often used by some contributors for
the press, | will forbear employing it; but ]
do undertake to say that the archives of the
State Department contain no such treaty as
has been chronicled, though there may be doc
uments in the care and keeping of William L..
Marcy and A. Dudley Mann which have bear
ing upon the institution of slavery in Cuba and
Porto Rico, and the desire of the British ministry
nexcusably to interfere with the legal rights of
persons possessing slave property there. This, !
repeat, is an important as well as an extremely
delicate subject, and should be cautiously and ju-
diciously considered by statesmen. Whenever a
point Of great interest was in conversation mem
toned to the great American jurist--the lamented
and beloved Chief Justice Marshall-he was in
the habit of saying, .sThat's high point, that's
grave matter, and requires to be profoundly re-
Elected upon" 1t would be immodest and pre-
sumptuous on my part to express an opinion as to
the remedy to be resorted to on the part of the
United States, in the event of the abolition Of
slavery in the Spanish islands through the infu-
| cnce of England.
| Fortunately for the country, the subject will be
committed to wise heads and patriotic hearts
men profoundly versed in international law and
the comfy which should be observed among ma
tons. Should the alleged designs of England be
consummated, there would undoubtedly be a
burst of Indignation in the Southern States; but
the Administration would not act precipitately
and violently, but wisely cautiously, and patriot
ically. Our rulers would not flibuster, nor would
they give instructions to Hon. Pierre Soule
our Minister to Spain, as some suppose, to inform
the Spanish government that, in carrying out the
wishes of England in regard to the institution in
question, the United States would consider that
Spain had parted with her right and title to Cuba
This is indeed ''high point, ga grave matter, =
and the consequences growing out of such a
course might prove truly disastrous, even to
our national escutchcon being furnished
| In case of a rupture between Spain and the
United States, (Which may Heaven in mercy
avcrt,) Cuba and Porto Rico might, and probably
would, be acquired by the valor of the American
arms They would be assailed and conquered as
possessions of her Catholic Majesty, the Queen of
Spain; but Mr.. Soule will never be instructed to
communicate to the court of Madrid that the Uni
r<1c h n <,l b>r
rights in and to those islands. Never, never.
The President, it is rumored, contemplates
giving some of his Maryland friends shortly
some substantial evidence of his grateful remem-
brance of their successful exertions to carry the
Democratic ticket in the last Presidential election.
No foreign appointments have been given to old
Maryland, with the exception of two petty con-
sulates-Turk 3 Island and Mannheim. aa
Among the gentlemen spoken Of for diplomatic
positions are Levi X. Bowen, of Baltimore coun-
ty, and Carroll Spence, of Baltimore city. Mr..
Bowen established, and for some time edited with
ability, the Jacksonian, now conducted by his
brother He is an industrious farmer, a man of
strong intellect, an enthusiastic Democrat, ex-
tremely and deservedly popular with the masses.
During the last campaign he did yeoman's SER
toned in connexion with the chargeship at Vene-
zuela. Mr.. Spence is an able, accomplished gen.
tleman and of bland and winning address. He
was on the Pierce electoral ticket, and traversed
the State and eloquently harangued the people in
advocacy Of Pierce and King. Mr. S. may be
rendered an honorable position abroad
William Finn, esq, of this city, formerly Of
Pennsylvania, was an applicant for the Office OF
Naval Storekeeper recently bestowed upon friend
Frank McNerhany. Mr.. Finn strongly
urged by James Buchanan, John G. Rives, and
other distinguished men Of the party, and at one
time he supposed his success certain. Buchanan
supported him with warmth and earnestness,
and as Secretary Dobbn was the enthusiastic
friend of Mr.. Buchanan in the Baltimore Conven-
ton, Finn thought the Pennsylvania statesman s
influence would be decisive. 1t will be rccol-
lected that Mr.. Dobbin, in making the rallying
speech to the convention to support Pierce, said
in effect: "We have presented son of the no
BILE old keystone State, around whom our nffec-
tons had fondy clustered; but we yield him,
even him, to the will of the convention" But
McNerhany played stronger card in the person
of Hon. Pierre Soule. The eloquence and en-
treaties of tho Louisanian carried the day to the
dsmay of Finn, and the joy of McNerhany
Ex-Governor Mcdonald, of Georgia, and Hon.
w. r. w. Cobb. of Alabama, are in the city
d. D. Briggs has been appointed appraiser at
New York, vice Cornelius Savage, removed.
ZEKE
The New York Courier and Enquirer of Mon
day says that the court of impeachment which
commenced it's session Mt ALBANY yesterdav Ia rs