The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-26
FAMILIAR LETTERS FROM CUBA.

HAVANA, March 9, 1853.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
1t is sad to think how much of our national
sensitiveness is lodged in the peculiar lustitu-
ton" | have never heard that, during the
time when the pirates Of tho Caribbean sea
were ravaging these West Indian waters, an
American vessel Of suspicious rig, appearing in
u Suspicious ncghborhood, was allowed to pass
unchallenged by any English man Of war that
happened to meet her, or that our national sus-
capabilities took fire at the discharge of their
police duty, in such cases, by foreign vessels.
Then we sincerely wanted to be rid of the an.
noyanco and saved from the loss to which the
pirates subjected our commerce That form
of piracy was hateful in our eyes. But now,
things have changed The only pirates that
iniest these waters now, are the slavers, and
though we quite agree with the rest of man
kind in denouncing the slave trade as piracy,
still we have gentle way of dealing with sla-
vers, aud our dislike of the business is rather
general to the trade than particular to those
engaged in 1t. And so, though we know very
well that the American flag is favorite ensign
with the savers, and that shaving vessels are
very often of American build, and that shaving
captains and crews arc not unfrequenty of
American extraction, still we cannot endure.
for moment, that vessel under the American
flag should DO questioned on the seas by a for
eign cruiser however suspicious may be her
maneuvres or the ncighborhood in which she
is found. Just now, for instance, some patriotic
persons in the Havana are manufacturing ex-
plosve machines, in the shape of communica-
tons to the home press, which are destined to
startle America from her slumbers, and awaken
her to the danger her honor, her name per-
haps her political existence, are continually in
curing in the Cuban waters. An American
ship-tho Harriet-a republican merchant
man, has been actually fired upon by British
man OF war myImidon of monarchy has
boarded the deck of an American vessel
What shall we do about it 2 or, rather what
shall we not do about it ! Mr.. Douglas, who
30 we'll understands the sentiments of England
towards America, perhaps can trace back to
its source, in the malicious counscls of an Aber
deem and q Palmerston this atrocious insult to
| the majesty OF the people, and point us to the
| sovereign remedy for such intolcrable ills! OF
course, we are to hear no excuses no justitica-
ton OF this unjustiflble conduct What is it
to us that the SLAYER who recently sacrificed
| the lives Of four hundred miserable Africans, in
attempting to run into creek on the southern
side OF the island, brought his wrctched cargo
on the coast under the starry flag of freedom
| What is il to us, that the SLAYER who success.
fully landed his victims in the bay of Cardenas,
near Jucaio, sailed with an American vessel
displaying American colors, and manned al
most entirely by Americans, directly past the
English equadron--the officers of which, taking
his vessel to be a bona fde American merchant
man, allowed her to pass unmolcsted and un.
challenged! What il it TO us, that among the
vessels now expected to arrive here, from Africa
there is at least one large American barque,
which, being plainly American in her build
cannot display Spanish colors without ut once
bctraying herself as none but Spanish. built YES.
sells are now allowed to use the national flag
All these considerations might go to justify
the proceedings OF the English officer in tho
eyes of a nation sincerely anxious for tho sup
precision OF the slave trade. But, alas what
need we care about the African slave trade, so
long rs it does not interfere with our own do.
mest'e commerce Indeed, ought we not rather
to have some tenderness for traifi, which elm.
ploys our vessels and sometimes our citizens
ON such remuneratve terms Who can build
such fast vessels as We and in what other
trade is speed in such demand! A swift Amer
lean brIgor bsr9ue sold to-day at fine price,
IN the Havana, is soon despatched for Africa
takes ON board her negroes, evadcs the cruisers
east and west runs in upon quiet part Of the
coast lands her cargo, is scuttled and sunk.
Her owners, who have paid from $50 to $40
head for their victims in Africa, sell them hero
at from 1880 IN $500; and, when the loss of
tho vessel aud the expenses of the voyage arc
all accounted for, such handsome profit y
remains, that another handsome and swift
American barque, entirely ready to 20 to sea -
such AZ you may SEQ advertised in the Havana
journals every weeks soon purchased, and
sent ON the same errand Once landed the
negroes are beyond the reach of pu,suit-at
least, such has alwsys been the case till within
two months, when the frs, instance Of seizure