The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-11
From The London Ne,cs, Jaauwy 20.
The Cuban Slave Trade.

Inc attention OF Lord John Russell has not II
would seem been directed in vain to the revival of
the African slave trade from Cuba. The Admiral
~, we understand, have, on his lordship's instruc
tons as Foreign Seer etary, issued orders for the
despatch of some swift steamers to the coast
Island, to see whether it be not possible to chez
IN the commencement the renewal of the infamous
traffic in human beings and at ali events tn ahoyv
the court OF Madrid the sense which England en-
tertalns OF the scandalous manner in which the
spanish colonial authorities disregard the dictates
OF humanity and the obligations of treaties Driven
from brazil, the great slave dealing capitalists
lor time sought repose in Europe. De Sa,
Carneiro, Nettc, and Fonseca, carried their i'll
gotten wealth to Portugal. and the persona whom
IFS iormer colony had rejected, Portugal has en- :
nobled. De Sa has been created the Baron of
Villa Nova do Mimic, Angelo Carneiro Viscount
Loures; and on Netto was conferred the Cross of
the Order of Nossa Cenhora de Conceicao. Whe-
Their these particular individuals have returned to
their old habits and practices we know not; but
certain it ia that for some time past arrange
ments have been made in Cuba, by persons of
great experience and capital, to fill up, by fresh
importatons from unhappy Africa, the void which
cholera had made in the slave population of that
island. The first evidence Of this movement was
seen in the shipyards of Baltimore and other
American ports. Thence were despatched, not
to Havana, but to the minor and less frequented
ports of Cuba, clippers such as only can hope to
escape the vigilance of our cruisers. These met
with ready sale in the island. The Spanish
authorities closed their eyes to these significant
preparations, and rejected impertinence all
protfered information on the subject 1t thus be-.
came only too evident that the present Captain
General was ready to wink at, perhaps to profit
by, the traffic. The fittings for these ships were
despatched in other vessels, and from other coun-
tries, to the coast of Africa, there to be trans-
ferred to the clippers as opportunity served. And
the hope is that, sailing light and unequipped
from Cuba, the clippers will elude the provisions
OF the treaties under which, when equipped, they
may be seized.
II ia, To irip,
outburst that the Admiralty now orders additional
steamers to the coast of Cuba. And though we
have never, our readers know, been favorable
to the large expenditure that has for so many
years been going on along the western and east
ern coasts of Africa, we are not about to take any
objections to this temporary reinforcement of the
Cuban squadron. For off the coasts of that island
check, it is possible, may be given to what it is
quite impossible effectually to repress the two
shores of the great African PENINSULA and it is not
consistent either with the honor the past exer-
tons of England for her government when 80
near, as it was anticipated, the triumph of her
or Incidence those monstrous proceedings of the
planters and government of Cuba.
Better even that the " Lone Starr of America
should rovolutionize Cuba, that the authority Of
most valuable remaining colony, than that it
should be allowed to renew in all it's ancient
denominations the outrages on Africa. And this |
it ia to be hoped, Lord John RUSSELL and his forth
clarendon.
plainly tell the court of Madrid. The British ma.
ton and government can take no interest in the
retention of Cuba by Spain. whilst Spain refuses
to do-which recent experience has demonstrated
she can easily do-euppress and terminate the
slave trade in that island. 1t is useless longer to
argue or to demonstrate with such court as that |
of Madrid; for reason and remonstrance it ia now
Indispensable to substitute determination that |
cannot be disregarded.
Unlike Brazil, Cuba is compact and well. or
ganized country; unlike the Brazilian, the Cuban |
government has always been, and still is strong
powerful, and desPotic government; unlike Brazil
Cuba has police, an army, and coast guard to /
enforce its policy; and yet Brazil far less favora-
bly, situated in all these respects than Cuba has |
terminated the slave trade. 1t H. idle triflipg |
therefore, to say that the court of Madrid cannot
it have the disposition and the resolution achieve
what Brazil has accomplished. But it has not the |
disposition. tits by Cuba, and the means of cor
rupton it furnishes, that the court of Madrid ia
able to carry on that system of domestic misgov-
eminent which ia the curse and blight of Spain |
1t was under the vigorous and free constitutional
system of Espartero that the African slave trade
was for while suppressed in Cuba; and until con.
stitutional government be again restored, our
cruisers may check, but they will not be able to
terminate this infamous traffic, unless the court of
Madrid is brought to it's senses, and taught that
treaties may not be wrecked like the hopes of
bondholders Approving, then, of this step as a
temporary measure, Lords John Russell and Clar-
en- don must go further, ii they desire to be perma
neny successful, and attack the slave trade where
it really receives its impetus-in the camarilla of
Madrid.