The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-22

| their osn profit in view and Therefore, have moi
fixed their attention the fact whether that interest
II succeeded. might bring with II dsagreeablt
dslculties for the future We will explain ourselves
A great majority OF the Cubsns desire dependence
OF oppressive Spain which tyrannizes over them with
out pity or consideration OF any kind. That majo
MY OF Cnbans, through profound convictions, based
On experience through an interest favorable TO the
| progress OF this country, and finally through the
spirit Of sefpreservatlon. eagerly desire the
| tion OF Cuba TO the American Union To that sebs
| Bile and numerous majority We have the honor and
the pride Of belonging; and rs ccoes Of their sent
mcnts In harmony with our own. we NAV express
with the resolution Of free men, that We desire an
uexation TO the United States But we wish that Il
should take place by honorable proceedings which
may not stain oor brow with the cxccrabe insult of
a negotiation, Of q treaty OF bargain and sale be.
tween these States and Spain. II Il true. we have
no doubt, that our situation would be greatly
improved, by our being free from the odious
Spanish domination, as we wonld enjoy the
same right, as American citizens have TO day; since
example has been given that the Cover nnient Of
the immortal Washington does not carry anywhere
despotism or arbitrary rule. But our welIbeing would
be equivalent to that OF the slave who passes from
the possession Of cruel master TO that OF humane
Kind and generous one, who might have for his slave
as much consideration "a for frceman-though
still with the right of absolute superiority and what
Is more, with the faculty of disposing Of him when
ever II was his will or desire. This would bc our
condition on entering into the bosom Of the Ameri
can confederation without titles or merits to allege
in our behalf Will the government OF this country
believe that the acquisition of Cuba by means OF
purchase would be more profitable to iti We be-
lieve not. The Cubans, deprived OF the honor would
not hove frank affection towards the new posses.
Sei2 :. tne island, and would still look with repug-
nance upon the shameful condition of their liberties
Not so when they, after victorious struggle with
the oppressors ol their country would purchase il,
dependence with the price OF their blood and the
strength OF their arms Thus, and only thus can be
assured complete harmony between the Union and
the new State cnglaftod into it, aud the annexation
theieof proclaimed by the spontaneous and sovereign
will Of the Cuban people
The Cubans have found in this country a decided
protection for their cause; Americans have shed
their blood have perished, and have sacrificed their
interests for the liberty Of Cuba in making common
cause with Us. And why should the pure and noble
blood OF 50 many victims become useless aud their
sacrifices remain obscured by q negotiation The
Cubans will always have engraftcd on their hearts
have struggled and who sacrificed themselves in
Their cause, but they can have affection for the
enemies Of their glory and for those who think Of de-
priylng them Of it. by handful Of money.
Fortunately, this IS not the idea OF the majority of
this great people. But it it should unfortunately
happen that the opinion of those who are working
for ne gotiation to purchase Cuba for some millions
or dollars should triumph; and if those ends could be
attained without any obstacles on the part Of the
Spanish government, let it be understood that the
realization Of this project will occasion in the future
serious and dsagreeabe dissensons. In such
case we certainly would belong to the number
est degree the honor. the glory. aud the good
name Of our country, towards which our most ar
dent aspirations tcaye, and for which noble cause
we would cheerfhl'y encounter, as we have done up
wish Cuba free by the means Of triumphant
revolution, but we repudate our liberty il we have
to acquire it at the price OF our dshonor No Cuban
who retains the recollection Of his compatriots i'm
moated as sacrifices for their country shall ever ac-
cept such q condition.
THE SPANISH FLEET AT HAVANA. -.
The Di1:iv &c Ia Marina of the llth August,
contains the following article, descriptive Of the
Spanish steam marine in the Cuban waters :
Now that, with the arrival Of her maestys steamer
General Lego, there have been incorporated with
the naval forces of this station the four vessels of its
class, ordered expressly to be constructed for the
better and quicker service Of coasts, we think
that the opportune moment has arrived of commune
eating to our readers such facts az We have been
able to acquire with respect to this precious acquisi
ton for the better custody and defence Of our beau
tiful island.
Although these four vessels arc really identical,
built Us they were under like contract, still there
are some slight differences between them. The
Condc del Venadito and the Neptune arc q wood,
and measure 10 feet keel 90 feet breadth of beam
lSA feet in length flOm stem to stern, and ii feet
IN defth OF hold. suppressing some fractions Of
inches. Their measurement Il 1853 tons, and their
draught, with full cargo, such was to be desired
for the service for which they are destined.
The Guadalquiver and the General LezO are iron
vessels, Of lG6 feet length of keel, Il breadth of
depth Of hold, tbereabouts and they measure $40
tons each. Notwithstanding the slight difference in
the dimensions the armament Of the four vessels is
alike, and consists Of two thirty-two pounders on
swivels, well mounted.
The height Of the middle decks and their ventila.
tion are calculated carefully for the necessities Of the
climate and the capacity Of the vessels Is to trans
port, with al convenience and ease, from three hun
a. hx,,J oVI
ing their crew. but for voyage ofa few hours, they
could carry whole battalion without the least in
convenience Of any sort.
As 10 the sailing qualities Of these four steamers,
they arc highly satisfactory. US deducted from the
experiments personally made Oh board the Conde
del Vepadito, by his Excecncy the COmmandant
General Of the station. The constant rate
Of speed of this steamer in the yoJ age to Cardenas
and Matanzas and back, varied from ten to thirteen
and half miles-never falling under tie first figure,
even with contrary wind and tide. Thevoyage from
our port to Matanzas was performed in the very bref
space Of four and half hours rapidity to which,
as believe, merchant steamer has attained and
which Is enough to demonstrate the superior capacity
Of good vessels OF war For the purposes OF the
government tho Conde del Venadito leaves nothing
to be desired Her movements in the sea are gentle
and her oscillation remarkably short; nor does she
ship water even in the toughest sea- in fine, her con.
ditions fit for any voyage with equal security as
vessels Of 500 and 500 horse power.
With respect to the new Pkarro, by which
our navy mas lUst uceu also StIcHBeHcifeu,
we will have only to say that she Is OF a
model already known. and whose beauty has at
tractea universal attention Built in our arsenals,
with all the improvements OF modern art, she
measurcs 205 feet six inches in length Of keel thirty
eve feet one inch breadth of beam, 2O6 feet ten
inches from stem to stern and twentyw0 feet eleven
inches depth Of hold; Der burthen measures 1859
tons, with machine OF 800 horse power. Her ar-
manent consists Of four thirty two Founders and two
sixtycight Founders There Is no superior vessel Of
| her class afoat.
| Bot the most agreeable information which we can
To- doy communicate to our readers, will be- perhaps,
for the majority, unexpected The old Pizarro stil
exists Thanks to the zeal ard activity OF the COM
mardant general every thing in that vessel is saved
from it, keel up to its last plank and even the small
est piece Of its rigging. These materials having
been sent to the peninsula, its Reconstruction pro-
ceeds actively, and very soon our navy will reckon
another wa steamer; 10 fine, very soon the Castilian
lag will wave anew in the waters of Cuba, over the
old Pzarro perpetuatng the glorious records which
| make her nsme so pleasant to every good patriot
whilst they fill with hatred and dread the impotens
Il