Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-30

man, in which attention was invited to the in
strumentalities that England is said to be put.
ting into operation TO introduce into the Island
of Cuba system of African apprenticeship,
preparatory to total abolition of slavery in
that island. The plan Of Great Britain is thus
alluded to in the communication to which we
refer: s-as
But viii never consent for Great Britain TO
control the destiny of Cuba, as TO fill il with
hordes of native apprentced Africans and plant by
degrees another black republic, like degraded
Hayti, on the borders Of the southern States
In our paper of the same date, we published
an article from the Washington Union, in which
the following reference is made to the interior
ence of Great Britain in the affairs of Cuba:
"The rumors which have prevailed for some
time TO the interference Of Great Britain in the
slavery question In Cuba are revived, with cir
cumstances ofcoroboration so strong that there is
but little room left for doubt TO their truth II
has been about twelve years, ii our memory is not
at fault, since Sir Robert Peel justified the propo-
siiion TO indemnify the owners of slaves in ia
maica for their emancipation upon the ground
that the measure of abolishing slavery in that
island would exert influence upon this CONT
nent and that twenty millions of pounds sterling
would be well spent for such an object. That
policy, as we believe, has been steadily pursued
by the British government, and is now actually
consnmmated, or is about being consummated, in
the scheme ofintroducing apprentices from Africa
into Cuba, with the consent of Spain and under
the protection of British ships-ofw war to be worked
for ten years as slaves; with the further agree
ment that slavery shall 10 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 negotiating
for the sale of African apprentices al fixed prices
in anticipation Of importatons. for which arrange
ments have been made with the government of
Madrid, and sanctioned and guaranteed by the
British government
Some of the presses and politicians Of the
country have thought fit to characterize these
well-authenticated facts as nothing more than
idle and baseless rumors, gotten up for political
effect. They denounce them as the offspring
of unmanly fears, or as the spurious coinage
of designing men, who hope to reap benefit
from the excitement they are SO well calculated
to produce.
Are these mere rumors, or are they facts 2?
We incline to the opinion-nay, we believe
that they are facts. In addition to the private
and well authenticated evidence on which the
Union and our correspondent based their opin-
ions, letters, and advices from Havana, of tho
highest credit, as late as the 2lst instant, have
been received, con6rmatory Of the reports to
which we allude. These private advices as
sert, too, that no British cruisers have been
seen on the coast of Cuba for two months, and
that vessels are constantly coming in with car
goes of Africans, and that these vessels meet
with no molestation or hindrance. If this be
80, and we cannot entertain the shadow of
doubt of its truth, is it not the strongest con-
frmation that we can have of the existence of
the plan to which we allude?
Our respected contemporary Of the National
IateHige',cer is among the doubling. 1t does
not, we believe attach any Importance to these
rumors. Its issue of yesterday morning. con-
tains a communication over the signature of
An American in which the whole scheme
is pronounced not only improbable. but impos-
sible, and long array Of facts and reasonings
entered into to disprove it. The pressure on
our columns to-day will not admit of such a
notice as that communication calls for, and we
must content ourselves with few brief refer
ences to it. One paragraph reads thus:
aThnt Great Britain. and France feel jealousy
towards us on the subject of Cuba, have but lit
tie doubt, and that both are determined that we
shall not possess it, and that they will prevent il
at any risk or cost, have as little For this we
are in great measure, if not altogether, indebted
10 the hlibusterlng movements in the United States
in connexion with the island, and, i am sorry TO
add, TO the tacit appreciation which such move
ments have received from The party, if not from
the administration, in power. Under this feeling
on the part of those two Powers il may readily be
believed that both of them, particularly Great Bril-
tain, may be anxious and are even making exer-
tons to Introduce the apprentice system into Cuba
which they will urge upon Spain, and probably of
short Of public official defamation from Gre1k Byi-
tam, followed by action on her part, can induce
beiisi that she will or assent to the revival of
inc African slave trade with that island, and thus
publicly avow her entry upon career which she
has herself declared in the most solemn manner 10
be PIRACY Under the circumstances OF Tie case |
1t is not only improbable but inpossitle'
From this it appears that if the views of the
writer are to prevail, we must wait for an Off.
cial declaration from Great Britain, and con.
sequent action on her part, before we can be-
ieve in any such scheme with reference to
Cuba, and before we can take any steps to ar.
rest it. Does it not strike the writer, that this
would be the most shocking diplomacy in the
world? Wait until the mischief is done before
any steps are taken to guard against it Why,
the old adage is manifestly not remembered
by the correspondent of the Intelligencer, which
runs thus: "An ounce of prevention is worth
pound of cure"
1t occurs to us, that il Great Britain has such
designs as those imputed to her, she would seek
to blind us to them until the mischief should
be done.
But it was not without astonishment--
profoundest astonishment--that we saw such
opinions and sympathies expressed, as are TO be
found in the following extract from the same
communication The writer says:
"lf Spain thinks proper 10 adopt the apprentice
system, or even TO emancipate her slaves in Cuba,
how far we might be authorized to interfere under
the circumstances of the case would be question
Of grave import. Massachusetts, New York New