Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-05
Correspondence of the Standard
On Boardhe U. S. Mail Steam Ship, Black Warrior,
of BAHIA HONDA, Caast Of Cuba.

On BOGrdhe y. S. Mail Heam Ship Black Warrior,
of BAHIA HONDA, Ca0st Of Cuba. {
DEAR Sir: leisure moment allows me the op-
portunity of addressing you a note.
The recollection of the enacted near the spot
whence this is addressed you fills me with mem.
cries of melancholy character; yet believe me, the
day will come when Bahia Honda, Cardenas, and
other places will be held sacred to The cause Of ber
ty and freedom.
We have just left the shores Of Cuba, unhappy,
down-trodden Cuba but the day of her redemption
draweth nigh. The oppressed Cubans look forward
with expectation that in less than four years
their lovely island will cease to be the victim of
Spanish cruelty and become part OF our Iorious
confederacy. The Spanish teaches that sucking
the le-blood of the Queen of the Antilles anti
cipatng their eiectment at early day, and are ma
king the of their brief snjOurn by the most
CALLING oppression a suffering people; the Captain
General himself has had his bay and baggage, to-
gether with the archives of government hacked up
TO depart from the island moments warning.
- Let Us be gone'' seems to be whispered through
the of his loroly palace.
Without any precOnceived design, few Ameri-
cans assembled at place Of public resort in
Havana. and among Us was Capt Grey, whose case
has greatly excited the sympathy of the Ameri-
cans. The Captain was giving some account of the
oppressive pursued towards him by the Cap
tain General. Why do you not appeal to your
government for redress? 20 said EnshLan, who
had joined the company, and there general ST.
lence, ventured reply; We could not reflect
on country by saying our government refuses 10
protect Christina, the Queen mother of Spain,
is eagerly engaged in the scramble for the treas
of Cuba is the ablect of her supple tools
on the island. She owns many Of the most valuable
plantations in Cuba during the year past she engaged
deliver ten thousand slaves the island by the
LIST instant, but the active surveillance of the British
cruisers intercepted her sIavers SO that her agents were
unable to comply With the contract, and able
deliver only about six thousand. This shameful
traffic is directly countenanced by government,
wthstanding the provisions of the solemn treaties
TO the contrary.
The day before our arrival at Havana the British
frigae, Ves,a entered the harbor with three Spanish
slavers her prizes; we saw them all lying under
the guns of the Vesa, which occasoned great wrath
and modification to the naughty Dons, who had been
boastIng that the British and French men-of war
and around Havana were there for the protection of
their rights. Her most Catholic majesty has put
down every attempt of the people 10 relieve them
selves Of the yoke of Spanish tyranny.
Before visiting Cuba had heard it said repeated
Iy that the natives of the island did not desire sep
arate from Spain. l doubted it then. now know
otherwise. "Senor," said wealthy Creole to me,
one day, - am allowed TO fowling piece
TO drive away destructive birds from my premises,
cannot even carry pocket pistol with me for self
protection.' And can people suffering such griev-
ances be satisfied The monopolizes every
lucrative employment on the island, the best cigars
can be sold by none but the agents of government
the tugs that take ships out Of the harbor and
| into it are owned by Christmas agents. 1t may be
expected that among the masses there those who
would betray their country for personal remuneration
But does our happy country show Lo similar cases !?
|
of our glorious revolution! When men can bear thu
burnings of red hot irons the naked flesh without
finchng, then may we believe that native Cubans
will willingly consent that their island shall remain
dependency of the crown OF Spain.
But, said one day. TO an intelligent Creole, if the
United States to consent TO receive you the
Union, your people are, many of them, unprePared
| for state of freedom. All, said he, see, but the
could not be expected to exercise the privile
ges of citizenship until prepared for ii by regular
process of naturalization, which might lake ten
! twenty years. Thus great obstacle would be re-
moved that presents itself TO the minds of the
| friends of Cuba and liberty. l would draw the at
tention of Mr.. Venabe 10 this view of the subject.
Soon hope visit the federal city, and will lay This
before certain of friends, who, present,
in the dark the subject OF the liberation of Cuba.
The ordinary limits of letter like this preclude
the mention of many interesting items that must be
! reserved for another and other communications.
! 1t was my happiness to make the acquaintance Of
Mr.. Smith, the Secretary of the British Consulate His
kindness TO the Americans who were imprisoned in
the dungeons Of the Moro, when forsaken by
Consul, will never be forgotten. When introduced
to him by Judge SharkeY could not help renarking
{" feel, Sir, that in pressing your hand press that
of broher,' to which he replied most feelingly.
! Smith is noble fellow.
MANY Americans visit Cuba for the benefit of their
health, especially persons Iaborng under pulmonary
diseases but the inconvenience resulting from pecu
liar and veXatious police regulations, and other
sderations equally Important to invalid neuraIize
the good resulting from the genial influence of
| balmy atmosphere. Let one visit Cuba in quest
| of health under present circumstances.
! The Black Warrior is a srlendd sea boat, and her
commander, Capt. Shufpdt as clever IMAM as ever
stood quarter deck. He seemed gratifed to hear
that North Carolina had good a harbor as that of
Beaufort. Capt s. thinks that Beaufort is just the
place where a line of Steampackets should commu-
nicate With Glasgow, and now is the time that We
should move in the matter. Should such line be
started simultaneously with the extension of the
Central Railroad it will only make the stock of
that road valuable, but certainly give North
Carolina that great desideratum so long needed, a
large seaport town. Stir up friends. Washington
| and Stevenson, the matter. Doubtless the stock
of Sleampacket Company could be dispose! of in
| Craven, Lenoir, and Wayne Counties the State
would probably vest heavily in such enterprise.
| would write more, but for the present
REVOIR.
January, 1853.