Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-06-08
Highly important from Cuba.

We have been Obligingly furnished by friend
with the following important letter from Cuba,
written by one of the most intelligent inhabit-
ants the island, received by yesterday mails.
-WGshingtoa Union.
HAVANA, May %, lS55.-Dear Sir: Under
date Of 23d inst, General Pezuela published a
circular to the subordinate governors of the isl
and, desiring, for the purposes of establishing
militia, a very precise list of the individuals be-
tween sixteen and forty, showing the wealthest
and the poorest of each age, and every adequate
circumstance or observation regarding the said
male white inhabitants, so that there should be
no necessity Of applying again for information
for Interior determinations of his excellcncy.
On the next day, 9th, General Pezuela pub
lished the following communication addressed to
the delegate director Of arms, and to the com
mandant OF the eastern department
Taking into account the numerous vacan-
cies which may be experienced in the peninsular
army by the severity of the climate, if the eX
traordinury circumstances of the European
should bring to this soil for greater agita-
ton and movement among the troops, and tax
ing into account, at the same time, the loyalty,
endurance and courage with which the mulatto
and black volunteers have on different occasions
supported the Spanish flag which we are deter
mined upon waving at any rate in Cuba. have
the intention to re-estab bish in the island, with
the authorization from the Queen, (whom God
keep the ancient institution of free mulattoes
and blacks, by organizing in the peninsular bat
talions, two companies of volunteers of each Of
said classes, who shall be enlisted for term of
ten years, with the same advantages and duties
the rest of the army. In order to commence
the said organization, and as essay to make
acquainted with the bost means of carrying it
through to full perfection. should it be necessary,
| authorize your excellency to proceed at once to
said organization in the regiments.
endeavoring to choose for the new companies the
most vigorous among the peninsular officers, and
also that the sergeants and corporals be Of the
most worthy and capable among the volunteers"
The blank left above leaves it TO the govern
ment to extend or reduce the trial at pleasure.
As have noticed an anxiety on the part Of Mr..
Crawford, not to see or acknowledge the emanci-
pating tendency ofthe recent measures, suppos-
cd only to be directed to the suppression Of the
slave trade 1t is not impossible that the real OBJ
iect Of the blank left may be to authorize the
deception that these are mere threats, and that
the agents Of Spanish power have no intention to
do what it is said, would be suicidal to Spanish
permanent interest. But, besides the dangerous
impression of such publication, the alarm Gre
ated among the old Spaniards themselves, about
their threatened property and existence at this
moment, is the best answer to similar quoting
Interpretation. One thing is certain: that how
iI,v c1iaI ba rort-C of tba rnrimpDtS
there are at least sixteen battaiions on the ISL
and hence, four colored companies to each
would make up a corps of : $50 free colored vol
unteers.
Here we have at last an openly avowod deter
mination to raise and arm the colored popula-
tion against the white race; the thought Of vol
untcers has not been adopted as yet with even
the whites of European birth. On the contrary,
the government desires to examined into their life,
antecedents, and resources, while it shows conf
dence only in their prolstGire black volunteers.
| understand that the European Spaniards
have been and still are, in most anxious and
hesitating position. They are having meetings
ofa private character; but presume there will
always be found among them those who turn
into account the devotion to their own name,
which hinders any action. The parade of deep
intimacy which has been made in feaStng the
French admiral, Duquesne, by the Spanish au-
thorites has been intended to produce the con-
viction that there existed alliance, or, rather,
the secret alliance between France and Spain
The rumor has been spread that the latter coun-
try was at last engaged to contribute to the
Eas tern war with $4,000 men, to guard Italy,
as a compensation for the guaranty ofthe island;
and believe this rumor has done much toward
cooling the Spaniards. The French admiral, how
ever, I fear, has got thoroughly ennpye of so
much coaxing, and attempting to commit him
by some unguarded word and, also, l hear
that he is anxious to get away.