New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-10-06

/ The following letter will give our readers some
idea of the opinions entertained of us at the
sent time by one class of English letter writer's
1t is, however, merely harmless and amusingly
ridiculous TRADE Of gasconade and abuse
| From the correspondent of the London Times
| MADRID Monday, Sept. 4, 1854
/ Home politics have of late caused the dangers
| to Cuba from American aggression to be almost
| lost sight of here, but Mr. Pierre SoulS's recent
proceedings and departure have served as a re-
minder have reason to believe that the Span
ish Government considers the affair of the Black
Warrior as virtually settled. Mr.. Soule, in
| deed. admitted as much verbally, but on being
asked to make written and official communi-
cation on the subject, he postponed doing so,
and went away leaving it undone But there
can be scarcely reasonable doubt that the dis
agreeable affair has been settled between Senior
Cueto and the American Government and
even if it had not been SO, the recent removal
| of Gen Pezuela from his post of Captain Gen
eral of the Island of Cuba would greatly facil-
itate its amicable adjustment.
No pretext existing, therefore, for open war,
piratical expeditions, of the nature Of that
which SO signally failed under Lopez, are alone
to be apprehended With respect to such lille
gal and unjusti6able enterprises, can inform
you that the Espartero-O Donnell Government
is without uneasiness 1t considers the island
in state of perfect defence, and is quite tran
quill as to the result Of the attempts that may
be made by the sLone STAR asso citation, or
any other buccaneering band at whose prepara-
tons President Pierce may conniye, or have CON
| nived 1t knows the island to be well gar
risoned, and believes the spirit Of its inhabi-
tants to be generally good. Ofthis latter point
there can be few better judges than General
UDonnell, who 30 long commanded in Cuba
The troops at present there are upwards of
10000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, and five or six
batteries of artillery. The infantry are among
the best in the Spanish army, and the whole
force is composed of men Injured to the climate
Of the 5000 infantry ordered to Cuba about
three months ago, only 1000 went, owing to the
events that have since occurred here These
1000 were sent to Porto Rico, whence like
number were transferred to Cuba. that no part
Of the garrison Of the larger island might risk
being captured by the effects of the change of
climate from taking the field if required. Be-
sides the five or six batteries of field artillery,
mentioned some months back, when first the
Black Warrior question arose, that in the course
of last year q large number Of Paixhans guns
were sent out to strengthen the batteries of the
island
These, am assured on excellent authority,
are fully armed, and the Notifications in good
repair. Then, by far the greater part, indeed,
nearly the whole, of the Spanish naval forces
are at present at CUBA. WltnOub entering upon
the question as to what chance this feet would
have against that of the United States, it is
hardly permitted to doubt that it would be able
to render an excellent account of any piratical
force that the Filibustero party could get to-
gether (incuding even the much Dragged of
Grapeshot,) and with which it had the fortune
to fall in.
There can be no doubt that, if the Americans
succeeded in landing in Cuba, they would be
Joined by some of the inhabitants, but the best
information am able here to obtain induces
me to disbelieve that the some would be many.
There are about CO., 900 Spaniards in the island,
the majqrity of whom have gone thither with q
view to acquiring fortunes, and with the inten-
ton of returning to Spain. 1t is clear that
every consideration combines to induce these
men to resist invaders, and that strong bodies
of volunteers we'll acquainted with the country
would turn out, determined to fight to the last
in defense of their property and prospects.
Among the white men born in the island, there
are doubtless annexationists, and also malcon-
tents, who, without being particularly anxious to
become citizens of the United States, would like
to be rid of Spanish rule. But | am assured
that the number of those thus disposed are in
considerable, and, moreover, the Spanish Gre
Giles are a pacific, indolent race, deficient in en-
ergy and daring, and it is likely that the Amer
leans would find among them more we'll Wishers
than active allies.
tits certainly hard upon Spain that she should