Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-20
Wasbingtnn Sentinel.
what the Cubans think Of Annexation.

What the Cabans think of Annexation.
The New York Courier and Enquirer Of the
18th inst. publishes the following interesting
communication from wealthy Cuban planter,
expressive of his views as to the sentiments of
the planters, and substantial classes, in regard
enumeration
AT the present time when the American
press is so busily concerned about Cuba, 1
have thought it fit and seasonable to publish
these lew lines, which, in my opinion, express
the will of the Cuban people
Ii Spain would actually restore TO Cuba
the representation which she has right to
have, and which at all times she has fully en-
joyed, in accordance with the laws of our ma
ton, then / would be inclined to believe that
the wish Of the Cuban people would be fulfilled,
and that all the fllibusterian attempts to sepa
rate the island from the mother country would
certainly have an end.
Cuba has been ever before province Of
Spain equal in rights to all others. As such
she sent her representatives to the Cortes Of
1872, and even the honor Of president over
these courts was conferred upon one Of our
countrymen, Mr.. Andres Fauregui, of the city
OF Havana, whose representative he was.
In the year 1920, it was considered Of so
should concur to the Cortes, that the Spanish
government authorized the Americans at that
time residing in the Peninsula to appoint thirty
deputies to represent the provinces of America.
1t is useless to assert that deputies were after.
wards elected by the different cities Of the island,
and that they were admitted to the Cortes until
the year 1928, when the government ordered
the royal statute to be promulgated, the Cortes
we're summoned, and the Cuban deputies
formed part of them.
tbs, consequently, an undeniable fact that
the Island OF Cuba has always been represented
at the Cortes by Cuban deputies chosen by the
Cuban people, until q few years ago; but even
had this never been the CASE her sacred right
to be represented at the Cortes as one of the
provinces of the monarchy would not, on that
account, be the less sure and just. For reasons
that are not within my reach Cuba was refused
her representation and the right to be governed
by the laws Of the Spanish nation as she has
been until lately.
This being our condition, and we being con-
demned to be governed by the absolute will OF
the hired members of the government, we
should rather prefer 10 accept proposition for
annexation TO the United States, by means Of
purchase all at once, than to remain under the
Spanish government; with the condition, of
course, that the right of property would be re,
spected, and consequently that no change
should take place in slavery. With this condi,
ton, we would not only agree 10 the purchase,
bat would even contribute with the incomes of
our own property TO the payment Of the sum
for which the government of Cuba should be
purchased, with the understanding that nothing
else can be bought but that which belongs to
the government, and not that which is owned
by private individuals Thus it happens that
those of us who consider the purchase of the
island as something shameful or degrading, err
In various ways, since in this affair neither the
individuals nor their properties are sold but
even should the purchase be thuswise shameful
and degrading, it would Notwithstanding be the
best policy to permit it in order TO insure tran.
guilty, peace, and probably good govern
ment. Louisiana, Florida, California, &C.,
have been sold. In Europe there is not a sin.
gle country that has not been sold, conquered.
or ceded Should zee reject the purchase of the
island? This would, indeed, be ridiculous, and
what seems certain is, that there is neither sci
Ter nor purchaser for the island of Cuba
If an effort were made on the part of the
American people to buy the island, with the
condition of the emancipation Of the slaves, the
immense majority of Shareholders, of which II
Cuba nearly the whole white population con
sists, and even many of the colored population
would make opposition 10 the purchase, and
would, in fact, prefer TO remain under the Span
ish government or any other that would respect
their properties. No Cuban has ever made
any laws to establish slavery; neither has any
of us had part in their captivity or transporta.
ton from Africa. They buy them, for without
them, it would not have been possible for us tc
establish our plantations. We have bought
he n 81 Ia dc
the government Our slaves are our property
and property is respected in all civilized coun-
ties by all peoples.
al shall not go into the investigations Of the
reasons which England and other nations may
have TO desire the emancipation Of the slaves
but whatever these reasons may be they should
and must buy from Us our negroes, carry them
back 10 their native country and give them
their liberty, and not that they should ruin q
people who are thousands OF miles from Eu-
rope and whose slaves it is VIGOROUSLY known
are much better off in their state OF slavery
than the working classes OF Europe.
at the United States do not wish, or can
not. purchase Cuba, IL they cannot discover
INV other. way TO carry annexation with effect
nothing would be more beneficial than 70 ex
press IT, Our government would live at rest
the effervescence that so long agitated the
island would cease and all kinds Of trades
and business would take again their normal
course. The United States, in order TO insure
for no longer time tho interests Of the Island
of Cuba should press forward its acquisition
or should in an ostensible manner desist from
their undertaking if they do not wixb TO see
Cuba ruined"
Congress Of American Ministers la Paris.
We present to our readers, for what it j.
worth the following extract from the Paris pres,