Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-27


declare that any child born In the United States after the
year 1860 shall be born free. Laid on the table,
Also, from citizens Of New York. in favor Of cheap
ocean postage
Also, numerous petitions against the passage of the
Nebraska bill.
APPROXIMATION OF CUBA
Mr.. BENJAMIN presented the following resolutions
passed by the Legislature Of the State Of Louisiana
Be reolced the Senate and House Representatives Of
The State Of louisiana IN General assembly Commenced That we
view with regret and alarm the policy recently suggested
by the Government Of Spain in the Island Of Cuba the ma
nifes object and effect Of which must be the abolition of sa
very in that colony and the sacrifice of the white with
its arts commerce. and civilization barbarous and nfe
rior
Resolved That the conummation of this policy viii
else most penicious influence upon the and in
terests social commercial and POLITICAL Of the United States
Resotced, That in Judgment the time has arrived
when the Federal Government should adopt the decisive
and energetic to thwart and defeat policy
ceved in hatred to this Republic and calculated to retard her
progress and prosperity.
Mr.. BENJAMIN moved to refer these resolutions to
the Committee on Foreign Relations who have this
subject under consideration and that they be printed
do not desire (said Mr. B. to say single word by
way of discussion this subject call upon the
reproof Of the present occupant of the chair Mr. VEL
LEn) for bringing forward any of this kind
improper moment before the Senate. wish, however,
to state that agree with every word of these resolutions
both as regards their statement of the policy of this Gov
eminent and to the facts which now taking place
in the island Of Cuba and to express my regret that
gentleman distinguished the Senaorfrom Delaware
Ir CLAYToN should call in question: he did the day
before yesterday, without better grounds to question
than he could have, the facts placed before the Senate
and the country by my colleague, mr. SLIDELL) be-
ieve that the facts stated by my colleague be tho
roughly sabstantiated. am in possession Of further
facts and further evidence which it is my intention
lay before he Senate the Committee For
eign Relations shall have made their report With this
simple statement move the reference
Mr. CLAYTON. / did not hear the first part Of the
honorable Senator's remarks but understand him
TO W he on some
to show that the Spanish Government has deliberate
design to emancpate the slaves in Cuba for the purpose
of preventing from either purchasing taking the
island by violence Do rightly understand the honora
BILE Senator to mean so?
Mr.. BENJAMIN. / do not pretend to say that shall
be able to make mathematical demonstration Of pro-
position Of that kind but think shall be able to adduce
such facts and such evidence will satisfy every unpre
JUDGED mind, far as it be satisfied on political
subject of this kind that such is the intention Of that
Government,
. Mr. CLAYTON That it is their intention to emanci-
pate those slaves now, at this times
Mr.. BENJAMIN At the earliest possible moment, and
now that the which have been taken aimed
at that very obect in other words that the design is
now in progress Of execution.
Mr.. CLAYTON Then understand the honorable Sc
nator to say that it actually in progress of execu
ton. Now, sir wish to say that shall be most happy
to be instructed this subject; but must express at
the time, my perfect conviction that the honorable
Senator will be able make the facts he has
stated. / have belief in them whatever; and the
look into the matter, the inquire in regard
to it. the perfectly am satisfied that it is not true
that the Spanish Government intends to destroy this
island except in this contingency: They will act pre-
cisey you, sir would act any other man act
without being censured much who should find that
pratca vessel about to seize his ship and crew. You
might blow up your powder magazine in such case as
that without mourning the censure Of the world That
is ALL in my opinion which the Spanish Government
templates. Ii they find that from any quarter OF this
Union, there is praca expedition set on foot with
vie tn take from them n
certainty that the island will be taken from their possess
sion and custody by that means, they will blow up their
powder magazine.
The Spanish Government has given us notice Of that
for many years back 1t has been concealed by
them. They have declared over and again, more
than ten years ago, to the various gentlemen who
pied stations at the head Of the State Department that if
such thing that should be done they would ruin the
island rather than permit to take it in that manner
Now, them let the honorable Senator understand just
precisely the difference between II he brings proof
forward for the purpose of showing that he only brings
forward proof to show what comedies but deny, from
the evidence before me- that the honorable Senator
produce any proof whatever to show that the Spanish
Government in the present condition Of affairs, intends
to emancpate the slaves in Cuba, to the honorable
Senator's language that such scheme that is in
1 progress of execution.
Mr.. GWIN. MIR. President, did not hear the remarks
of the honorable Senator from Louisiana but if under
stand them, commented by the Senator from Della
ware he made statement that the Spanish Government
has it in contemplation to set free the negroes in Cuba in
the event OF invasion Of that island nsurrecton
on the island
Mr.. CLAYTON. No, sir; that was not his statement.
Mr. GWIN If it is denied that it is in contemplation
by the Spanish Government the negroes there free
in the event of an Instruction undertake to say that it
can be readily established
| Mr.. CLAYTON. The honorable Senator will please not
to understand me denying any such thing that.
have not said that in the event of instruction in the
island instruction which should take the government
of the country out of the hands Of Span her civil autho
rites nthe island might proceed to this extremity
have not denied that have said that would
be DONE What have said is that the position taken by
the honorable Senator from Louisiana, in my humble
Judgment cannot be substantiated and that position is
that there is at this time in progress Of execution
scheme to emancipate the slaves in Cuba.
Mr.. GWIN. For several years back, on my way to
take my seat in the Senate, have stopped in Havana
and distinctly informed and papers were shown
in which the threat held out to the inhabitants
of that island by the authorities that they did attempt
instruction the negroes would be turned loose upon
them This has been known to be the policy of that
Government, and has deferred the inhabitants Of the
island from resisting the oppression under which they
have been grooming for years They have been deferred
by the apprehension that their negroes would be turned
loose upon them and armed for the purpose of servle
instruction, in the event Of revolution in the island
not solitary doubt that there is and has been for
years. power reposed in the authorities there by SPAIN
to free every negro the island and them in
Of a revolution.
Mr. BENJAMIN. l said before that do not wish to
enter into the discussion of this subject, and very
10th to be drawn into saying any thing matter which
consider TO be properly before the Committee on
in view of the developments, in view of the in
formation which has just reached from Cuba, that
gentleman Of the experience OF the Senator from Della
say he unhesitatpgly expresses his disbelief in