The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-25
TIIIRTY-rHIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.

senate.
WASHINGTON, May -, 1854.
PETITION FOR SHIP CANAL AT SIAoARA-rm NEBRASKA BILL
Mr. SEWARD (free soiD of N. Y, presented numerous
memorials in favor of ship canal at Niagara Falls
Also ten circumstances against the Nebraska BILL In
GLIDING from los Methodist cergymen and from All
clergymen of Michigan.
APPROXIMATION OF cuBA
Mr. BENJAMIN, (whig) Of La, presented resolutions
the Legislature Of louisiana the subject OF the Ar
canization Of Cuba.
Mr.. BENJAMIN said he agreed with every word in tn
resolutions Though not desiring to discuss the subjec
while it pending before the committee he regretted
much that the Senator from Delaware had denied thu
existence Of facts going to show the ATTENUATION Of
Cuba really the design of the Spanish authorities
When the sebject before the Senate, he had nc
doubt but he could clearly subsantate the fact that
such was really the Intention of Spain.
Mr. CLAYTON, (whg) Of Tel asked If the Senator was
TO be understood saying he could exhibit facts showing
present design the part of Spain to emancipae the
slaves in Cuba.
Mr. BENJAMIN said he did not suppose he would be able
TO make mathematical demonstration Of the fact, but
he did expect to present facts sufficient to Justify every
unprejudicad mind that such a scheme is now in pro-
ess and was to be carried into operation at the earliest
possible time.
Mr. CLAYTON said he did not think the Senator would
be able to subsantate any such thing Every days in
tellgepce. and the more aud more he considered it,
made him believe strongly that the Spanish go
vernment have no designs or desire 10 lose control over
that island. But he did believe that il Spain should
find that it to fall into the hands Of any praca
expedition, sent from the United States elsewhere
she would emaDcipate the slaves and she would be jus
tilted the grounds that the captain Of vessel
his ship falling into the hands of pirate This Spain
had declared long since and frequent occasions
the Senator could only this design the part of
Spain, he viii prove only what is conceded but he
(Clnyton) utterly denied any faith in the impression
that Spain under any other circumstance, will do any
thing by which she will lose the island.
of n said IN 1rt hat
the Spanish authorities threatened and determined
in the event of revolt instruction by the people
Of Cuba to emancipae and the whole slave popula-
tioD for tho determination of the other
Mr. BENJAMIN again repeated his surprise that the dis
shapa nepst IN ba eenai Of c state Of Sac,s n cSa
which had been declared 10 be correct by several ena
tors, who spoie upon reliable information. All knew
the nature Of the government in Cuba and the heavy
and oppressive laws in force there. No man the
island keep in his family sharp pointed knife. All
knew something of tie strict espionage maintained BY
the authorities all persons residing there The do
crees Of the government emancipatng the large number
Of slaves thereof inviting and holding inducements
10 African apprentices to be brought to the Island &C.
&c-whoeyer will look calmly at all these facts,
and dspassonately weigh them with the well
known character OF the government OF the island,
will doubt but that the scheme rapidly progress
ing to maturity The effect Of the late decree Of regis
tration was strong evidence of it, For years slaves
have been transferred from to by parol
sales The recent decree declares and makes absolutely
free ell slaves when cannot produce title to
them by registered deed purc chase. This act
alone will set free nearly onefouth Of the slaves the
island Another decree has all those who
have been found the island and contained in for
acts of registration. Thus already have been
cipated large body Of blacks, Who with in their
hands will prove strong auxares to the Spanish troops
in keeping the population of the ISLAM in subsection
He thought that after the report of the committee the
Senate could be satisfied that these resolutions set forth
no idle speculation or imaginative idea
Messrs. DOUGLAS and HUNTER begged that the discus
sion proceed no further but that the resolutions be
referred.
Mr. CLAYTON said that when Senator as distinguished
81 a wi nc
confidence in the Senate Trey would make great impress
sions the country and he clayton, would not be dis
charging his duty II he allowed them go out without
effort to arrest at the alarming effect they would
naturally produce. He not nor had he ever been
ms 70 the ions and wrongs ,h which
time and in the proper manner he would be ready
any one to sympathize With and alleviate their condi
ton He again repeated that he did not believe II pos
sbe for the Senator to subsantate the idea that the
Spanish government now had in contemplation any
scheme Of emancipation of the slaves Of Cuba He could
not bring his mind to any such conclusion II the
duty Of those at the ether end Of the TO attend to
this Affair." and he did not doubt but they would do
They who presumed to know all the facts upon this
subject, far as they could be known, would have
fearful responsibility upon them IL they allowed this
opinion forth from the Senate by the Senator'S
to go forth 10 the country uncoreced He did not know
what was the opinion of the Secretary of State to
the existence Of any design Of emancipation in Cuba,
but he would risk the decision of the issue between him
and the Senator from louisiana on the opinion of the
Secretary of State. He did not think that the Sec
rotary believed Spain had any idea of rcani1ng Cuba
subject, the Committee Foreign Resolutions had sub
mtted the resolution adopted yesterday calling for the
seemed TO- that any great number of slaves have been
declared free under the recent OF Cuban the
thorites. Not 5000 had been made free during
the last fourteen moDthsno such number hundreds
Of thousands had been emancpaed He thought he had
shown TO the satisfaction OF the Sanate that to prevent
the introduction Of Africans into Cuba II only
cessary TO prevent our own people from engaging
in the business under lag, in American
vessels The best way 10 stop il was to take
away from ssamen the privileges under which
they do and may carry the trade There II that
he proposed to strike and there was that Congress
had fnll owsr, and ought 10 strike The authorities of
Cuba had only declared Tree those Africans who had been
brought there in American vessels, VIGOROUSLY slave
traders in violation Of treaties He rdicued the idea of
thee larharious Africans being converted into Spanish
troops lie re his denial of any belief OF any in.
tenion by Spain 10 enamel ate slaves and said would
willingly submit The fact TO secretary Marcy's opinion.
Mr.. SEWARD, (frec sol) of n. Y.-when this subject
introduced to the Senate, two three weeks since
by the Senator from Louisiana, (sfr sdell) thought
very general desire manifested By all PARTIES have
it referred TO the Committee Foreign Relations,
embarrassed by discussion previous TO its reference
though the consent given 10 the reference without pro-
test would convey the idea that the Senate generally
admitted there grave cause for such an inquiry.
But since that time other resolutions Of inquiry have
been n oduced upon the subject and IN We led to more
less debate and to-day the resolutions OF the state
OF Louisiana have been presented to us. certainly
agree with the Senator from louisiana (Mr. benjamin.
that the most appropriate time discuss the matter
will he when the committee shall have made a report.
The discussion Of this subject BY tosa who enter
hpftnensoDs Tor the peace OF the country going out
from this place without opposition except far II
was made by the Senator from Delaware is calculated
TO produce very serious effects 1t produces alarm in
mercantile circles, certainly premature unnecessary
new, even II be not without sufficient cause There is
no necessity for Senator's to give way their
tons until the grounds for their fears have been
hibited BY the Committee Foreign Relations the
Executive authority. For one, whenever crisis in
Cuba may come, | shall lie prepared to meet It, but
II Is impossible for TO see that circumstances
alluded to by the Senator from Louisiana form any
ground for apprehending that crisis Is at hand. do
not now look merely at the facts relied upon by the
Senator from louisiana but look at the condition of
SPAIN at the condition pf the United states and Of
pean nations and SEQ nothing TO warrant any such
apprehension. For ourselves have a claim unset
tied against Spain and expecting the answer Of
the Spanish government &c that claim We are expccts
ing the arrival Of officer prepared 10 treat On
subject, and on all subjects whatever. why should
Spain, deriving million Of dollars income from Cuba,
desire TO rsnouDce it3 Why should she bury in the
almost the last relic Of the New World given to
" rs'"Tuhusf licv ,ygcnCics are ~ great now IN
i-.. -s-, --S2 :, = ss.,sssl "a. he 2.i.ss 81,