The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-06-03
The American Ne COLLATION. ut Madrid,

The London Times publishes a letter from a.
correspondent at Madrid containing the follow
ing information:
MADRID, April 1.-THE affair of the Black
Warrior assumes Il very unpleasant and even
alarming aspect for the Spanish government
Mr.. Soule, to whom the fortiter in re seems
much more habitual than the suarittr in n,0tfo.
and the extreme 6rusIHerie, not to say bad
taste. OF whose proceedings, on more than one
occasion since his arrival in Spain, can only be
cxtenuatcd by his incxpcricncc as a diplomat
lst and his ultra democratic associations, has
demanded in notes so strongly wordetl as TO be
offensive to the Spanish government an in
dcmnity of $500, 900, and the dismissal of Gen
eral Pcsula and some other high officials from
their posts in the Island of Cuba. 1t remains
to be seen upon what ground the United States
base their claim to an indemnity apparently so
eXorbltant. The delay and utmost possible
deterlmcnt occas!Oned to the owners of the
Black Warrior cannot possibly be estimated at
any thing like this enormous sum. and is not.
believe, usual in such cases to claim a larger
amount than that of the charges and loss actua-
~ experienced, or for one government to take
advantage OF its superior strength to levy a
fine upon another for the misconduct of or mis-
take OF its officers. Yet this appears to be the
course adopted by The States in the present in
stance; the amount of fine being the difference
between sGO,0u0 aud the fair claim Composing
fair claim to exist, which is by no means as
yet provcd) that might be made by the owners
OF the American ship. The Spanish govern
ment has replied it appears. in strong terms
so strong. indeed, that his collea cues were Oh
liged to exert their authority to make that fec
bic gentleman, Senior Caitlcron de la Barca,
sign the note-taking exception TO the offensive
form of Mr.. Souls communication, declaring
hc al a.,
maintain amcable relations with the United
States, declining to comply with the conditions
he demanded, and stating their inability to re-
ply upon the subject of his note until they
should have received particulars of the affair
from the Havana. The American courier left
with answer on Friday last, the day on which
was Published the decree for the better reguia-
ton of slaves in Cuba, and for putting stop to
the slave trade. The coincidence is doubtless
accidental; but at the same time one cannot
help observing it.
In addition to the foregoing it is stated on
the same authority that the notes interchangcd
between Mr.. Soulc and the SPANISH Govern
ment were five in number. No. l. by Mr.. SOule
stating the complaints he lad to make. and
that he was instructed to demand atone cement
and requiring positive reply in IS hours
No. 2, from the Spanish Government declaring
its inability to reply until it should have re-
CelN Gu l!llOTlHatlOu from \ uUa. No - most
irate and discourteous letter from Mr.. Soule.
taxing the Spanish Government with seeking
excuses to postpone reply, and affirming or
insnuating that the Government had received
dispatches from Havana since the occurrence
of the affair in question, because adyices had
been received in Europe from that quarter
since that date. To thsan answer No. was
returned so spirited and indignant a tone, that
it was thought by the scndcrs not unlikely that
Mr.. Soule would avail himself of the opport,i-
nityto demand his passports and thereby so
eXtrcate himself from the unpleasant position
he had placed himselfin by his duel with NJ.
Tugot. But contrary to expectations, the re-
jonder No. 5 was in Il much more temperate
and becoming tone. Here the matter rested at
the date of the above letter.
1t is added that the Spanish Minister just as
he was despatchng his second note. received
information from Havana. which enabled hin,
to rcpcl the charges brought against the Col
onial Government, to reject the terms propos-
ed and to vindicate the Cuban authorities from
any deviation from the laws and established
usages of the island. The writer ridicules the
idea OF Il demand from the Government of $780,
600 as fine, instead of an actual indemnity
for the injury received from the misconduct OF
the officer, had there been even good ground
for such demand.