The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-16
Secretary OF State OF the U. s., Washington.
The Seizure OF the Black warrior.

nc seizure OF the BLACK w
We have abslained, from prudential considerations
from indugng in any comments upon the late exuaordi-
nary proceedings of the Cuban authorities in the seizure OF
The Black Warrior, except to give clear and reliable
statement of the facts furnished by the agents OF the
steamer at Havana and TO readers that the adj
mnsraion would lose time in giving TO the subject
prompt and satisfactory attention The circumstances as
detailed calculated the popular mind, and
ii to turn with solieitude towards the govern
10 ascertain what would be its line of policy The
public attention has been directed for the last year with
deep interest to the condition OF things 10 Cuba. II was
prepared for SUCH development that now pre-
scented, and il ready TO become intensely interested in
the result In this state of things there occa.
for any appeal TO the passions OF the people in order
that the outrage upon the Black Warrior might be duly
appreciated was made out by the facts which
clearly called for the interpositon OF government.
Until fully advised of all the circumstances ii would
have been rashness in the administration TO take any
steps That the government would act promptly, firmly,
and efficiently, whenever the facts assetained,
had every guarantee. well in the known principles of
the administration as the characters of the President
and his cabinet
The last arrival from Havana puts in possession of
la copy OF The Havana Gazette, which contains de-
issued the 9th instant that to to strip the
transaction OF all doubt to its true character That
decree is follows:
HAVANA March 6, 1854.
BY decree of the superior tribunal having the control of
the finances Of the 9Th of last month ordered to be carried
by the M, f. General Superintendent Delegate the
23d Of the month, it ordered that the prohibition
observed in former to admit the alterations amend
additions which consgnees pretend make,
in any Whatever, in the invoices obligation pa
pe OF the effects which they import these have been
presented the respective shall continue
to be in force, and in all its scops and by order Of the M
L. Intendant General of the Army and of Finances of this
Department, communicate the same to the mercantile
world for the general understanding, and in order that
one may alege ignorance.
The Administrator General;
JOAQUIN RoCA DE TOGoRAs.
1t will be remembered that the seizure of the Black
Warrior occurred the 2slh Of February twill be re-
membered, also that when the manifest OF the steamer
was objected TO because the cotton board for New
York was not embraced, the commander proposed to
avail himself OF the law which gave him twelve hours
to correct the This refused and the vessel
seized for alleged violation OF the revenue laws II
appears from the foregoing decree, that the 23d
OF February the law giving twelve hours for the coTes
ton OF in maniIess was revoked by the Cuban
authorities but the decree not made public ua the
9th OF March, days alter the seizure of the steamer
No notice, as far learn, had been gwen our
consul a, Havana, TO the agents officers Of the
sci, that the law had been changed One week after the
change of the law and without giving il publicity, it
enforced against the Black Warrior, and FIVE days
afterwards the decree is made public. These facts ex-
hib the transaction in the character OF premeditaed
outrage and they will not fail TO make their impression
upon the public mind.
But whilst the whole transaction presents clearly a
for the nterposton OF government the question
recurs, What ought 10 be done Whatever may be the
final policy, that all will concur in desiring
that no step should be taken which is fully
toned BY the ceares principles Of right Cuba is pc
cuiarly situated She belongs to government that is
far distant; and whilst that government gives lis officers
power to commit ouuages, il does not authorize them to
sort to Spain for redress whenever the Cuban officials
perpetra,e wrong, This anomalous condition ia our
relations with Cuba has long been matter OF serious
convenience, and Of repeated complaint. The outrage
upon the Black Warrior suggests the necessity for
change in these relations and have doubt tina, the
suggestion will be promptly and efficiently attended to by
our government. In the same eonnexion, we have no
hesitation in saying that look for such decided and
vigorous action the par, Of the administration as will
fully satisfy the American people that such outrages as
that perperaed upon the Black Warrior will not be al.
lowed to go unredressed.
The Contest in Pennsylvania
We have given 10 our readers the result OF the pro-
eeedings OF The late democratic convention al Harrisburg
The nominees for the coming contest in Pennsylvania
true democrats and the resolutions adopted are thor