New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-06-10
THE RAID ON CUBA.

We have repeatedly spprised readers OF the ex-
stence and progress Of the great Southern conspiracy
for the invasion and conquest of Cuba, preliminary 10
IFS addition TO the Slayeholdng strength of our unon
We call il Southern conspiracy, though quite aware
that il has notifications throughout the Union and
rowcrful branch in this City, where considerable
share of its funds have been raised because 1t Is
Soutben in its origin its leaders, its focus and Its
aims New. Orleans is its headquarters, though much
of its strength is found among the planters mer-
chants and slaye-traders of Mississippi, of which
State both its chosen leaders Gen. John A
Ouitm,n. son of Dutch Reformed clergyman
and born up the Hudson.) and his lieutenant Gen
FeIix Hustoul are residents But New-Orleans has
contributed the larger quota to its Indictment, its
plans and its funds, aud there Its organization ana It's
musterings 90 forward with the most undixused ac-
tyity in spite of the knowledge OF the leaders that
the Spaniards cognizant OF nearly all their dongs
and that Pezuea receives pretty accurate accounts OF
them by every steamship They understand that they
have to beat the Spanards any how and they do not
fear any real interference with them by our Govern
ment And So beyond enjoinng silence ON the South
etp Press (whose Editors are nearly all in the pot)
they take scarcely precautlon against publicity.
The bar-rooms of NewOrleans are vocal with reports
of who is going, and who has subscribed to the fund.-
how much it amounts to, &c, &c. We violate no
confidence in stating few additional facts:
Gen. Qutman has returned from New-Orleans to
Mississippi and the sailing of the expedition is for the
present postponed. Cause-want of funds, owing to
recent failures Of several of its leading pecuniary
hackers in New.Orleans. An effort is now to be
made to raise more money among the up-river plant
ers-witb what success remains to be seen. The cal
culation is that the first division, numbering 5000
men-l 900 of them Mississippi rifles aud 900 more
armed with new patent rife-will be ahoat before
the LIST of July (We don't believeit.) Should it get
off as calculated, it will be very weak in artillery and
utterly destitute of cavalry, that the Spaniards
must be poor tools it, with 10000 men, well appoint
ed,-at least 10000 of them disposable-they cannot
use up the invaders before the steamships bring
the second division to their assistance. But the OBJ
staces already encountered will find their parallels in
new difficulties and we don't believe Qutman with
out direct aid from the Government get D. 900 men
afoat before September. Fillibustering in the sb
stIact il rather attractive To most peoples but when it
comes to raising round half million in cold cash. TO
fit out an army of Fillbusers, why that is another
affair.
We add few extracts from Private and Con-
fdential circular issued by the Cuban consprators
in NewOrleans, giving an account OF their meetings
held in that city the 18th and 18th of April last
At the former, NJ. Gaspar Bet0neourt, well known in
this City the head OF the junta of native Cuban
Fillibusters, spoke as follows:
He then cited facts prove the great power of the
moral revolution which existed there and the dsrust and
alarm of the Government Until within short time this
had confined its measures to system OF extreme rgori
but il had commenced system of counterrevOlutOn
by publicly advocating the doctrine that Free labor ra'
Gdr0RdgoOu 10 the island than Stare labor that il
the duty of the Government 10 seek the pro1mate
abolition of Slavery and that It's agents and even some
Of lis officers openly nslng into the minds of the
blacks the idea that the Government desired them
free, but that the Cubans opposed it,
Within short period OF time, new code for the gov
of free White Indian and Asatic cOloniss had
been instituted and published and the Captain General
had issued circular 10 the chief officers and heads of de-
parments in the Government, inviting Gn expression Of
opinion TO the best and most practical Of bring
ing in large numbers of free African coonsts in order
TO supply abundany the rapidly increasing necessity for
agricultural laborers.
He stated that the Council of Ministers of the Queen
Of Spain had definitely determined upon the establishment
Of the African apprentice system in Cuba preparatory
the carrying Of the European idea in oppo
sition TO Slavery and as counerrevolutcnary step
That General Pezuela was appointed 10 the chief
mand in the Island for the purpose of carrying this
measure, and in compliance with the request OF the British
Government openly stated by Lord Clarendon in Par
lament.
He then explained the effect of this system Of Appren
10 auspices The
end English Governments; that il would increase vastly
for few years the productions of the Island that
ultimate, and not very distant result would be the
peponderanee of free negroes there the Liberation of the
sares the social and political ruin of the country and
the final emigration destruction Of the white race He
believed that the only of relief apparent arrest
these great evils, through The incorporation Of tie e
sense the United States"
After him Gen Sec" (well understood 10 be
Quitman) addressed the meeting as follows:
He stated the manner in which his name had first be-
connected with the question of Independence in Gu
b. the which be had pursued in regard TO it, and
the position which be held toward those who were
leGuing in the present efforts to free Cuba.
That he deemed necessary for the best interests of
this country and particularly those Of the South that
immediate action should be taken to the dangers
which now mensce he social and political srissess u Co