Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-17
INsULAR POSSESSIONS.


wrote his letter to Gen. ALEXANDER SMYTHE, of
Virginia. on the then incredible idea that this Anne
rcan Union would ever seek to possess or annex to
it the islands of any sea, how amazed would that
statesman have been had the curtain of the future
been suddenly raised, and he had seen how coolly
and fippanty the politicians and newspapers of the
country would in thirty years discuss the proprety,
not of having insuar territories at all but of forth
with entering upon the island territories of Power
in amity with us to which we had taken fancy
as if, in the language of Spanish representative,
the world of Columbus were our own exclusive
property - Yet so it is; and Congress Hall and
the public journals are busy in settling the ques-
ton whether it is time for us to acquire Cuba in
the Atlantic, porto Rico is not yet mentioned)
and the Sandwich Islands in the Pacific ocean
These brief remarks were prompted at this moment
by the annexed letter. which we find in the Journal
of Commerce letter too full of good and grave
suggestions to be passed by but which could not be
inserted without word or two of explanation. The
special mission referred to by the writer is in au
sion to statement lately circulated in the public
papers, and generally credited, that the American
Government proposes to send to Spain two Commits
sioners (Messrs DALLAS of Philadelphia, and
HOWELL CoBB of Georgia. to treat for transfer
of Cuba to the United States ,....
WASHINGTON, (THURsDAy) JUNE s, 1854.
We may expect great debate upon the subject of the
special mission SPAIN when it shall be brought before
Congress The object of the commission is well under
stood but still explanation of it viii be demanded by
Congress- and it cannot be refused 1t is understood
that the object to lay before the Spanish Government,
in plain and explicit manner the views and policy OF
the United States in regard to Cuba to show that its
acquisition by the United States is political and COM
mercal necessity; and that it is necessary for the well
fare both of Spain and Of the United States for the pre-
serpation of peace 6esea the o countries and for the sup
preston of awess enterprises of citizens in
connexion with Spanish subjects, against Cuba \
With the United States there is other question
the subject than in regard to time and conditions. 1t
might be deferred almost indefinitely with advantage to
the United States if the Spanish Government far
progressive in its policy adapt itself the cond
ton of things The Southern people would gladly suffer
Cuba she is, Spanish slave colony, long
it be done with safety to their domestic inte
rests. The Southern States not to be benefited by
the acquisition for it will destroy the value of the sugar
lands in Texas Florida and louisiana and also drain off,
by superior advantages of soil and climate the slave labor
the capital and the enterprise from the Southern States
1t will be question with Congress ,cheher the time has
arrived when it to be for interests
to acquire Cuba. This would be question, indie
pendeny Of any national feeling in regard slavery in
the island and if the question left to the sole
decision of the saveholding States of the Union.
The condition of the Cuban population is of itself
matter to be considered by the South well the North
if annexation is to follow acquisition The white popu
lation is FIVE hundred thousand the number of free
negroes two hundred thousand the number of Bozaes
africans held Illegally in condition of slavery, and
who under the decision of the United States Supreme
Court in the Amstad case, would be Free and will be
made free under the Spanish edicts) is
dred and eighty thousand the number of slaves is
hundred and fifty thousand Thus the island
take it with two hundred and fifty thousand slaves and
four eighty thousand free blacks Of the b.
ras males in middle life and very ferocous and
savage being Africans They will be troublesome
fellowcizens and rather out of place in this enlghten
ed republic OF the free negroes, have been free
for long time born free, and have accumulated
property, and intelligent and civilized and to some
extent educated. These would be dangerous asso
cates for their compatrios the Bozaes for they would
furnish them with means and prompt them to action
Surprising that annexed Cuba slave State, what
shall be done with the nearly half million of free
groes Shall appeal to the principle of squatter
sovereignty for the settlement Of this question? If So
the Creoles will be the only acknowledged citizens and
they will every else from citizenship, and
especially the old Royaist Spaniards, and by simple
decree constitute the half million of free negroes their
saUe property and call upon the United States Gov
maintain their right property in these men,
and furnish armies and naves and munitions of war
and money the extent of millions not to be counted
to subject these negroes to their quiet possession
Again. shall be provision of the treaty OF purchase
that the free negroes shall remain free? Nothing but
Of races added serve Instructions will be the
consequence of acquisition of the island and the
moval Of the restraint of Spanish rule.
There is still another question. Shall provide in
the treaty of cesson otherwise for the deportation of
the half million Of free blacks to Africa? will they go
there provided for by the bounty of this Unon left
starvation, in their quarres Suppose the purchase
of the island and the deportation Of the free negroes and
adequate provision for them should amount only four
hundred millions, (Which is much within the mark will
not the amount be incumbrance upon the Treasury
quite esough bankrupt and destroy the credit of the
Federal Government W..
In fine, would the acquisition and of Cuba
at the Of war, OF the expense OF costly pur-
chase the hazard ocvil and servie war in Cuba be
advantageous to the Union, If could accomplish
the object without any sectional agitation and trouble
home? 3D..
These only few of the considerations that are
commended to Congress when the Cuban question shall
come up.
Ex-GoyERSoR RAMSEY IN MIsNEsoTA.-on the recent
81 FL