Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-31
Cuban Affairs.
The public mind Of the United States is I'M
pressed with the belief that some serious d.fcul

The public mind Of the United States Is I'M
pressed with the belief that some serious dlillcul-
ty is brewing between this country and the opail-
ish Government, which will in short tine re-
suit in declaration OF war on our part. In New
York city there is said to be most anxious leeI-
ing on the subject, which is having an injurious
reflect upon commerce.. The insurance conpa,
MES have adopted a clause in, their policies. by
which they clear themselves from lOss by capture
in case war occurs daring the voyage; and ship
owners have declined making contracts for build
ing new Ships, in consequence OF the threatening
aspect Of Affairs. What cause there may be for
this apprehension does not appear, the President
having made no communication to Congress cal
culated to excite it but it probably arises from
the fillibnster movement of Mr.. Shdell in the
Senate. The Senate, however, has called.upon
the President tor information, and we may now
expect something definite and reliable, especially
as new Spanish Minister and bearer of Sim
portant" dispatches from Madrid have just arrived
at Washington.
On Wednesday last, Mr. Benjamin of Louis-
ana presented to the Senate, the resolutions pass
ed by the Legislature Of that State, on the sub
cct of the supposed policy Of Spain to iberate the
slaves in Cuba, lie declared his belief that the
statement of his colleague, Mr.. Slidell, can be
thoroughly substantiated- the design to EAT
ricanize" Cuba is now in progress of execution
He mentioned one fact to sustain his position -
For many years past by reason of the heavy du-
ties imposed upon the legal mode of transferring
slaves from one proprietor to another, the slaves
have passed from hand to hand by parol and ac-
cording to recent proclamation every slave in
the possession of an individual who cannot show
registered title to him is to be made free.
Dir. Clayton, who was Secretary of State un-
der Gen. Taylor, and, therefore, we'll informed
in regard to all our foreign relations up to that
time, took issue with Mr.. Benjamin. He deried
tina. the Spanish Government contemplated the
emancipation ofthe slaves in Cuba, except in the
contingency Of q piratical expedition from this
country being on the point of taking the island,
when it might be justified upon the same princi-
~" 't"S 7" o""S Wy - PO"uSa h"5"N'"o w
prevent its falling into the hands of an enemy
A large number of negroes have been imported III
to Cuba from Africa, and these are detected by
means of the registries. .The police officers"
soid Mr., Clayton, 'svsit the estate, and, by call
ing the roll and examining the negroes, detect
whether there are any recent imporsations. Ifso.
they declare them free, and they are bound to de-
clare them free under the treaty which Spain has
made with foreign Governments. Then ex-
planned, further, that they apprenticed these slaves
for one year, merely for the purpose of enabling
these miserable creatures TO ltve."f Mr.. Clayton
ridiculed the idea that Spain would undertake to
make soldiers out of wild negroes from Africa,
who have not been in the country ayear, and con-
cluded as follows: t e8 sayt-t'1 M
''I shall now close what have to say to-day
with the repetition of the expression that | am
willing to yield up the whole subject if you will
show me that the American Secretary of State,or
any other man who ever was in that office, act
ing under the high responsibilities ofthat position.
will say to the Senate and the world that he be-
leves this story Of the emancipation Of the slaves
in Cuba" 't't eia @iV