Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-27


population of the island has been increasing in rapid
ratio. Now every Of these slaves in factnot be-
heve slaves legally according to the aud laws
Of Cuba but slaves in facare to be set free All
those who actually slaves but who have been passed
from hand to hand without the formay Of notaral SEAL
will also be set free under this proclamation in relation to
registration. These will form body Of black troops TO
assist the Spanish troops against the white population or
the island.
My colleague, in the speech which he made short
time ages that attracted much attention in the coun-
try demonstrated to the Senate that the intention Of the
British Government-and il has been fully shown IN its
correspondence and negotiations with the Spanish Gov
ernmentis to induce the latter Government TO consider
the blacks and whites upon the island po
puation be taken of and protected by
set OF regulations applicable to both classes Of the
population.
shall not 90 further into this subject now sir;
but refer these facts for the purpose Of showing that
this not idle apprehension, that it is with
out foundation: and when the discussion comes up I
think shall be able to show him such facts aud such
proofs will shake his well formed conviction to
the contrary.
Mr.. CLAYTON. Mr. President, said before that
do propose this time to go extensively into the dis
cussion Of this subject but know that the remarks
made from distinguished my honorable
friend from Louisiana will be calculated to make deep
impression upon the minds of the American peoples and
do verify believe that that impression win be erro
neous it is my duty to arrest it IL is my duty, SO
far have light and knowledge to explain the trans
actions which the honorable Senator has referred and
which he thinks conclusive evidence of design now
Sir do not stand here now--I have stood here
any whereas the apologis for the expressions
actions of the Spanish Government its corruptons
know much perhaps that subject most gentle
here and whenever it shall become the interest Of
my country to expose them, will do it fully Sir it is
important that the Senate of the United States should
not be misled this subject; but that, when do
strike, should strike justly, that should not mis-
conceive either position that Of foreign Gov
eminent.
say again that deny that my honorable friend
&c
intends emancpate the slaves in Cuba, aud that
such scheme is in progress of execution. Now is the
time that the and just impression should go forth to
the American people Sir there those at the other
end Of the whose duty investigate this sub
ject, and who will be under fearful responsibility, both
to God and to their country they suffer wrong opinion
this subject FORTH and the minds Of the American
people to be poisoned with untruth with regard to it. will
do this with the honorable Senator knowing nothing my
knowledge Of the opinions Of the Secretary of State
this will risk the whole issue upon the opn-
ION he will the Senate Of the United States the coun-
try about it. If he will say me, the Senate Of the
United States that he believes this story will yield up
my convictions. l do not believe that he credits the
story ALL and cannot think that the President and
the Cabinet credit it. They are the proper persons to
investigate the matter. They have time to do it. We
here on this floor make declarations which will in
fame the public mind. The people, surprising that we
understand the matter, will take statements as COR
rect when perhaps are not thoroughly acquainted
with the subject those gentlemen the other end of
the avenue whose duty it is to acquire light and give it
Department give up all its upon this subject,
and with that very view moved, in the Committee
Foreign Relations, the resolution which my honorable
friend the chairman Mr.. MAsoN) introduced yester
day, and which was adopted calling the State Depart
men for the information that will give US light on the
| subject.
With regard to the fact that slaves have increased with
in few years past in the Island Of Cuba explained the
the day before yesterday in short speech to the
Senate. I showed that own countrymen were the
men who had thus far Africanized Cuba by building
49, Il IT,. ~
and navigating the vessels to the coast Of Africa.
think my honorable friend is mistaken in regard to
the numbers have not yet learned OF more than five
thousand being imported there within the last sixteen
months though there may be, and probably there are
many more. have been apprized Of the cases Of the
vessels called the Jasper, the Senas, the General de
Kalb, and the Lady Suffolk, notorious pratca savers
There doubtless many others, but cannot believe
that any thing like hundred thousand oEe-half,
onefourth of that number has been imported into Cuba
But here lies the mischief, towards which the attention
of the American Senate ought to be drawn II we
ever to have this standard have expressed the opn
ion and entertained it for many years back that win
one day be ours, how do not pretend to saywe
deeply interested in having this business of introducing
negroes and free negroes from Africa stopped The most
effective way of stopping it is by stopping the slave trade
with own vessels There is the place strike that
is the spot at which propose to strike, and desire Con-
gress to strike
But sir the negroes brought from Africa are detected
by the very to which my honorable friend has al
udedby the regstres of the slaves the real native
estate, and by calling the roll and examining the
groes detect whether there any mportaons
If SO, they declare them Free and they bound to de-
clare them free under the treaty which Spain has made
with foreign Governments. Then explained, further,
they apprenticed these slaves for year. merely
for the purpose Of enabling these miserable to
live. They unable to procure their subsistence
they are utterly ignorant. They cannot speak word
of any language in which they be understood and
nobody understand them. They know not how to
labor and they would starve If they not apprcntced
Well for the purpose Of preserving the existence Of
these wretched beings the local authorities in Cuba have
been compelled to apprentice them for ayear is my
opinion that this very moment these negroes felt
be great evil by the Spanish authorities in Cuba and
they would gladly get rid Of them but they They
would probably be very thankful to us if would take
them away.
But sir my honorable friend in the indulgence Of his
imagination tells that he thinks these negroes will be
enlisted and form black corps Of soldiers for the pur
pose of preventing any attack made the island any
insurrection in the island. Now sir, would ask you,
Mr. WELLER in the chair, who have been somewhat Of
military man, and who have acquired military
knowledge tell me what sort of soldiers these would
make They wild negroes from Africa, who have
been in the country year. Would they not make
splendid regiment? should like to know how you
any body else would proceed drill them and make them
stand up in fight.
Sir Ilamen I1ament deeply that the impression has
gone abroad and from such distinguished sources that
this evil is in progress Of execution May not wait
until our Government, until the President has spoken
on the subject? shall now close what have say to-
day with the repetition Of the expression that will
ling to yield up the whole subject if you will show me
that the American Secretary of State ether man