Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-18
THE BLACK WARRIOR AFFAIR.

/ . THE BLACK WARRIOR AFFAIR.
PROM THE NEW YORK EVENING POST OF MARCH H.
What We already know Of the seizure is derived from
statement made by the agent Of those who own tn
steamer and who consider themselves aggreved by thu
act of the authorities at Havana 1t presents of
but side Of the case and only ground
for further inquiry. We know what the state
msnt may contain what circumstances important
true understanding Of the affair may have been omitted
1t is not to be expected that party interested would
state his impartial person would see it.
One consideration which should restrain from rush
ing to any sudden judgment the matter is this That
neither the Government of Spain the authorities OF
Cuba have any thing to gain by provoking quarrel with
this country; the contrary they have much to lose
Any wanton injustice committed by them citizens
engaged in peaceful intercourse with the island would be
of perfect madness 1t is their manifest policy
give US no pretext for taking advantage Of own
strength and their weakness; and of this we have little
doubt they fully aware AS the matter
stands with the record open against of many
hostile expeditions, either planned fitted out in
country against the present Government of the island Of
Cuba, put somewhat in the wrong in the opinion
of mankind there is at least plausible of COM
plant against It is SO clearly the interest of Spain
to keep in that position and to take step which
shall put herself in the wrong that unless these who ad
minister her Government have lost their wits, they will
not do otherwise. @....
The extraordinary proposal made in the House
Of representatives by Mr. DEAN Of this State to repeal
the neutrality laws of 1875 far they regard the Gov
eminent and people Of Spain, and to give free scope to
piracy against that country Putting aside the consider
alton that such measure it could be defended in
any case ought not to be adopted before have
fully inquired into the matter and fully satisfied
selves which party is in the wrong earnestly hope
that country will be spared the dshonor of any repeal
of the neutrality laws they respect any nation or tribe
Of men the globe with whom profess to be at peace
War is dreadful enough when carried by Govern
mens against each other and with regard those Gus
toms and usages which its horrors have been mgated
and the and property the unarmed and defence
less who compose the of the people in all nations
respected but the change in laws proposed by Mr.
DEAN carries back to the practices Of the barbar-
ages It will allow to be carried by ndivi-
duals, who will murder and plumber with impunty their
felowmen nhabtng any Of the possessions Of the Span
ish crown. Let such law be passed. and the Gulf Of
Mexico will again swarm with pirates in the time Of
the buccaneers. ..,.@.
If we have any just complaint against SPAIN our Gov
eminent will know hew deal with that Power in
worthy Of its dignity and the civilization of the
age fla cause Of war has arisen let us have manly
open hostlites and not irregular sneakng warfare
carried by privaeers and freebooters Let us wage
the did with Mexico, by armies and our
navy, and not by sending out cuthroats and robbers
and making our ports their place ofrefuge.
FROM BOSTON JOURNAL MARCH 15
We would advise contemporaries and the public to
await the publication of the official statement of the
affair at Havana before joining in the buster huaba-
loo which has been raised the detention Of the Black
Warrior The Cuban authorities have doubtless acted
very fooishy; but has the Captain of the Black War
ror 1t may appear that the latter actually violated the
revenue laws of Cuba knowingly and wilfuy, in which
the former were justified in Selling the vessel AT
all events it is manifesty improper to express opn-
ion upon subject involving important international re-
laons upon merely pare statement; and does not
become powerful nation like the United States seize
upon outrage Gf it is one) which may be explained
and apoogzed for as pretext for aggressions upon
weak neighbor. ~.
Where did the ammunition mentioned by the New
York Courier being the island come from? Is it
not possible that Of it landed from the Black
Warrior her previous trips and that information of
the fact had been communicated to the Cuban Govern
ment? 1t would appear by the following extract from
Key West letter in the Mobile Tribunal that the autho-
rites of the island expected to find contraband articles
on board "~. ...'
The bales of cotton taken from the steamer were sub
jected to- rigorous examination, every one being cut
open as it suspected that they contained arms and
munitions of war"
FROM THE NEW YORK MIRROR OF MARCH IA.
subscriber to your paper from the beginning, and
friend to yourself cannot refrain from expressing my
concurrence with you in the sentiments which this
evenings edition contains the subject of the seizure
of the Black Warrior by the authorities in Havana
for alleged Infringement of the laws Of the
island What has been done in this nothing more
less than what would have been done under similar
circumstances in this any other civilized country not
withstanding the hue and cry which are being raised
against the act and considering the subject in all its
bearings cannot really perceive any aggravatng point
in the beyond that of denying to the captain of the
vessel the privilege of reforming correcting his mani
fest within twelve hours from the time Of the official visit
paid to his vessel ....
In confirmation of this opinion I subjon an extract
from letter which have received to-day dated 9th in
slant, from dsinterested observer:
"Ths vessel (he Black Warrior having cargo on board
for New York. entered in ballast and being visited by
the customhouse officers they reported to the collector
that she had cotton aboard The consgnee or captain