The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-08-24
Are ths Antilles % Deooms African or AIMS
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The scheme Of African emigration To the West
Irdies is making silent but cure progress, as is
evirced in an article which we publish in another
column. from the London Mercantile Gazette. From
this paper we learn that not only have the new
negroes begun to arrive Of Martinique, but that
the En- nch government has been for come years
carrying on the same trade 10 African labor, from
Madagascar to the isle of Bourbon, and that the
vessels employed have been fallen in with by
British cruisers, but not molesed, they ''having
government officer on board, who made no secret
Of his occupation" We also publish in connec
ton with this subject, curious article from the
London, Neaes on General Concha's recent proola-
nation against the slave trade, aud the exhibit it
makes OF the despotism of the Spanish govern.
ment In Cuba and an extract from Spanish
Journal announcing the early departure fcom
Spain of come Catholic missionaries to cert .ir
Spanish islands on the coast OF Africa.
These apparently distinct questions are more
nearly related than they seem at first glance to
be. ard We will explain their connection with
each other. The first public announcement OF
the scheme of importing large numbers OF free
negroes to the West Indies was q work on the
subject, published in 1852 ia Spain, by an officer
from Cuba, end who ia now officially employed
near the highest authority in that island. As it
was finally developed and adopted the plan com.
prised the sending of number of Catholic
missionaries to the Spanish islands OF Annobon,
Fernando Pc and Others on the coast of Africa,
and the Importation into Cuba of 100000 free
negroes, apprenticed to labor Gen. Pezuela Was
sent 10 Havana, as Captain General, to carry
out the plan, and reached there in December,
1868. TIE measures that were Immediately
adopted by him in regard to the slaves, alarmed
the people Of the country for the social safety of
tie Island and caused the greatest excitement
among the blacks.
This feeling was increased by secret circu-
lar issued by General Pezaela, oa the 18th Of
January. 1854, to a number of persons in Ha,
vana, asking their opinion as to the best form in
which African apprentices could be brought and
the system established The consequence Of this
course on the part of Gen. Pezuela vas an en-
erectic protest to the home government from
many Of the first people in the island. who saw
clearly that the end in view was political one,
which was to be brought about by increasing
largely the preponderance of the black race.
Bcsidss this large contributions we're msde to
the funds CT the Cuban revolutionary junta,
which had then transferred itself to New Orleans,
and preparations for revolution were almos.
openly made in the island. These occurrences
alarmed the Spanish government, and the execu-
ton of its plans was suspended. Gen. Pezuela
was superseded by Gen. Concha, who at once ep-
piled himself to calm the public excitement
For three years the subject has been kept out
Of public view, but in the meantime the support
Of France has been secured for the scheme of
African apprentices, and in England party has
been found to favor it, and the government looks
upon it with q tolerance that las re-
markable appearance Of connivance with
it. From Madagascar and the isle OF
Bourbon the French traders in negro apprentices
have spread to the coast Of Guinea and Mar
Unique; while in England the clamor for opening
the trade with the British West Indies is met only
by request to wait and zee if the French expert
ment succeeds 1t is stated that the scheme must
not be extended to Cuba, because slavery exists
there, and the apprentices would degenerate into
slaves This is q mere subterfuge. The impor.
tation OF Chinese coolies into Cuba is carried on
to greater extent than into any other country.
No argument will apply to the traffic in negro ap-
prentices that will not apply to that in Chinese
But other reasons exist for believing that the
system Is to be applied at an early day in Cuba
The Spanish mission is to be sent at once to Fer
nando Po; 1t is now waiting in Cadiz the arrival
from Havana OF the vessel that is to convey il,
and which it is not unlikely will return to Cuba
with cargo Of free negroes. Recent accounts
from Spain state that General Serrano, "a man Of
the same school with Pezuela is to be sent rs Cap
tain General to Cuba, and that the garrison OF the
island will be largely increased. These pro-
cecdings may create another excitement among
The Cuhans, ard lead to Il renewal of .hc rcvo-
lutooaTy agitation we saw there aud IN this
country icw gears sincc- The article which
We copy from The London Ne,es evidently points
TO a renewal Of the feeling OF hatred in Cuba to.
wards Spain. II behooves our own government
TO look into these matters, and TO be prepared for
any sudden emergency that may arise in Cuba
growing out Of these questions Any attempt on
the part of the governmer to change the exist
ing social relations of tho white and black races
there will lead probably to a convulsiou; for
their numbers are too nearly cqusiized, and the
Cubans feel Themselves too strong to be suddenly
degraded and destroyed. as the white Inhabitants
OF Jamaica have been.
TIM War FEErISc ~ SPAIY.-N VIC may judge
from the tone Of the public journals, the war
spirit agains. Mexico is becoming quito strong in
Spain, notwithstanding the mediation d Franco
and Englaod in the question. We publish else
uh1rn snrnrnl extracts from the Snnnish inurnnIs