The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-12-17

I.erto defsoted bv couses which mead M
enumerate. ~ rf.,afs
! The mission 10 Srain mas been irtruste.
| 10 di.tIpyuisbed citizen of Kentucky. VIII,
! will proceed to Madrid without delay, an,
| make mother and final attempt 10 obtair
1 Justice from that government.
Spanish officials, under tie direct contro
\ of the captain.eeneraI of Cuba, have insulted
! our natior al fiag, and, in repeated instances
have from time to time inflicted injuries on
! the persons and property Of our citizens
These have given birth 10 numerous claims
against the Spanish government, the merits
OF which have been ably discussed for se-
ries Of years, by our successive diplomatic
representatives. Notwithstanding this, we
have not arrived ut n practical result 10 any
single Instance, unless we may except the
case of the Black Warrior under the late ad.
mnistration; and that presented an Outrage
of such character as would have justified
an immediate resort 10 wdr. All our at
tempts TO obtninredress heyc been, baflled
mad .dafAated- The frequenS and .oft-reciis-
ring chnbges In the Spanish ministry, have
been employed as reasons for delay. We
have been compelled to wait, again and again,
until the new minister shall have had time
to investigate the justice of our demands.
Even what have been dcnominated "the
Cuban claims" in which more than hun
dred of our citizens are directly interested,
hare furnished no exception. These claims
were for the refunding OF duties unjus.y ex-
acted from American vessels at different Gus
tom-houses in Cuba, so long ago as the yenr
le44. The principles upon which they rest
are so manifestly equitable and just, that af-
ter period ofnearly ten years, in 1854, they
were recognized by the Spanish government.
ProceediRgs were aftcrward instituted to as
certain TIER amount, and this was finally
fixed according to their own statement (with
which We were satisfied) at sum of $685.
635, 81 cents. Just at the moment, after n
delay Of fourteen years, when we had reason
TO expect that this sum would be repaid with
interest, we have received proposal Offering
to refund one-third of that amount, (S42,.
S78 Al cents,) but without interest, if we
would accept this in full satisfaction. The
offeris, also accompanied by declaration
! that this indemnification is not founded on
any reason of strict justice; but is made as a
special favor.
One alleged cause for procrastinaton in
| the examination and adjustment of our
claims, arises from an obstacle which it is
the duty of the Spanish government to re-
move Whilst the captain. general of Cuba
| is invested with general despotic authority
in the government of that island, the power
is withheld from hinto examine and redress
wrongs committed by officials under his con.
troll. on citizens of the United States. In
stead of making our complaints directly to
him at Havana, we are obliged to present
thenfthrough our minister at Madrid. These
are then referred back to the captain gen.
era' for information; and mnch time is thus
consumed IN preliminary Investigations aud
correspondence between Madrid and Cuba
before the Spanish government VIII consent
TO proceed to negotiation Many ofihe dif-
hcu'i'es between the two governments won'd
ne Cultivated, anu long train OF negotiation
WIN authority 10 settle questions OF. easy
soiuiion on-tne spot where all the facts are
fIesl' ana coula DC promptly ana satisfncto'
my ascer'alnea. we nnVsshither'o I'D VAIN
urged upon the spanish government 10 con,
Ter thls power upon the captain general and
our minister 10 SPAN VIII nga'h oe ihs'ruc'
Yea 10 urge 'his SUBJECT on tnelr noVee. ID
ms respect we occupy dinefeht postion
iro,i 'he powers o' Europe Cuoa 's ALMOST
wth'n signt OF our shores' our commerce
n"uo", 'nctpu,ns oPn'n 'sse',' anu our GU
zehS hre u, the hao'. o, oa'iy ana eS'enaeo
personal intercourse win every part OF me
,s'"'u. 49, tmc.eioIe' great grievance
,ha'' wneh any oiucu'ty occurs no mater
nov i'hpo''ah', wn'cn 'n,snt oe reaa,iS SET
''eo at'ne iilomeh'' we snou'" oe Obliged 10
reso'. W ai"ur'u' especial! wheh lhe very
t"s. s'ep - De taken there - 70 refsr II back
70 Laba,
The truth is that Cuba, in lis existing
colonial condition, Is constant source OF
injury and annoyance To the American peo.
pie. 1t is the only spot in the civilized world
where the African slave-trade is tolerated,
and we are bound by treaty with Great
Britain, to maintain, naval force on the
coast Of Africa, at much expense both OF
life and treasure, solely forthe purpose OF
arresting snvers bound to that island. The
late serious difficulties between the United
States and Great Britain respecting the Eight
OF search, now so happily terminated, could
never have arisen ifCuba had not afforded n
market for slaves, As long as this market
shall remain open, there can be no hope for
the civilization of benighted Africa. Whilst
the demand for slaves continues1n Cuba
wars will be wnged among the petty fnnd
barbarous chiefs in Africn, for the purpose
OF seizing subjects to supply this trade. In
such condition of affairs, 1t is impossible
that the light of civilization and religion can
ever penetrate these dark nbodes.
1t has been made known to the world by
my predecessors, that the United States have
| H.. -. s.a....