The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-18

!
rs in those of Spain. A distinct system Of diff
ferential duties is exactcd there upon goods i'm
ported in American bottoms; and as a retalia-
tory measure, Spanish vessels from Cuba pay
higher duties in our ports tbsa the same vessels
would pay coming from Spain. TAe provisions
Of the treaty defining how the casses Of our
citizens shall be tried in the Spanish courts.
Cuba and Porto Rico, the very places where We
most iequiIe them.
II is this homogeneous state OF affairs that has
led to the existence of such e long catalogue of
public and private claims against the Spanish
| government as is filed in the State Department
at Washington. Our government has yet to
obtain an apology from Spain for the refusal
of the local authorities of ST. Jago to recognise
Mr. Sewall, duly appointed Consul, and for
their arbitrary denial to him OF the archives Of
the Consulate and their delivery Of them to
| person not authorized By our government aud
in fact, against its direct orders; for the impri
sonmeHt of Mr.. Gross, the Consul at
Matanzas for the seizure and spoliation
of Mr.. West, our commercial agent at
DORADO and seveIa. others and for numerous
other acts of direct and studied insult to US as
nation. To these we have to add a long list of
private claims for illegal spoliation and injury
of our citizens. Among these are that of Mr..
Thrasher who few years since was tried for
| his life in Havana and sentenced to eight yes )
labor and chains in Africa, without a shadow of
1 cnc I'll TT A.
| upon the high seas and confscation c the Anne
rican vessels, the Georgana and Susan Loud;
other spoliations of Mr.. West. at Sagua;
the official robbery of Mr.. Thompson at the
same place; the claims Of many merchants for
dutiee illegally collected the justice of which
claims has been acknowledged by Spain, but
payment has been withheld; and hundred
others that have been urged in vain by the suf-
ferers and by our government.
1t is long since time that this extended list of
injuries to our citizens and insults to Us as ma
ton were redressod, Spanish diplomacy has
beat our representatives off. under the most
frivolous pretexts, and refused to accord
justice. We hope, therefore, that the
announcement we have had from Wash
ington that the government intends to
take this subject very soon in hand and have it
settled, is true. Spain has kept Punic faith
with us long enough; and though it may be al
legged that she has done the same thing with
other nations, and they have forbornc, that is
no reason why we should not have immediate
| justice and guarantees for her future behavior
| Our immense trade and the widely extended in
r. 4: :. \, a.
should no longer be matter of mere tolerance
and insult Let Mr. Buchanan make up the ac-
count of Spain from the ledger Of the State De-
partment, and present il for immediate settle
| ment.
| There is but ono kind OF diplomacy for such
| a court as that OF Spain, and that is the ore
used by General Jackson TO France PAY or
| fight" said the old hero: and the matter was
settled at once, and we have been ever since the
best Of friends. This is the diplomacy that
Spain easily comprehends aud the one which
she has lately used in bringing Mexico to a set
Element Of the paltry claim Of 100000, half of
which is well known to be fictitious. II she
equivocates, as she constant! has done, or re-
fuses to pay, Mr.. Buchanan has only to send
General Scott, with ten thousand men and Il
small feet, TO Havana, and take possession of
the island of Cuba until these and all subse
quent claims are settled With General Scott
| in Havana we could stand the delays of Spanish
| diplomacy: but in no other way can we permit
them. The capture Of Havana some bright
morning would form an appropriate close - the
! list of SCOTS services to his country We hope
Mr.. Buchanan has determined upon the pay or
| fight diplomacy with Spain; if he has done
so We are sure ali will go well. Let u have the
| Spanish claims settled at once.
THE Hon. Mr.. HOARD on BRIBERY AND Coz
RuPTIoS.-One day last week the Hon. Mr.
! Hoard. of this State arose in Congress, and
said that ''rumors were afoat involving the
rights and dignity Of the House. and asked leave
to offer resolution for the appointment Of q
committee to investigate whether attempts have
been made by persons connected with the Ex-
ccutive Department. or persons acting under
their advice. TO influence The action of the
House directly or indirectly, by promise or in
timidation, or the giving or withholding OF pa
tronage." &c.
Thi- motion. Of course fell to the ground. for
IL was an absurlity upon IT. face Since the
time of Cen jackson the ruling principle OF all
our political parties has been. and is now. en-
bodied in that comprehensive maxim Of Marcy,
viz:--"To the victors beloag the spoils.' In
this view, the first duty Of every President, of
every party from the gear 1929 has been TO
provide for his political friends at the expense
Of his enemies. 1t would be a very silly policy,
too. for the President to supply the active enc
mics of his administration with bread and but
ter while he has 50 many poor democratic re-
lations who remain true to his cause. In these
degenerate days, with Kings and Presidents a.
with other people, charity begins at home:'