The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-10

I officers, among whom was Commodore Porter. This
officer had been tried by United States Court Mar.
tia for alleged violation OF noncompliance with
the Instructions of the Secretary Of the Navy, and
suspended fur period of six months Unwilling,
however, 70 remain inactive, he took advantage a
the opportunity presented to enter the Mexican
vice, and aided by the Colombian and Mexican pri-
vsteers, he drove the Spanish commerce from the
ocean.
Vera Cruz and Carthagena were the great centres
OF the operations of this fleet, and they extended
their cruises all through the Caribbean and the
Gulf of Mexico lowering continually upon the
coast OF Cuba, and frequently making des
cents upon the unarmed towns. In proportion as
the Spanish commerce disappeared from the ocean,
macy of the worst Of these privateers extended
their depredations upon the peaceful traders OF
other nations. The 6rst operations OF this KIND
were those Of the well known Lalitte, who had his
centre Of action at Barataria the coast OF Louis
| ana, where his operations were broken up by the
| American government and himself and companions
! taken prisoners tn New Orleans. Several of his
vessels escaped and afterwards joined by others OF
his companions. founded that horde OF pirates upon
the coast of Cuba that afterwards grew up to such
| fearful extent.
FILIBUsTERISM IN FAVOR OF THE GREEKS.
The efforts of the Greeks to obtain their indepen-
dence elected great sympathy in this country and
! in 1923 plan was started by General Felix Hueston
TO go to their aid with party of chivarous spirits
| from this continent. This gentleman made extern
sive preparations, and obtained the highest letters
of recommendation, commenting his galantry and
the cause he engaged in, from President Adams,
Henry Clay, who was at that time Secretary Of
State Mr.. Forsyth. Daniel Webster, General Lafay-
ette who was then visiting the United States, and
many others. All of these gentlemen were perfectly
we'll aware that the plans of General Hueston were
| TO take men and material aid from the port of New
| York. Large amounts OF money were col
| lected among the people as proof OF their
| NV for fha
which have never been made public, General Hues-
ton dessted from his enterprise, although in it he
had the countenance of the highest in the land
| THE CONGRESS OF AMERICAN REPUBLICS
AT PANAMA.
! The efforts of the Spanish American States to OBJ
tain foreign assistance in their with the mother
country did not cease with the failure of previous
expeditions In 1924 the foownSplan for gene
raj Congress of American nations brought for
ward by Bolivar who had by this time become the
most prominent character in the struggle for South
! American Independence
"The objects of the confederation are TO complete
the independence of the New World by expeling the
foreign forces that still occupy certain points, to
| adjust existing differences between some of the
American States and to facilitate the emigration of
those who DISPOSED to abandon Europe and settle
| on this side of the Atlantic
The General Congress to be composed Of three
deputies from each Tree state, ana 10
in any part of the Foridas that the United States
may designate. An expedition to be forthwith
fitted ont against the Island of Cuba with the
bined forces of the confederation Those forces to
consist of six ships of from each Of the three
principal nationsthat lis to say: the United States,
Mexico and Colombia; three from Buenos Ayres,
Peru and hle, and one from ST. Domingo. The
number of troops from each OF the principal Powers
to be three thousand men, and from the others in
proportion.
IAN amphctionic council to be afterwards formed
in Havana, which, in case of emergency, shall
name general 10 command the forces Of the con-
federation. though the election of may be left
alternately to each Of the Stateshat is to say: the
United States Mexico, Colombia" &c, &C.. DC.
Many of the States passed resolutions approving
OF the object Of the Congress of Panama, and it
caused violent and long continued discussion in
Congress. The government of the United States de-
clined TO become party to the proposed Congress
| at Panama, but appointed complimentary commits
sion TO 60 there and announce TO the Assembly its
| determination. This commission was composed Of
| Richard c. Anderson, at that time United States
Minister to the republic OF Colombia, John sergeant,
Of Philadelphia. and William b. Rochester, Of New
York. In consequence OF the position taken by the
government Of the United States in order to prevent
any evil consequences that might result from an in.
vasion of the Island Of Cuba, together with other
causes no action was taken by this Congress aud it
| adjourned 80 meet at Tacubaya, near the city OF
Mexico. II is sufficient TO add that the second meet
ing of the Congress never took place.
II will be seen that the object Of the Congress
Nations at Panama 10 drive the Spanish powe
from Cuba ard Porto Rico, thus destroying ia las
hold upon the New World. In connection with tn
movements abroad secret societies of many kinds
were organized in Cuba. all fostering opposition 70
the government. There were Free Masons,' Car
tonari," Ring Men" Communists and Others:
but a society called the Sons Of Bolivar most
widely extended and most feared by the au.hori
ties. Wives, who was at that time Captain General,
unable 10 cope with them by force, employed Gun
ming. Agents were found who, assuming the mask
OF conspiniors penetrated the most hidden secrets
Of these societies, and in some instances even be-
came their cls,ts, Through these means the gov
eminent directed the movements OF the conspirators
against itself and the Captain General became the
chief conspimtor. The "Sons OF Bolivar were re-
ected 10 be made example OF. and by advising
and precipitating their movements the CHIEF CON
spra;ors were all caught in well devised net. ON the
eve of rising in open rebellion Many % the parties
implicated including several officers of the army were
bani-hed or sent prisoners TO SPAIN one officer las
par Antonio Rodriguez was pushed into pronouncing
Ia favor Of independence at Matanzas where complete
measures for the suppression Of the movement had
been secretly taken. The affair consequently ex.
ploded and Rodriguez succeeded IN getting on board
Colombian prvsteer in the ofing. In connection
with these movements an expedition partly pre-
pared in Carthscena by the government OF New
Granada; but IL was stopped in consequence OF the
decided opposition Of the American government,
communicated through its diplomatic agents.
MEXICAN F1LIBUsTERING ON CUBA.
The Tacubaya Convention Of American Republics
having fallen through, efforts were made in Mexico
to revive the revolutionary feeling in CHA and er
pei the Spanish government. secret society, hav-
ng its centre In Mexico was formed under the name
Of the BLACK Eagle" and its rauiihcations were ex
tended through large portion Of Cuba. The move
ment was very early discovered by the Spanish go
yernment which succeeded in srresting one OF the
sgcnts who came from Mexico, with important pa
pers and many arrests were made. Some OF the
parties were sentenced 20 death, which was otter
wards COMMITTED TO imprisonment, and 20 whde
! thing was quashed
THE TEXAS MOVEMENT.
/ The overthrow Of Mexican dominion and autho-
I rity in Texas accomplished by Mexicsns and
American who either had settled In that State, or