The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-12-16

eTt6 lefeated by causes which | need not
emu nerare.
( The mission to Spuin has been entrusted
TO distinguished citizen of Kentucky, who |
will proceed to Madrid without deluy, and
make another and dual attempt TO obtain |
justice from that government.
Spanish officials, under The direct contro
Of the Captain General OF Cuba. have insult |
ed our national flag, and. in repeated instan-
ces, have from time TO time inflicted injuries
on the persons and property Of our citizens.
These have given birth to numerous claims
| against the Spanish government, the merits |
Of which have been ably discussed for Sc
ries Of years, by our successive diplomatic |
representatives. Notwthstu nding this, We
have not arrived at practical result 10 my
single instancej unless we may except the
case Of the Black Warrior under the late uc-
ministration |; and that presented an outrage
of such a character as would have justified
an immediate resort to war. All our at
tempts to obtain redress have been bItfied
and defeated. The frequent and olt recur-
ring changes In the Spanish ministry, have
been employed as reasons for delay. We
have been compelled to wait again and
az in, until the new minister shall have had
time to Investigate the justice Of our de-
mands.
Even what have been denominated "the
Cuban claims;" In which mGre THAI hun
dred of our citizens are directly interested,
have furnished no exception. These claims
were for the reiunding OF duties uniustly
exacted from American vessels at different
custom houses in Cuba, 30 long ago as the
year 1874. The principles upon which they
|, on niInaflu pnuifnhln nun inst.
that utter period of nearly ten years, in
1854, they were recognized by the Spanish
government. Proceedings were afterwards
instituted to ascertain their amount, and this
was finally fixed according to their own
= statement (with which we are sutisfied) at
the sum of one hundred and twenty eight
q thousand six hundred aud thirty FIVE dollars
and fifty four cents. Just at the moment,
: after Il delay of fourteen years, when We had
o reason to expect that this sum would be re-
n paid with interests we have received pro-
= posal Offering to refund one third OF that
G amount, (fOrty two thousand eight hundred
,fl and seventy eight dollars and forty one
IS cents) but without interest, If we would ac-
9 cept tns in full satisfaction. The otter 10
u also accompanied by a declaration that this
|. indemnihcation is not founded On any reason
st of strict Justice, but is nude 10 special IA
7, vor.
r. One alleged cause for procrastnation III
IS the examination and adjustment of our claims
's arises from an obstacle which it is the duty
v of the Spanish government to remove
= Whilst the captain general OF Cuba is ll
ID vested with general despotic authority in the
i. government of that island, the power is with
10 held from him to examine and redress
D. wrongs committed by officials under his con
le troll, on citizens Of the United States. ln
b. steud of making our complaints directly Il
le him at Havana, we are obliged to presen
ry them through our minister at Madrid. Taes
z. are then referred back to the captain-gene
IS. raj for information and much time Is thu
as consumed In preliminary investigations an
,e, correspondence between Madrid and Cubt
he and before the Spanish government will cor
'e. sent to proceed to negotiation. Many OF tn
Mt, difficulties between the two government
la would be obviated, and long train OF neg
III tiation avoided, if the captain-seneral wei
IS. invested with authority to settle questions
ne, easy solution, on the spot, where all the fac
he are fresh, and could be promptly and sati
re- factoriy ascertained. We have hitherto
ar. vain urged upon the Spanish government
,ut to confer this power upon the captain. gene
ity raj, and our minister 10 Spain will again
ar instructed to urge this subject on their NJ
Ted tice. In this respect, W occupy dlttere
md position from the powers OF Europe. Gu
list is almost within sight of our shores o
ill commerce with it is far greater than that
the any other nation, including Spain itself, al
re- our citizens are in habits of daily and e!
lis. tended personal intercourse with every pa
g a., Il L. =. h.. ant, ,VHi
A ance that, when any difficulty occurs, no mi
hat ter how unimportant. which might be reat
ion ly settled ut the moment, we should be G
uld lIged to resort to Madrid, especially VIII
ons the very first step TO be taken taere is TO r
ee. fer 1t back to Cuba.
yet The truth is that Cuba, in its existing I
the lonal condition, is constant source OF Il
ent jury and annoyance to the American peopl
onj 1t is the only spot in the civilizel wol
Ian where the African slave trade is tolerate
'om and we are bound by treaty with Great BI
)rm tain, to maintain a naval force OIL the Coz
il of Africa, at much expense both OF life a
ex- treasure, solely Tor the purpose OF arresti
ink slavers bound to thut island. The late s
rious difficulties between the United Stat
you and Great Britainj respecting the right
rit. search, now 80 happily terminated, co,
the never have arisen il Cuba had not affordet
$50, market Tor slaves. AS long as this mari
shall remain open, there Can be no hope
'es, the civilization Of benighted Africa. Viii
ing the demand for slaves continues in Cul
GUS wars will be waged among the petty and b
eed barous chiefs in Africa, for the purpose
in a seizing subjects to supply this trade.
ts- such condition OF affairs, it is impossible Il
not the light of civilization and religion can e.
lge, penetrate those dark abodes. .
the 1t has been made known to the world
in a my predecessors, that the United State ha
ted. on several occasions, endeayored to acqI
aes. Cuba from Spain by honorable negotiate
the Ii this were accomplished the last relic
the the African slave trade would instantly d
the appear. We would not, ii we could, acql
tral Cuba in any other manner. This is due
ter. our national character. ALI the territ
tile. which we have acquired siace the origin
the the government, has been by fair purch
aced from France, Spain and Mexico, or by
the free and voluntary act of the independ
S. State of Texas, in blending her destil
this with our own. This course we shall e
" to pursue, unless circumstances should oct
A fl. which we do not anticipate, rendering
atty parture from 1t clearly justifiabe, under
last imperative and oVerruling law of seli'pret
the vHlion.
III The Island of Cuba, from its geograph
. ot position, commands the mouth Of the Mis-
ther pi, aud the immense and annually increas
, ex- trade, foreign and coastwise, from the va