The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-23
GREAT BRITAIN AND sPAIx



(
prom tho Journal Of Commerce, July 81 = ~
Lord AIsmesbury severe llusion the had filth OF
Spain In conniyng at the continuance of the slave trade
in violation of her treaty obligations and OF bargain
for the specific performance OF her portion of which she
received So 900 900 in hard cash has excited the most
intense Indignation among the Dons against England and
the English and the Spanish press filed with the most
violent threats and expressions OF l-wil towards per-
hdious Albion The gagamea Of Lord MaImesburys of
fence was the hint that Great Britain would withdraw
her fleet from the West Indian waters and decline
terere behalf Of Spain should the United States take
any active steps for the acquon by purchase other
wise, of the Queen of the Antilles With true hida
go buster the Spanish journals are limiting at an nva
sion of Great Britain by another great armada the
possibility OF which is proved by statement of Great
Britains comparative weakness D-hcr unnamed feet
the inpossibity OF her nding sailors and the miserable
nsgnifcance of her army, and SPANS might G)--pors
full of vessels fully equipped, and ramps full of
valiant soldiers ready 10 do die for Old CASTLE
OF the cautious writer's recommend that the con
quest be made by the allied armies and navics of Spain
and France IL Hsgi be that Spain snglc-aded would
be unequal TO the task, and that the unnamed fleets
and miserable little army might prove more than match
for the armada
The calm and impartial observer If he be at all yersed
in the history Of the AngloS relations for the last
threequates Of century, could hardly refrain after
reading the Spanish newspaper articles from thinking
that it Is somewhat unbeconng in SPAIN which has been
twice. within fifty yeas, saved from utter destruction by
British valor and British money which is deeply
indebted to the British for money lent, which the in
erest has been for years unpaid should adopt such
nsolent tone towards the nation to which she
heavy moral and material debt even though the inso
lsnce be nothing dangerous than empty swagger.
1t is fact we'll known to the world and which
has yentured to dispute that Cuba is the great mart for
the importation and sale Of African slaves, and that
the Spanish government to DO their duty and fulfil their
repeated solemn obligations the slave traffic in the Span
ish colonies must Great Britain at expense Of
about fl00, 000 has put end to her own slave
Ia
States to follow her example, concluded treaties with
them oblging them to do 3d. and has supported
and expensive fleets for the purpose Of seeing that
those treaties be strictly kept She has kept squad
ron the coast Of Africa to prevent the expectation OF
negroes and another the coast Of Cuba to prevent the
importation of negro slaves. Notwithstanding tho heavy
and important sacrifices which she has made and which,
in addition to the large money outlay and lost of life
from pestcnce which this anti slavery crusade has COST
includes the ruin of her loushng and productive
West India possessions--she finds that in
humanitarian point Of view her efforts have been
successful and that although Spain has promised to put
end 10 the slavetrae ia her possessions and has
cepted money for that purpose she has violated her
gagements and connyes at her principal colony being
the only slave mart in the civilized world. Lord NAL
mesbHry condemned this persistent bad ith with great
but not unwarrantabe severity and limited that the
tacit consent of England to the acquisition of Cuba by
the United States would be the best and mcs eectunl
to put stop to the slave trade. In pursuance
OF this view and in advocacy Of its adoption the London
Times of the 7th instint contains very strong and in
many respects, remarkable article the greater part of
which publish in another column. The Times '.looks
the question boldly in the face and to the
clusion that in moral and material point of view it
would DO in the interest Of England that Scuba should
become American In place Of Spanish possession -
that Tin tho hands of American citizens it would he
much productive market than at present !" that
English and merchants could and sell
more with American than Spanish Cuba = that lit Is the
best thing that be wished for England that the Uni
ted States should he prosperous and growing power
and that patience and forbeance being tired out with
regard to SPAIN ''the time has fairly arrived when
(England may consider il we should not be playing
game wisely by standing still while the cabi-
net OF Washington carried out the long cherished designs
of the American people upon the island of Cuba
In discussing this question and arriving ut the forego
ing conclusion the Times makes extraordinary blum
der, rather displays most marvellous ignorance
single point 1t says: ''If Cuba is to remain slave
importing country we had us lief nay rather that it
should pass into American hands, and it is not impossible
that the States would DO willing to to under
standing with that If Cuba passed quietly into their
possession wishes with regard to the further por
taton Of slaves into the island would be dsregared "
The Times ought to know that in Territory belonging
to the United States slaves be imported; that the
slave trade piracy according to laws that any Of
citizens convicted of having been engaged in it
punishable with death; and that Cuba to pass into
possession tomorrow, laws for the prohibition of
the slave trade would be in full force there in the
State of New York s5
On this latter ground prcciscly--viz to stop the
curbeu papers Wiilcn
before had opposed the measure now advocate the acqu
ston of Cuba by the United States So far from treaty
stipulation the part OF the United States being
sary to prevent the importation OF slayes into Cuba in
the supposed England with all her wealth could
not hire to import them to permit them to be i'm
ported Considering the vast extent and ntricacy OF
Atlantic and Gulf coasts proud fact in hiaory
Na moi s,dec has been imported into this country from 4tca
for HaD quarter Of century, unless brought in by
government vessels which had recaptured them from
slave traders Taking into view the adventurous money
loving character Of people, and their nautical taste and
facilities such fact prou that both government and
people--that the southern people body--are
honestly and earnestly opposed to the foreign slave trade
England should do the Justice to believe this and not
swallow the dishes of Pearriyer honibles got up for
holders themselves in order to fthom the depth of Eng
fish credulity
There be doubt that the acquisition of Cuba by
this country would be Of direct advantage TO Great Brit
nin while it is not clear that it would be of immediate
benefit to and in this view there is good deal of
wisdom and force IN the article of the London Times
Caba under American jurisdiction would to DC
laveimporting country and with the closing of the
only slave-markct the necessity for preventive squad
would also cease thus saving Great Britain inn
annual expenditure and the lives of many brave
men.
For our own part we do not think that tho immediate
acquisition of Cuba is at all desirable but If circumstances
should render il necessary to the public welfare the
cause Of human progress and the peace Of tho world
that should the sovereignty Of Cuba,
persuaded that government will do their duty and
pursue that firm, generous, humane, and just
which becomes great, enlightened, and free people
We have thirst for military conquests, desire to
benefit ourselves ut the expense Of weaker neighbours