The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-22


OFFICIAL DBFnNCE or rHs PANsH GOVERNMENT m
CuBA-wBY SPAIN CANNOT PUT DOWN rHa Az
MCAN SLAVE Trade this IMMENSE nFFORrs SHE
HAs MADD-HONEsTY OF HKR INTENTIONS COUN-
TER ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ENGL AND-wHO FIRST
srARTRD THE IRKB NEGRO AND CooLH SLAVE
prom Il Dia1io do Ia Marina, Of Havana, August IL
With most complete unanimity, which, in fact.
has never been wanting whenever the question OF
defending the honor and the great national interests
Of Spain has come up, the whole peninsular pre-
without any distinction of political party, has h
tened to repel the attacks directed against our ma
ton in the British Parliament concerning the slave
trade and the engagement of Chinese laborers for
our island In moderate terms yet sufficiently en-
ergetic to become those who feel themselves Of
Tended in what is dearest to their dignity not only
by an irritating injustice, but also by calumnious
suppositions, our brethren of the peninsula have
made an eloquent refutation Of the error and OF the
calumny. and victorious defence OF the rights OF
the nation and of the Queen and of the conduct OF
precludes every doubt, the loyalty with which,
on the part OF Spain, the international en-.
gagements and treaties have been always fulfilled,
even to greater extent than the other contracting
countries could prs tend to. An absolute silence On
our part would therefore be inexcusabe, the more
so az the foreign press, and 1T its head that OF
France whilst nobly and Loyalty aiding the sup
porters of the cause of reason and justce-stepped
forward to vndicate US, and above all to
it deserved the language of the orators. Besides
being ourselves witnesses of the facts, and having
before eyes the material proofs of the zeal with
which the Spanish authorities have not only fulfilled
bat even exceeded, their duties in maintaining intact
the national honor, no one could be in better posi-
ton or have more aptitude and more right to set
forth with truth to what degree error and injustice
were carried in the efforts of the British Parliament
TO gratui ously abuse the name OF our people.
The reverend Bishop OF Oxford was the first who In
the chamber OF Lords, condemnng the slave trade
cused Spain OF tolerance and violation of the treaties.
The reverend Bishop deemed highly Humanitarian
and pious the incOnsiderate, unjust and almost ca
luminous language which he used against our nation,
if the best intentions able in any manner to
justify accusations of that kind without the evidence
OF facts, either before the doctrines of the Anglican
church or before the loosest principles of universal
morals. And wherein consisted that evidence! In
petition addressed to Parliament by the inhabitants of
parish in Jamaica, which the reverend Bishop was
charged with supporting. The humanitarian inhabi-
tants OF that parish ruined in consequence OF mea-
suIes which certainly the Spanish government had
not introduced, and with which no individual of
nation had anything 10 do, cannot patiently behold
that the island OF Cuba, more fortunate than
Jamaica, should have prospered, and be still
the markets of Great Britain, to rival there
with their own. as though CHS natural effect
of the mercantile movement among nations, by
means of which we pay in sugar for the cotton ma
pufactures and machinery we receive from England,
constituted a privilege in our favor. The nhabi-
tants OF Jamaica might nave asked from the reverend
Bishop Of Oxford words OF resignation and consola
ton becoming his high Office, rather than to expose
themselves TO being accused of envy Of the welfare
of Others in view Of the fact that in Christian and
honorable way they once enjoyed the same property
to which Cuba is indebted for It's prosperous condi
ton.
Can our neighbors of Jamaica be ignorant of the
constant efforts of authorities, not only to pre-
vent but TO extrpate the slave trade? Can they
be ignorant that the extension and natural character
OF our shores oppose an absolute obstacle to herne
ticaly closing the importation, az it is pretended
pfth hat ind of kraat m 90
our government only to watch the coasts and
to prevent landing. Well, the squadron Of
her British Majesty was, in these latter
times. engaged in the same service; and will
the sdmirAls who commanded that squadron boast
themselves that their most active vi glance, at the
very moment Of their occupying the most favorable
points, has not been frustrated! Will they be ac-
cussd of completely or tolerance because or an
other contraband vessel escaped from their most
active pursuit! And let it be observed that the
government of the Queen of Spain and its jealous
representatives in this island have not spared any
occasion t. furnish the ships Of her British Majesty
with whatever facilities they might be in want of
for the better of their enterprise. But TO
this point there are facts which fully answer any
class of arguments.
The orators of the British Parliament like our
neighbors of jamaica viii not undertake TO per-
suade anybody wbomsoever that the government of
her Majesty, it's authorities in our island have left
untried any kind Of resources in order to prevent
piracal expeditions, organized in tue United States
on the coast.
We had greater number of vessels cruising along
them than that OF the British ships destined for the
service OF pursuing the slave trade and nevertheless
The most patriotic activity and zeal of navy
chiefs and officers were unable 10 prevent
Lopez from surprising Csrdenas in May OF 1850.
and his flbus'ering band from treading on Spanish
ground by landing at Morio in August, 1851.
But, perchance, did the government of Spain and
its Representatives in Cuba limit themselves to en-
ployng their own ships in the pursuit Of slave
holders the coast OF the island, and 10 tolerate
the extravagances OF those OF her British Majesty
for the purpose Of demonstrating that all had been
done in order TO realize as far as possible
the ends Of the treaties? The law of re-
preston Of lS45 prohibits the inquiry as TO
the origin OF slaves upon the plantations, endeavor
ing to avoid in this WY, and with prudence asjust
and respectful with regard to the legitimate rights
Of property, "a II Is timely aud forescetng with
reference TO the necessities OF order and tranquility
OF the country the grave Inconvenience OF trou-
blssome inqusition. Nevertheless can the facts be
ignored by anybody, either within or without the
island and still less by those who are exercising 80
active policy In whatever regards the slave trade,
that our authorities sacrificed all those conside-
raons TO the jealousy of preserving intact the honor
OF our flag, by allowing plantations not only % be
watched but To be searched and their gangs countedi
Can anybody be ignorant, that not satisfied VITA
such rigorous and extreme prosecution, special
forces OF our army were destined TO the same OBJ
ject with the ardor and zeal as though the
curity of the lives and plantations on the country
were at stake! Can II be ignored that different
measures Of police were resorted 70 for the same
purpose OF procuring for the government an APP
proximate data in order 10 prevent the part oi our
planters, the acquisition OF hands proceeding from
the illicit traffic? Is II not notorious that the fact OF
n landing however impossible 10 be hndered by the
local authorities Of unpeopei districts or where ON
account Of the situation OF the plantations on the
coasts no vigilance can be exercised, has caused the
dismissal OF the agents Of the government Finally,
can there be imagined any greater zeal In removing
whatever scruples may he suggested by the sticest
probity than that Of which authorities gave the
most uneguiyocal proofs by ordering 70 change their
residence such inhabitants the island whom pub
lie opinion might signalize interested in this or
that landing, causing at the same time to leave the
country those FOREIGNERS who were considered as
owners or partners Of those expeditions
These, then, are the proofs of loyalty with which
the Spanish government and its authorities In Cuba
may in loud voice answer the vulgar accusations
and the unworthy suggestions of men who,
deomiDg themselves 20 possess sentiments OF
duty and honor, have no right 20 accuse others,