True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-15

delay. We have been compelled to wait, III
again and again, until the new minister is
shall have had lime TO investigate. the jus il
lice of our demands. ~ il
Even what have been denominated 'fhe v
Cuban claims" 10 which more than hun.
ared of our ciiigens are directly interested, v
have furnished no exception. These Il
claims were for the relunding Of duties un- Il
Justly epacled from American vessels al J
different custom houses in Cuba, so long i;
ago as the year ls44. The principles I
upon which they rest. are so manIfestly f
equitable and just, that after a period of I
nearly ten years, In 1854, they were rec I
ognized by the Spanish government.
Proceedings were afterwards instituted
to ascertain their amount, and this was q
finally fixed according to theiI own state
ment with which we were satisfed) al the
sum of one hundred and twenty,eight
thousand six hundred and thirty five dollars
and filty.lour cenis Just at The moment,
after delay Of fourteen years, when we
had reason TO expect that this sum would
be repaid, with interest, we have received
proposal offering to refund one'third oI
that amount, (fOrty two thousand eight
hundred and seventy eight dollars and forty
one cents,) but without interest, if we
would accept This in full satisfaction. The
offer is also accompanied by declaration
that this indemni6calion is not founded on
any reason of strict justice; but is made
as a special favor.
One alleged cause for procrastination 10
the examination and adjustment of our
claims, arises from an obstacle which it is
the duty Of the Spanish government to re-
move. Whilst the. captain general of Cuba
is invested with general despotic authority
in the government Of that island the pow
er is withheld from him to examine and
redress wrongs committed by officials un-
der his control, on citizens Of the United
States. Instead Of making our complaints
directly 10 him at Havana, we are obliged
to present them through our minister at
Madrid.
These are then referred back 10 the cap.
tain general for information and much
time is thus consumed in preliminary in.
vestiga!ions and correspondence between
Madrid and Cuba, before the Spanish
government will consent to proceed to ne
gotiatons. Many Of the difficulties be-
tween the two governments would be
obviated, and long train Of negotiations
avoided, if the Captain general were inves,
ted with authority to settle questions oi
easy solution on the spot, where all the
facts are fresh, and conlt be promptly and
satisfactorily ascerlaned
We have, hitherto, in vain, urged upon
the Spanish government to confer this pow.
er upon the Captain General, and our
minister to Spain will again be instructed
to urge this subject on their notice. In
this respect we occnpy different position
from the powers of Europe. Cuba is
almost within sight Of our shores; our
commerce with il is far greater than that
of any other nation. including Spain itself,
and our citizens are in habits Of daily and
extended intercourse with every part OF
the island. Ii is therefore great grievance
that when any difficulty occurs. no matter
how uninportsni, which might be readily
settled al the moment, we should be obiI'
red ,c resort to Madrid, especially, when
he very first steptu be taken there to is
efer il back to Cuba
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing
colonial condition, is a constant source Of
injury and annoyance to the American
people. 1t is the only spot in the civilized
world where The African slave trade is toll
erated and we are bound by treaty with
Great Britain to maintain naval force on
the coast of Africa, at much expense both
Of life and treasure, solely for the purpose
of arres.ing slqvers bound 10 that island.
The late serious difficulties between the
United States and Great Britain respect
ing the right Of search, now so happily
terminated, could never have arisen if Gu
ba had not been market for slaves.
As long as this market shall remain open
there can be no hope for the civilization of
benighted Africa. Whilst the demand for
slaves continues in Cuba, wars will be
waged by the petty and barbsrous chiefs
of Africa, for the purpose of sezng sub
jects to supply this trade. In such con"
dition of affairs, it is impossible thai the
light of civilization and religion can ever
penetrate these dark abodes.
It has been made known to the world
by my predecessors, that the United States
have, on several occasions, endeavored to
acquire Cuba from Spain. by honorable
negotiation. If this were accomplished,
the las, relic of the African slave trade
would instantly disappear. We would
not, if we could, acquire Cuba in any other
manner. This is due to our national
character. All the territory which we
have acquired since the origin Of the gov
eminent, has been by fair purchase from
France. Spain or Mexico, or by the free
and voluntary act of the Independent
State Of Texas, in blending her destiuies
with our own. This course we shall ever
pursue, unless circumstances should occur,
which we do not now anticipate, rendering
departure from it clearly justifable, uD.
der ihe imperative and overruling power Of
self-preservation.
The island of Cuba, from its Geograph-
ical position, commands the mouth Of the
Mississippi, and The immense and annually
increasing trade, foreign and eoastwise,
from the valley Of that noble river, now
embracing half the sovereign States Of the
Union. With that island under the do
minion of distant foreign power,this trade
r:,I :.oo.,onoo IN those States ia exnn,