The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-12-15

they were recognized by the Spanish govern
ment Proceedings were afterwards iusti-
tu,ed TO ascertain their amount, and this was
finally Fixed according to their own statement
with which we we're satisfed) at the sun OF
one hundred and twenty EIGHT thousand six
4 hundred and thirty. five dollars and tifty-f
/ cents. Just at the moment, alter delay OF
Il fourteen years, when we had reason to ex
pect that this sum would be repaid with in.
terest, we have received a proposal Offering
to refund third of that amount, (turty.
two thousand eight hundred AMI seventy
4 eight dollars and torty-one cents,) but with.
out interest, if we would accept this in full
I satisfaction. The offer is, also, accompanied
BY declaration that this indemniication Is
not founded on any reason OF strict justice;
but is made as special favor.
J. One alleged cause for procrastnation in the
examination and adjustments Of our claims,
arises from an obstacle which is the daty Of
the Spanish government 10 remove. Whilst
the captain. general OF Cuba is invested with
general despotic authority IN the government
Of that island, the power is withheld from
! him to examine and redress wrongs commit.
] ted by officials under his control, on citizens
+ oil the United States. Instead of making
) our complaints directly to him At Havana, We
! are obliged TO present them through our min
| lister at Madrid. These are then referred
t back to the captain general for Information ];
; and much time is thus consumed in prellm-
nary investigations and correspondence be-
!. tween Madrid and Cuba, before the Spanish
! government will consent 10 proceed TO nrgo.
/ tiation. Many Of the difficulties between
I the two governments would be nbslated, aud
! long train Of negotiation avoided, II the
. captain. general were invested with authori-
, " TO settle questions nt easy solnton on the
] spot, where all the facts are fresh, and could
be promptly and satisfactorily ascertaned.
j. We have hitherto in vain urged upon the
!, Spanish government, TO coniet this power
upon the captain-generai, and our minister
Z to Spain viii again be instructed 10 urge this
! subject on their notice. III This fespect. we
D occupy different position from the powers
, Of Europe. Cuba Is almost within sight Of
our shores our commerce with II il far great
i er than that Of any other nation, including
{ Spain itself, and our citizens are IL habits Of
i daily and extended personal intercourse with
r every part Of the island. Il i. therefore, q
great grievance that, when any dllhcaliy &c.
d ours, 90 matter how unimpnrt4ht. Which might
Z be readily settled 1t the moment. We should
: be obliged to resort 10 Madrid, especially
E when the very first step 70 BE- taken there =
!. to refer i back "a Iubl.
!. Tie truth Is that Cuba. IN Its existing colo
NAL condition. j. constant source u inja-
Il ~ ami annoyance TO The American people.
!. Il is the only only spni 70 The civilized world
j where the African sla,e-traIe = tolerated !;
D and We are bound b treaty with Great Bril-
{ tain, 10 maintain naval force on the coast
, DC Africa. 1T much expense 10th life aud trea-
sure, soel for The purpose Of arresting slssers
!, bound 10 that island. Tie late serious diff
+ cultrs between the United States and Great
!, Britain respecting the right Ut search, now
E snhsppily Terminated, could neverhaSe arisen
!. If Cuba Lad not al ,rdrd market inr slaves.
! As long as This market shall remain opeu,
: ther. ian be no hnpc for lie civilization II
| beni.lltel Africa. Whilst tie d.mand Tor
i slaves continues in Tnna, wars will be wag.
j ed among ihr petty and harbarans chiefs IN
I Africa, Tor tie purpose u seiging subjects
) 70 supply this trade Ii such condition 81
affairs. i Is impn..ibe that the light q cisili
! zaison and religion can ever penetrate these
b dark aboles.
n Ii his been made known 70 The world By
{ nv predecessors, that he United States have,
) on several OCCASIONS, enIeasored t. acquire
] Cuba from Span by honorable negnti.lion.
e n tbs we're accomplished. the LAST relic II
the African sagr.iiade would instantly dis
: appear. We would not, il We could. acquire
!. Cuba 10 any other manner TINS i ,lue 70
! our national Character Al tie territory
! when W have acquired slHce Tie nrig.r Of
{ tie government. las been by far purchase
! from FlanCr, spam. AMI Aeaicu. " ~ the
. ffes anil voluntary act u tie independent
State If Teas, ID biend,ns hrr assAnies
4 Wilh mr. nwn. I'LL, course We .hali ever
{ pnr.Ue, unless circumstances sanutd nteur.
]. which We III not nua ANTICIPATE. rendering i
i departure if.p II eieafiy jpstif b.r, an.icr
tie imperative aud oserramg ias u seli Pre-.
: servstlou.
i Tie Island of Cuba. from iis geographical
!. position, commands tie mouth u Tie M4s.ls.
: sippi, and tie immense and annually .lnerr,s
i iHg 'r8Ip. foreign and cOasfMise, rom tie
!. valley IL fiat nubie RIVER, no1 embracing
D half the sovereign states II tilr Unian. Witt
]. that Island Under ~ inmlnnn u distant
{ foreign puWcl, tiis lrade. III vital lmppr!anCe
i u 'hese states, i exposed - tie danger 81
: b.inx destroyed IN time II war, and i las
i hit erio been subjected IL perpetual injury
and antlas1nce III tine 81 peace. Oar rela.
j tluns aith spain, which ought q bs u the
. mO.t friendly character. must always ~ plac.
j ed ii jeopardy. whilst the existing eflpnial
o government over ihe Island shall remain 10
ITS present condition.
i WHIST tie possession Of Tie t.l.nd would
d be IL vast Importance 10 the Inisd States.
J. IFS value 10 spain -. comparatively. unim.
= nartant. such Vas the relative situation u
J. the parties. wren tie gtest Napoleon trans.
i ferfsd Louisiana ID lie United. Jealous. Al
% he ever Ma. Of tie national honor and inter.
! ests Of rrthce. 10 person throughout The
c world has impnssd blame n him, IUr accept.
= Ing pecuniary equivalent f,r this tessIon.
yi The publicity which Las been gisep IL 00r