Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-12-15

the Spanish ministry, have been employed as
reasons for delay. We have been compelled
TO wait again aud again. until the new MIN
lister shall have had time to investigate the
justice Of our minds.
Even what have been denominated the
Cuban c!aims," in which more than hun
dred of our citizens are directly interested.
have furnished no exception. These claims
were for the refunding of duties unJustly
exacted from American vessels at different
custom houses in Cuba, so long ago as the
year 1914 The principles upon which they
rest are so nanifestly equitable and just, that
sfter period of nearly ten years, in 1854,
they were recognized by the Spanish govern
ment Proceedings were afterwards insti-
tuted to ascertain their smount, and this was
finally fixed according TO their own statement
with which We were satisfed) at the sum of
one hundred and twenty light thousand six
hundred and thirty-fve dollars and hfty-tour
cents Just at the moment after delay Of
fourteen years, when We had reason to expect
,hst this sum would be repaid with interest
we have received a proposal to refund one
third of this amount Corty-two thousand
and seventy light dollars and fortyfour
cents but without interest, if we would ac-
oept this in full satisfaction. The offer is also
accompanied by declaration that this in
Identification is not foundedsan. any reason of
.trict justice, hut is made special favor.
One alleged cause for procrastination in
the examination aud adjustment of our claims,
arises from an obstacle which it is the duty
Of the Spanish government to 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
10 examine and redress wrongs committed by
officials under his CONTROL on citizens of the
United Sta cs. Iustead of making our COM
plant directly to him at Havana, we are
obliged to present them through our minister
ut Madrid. These are then referred back TO
The captain general for information, and
much time is thus consumed in preliminary
Investigations and correspondence between
Madrid and Cuba, before the Spanish gov
ernmcnt will consent to proceed to negotia
tion. Many of the difficulties between the
two governments would be obviated, and a
long train of negotiation, if the captain-gen =
e.al were invested with authority to settle
questions of easy solution on the spot, where
al the facts are fresh, and could be promptly
and satisfactorily ascertained. We have
hitherto in vain urged upon the Spanish gov
ernment to confer this power upon the cap
tain-general, and our minister to Spain will
again be instructed to urge this subject on
their notice. In this respect, we occupy
different position from tho powers of Eu-
rope. Cuba is almost within sight of our
chores; our commerce. with it is far greater
than that of any other nation, including Spain
Itself; and our citizens are in habits of daily
and extended personal intercourse with every
part Of the island. 1t is, therefore, a griev.
ance that, when any difficulty occurs, nc
rrh nb l.
readily settled at the moment, we should bt
obliged to resort to Madrid, especially wher
the very first step to be taken there is t
refer back to Cuba.
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing
colonial condition. is constant source 81
injury and annoyance to the American peo
pie. It is the only spot in the civilized
world where the African slave trade is tole
rated; and we are bound by treaty will
Great Britain TO maintain a naval force OF
the coast of Africa, at much expense both o
life and treasure, solely for the purpose O
arresting slavers bound to that island The
late serious difficulties between the UntcC
Ststcs aud Great Britain respecting the RICH
of search, now SO happily terminated, coulC
never have arisen if Cuba had not affordet
the market fer slaves. As long as this mar
ket shall remain open, there can be no hop
for the civilization of benighted Africa
Whilst the demand for slaves continues il
Cubs. wars will be waged among the petit
and barbarous chiefs in Africa, for the pur
pose of seizing subjects to supply this trade
In such condition of affairs, it is impossibl
that the light of civilization and religion ca
ever penetrate these dark abodes.
1t has been made known to the world b
my predecessors, that the United States have
cn several occasions, endeavored to acquil
Cuba from Spain by honorable negotiation
If this were accomplished, the last relic
the African slave trade would instantly di
appear. We would not, if We could, acqui
Cuba in any other manner. This is due
OR national character. All the territol
which we have acquired since the origin
the government has been by fair purcha
from France, Spain and Mexico, or by Il
free and voluntary act of the independel
State of Texas, in blending her destini
with our own. This course we shall CIV
pursue, unless circumstances should occu
which We do not now anticipate, rendering
departure from it justifable, under the i,
perative and cvcrruling law of selfprescrv
ton.
The Island of Cuba, from its geographic
position, commands the mouth of the Miss
eiPi' auo tne Immense anu Annually lncTe;
ing trade. foreign and coastwise, from t
valley Of that noble river, now cmbraci
half the sovereign States of the Union. w
that Island under the dominion of dista
forei gn power. this trade, of vital importar
to these States. is exposed to the danger
beng destroyed in time of war, and it |
hitherto been subjected to perpetua! iniu
and annoyance in time of peace. Our re
fo ha
the most friendly character, must alva
be placed in jeopardy. whilst the exist
colonial government over The Island sh
remain IN Its present condition.
Whilst the possession of the Island wo,
he Of vast rta u L. IL O.