The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-31
For Shipping Intelligence, see 4th page


CUBAN QUESTION.
The report recently made by Mr.. Branch, from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, traces the sew
eral acquisitions by the United States from the
close of the Revolution-when they had no terrific
ry in the Gulf of Mexico to the present time, they
own all its shores except Mexico, together with
transit right at Tehuantepec, in Mexico. Estima-
ting the present commerce in the Gulf at two hun
dred millions, independently of the coastwse trade
between the Atlantic and the Pacific, which, to
cross at Tehuantepec. must pass through the Gulf;
and expresses the opinion that in few years the
trade will amount to five hundred millions. The
question is asked whether those nations which have
for adequate consideration placed us in a posi-
tion rendering the free use of the Gulf necessity
to us, can justly refuse any concessions necessary
to secure enjoyment.
The report shows from the position of Cuba in
reference to the Gulf and the trade of our naviga-
tors, that it commands the trade of all the Gulf
ports just as completely as Louisiana does that of
the Mississippi, and that it is as important to re-
move Spain from Cuba now as it was to remove
France from Louisiana in 1903. 1t comments on
the action and motives of Napoleon Bonaparte in
1903, and contrasts with it the uniform reluctance
of Spain to make amcable territorial arrange
ments with us, while making objections to sell
territory to France and England. Louisiana and
Florida were transferred and re-transferred, time
and again, between Spain, France and England, al
most like personal chattle: but when Florida be-
came necessary to us, Spanish pride revoted and
we could not buy it on anv terms.
The report cites certain acts passed by Congress
In 1911 and lSl2, in secret session. instructng the
President to seize Florida, and placing the army
aud navy at his command, and appropriating money
for the purpose. 1t approves the sentiment of the
President that we would not acquire Cuba except
by honorable negotiation unless compelled to do so
by the imperative and overruling law of selfpres-
ervation 1t does not think that the honorable ne
gotiations ought to be considered exhausted nor
that it would be proper to discuss what the imper
ative and overruling law of fsefpreservation would
require of us, until offer, having the express
ha stir ly Ia fn
Spain for the Island and rejected
To the objection that the bill ought not to pass
because it is thought that Spain will not SELL it is
answered that the President alone has opportuni-
ties OF ocial information, and it is not to be pre-
sumed that he would have made and restricted his
recommendation to Congress without a motive, and
that since he has presented the subject Congress
so prominently its failure to respond would be con-
strued by Spain as dissent from his views. If it
should ever become necessary for to seize the
island we could much better Justify summary
measures if we had offered our equivalent and
Spain had refused it. That ought not to be de-
to our vindication from any supposed unwingness
on the part of Spain to receive overtures in an
amicable spirit.
The bill is similar to those passed previous to the
acquisition of Louisiana and California.
A new edition of Audubon's Birds of America is
to be Issued by Roe, Lockwood & Son, of New
York, at $40 the number; each number to contain
ten plates. The original copper plates were some
what damaged by fire. so that it was found i'm
possible to obtain from them perfectly good i'm
preston, and they have been transferred to stone
with great skill and success, by Mr.. Bien German
artist, and afterwards colored from the original
drawings of the elder Audubon, still in the posses
sion of his family. The editor of the New York
Erening Post has seen samples of the impressions
from the new plates, which seem exceedingly good.
Mr. j. w. Audubon, the younger, in his prospectus,
says that they are superior in softness, finish and
correctness OF coorng to the plates in the first edi-
ton.
SANDWICH lsLANDs.-Our dates from the Sand
wich Islands are to the End December. The Homo
lulu papers are calling attention to the profits OF
sugar raising the Island. 1t seems that there are
about S550, 900 invested in the business now. The
Adrerser says 1000 tons of sugar have never been
produced in one year the Islands, but that plan
tatlons now in progress will probably turn out that
amount in 1860. About one fourth of the present
produce OF sugar Is consumed finds a market
with the shipping; the balance is exported chiefly
to San Francisco and Oregon. The Islands are ca
pable OF producing IL 500 tons sugar annually
requiring capital of ,0OO, ,OOO and 5000 laborers
and giving gross income of about 81 100000.
The Presbyterian church at Greenve, Green
county, was destroyed by fire on Sunday morning.
II is supposed to be the work of incendiary.-
There was no insurance upon the building. At q
meeting of the citizens of that village, the OF
81 300 was subscribed toward the erection of new
edifce.
United States steamer Memphis, commander
Marchand, the last of the Paraguay expedition thai
sailed from New York, arrived at Barbados on the
9th OF Dec, after passage of IL days, and woulG
leave for Purnambuco as soon as she could take il
her coal.
The Atlanta, commander Ridgely, and the West
ernport, commander Hunter, were in port and Il
sail same day for the South.