Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-15

II had been proved by universal cNpcricnc
that tropical productions could only be pro
cured BY compulsory labor: and how was tina
compulsory labor TO be procured for the islam
of Cuba--how was il to be maintained there
He knew Of but three sources: first, tho natu
raj increase Of the slave population now exist
Ing: second the adoption OF this ncw-iang!cl
modern scheme Of importation Of apprentices
coolies, or colonists. or whatever other name
may be given 10 them TO disguise the iac
that they are slaves; and third. the con
tinuation, openly and arowedly. Of the African
slave trade. lie thought that the contnua
ton Of the supply Of production in Cuba 10y
the natural increase OF the slaves now existing
was impossible. at any rate while il continues
a colony. Their number; arc only kept up by
continual iI4portations from Africa ], ha,
been estinaM that not more than ten per cent
Of the predicting classes in Cuba were native
negroes, arM that 90 10 95 per cent. Of th,
agricultural population Of the island consists o
imported African slaves. One great reason
why the natural increase was so small was tc
be found in the fact that in procuring cargo
Of slaves hat very few were women. and there
was very large inequality in the numbers Of
the sexes among the slave population Of Cuba
But England, after long series Of pcrsiSten,
efforts 20 sci men free that were born slaves, is
now retracng her steps by cnslaying men who
were born free. lie dreaded TO approach the
coolic trade whose horrors were almost ncon
ccivah'c Human beings were regarded aS
only 50 much raw material 10 be used up into
sugar and were treated with such severity ,ha;
they lied AZ the rate Of ten per cont. per an
mum. England, however, was compelled by
the united voice Of the civilized world to ahsE
don that infamous traffic, and she is now try.
ing 10 cnSlave free Africans under the name o
apprentices, and make them work for the slavc>
whom she has made free Cuba must become
II part of this country. or perish a Ilay:i and
Jamaica have done H., went on TO remark
that Spain ough, not 10 be considered - an
independent nation; she has bartcrcd awar her
sovereignty in Cuba TO Great Britain. She did
no, yield to motives Of policy and philanthropy
in aboli>hing the slave trade. but received
ei"0, coo from Great Britain tor tha; purpose;
and she had since been repeatedly twiltcd III
the British Parliament with receiving thcmoncv
and then conniving at the traffic. But, in at
di.ion to that, he referred to the fact Of mix
ci commission sitting in Havana. where British
subjects sat as Judges upon Spanish subjects III
Spanish colony ani y British hulk was lying
in the harbor as prison.ship. Could Spain bc
called an Independent nation, with these facts
in view? According to Mr. B.'s conviction, the
safety Of this country was dependent upon The
acquisition or independence Of Cuba The sen
timent Of the white population there was strong
" in favor OF freedom, and they were ready 10
strike for freedom whenever there was any pos
sbility Of successful result They were gov
crncd bv the same stringent laws which are ap-
piled to bcSicgel cities and while the whites are
forbidden TO carry arms. several companies Of
negroes have lately been added to the army.
Mr. b. alludcd TO the objection that Ensan
and France would no. consent 10 our acqul>i-
ton Of Cuba Yet in 1928 Great Britain made
Spain an offer 10 purchase Cuba, which was
rejected. and in 1925 and 1926 she was at the
bottom Of 4 plot for declaring Cuba indcpcn-
dent, her object being to establish protectora;e
there and eventually get control Of the island.
When England will show by what right She
holds the Bay Islands, it will bo time enough
for her to call this country to an account for
doing what she herself did in 1923. If Louis
Napoleon thinks proper to interfere. we will
ask him il We have not the same right to pur
chase Cuba that his uncle had 20 purchase
Louisiana Mr.. 3. would recommend. first. 10
propose to Spain to purchase the island; il
She refused. We should demand of her to
grant independence TO her subjects there.
and we would pay her 4 sum OF money 20
compensate her for the abandonment of her
revenues. If she declined to do that, we
should say to Spain that the day had now come
when the people OF the United States were
ready to give the people of Cuba the same aid
and succor in securing their independence that
Great Britain gave TO the other Spanish Ame'
rican colonies upon this continent, and renew
the same alliance with them, offensive and de-
fcnSivc that France gave to us when she came to
or aid in the darkest moment of the revolution.
lie would follow the example Of both England
and France. and let them speak in the face Of
the civilized word. if they had aught to say
against it. When that independence is acGuir
cd. if her people desire to be united with us,
they should be welcomed: and. being wei
coined. the sword Of the nation should Smtt
down any rude hand which should attempt tc
srnder the Union that the God Of Freedom
had sanctioned.
Mr.. Doolttle said, that while convinced that
Cuba would one day be ours, ne thought The
present time inopportunc {" ask i. lie Dc
Tended his proposal TO establish free negro
nation in Central America, and concluded by
moving an amendment that 10 treaty TO nc
ouirc Cuba should be valid unless ratified by
the assent cf majority OF the free white III
habitantS.
3Ir. Davis. of Massachusetts,, opposed thcbll
on the ground. mainly, that free negroes anG
mnlattoes are, by the Constitution Of Oregon
excluded from the State.
Mr.. Crittenden obtained the floor. and t't
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. Soaring. rising to question ofprivilecc
read m extract from the Washington CORES
pondcn, Of the New York Times. in which il
wa. stated that the paint purchased for the
Brooklyn Navy Yard was used in painting M
farm house. according 10 the evidence before
the committee appointed TO investigate the a.
legged frauds in the navy and navy yard, ii(
characterized the article as coarse and base
SANDER, pcrpctrated and set on foot By still
ba,cr correspondent: and he called on the char
man to state officially whether such evidence
had been addaccd.
Mr. Sherman. Of Ohio. distinctly stated thai
no testimony had been submitted including th'
gentleman in any abuses whatever. The
committee had carefully avoided giving any in
formation to newspaper correspondents touch
ins the Investigation. IF It was the pleasure
of the House in the carly part OF next wcci
the testimony would be submitted.
The House then resumed the consideration .
the Senate bill for the admission Of Oregon int
the Union.
Mr. Clark. of No. said that alcn su'Frac
and the exclusion OF free negroes and 'nula;toc
from the courts was 4 business which concerne'
Oregon alone. which under all the circums,an
zee ought IN he admitted without regard Il
population.
Mr. Thayer. Of Massachusetts,. would extent
such Z welcome to Oregon into the con'edeTa
~ Of States as would become our history and
ma-nanimlty. Last year only sy republican
Senators voted against the bill. and he neYe;
heard that they attempted to read the olnc, r 'e' @
out Of the party. If the people Of Oregon nave
done wrong, he could referto the Ncw thg'an'
pilgrims. who were also fanatics on some sub
icct>; bat the pilgrim, Of the Pacific may ye