The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-14

The Cuban Insurrectien-The FIlIbusters-
Tho Two ron-Clads NJ New Orleans.
| While the revolutionary factions in Spain
are discussing the question Of reconstruction
there is danger that the brightest jewel Of
the Spanish crown" the "ever faithful island
Of Cuba" win slip through their fingers and
repeat the Texas game Of an independent re-
public and annexation to the United States.
There is revolutionary movement in full
blast in the island, of which we have had
some cloudy details from Havana, but nothing
definite as to the strength of the revolutionsts,
nor of the government forces of the Captain
General ad interim. In the late intelligence
from Madrid, however, that the provisional
government, under the advice of the generals
OF the army, had voted to send force of
nine thousand regular troops and several
ships Of war to Cuba, we have something like
an admission that the insurrection is formi-
dable one. At the same time certain hints have
been thrown out from Madrid against the ces
sion Of the island to the United States. from
which we infer that the provisional government
Cuban insurgents and the much dreaded
American flibusters. From other sources
we gather these facts-that the flibusters are
actively concerned on the island in pushing on
the insurrection; that the war cry of the in
surgents is Independence and annexation to
the United States!" that the flibusters have
their recruiting stations at several points in
the United States, from New York south
ward, but that their real headquarters are
at New Orleans, where they have several
thousand men mustered in, armed and equip
ped and ready for embarkation.
In this connection we publish to-day two
contracts entered into some twelve months
ago between the Peruvian government agent
and Alexander Swift & Co., Of Cincinnati,
whereby Swift & Co. agree to furnish Peru
with two iron-clad war steamers-the Oneota
and Catawba, lately belonging to the United
States government-for the sum Of two mil
lions of dollars, and to equip them with all
needful supplies for active service for the sum
of three hundred and forty-six thousand dol
lars. We cannot tell what the ships cost
Swift & Co., but they were, doubtless,
bought very cheap at one Of the sales of Old
Mr.. Welles. The object of the Peruvian gov
eminent in the purchase of these two iron
clads was to use them in her late war with
Spain in q bold diversion against the island of
Cuba. 1t may be supposed, too, that part
Of the understanding between the contracting
parties was the supply of the necessary fill
busters to man and fight the ships, with sur
plus force for operations on shore.
The war between Spain and Peru has died
out, but these two iron-clads, the Oneota and
Catawba, are, as we understand, lying at New
Orleans The impression exists, too, that by
an arrangement between the parties concerned
we shall probably next hear of these two IRON
clads as having sailed for the liberation Of
Cuba from the Spanish yoke, or, peradven-
ture, our first positive information Of their des
tination may be in the news Of the destruction
by them or dispersion Of the Spanish feet be-
fore Havana, and of q requisition for sur
render of the city to the successor Of Lopez.
But, on the other hand, our Secretary of State,
although the king of land spectators, is q
deadly enemy Of any but royal or imperial
flbusters. Otherwise he would not have tenn
porizedso long with Louis Napoleon in Mex
leo, nor would the FeEian invasion Of Canada
have ended in their first fight with the red
coats. II the Cuban fibusters, then, in any
considerable force, manage to get or from
New York or New Orleans, with or without
an iron-clad war steamer or two, 1t will not be
with the consent of Mr.. Seward or the Presi-
dent, whatever may be the wishes Of Andy
johnson.
We shall not be surprised, however, from
the present complexion of things, if the annex
alton of Cuba, Ia Texas, is added to the
glories of Johnson's administration, as the
annexation of Texas was tie browning glory Of
the blessed administration Of John Tyler.
The Revenue Frauds-Whaf In to He Done 2