New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-21
BI TbLbUkAFH TO IHb IhIbNNh-T
WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec. 20, IS

WHY MR.. SUMNER DREADED WAX WIFI
SPAIN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRrBuYEI
WASHINGTON, Monday Dec. 20, 1862
A promlnent member of the Cuban Junta has fur
nished your correspondent with the following state
ments relating to steps taken by our Government,
which constitute in the opinion of the Cuban leaders
virtual recognition of the existence Of the Repub-
lie of Cuba as well as a positive pledge to do 1t
formally About the latter part of June last Secre-
tary Fish sent for j. Morales Lemus, the accredited
agent of the Cuban revolutonists, who was then in
this city. Mr. Lemus responded at once. The inter
view opened by Mr.. Fish proposing the good offices
of the United States in endeavOrng to effect settle
Iaent of the civil war in Cuba and TO that end the
Secretary laid before Mr.. Lemus draft OF live
propositions to be submitted to the Spanish Govern
Inent through Gen. Sckles, who had just sailed for
Madrid. Those propositions were IN substance printed
some weeks later in the New-YOrk papers. One OF
those articles provided explicitly for the abolition of
Slavery. Mr.. Lemus, speaking for his Government,
asked what would be the result if Spain refused the
propositions which. in his opinion certain to be
the result. Mr.. Lemus told Secretary Fish that he
knew the Spanish Government, having lived under
it, to be more treacherOus and dishonest than any
other. lie was, therefore, unwilling to accept the
proposed Intervention until he knew what would
follow the refusal he expected Mr.. Fish's reply
an unhesitatng avowal that in such case recogni-
ton of the Republic of Cuba by the United States
would follow. With that understanding Mr. Lemus
gave his written assent TO the propositions submitted
10 him by Mr.. Fish. That assent Is now on file in
the State Department. while Mr.. Lemus retains
In his possession the draft of Mr.. Fsh's
propositions prepared at the Department..
and written on the official paper used
there. Mr. Lamus on returning to New-YOrk,
assembled the Junta at the Gramercy Park Hotel,
and told them of his sccess This was on the 4th of
July. They confidently looked forward to recOgni-
tOn, believing with Mr. l emus that Spain would not
yield straightforward assent to the propositions.
The sequel showed their suspicious correct. The pro-
posas were made through Gen. Sickles. The Span
lsh Government made two or three additional propo
sitions, which were sert here The main points in
these were that the c lbans should lay down their
arms before any other action was taken. That COM
piled with, Spain pretended that she was ready to
abolish Slavery, to give Cuba independence if that
result was demanded by the popular vote. When
these conditions came back Mr.. Lemus at once
declined the one requiring the Cubans to lay
down their arms. declaring that it would be worse
than folly for fair vote could be obtained with
the island under control of Spanish bayonets These
conditions were thus declined about the 10th of An.
gust Then followed the famous Sickles note, and
the subsequent excitement it created in Spain, in
which even the Republicans of that country hitherto
friends of Cuba, were compelled to yield 10 the
tlamor. According TO my informant the fulflment
Of the promise of the Administration that recOgni-
lion should follow the refusal of Spain was conf
IDENTIFY expected by the Junta early yin September.
Cabinet meeting held it being the last attended
by Gen. Rawlins Previously Secretary Fish
had sent for Mr.. Lemus to visit him at Garri-
sons Landing. There Mr.. Lemus made
acquainted with the condition Of the Madrid i'm
broglio and returned to New-York much elated At
the Cabinet meeting in September, the Cubans were
Informed that question at once arose over the
question of recognition Secretary Fish and Attorney
Gen. Hoar taking ground strenuOusly against it,
Gen. Rawlns speaking earnestly for it. While the
debate was going on, the President was observed
writing and after it closed he pushed the paper
toward Mr.. Fish. saying There is my decision"
1t was read and contained directions for the Issue of
proclamation of belligerency on the S0th of Sep
TENDER There was nothing more to be said
OF course the Cubans who informed
of this were in great delight. What followed
is of course but matter Of conjecture their part
The 3Oth of September passed and no proclamation
came 1t is the belief of my informant that the Ad-
minlstratOn was driven from its promised position
by the Spanish threats of war and 10y belief that
England and France in some way supporting
the buster of Marshal Serranos Administration. Ii
will not be forgotten that reports of such coalition
were received about that time from Europe. Mr..
Sumner has recently stated TO different persons IN
substance thata recognition of Cuba would have been
likely TO involve war with Spain, which must
be in the main on the ocean, and that it
was serious responsibility to meet with
our great debt our almost ruined shipping
interests and large amount Of domestic disa1ectOn
which might be found embarrassing in such an event
as foreign war 1t is certain that from the date Of
Gen Rawlnss death the Administration has been
unfriendly to Cuba These statements are given
because il is believed that the papers referred TO
bearing on the subject in possession OF the state
Department will not be sent into the Senate Their
publication will be deemed incompatible with the
public interests.
DEPARTURE OF THE JUNTA FROM WASHINGTON.
All the members of the Cuban Junta aHd the
Legation of the Republic have left Washington eX-
eept one gentleman who remains here for the sole
purpose of answering questions for information
regarding the revolution which may be prOpounded
by Congressman.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS TRANSMITTED TO CON
GREsS-LETTERS OF THE UNITED STATES
CONsULs IN CUBA TO THE STATE DEPART
MENT.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-The President today
transmitted TO the voumnous document in re-
ply TO the resolution calling for information with regard
70 Cuba.
Northumberland Hall, in letter 20 Secretary
Seward Nov 49, 1865 quoted the views Of conservative
Cuban namely The news OF the Spanish revolution Is
enthusiastically received in Cuba, and stating the views
of the Cubans TO Slavery are diverse some desire
immediate and Others the gradual abolition OF shyry'
The Instruction in Eastern and Central Departments
M represented 10 be formidable Mr. Hall adds that good
dated Dec IL 1868 he that the insurTectiOn If gau
ing strength Tue condition at Matanzas is general dis
trust and paralysis. In February, 1862 ne transmits
letter from Consular Agent at Sagua la Grande The