The New York herald., 1869-08-26

The proposition Tor tile purchase OF the
Island-Cespedes' Government Copsenting-
Intentions Of tho Cubans II the Proposition
IL Rcjected-Cuba to be Turned into q VII.
derness.
WASHINGTON, August %, 1869.
Tho Cuban envoy, Mr., Lemus, II awaiting here
with much anxiety intelligence concerning the
negotiations known to be in progress between Minis
ter SIckles and the Spanish government. Mr.. Lemus
Is fully posted to the nature Of the proposition
which General Sckles under instructions from Sec
retary Fish, has made to Regent Serrano and his
Cabinet with regard to Cuba. This proposition was
communicated some weeks ago to the Cespedes gov
eminent in Cuba, and Mr. Lemus was authorized to
approve 1t as the representative OF the patriotic
Cubans. Upon receipt Of these instructions he i'm
medlately communicated them to Mr.. Fish. This
put an end to the movement the part OF the Cuban
Junta to oppose the purchase Of Cuba from Spain.
and the protest which 1t was announced had
been prepared by the Junta to be forwarded
to the President and Secretary OF State
was withdrawn. At the last advices which
Mr.. Lemus received, through Secretary Fish Of
course Spain had not rejected Sckles proposition,
nor had 1t been accepted. The Spanish government
had asked time to consider 1t, aud General Sickes
was hopeful Of Its acceptance. Mr.. Lemus does not
credit the cable despatch published few days ago
announcing the acceptance Of the proposition BY
Spain. II sueh had been the fact he Is confident
that Secretary Fish would have been informed Of 1t
quite the agent Of the Associated Press In
London. Mr.. Lemus says ifSpain does not agree to
Sickes proposition within two or three months, 1t
will no longer be valuable TO the Cubans. Az the
end of that time they expect to be in condition to
warrant them In refusing any proposition to pur.
chase the island from Spain. II the negotiations fail
it is the purpose Of the Cuban leadersto make the
island uninhabitable, and thus drive at once the
spaniards and themselves from it. They Will de.
stroy everything calculated to sustain life. Rather
than see the struggle assume this shape Mr. Lemus
thinks the governments Of the United States will In
terferc the ground Of humanity, in which course
1t is believed she would be sustained by all the civil
lized nations Of the globe
Spanish Story About Insurgents surrenderins
and sucins for Extraordinarily Of the
Spanish Bank.
HAVANA, August 25, 1860.
Insurgents, with their families to the number Of
leOO have presented themselves before the Spanish
authorities near Holguin and asked for forgiveness
and protection. Twenty other insurgents have pre-
sented themselves before the Spanish authorities In
the Cinco Villas district.
The Spanish bank has made an offer Of $4,000 to
the government for the support of volunteer regi.
ments. This makes the fourth donation OF a similar
amount by the bank for the support Of the volun-
| teers
No Further Fighting Reported-An Engage.
ment Between Jordan's aud vaimasedn's
Forces Daily Expected-Situation In the
Central Department..
WASHINGTON. August rs. 1862
| Letters from the Cuban revolutionary army via
Key West to friends In this city, contain up to
the 10th. No engagement is reported since the one
near Puerto Padre on the 5th, ON account OF which
has been published. In the district commanded by
General Jordan all the available Spanish force is
ing thrown to reinforce valmaseda and an early en-
| eagement OF importance may be expected between
| the forces OF Jordan and Vamaseda. General Jor
dan asserts his readiness and desire for contest
| and is confident OF success 1t Is stated that de-
feat OF ValInaseda would virtually end the war; 1t
would be impossible for Spain ever to send troops
| enough to regain the positions which they would
lose. General Jordan Is placing his men in position
4 for the fight, which was almost daily expected.
In General Quesada's command, except few slsir-
mishes between small parties 1t is reported there
| have been no engagements The Spanish troops Oc-
cupy fortified position In the towns and have suffer-
| ed so severely from disease and other causes that
| the commanders are unable 10 do more than main.
| tain their positions.