The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-16

uHueT CERTAIN peudlIcS any person from ntLlDg
out arming any ship vessel with the intent that
such snip or vessel shall be employed in the service
OF any foreign prince OF State or OF any colony dis
trict or people to cruise or commit hosteR against
the subjects or property OF any foreign prince of any
colony, district or people with whom the United
States are AT peace, &C. The words Of any colony,
quently, and were intenued solely ~ meet the case
OF the revolted spanish colonies, In regard to which
there was no question whatever rs to their beiger.
ence. The practical question here was whether
those words introduced Tor specific purpose. conld
be extended SO as To apply to insurgents who had
not yet achieved corporate existence, who had no
cities ports or prize courts. We should seek the
truth from the facts as they are found to exist
Mt. CARPENTER inquired whether the most iavora-
bic opportunity Of ascertaining the truth was not
through the medium OF libclllng the gunboats.
Mr.. SUMNER replied-The better way, In his
opinion OF ascertaining the facts, was to send 10
Cuba, to our authorized agents and direct them to
report on the facts lie understood that reports from
these sources had been received by the Department
Of state, and would be communicated to the Senate,
aud that taey were explicit on the point That the in
suIrectiOn had not yet reached that condition OF
nationality WHICH IN point oi fact made II belllger'
ent In character. .sss-...n q. l..
g, NJ , AgwAaD rep Of Mich expressed desire to
formation In his possession concerning the amount
e military force actually IN the field in Cuba OF The
Mr.. SUMNER said the inquiry was in some degree
a confession that the Senate was In the dark In this
matter and needed the information which should be
produced before taking defnlte action IN the premi
sea. He understood That on the side or the insur-
gents the force had been greatly diminished, ana he
had been told they were little more imam Huerrlilas
and that the war but little more than guer-
Mr.. nowIRp-Have they any governments
Mr.. SUMNER-I understand they have the govern
ment that ls In camp. The Senator knows what
that Is. But this suggests again the necessity OF
reliable information.
Mr.. HOwARD--I desire to EnoYwlether they are
actually exercising an legislative functionsf
Mr.. SuMSER-i think they have no legislative
authorities, and must confess await with much
anxiety their ac the subject or slavery itself
There have been reports that there mas been a de-
cree aboshng slavery which was issued for foreign
consumption. l state that as a report. l do not
pretend to vouch for It, Mr.. sumner added that
before taking any decisive step by way OF recog-
milton the United States government should be
informed Of the exact feeling OF the Cubans concern
ing slavery. He also looked Tor an assurance from
Spain. Why did not SPAN abolish slavery IN Cuba
she ought 10 do II.
Mr.. MORTON, rep) OF Ind, inquired whether
SPAN mad not recently affirmed the existence Of
slavery In her possessions especially Porto Rico
MIR. SUMNER replied that he was not prepated TO
inform the Senator on that point; but II his voice
could reach her ne would plead with spain TO move
quickly IN the abolition OF slavery where It could be
done away with Referring TO the case OF the Hor-
net, which vessel was captured BY the United states
he said that 10 was very dssimiar from that OF the
spanish gunb0ats. A traitor might levy war against
the king; but the king In proceeding against the
traitor, did not levy war, but simply proceeded IN
the exercise OF his proper functions to establish
his authority In the spirit OF that Illustration ne
vas dlsposed 70 believe that the United states were