The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-05-21
WEST INDIES.

HAVANA, May 20.-The reports of the taking
of flibusters, which are in circulation, cannot
be traced to any authentic source.
No expedition has landed near Sagua The
steamer Salvador has gone to some other point
Ii is impossible for expeditions to effect o land
ing at any point on the coast between Havana
and Neuvitas, as the Spanish cruisers are very
numerous all along that line, and in any other
part of the island it would be difficult for ex-
petitions to find a foothold, owing to the
watchfulness of the Government
Sympathzers with the revolution complain
of Admiral Hoff' dispatches published in the
New York papers, but the intelligence given
in these dispatches is as reliable and correct as
can possibly be obtained under the circum-
stances, and can be objected to only because it
discredits the exaggerated reports which are
set atioat by Cuban partizans. Admiral Hoff
enjoys the unlimited confidence of the Ameri-
can residents here.
The report is officially confirmed that the
rebels have burned the town of Manicaragua.
The Sabivilla Railroad is again in running
order
NEW York, May 2O.-The Herald's Havana
correspondence of the 18th inst. gives the in
telligence that the Republic of Cuba has been
formally established by Congress held at
Gulrnar0, a small town of the Central Depart
ment of the island about twenty leagues east
of Puerto Principe. Don Carlos Manuel Ces-
pedes was elected President of the Republic
and Gen. Manuel Quesada Commander-in-
Chief of the forces. Don Francis " Aquil-
lera has been appointed Secretary of State
and War.
The following is the proclamation Of Presi-
dent Cespedes:
To the People of Cuba.
Comprehensive establishment Of free
Government in Cuba, on the basis of demo-
cratic principles, was the most fervent wish of
my heort. The effective realization of this
wish was, therefore, enough to satisfy my as
pirations and amply repay the services which
jointly with you may have been able to de-
vote to the cause of Cuban independence But
the will of my compatriots has gone far beyond
this by investing me with the most honored of
all duties, the supreme majestracy of the Re-
public. am not blind to the great labors re-
quired in the exercise of the high function
which you have placed 10 my charge in these
critical moments. Notwithstanding the aid
that may be derived from the other powers of
the State, am not ignorant of the grave re-
sponsibility which assume in accepting the
Presidency of our newborn Republic. i know
that my weak powers would be far from being
equal to the demand if left to themselves Alone
But this will not occur-and this conviction
fills me with faith in the future. In the act of
beginning the struggle with the oppressor,
Cuba has assumed the solemn duty to consum
mate her independence or perish in the at
tempt; and in giving herself Democratic
government she obligates herself to become
Republican. This double obligation, contract
ed in the presence of free America, before a
liberal world, and what is more before our own
conscience, signifies our determination to be
heroic and to be virtuous. Cubans! on your
heroism rely for the contamination of our in
dependence, and on your virtue count to con-
solidate the Republic. You may count on my
abnegation of SELF
CARLOS MANUEL DE CEspEDRs.
Gen. Quesada issued proclamation to the
Cnban army, on taking command, closing as
follows:
"The tyrant Valmazeda rambles, with the
incendiary torch and the homicide knife, over
fItn ffAl Of 1h0 IN hos 4.
wise; but now he adds to his crimes the still
greater one OF publishing it by proclamation
which we can only describe by pronouncing it
to be proclamation worthy of the Spanish
g government. Thereby our property is men
threatens us with death, and this is nothing;
but even our mothers, wives, daughters and
sisters are menaced with resort to Violence
Ferocity is the valor of towards.
impl0re you, sons of Cuba, to recollect at
all hours the proclamation of Valmaseda.-
That document will shorten the time necessa-
ry for the triumph of our cause. That docu-
ment is an additional proof of the character of
our enemies. Those beings appear to be de-
prived OF those gifts which nature has conceded
TO the irrationals, the instinct of foresight and
of warning. We have to struggle with az
rants, always such, the very same ones of the
inquisition, OF the Spanish conquest and of
dOminian in America. In birth and in death
the live and succeed the Torquemadas, the
the Pizzaros, the Boves, the Morilos. the Ia
cons, the Conchas and the Valmasedas. We
have to combat with the assassins of old VIC
men and of children, with the mutilators of
the dead, with the idolators OF gold
Cubans, il you would save your honor and
that of your families; if you would conquer
forever your liberty, be soldiersi War leads
you to peace and to happiness. Inertia pre-
cipitates you TO misfortune and to dishonor.
Viva Cuba! Viva the President of the Repub-
lic Viva the Liberating Armyl Patria and
Liberty MANUEL QUEsADA.