Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-06-24


most unfortunately "ring" ruled State.
----
Hon. FERNANDO WoOD, in his able
speech in the House of Representa-
tives June 18th, introduced into the
House the following sworn testimony.
In the Presidents Cuban message the
statements of General Jordan are re-
ferred to as authority. Mr.. Wood,
therefore, claims that much more
may his sworn statements be relied
on as true. In a case before a New
York court, in which the status Of the
Cuban Government was necessary to
be- proved as affecting the rights of
the litigating parties, General Jordan
gave his testimony. Mr.. Wood pro-
duced it from the records and asked
the reading of it by the clerk, who
read as follows:
State OF New York, County and City of
New York: Thomas Jordan, being duly
sworn, deposes and says:
This deponent further declares that in
all OIL the UlsLElclS dDDN6 6uull6Idlbu lu6
Cuban people, both white n black, are,
with very few exceptions, in perfect ac-
cord and union for their mutual prOtec-
ton against the hostile Government of
Spain, and are taking up arms in defense
of their rights in the contest nov waginZ
with said Government as fast as arms are
made available to them, and upon the re-
liable information which this depOnens
has acquired from the numerous official
-aanrl1Hx which have nassau thrnnnh his
hands, the people throughout the districts
of Cinco Villas, Santo Espiritu, Reme-
dos, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos and Trinidad,
are also, with the like few exceptions, in
similar accord and union with those of
the districts already enumerated for their
mutual protection as aforesaid.
Deponent further says that the cause
and reason why the people of Cuba, al
though thus firmly established and asso-
ciated for their mutual protection and de-
Tense, have not as yet been enabled to
assume the offensive and obtain the en-
tire control of their territory as against
the Government OF Spain, is in the scar
CITY of arms n Ammunition; which
scarcity has not been due to their lack of
resources, but mainly to the rigid con
struction given to the sO-called neutral
ity laws of the United States and of Eng
land by the military and civil officers
charged with their enforcement; hat Is
to say, it is nOwise due to the vigilance or
activity or power of Spanish Govern
ment or of its army and navy; in illus.
tration of which, this depOnent states that
the only vessel with the cargo of arms
fitted out ia the United States, and which
succeeded in leaving its port, and was
not arrested by British officials, effected
a landing of its cargo, and the soldiers on
board were al native Cubans, some time
in the month of January, 1870, in despite
of all the efforts made by the Spanish
Government to hinder OF obstruct such
landing.
Deponent further says that there is an
organized Cuban army, having military
frees in all the parts of said Island here
Afore enumerated, and engaged in con
slant, almost daily, conflict with the Span
ish forces within said districts, which COM
prise in all three-fourths of the island the
said forces are under the command, re-
spectiyely, of q majoT-general, who, to-
gether with all the subordinate officers of
said army, are regularly appointed by the
Cuban Government, and receive their or
ders from or through the Wa Depart
ment of the Republic of Cuba.
DepOnent further says that there exists
a firmly established and effective Cuban
civil government, which has been in oper-
alton for more than twelve months
throughout all the parts OF the island
herembefore indicated, over all the citi-
zens of the republic, and is recognized as
the rightful authority, with very few ex-
captions, by all Cubans, whether residing
in the island or in foreign countries, and
even by those residing within the limits
which are still under the control or iuflu-
ence of the Spanish army.
That the said civil government of the
Republic of Cuba consists of a President
OF executive chief magistrate, with func-
tons almost similar to those exercised by
the President Of the United States, which
powers are almost universally recognized
and regarded by the people of Cuba. The
President is supported by a Cabinet, con-
stituted as follows:
A Secretary of state for exterior or for
eign affairs; a Secretary for the Depart
of War and Navy; a Secretary for
the Department. of he Treasury; and
lastly, a Secretary for the Department of
the Interior. Each of these departments
has a definite and settled sphere of action
and administration, in which il is recog-
nized, obeyed by all Cubans, and they are
all effectively administered TO a very
notable degree.
Deponent further says that there is an
organized judicial department established
by law comprising a court of appeal or
Tribunal, and a court Of civil
and another of criminal Jurisdiction.
That three-f0urths Of the island, being
that portion which is most thoroughly
and effectively united for the purposes
herein referred TO, are divided politically
into three States, each having a Governor
by universal suffrage. These
States are subdivided into districts under |
Lieutenant Governors and there are still
smaller subdivisions, as pr~efecturas and
sub-prefeeturas, under officials known as
projects and sub-prefects, having magis-
terial and administrative duties suited to
their positions, whose powers are recog-
nized and respected, and are exercised
and.diseharged without control or inter |
ference by the military.
Deponent further says that the Cuban
Government has emitted or issued paper
money, which is received and circulates
in each of the districts hereinbefore mem
and that the Congress of he Re-
public has passed a comprehensive law
regulating loans, and also one providing
for education By he State; these two be-
notable instances Of legislation by
the Congress of the Republic.
Deponent further says that there is a
law in force providing for universal suf-
embracing all races in the island;
and this depOnent has been personally
present at one properly conducted and
election for the Governor of the
state OF C~amsguey, two members of Con-
gress, and some minor officials; md,
further, that by the constitution Of the
slavery has been abolished, |
and that the provision has without hesi-
.atiOn been complied with by all Cubans,
the exception of those who live I'm
Ter the control of the Spanish forces; and,
that the negroes in the larger part
the island are absolutely free. a a
great number of them emancipated
we're in the military service under the i'm
mediate command OF the deponent.
THOMAS JORDAN,
Sworn to before me this second day of
Tune, 1870. ANTONIO B. GONZALES,
Commissioner of Deeds.