The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-03
SLAVERY IN CUBA.

The following is . copy OF the memorial recently
sout by the British and Foreign AntiSavery Society
to Earl Derby on the subject OF slavery in Cuba:-
To tho Right Hon. tho EARL or DERBY, Her Macsty's
Principal Secretary OF state Tor Foreign Anairs.-
Ny LoRD-rhe British and Foreign AntSjavery So
ciety have recently observed with the greatest interest
the United states has invited Great Britain and some
OF the leading Powers oil Europe 10 unite IN friendly
mediation with spain Tor the pacincaton OF Cuba and
The committee Of the society feel assured that Your
Lorcship aud the government viii feel tho great re-
sponslbty which thus Invitation Imposes upon
.Tney trust the time has length arrived when jus
the viii be done 10 the hundreds Of thousands IA Cuba
who have clam, under British treaties Tor absolute
ana uncon dtonxl emancipation II was of this class
Lord Panerston declared that, mot being the legal
property Of any man. they are pso Jaefo Tree by the
law OF nationsn
Their case has frequently been brought by the CON-
mlttee before the British government within the last
tniy years, the answer to their appeal having almost
invariably been that 'thc present - inopportune.
Muiudes OF these people nave In The meantime mis-
crby perished with scarcely an effort 10 save them,
although the honor Of Great Britain was in their case
deeply involved
II so Justly demanded the present war ia Cubawhcn
has now been carried ON moro than SIX years-might
have been avcrted
Whateye. may have been the exact character OF its
origin II Is now generally admitted TO be contest be-
tween slavery aud freedom.
As might be expected under such circumstances 1t
has becu marked by fearful atrocities and has already
caused the destruction OF than loo 600 lives.
Properly 10 an enormous amount mas Deen destroyed
In Cuba ami Spaln ruined Ia her resources, has been
alike unable TO fuln her engagements aud to suppress
a civil war within her own borders.
The people OF SPAN strongly opposed 10 the con-
tnuance OF slavery IN CuDa This was str k.ngy
shown IN 1865, when, OF the consequences Of
the revolution the press OF the country set Tree.
tho people were liberty to speak Al that timo
crowded pubic meetings were held IN favor OF the I'M
mediate abolition OF slavery not only IN Madrid but In
nearly all the great towns in the provinces
No change puuic opinion has really taken place,
but the spanish pcopie are at the present time de-
prived OF the liberty or the and OF the power to
hold public meetings
The committee Is able 10 state, on authority upon
which IL depend, that the Spanish government is
willing TO make great changes IN the political status OF
Cuba that the slanc may be placed relations 10
Span similar TO those at present existing between
Canada and England on condition that slavery may be
retained; but this Is condition 10 which the unued
States will not agree; stil less could England, In view
OF her treaty rights, ever sioop 10 such dishonor.
Ii Will be In Your Lordship's recollection that when
the committee brought the whole subject before you
last june with the proposal tnat effort should DO
mado to bring about a settlement bv friendly media
tion in concert with the government OF the United
States, Your Lordship pleased 10 observe that,
while tho object In had your entre sympathy and
that OF your colleagues, you apprehendec that the
American government would view with considerable
suspicion and Jealousy any attempt on the part Of
Great Britain 70 interfere between Spain and Cuba
whether such would nave been the AZ that time