The Express. — 1853-12-20 (London, England)

CUBA AND THE SLAVE TRADE.  HAY ANNAU, Nov. 30.  Since my last advice we have an accession to our coloured population of seven hundred and fifty ; three hundred at the Ensenado de Cochitios, near Cienfuego. The vigilant officials of that vicinity gave due notice to the Captain-General of Cuba, who conveyed the same for the first time directly to the British Consul-General at the Havannah ; but, although ao express was despatched, the negroes were not captured. Twelve old negroes, however, were seized under suspicion that they belonged to the shipment, but they were soon proved to be inouceot of recent iutrusluction, and as customary, in transit from one estate to another, belonging to the same proprietor. It is most singular that the officers who gave the notice, should not have made the capture when they kne w how important it was for the establishment of a clean reputation to go home upon on the part of their chief, or was it not his deeper game to make the proof of integrity while sacking " twenty " pieces more of the blood-money, which his cupidity could not resist. The other introduction took place east of Lague, on the north side • the vessel was afterwards de. strayed by fire. These negroes were taken charge of by Antonio Santos, and divided among the parties interested in the speculation. Our community was thrown into a state of great excitement on the morning of the 23rd inst. by the announcement that the celebrated actress Matilda Dominguez had been brutally murdered by her husband, Jose Francisco Valdez, under pretence of being wronged by her in violation of nuptial obligations. It is said that the lady supped with General Canedo the previous evening at his country residence, for which Cause on her return io the early morning to her own house, she was killed, her husband having requested her to returu home on conclusion of her evening duties at the theatre. But these allegations are unjust, as it is a matter of notoriety that the husband was the vendor of the wife's shame, and lived upon the infamous proceeds, he having originally compelled her to this course of immoral life for his own selfish and vicious necessities. The lady was much admired both upon and off the stage, for her elegance, classic grace, and artistic talents. Valdez attempted his own life, but was too much a coward for the consummation. The mother of "La Dominguez," the familiar title by which she was here known, was murdered by her husband some 11 years since, and the father immediately followed the victim in the use of the same weapon with which he killed her.  Thousands followed thousands to look upon the model of their dramatic taste as she lay in her shroud at her late residence, and from thence, on the 24th, on foot, which is not customary here, they waited on her remains to the vault where they will rest. We are in expectation of the arrival of General Piguela, who is now due here by ono of the Spanish mail steamers. That he comes with vice-regal powers adds very much to public curiosity, with something of dread mingling therewith—not to say fear—from the absorption of all administrative power by one person. The orders have been published, uniting the powers formerly distributed—military and civil government, treasury, naval, and judiciary, within the discretion of the Captain-General of Cuba. Over the courts he will have the power of suspension, unless they are subservient to his personal wishes and policy by their findings ; and the cheeks which existed under the distributive powers for the safety of the people, as well as the advancement of the public interests, are demolished. A royal order for the immediate withdrawal from the estates of all the " Emancipados" that may be entitled to their freedom from expiration of service (7 yearaj has not been published by General Canedo, laying over for the action of his successor, fur the apprehension that political excitement, dangerous to the present peace and prosperity of the island, might be the consequence; and, at the same time, the order is so vague in its specifications, that it may be construed to mean to embrace the whole class, with or without completion of the term of years.