Mr. Hughes raised a debate on Friday week on the
condition of the slaves and coolies in Cuba, which unfortunately wandered into the general Cuban question. He gave, however, facts sufficient to prove that the Captains-General, whether coerced by the Volunteers or not, have, in defiance of Spanish orders, re-estab- lished slavery, in defiance of treaties with us have re-enslaved " emancipadoes," and in defiance of the law of nations have reduced the Chinese coolies to perpetual and cruel bondage. His ease for interference was unanswerable, as, indeed, Lord Enfield admitted, but the difficulties in the way are almost insuperable. It is not fair to bully Spain, which on this matter is powerless, as the Cuban Volunteers will not obey her, and if we attack them we shall probably induce a massacre of all foreigners, and then from American jealousy be unable to avenge it. We must, we fear, leave the matter to the Americans, who are daily becoming more inclined to interfere, and save the island even at the cost of a war.
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