When was it published?

May 31, 1851 in Weekly National Intelligencer

Foreign News May 31, 1851

Weekly National Intelligencer

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Colonial Affairs, Political, Diplomatic

Q: What keywords are associated?

Cuba, Tyranny, Columbus Discovery, Extermination, Us Subjugation, Treaty Violations, Adventurers Cupidity

Washington, District Of Columbia

View full issue View on Library of Congress PDF Page 5

What is this article about?

Opinion piece criticizes US newspapers lauding Cuba's beauty and resources under Spanish tyranny, questioning motives for potential American subjugation, invasion, and treaty violations amid historical extermination of natives.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

CUBA. Some of the newspapers are busy in displaying the charms and lauding the treasures of this beautiful Island, while they are eloquent in deploring its fate under the withering power of tyranny. They tell us very gravely that it was discovered by Columbus in 1492, and that all its original inhabitants (200,000!) have been exterminated. Is that any good reason why this Government should now subjugate it, and exterminate 200,000 more people? They tell us it is one of the most delicious spots on the earth. Is that any reason that we should deluge it with blood? They tell us it covers 44,000 square miles. Is this to be an inducement to cupidity to plunder its lands? They tell us that only one-twelfth part is under cultivation. Is this to be another temptation to the invaders? No doubt Cuba is beautiful, and a comparative desert under its present doom of double bondage; but that is no reason why Americans should turn brigands, and the Government of the United States violate the sacred obligations of treaties, by ministering to the cupidity of adventurers, who may have a contingent interest in the spoil, sack, and plunder.

[Public Ledger.]

What sub-type of article is it?

Colonial Affairs Political Diplomatic

What keywords are associated?

Cuba Tyranny Columbus Discovery Extermination Us Subjugation Treaty Violations Adventurers Cupidity

Where did it happen?

Cuba

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Cuba

Outcome

original inhabitants (200,000!) have been exterminated; potential to exterminate 200,000 more people

Event Details

Newspapers display the charms and treasures of Cuba, discovered by Columbus in 1492, and deplore its fate under tyranny, noting extermination of original inhabitants and only one-twelfth under cultivation. The article questions reasons for US government to subjugate it, deluge with blood, plunder lands, violate treaties, and minister to adventurers' cupidity.