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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LA)IAR
cost me, and that has been no little because of .my limited knowledge of the Spanish language. If I have not attained the end which I pro- posed, I have done at least as much as I was able, and I hope sincerely that my good intentions will make me merit the indulgence of him for whom I feel sincere friendship and high esteem. [MIRABEAU B. LAMAR} • No. 2472. GENERAL LOPEZ'S SCHEMES FOR THE INVASION OF CUBA. LAMAR [Translation from the Spanish] [Philadelphia? April? 1851 ?] It is rumored that General Lopez is on the point of sailing for Cuba, carrying with him considerable forces with the object of beginning a Revolution in that Island. Such an undertaking, if practicable, is great and laudable, and my sympathies being always on the side of the oppressed, I can do no less than to desire the success of the dangerous experiment. For more than three centuries Cuba has been ruled with a scepter of iron; and today there is no people of the civilized world so insulted, outraged, and trampled upon as the Cubans.- They are not treated as rational beings, but worse than dogs, being converted into beasts of burden, guided and directed by the will of the governments which have not ceased to cast upon them all that they were able to bear. The other enlightened nations should not tolerate tyranny so enormous and cruel. It is a shame and a scandal to the present age; and it is true that the friends of humanity should rise against it.- If, therefore, General Lopez should succeed in his daring enterprise I shall rejoice beyond measure, because the cause to which he is going to consecrate himself is noble and sacred; and ought to prosP,er. God grant that it may have a happy ending- But, according to the opinion of many (and it is mine also) the views and hopes of General Lopez are incapable of realization. I sus- pect that he will find himself in an undertaking most difficult where he will need equally help and advice. Indeed, I regard as superior to all his forces the obstacles and difficulties in his path. The United States are hostile to the undertaking and will not ·hesitate to do all that is possible to frustrate and impede it. Moreover, the Spanish forces are numerous and well disciplined, while on the other hand the Cubans have no army; they are without arms and they cannot conspire together nor form their plans because of the vigilance of the govern- ment. The negroes, too, are quick to take up arms against the whites. The Spanish Government will emancipate them for that same reason and will incite and stir them up to vengeance. These reasons are suffi- ciently powerful to make me believe that it is almost impossible that General Lopez should succeed. His purpose, however noble it may be, is not attainable under the circumstances. In order to insure success, an army larger and more formidable than any that he can organize and carry with him is necessary. But still there is another reason more cogent than all the rest- to wit-that the people of Cuba do not have the moral and intellectual requisites for attaining liberty and establishing a good government. The life of liberty is in the union of wisdom, virtue, and valor; and the Cubans lack these qualities. At least, such is my opinion. They have borne their heavy chains such
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