Daniel E. Sickles to To the Superior Civil, April 5, 1873

No. 402. General Sickles to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a translation of a note from the minister of state, dated 27th ultimo, acquainting me with the action of the government of the republic in liberating a considerable number of slaves in Cuba not duly registered when the last census was taken. I have also the pleasure to add a translation of the official communication on this subject from the colonial minister, Mr. Sorni, to the captain-general of Cuba, which was kindly placed in my hands to-day at the legation by the minister. The question presented depended on the true construction of section 19 of the act of July 4, 1870, which is as follows:

“Article 19. All those (slaves) shall be declared free who do not appear registered in the census made in the island of Porto Rico December 31, 1869, and in that ordered to be completed in the island of Cuba on the 31st of December in the present year 1870.”

It is estimated that more than ten thousand persons heretofore illegally held as slaves in Cuba will be emancipated by this decree; although in part classified as “emancipados,” there is not much reason to doubt that most of them have been brought to the island contrary to law within the past three years.

I shall be glad to have authority in the name of the President to make suitable acknowledgment of the action now reported. Both Mr. Sorni and Mr. Castelar seem disposed to do all in their power to promote the best possible understanding with the United States. In this relation I beg to invite your attention to the passage in Mr. Castelar’s speech, accompanying my 560, in which he maintains the international character of the slavery question, and recognizes the propriety of the suggestions on that subject that we have offered to Spain.

I have again commended to this government the importance and the justice of further measures in effecting the liberation of two classes of freedmen embraced in section 5 of the act of July 4, 1870. They are described as “slaves belonging to the state” and “emancipados” who had been under the protection of the government. Many thousands of these have been leased for long terms of years contrary to law. I am assured by Mr. Castelar and Mr. Sorni that they will not fail to give due attention to the situation of these unfortunate people.

I am, &c.,