DANGEROUS CONSPIRACY IN CUBA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 285, 25 July 1855, Page 4

DANGEROUS CONSPIRACY IN CUBA.

By the arrival of the steamship Atrato at Southampton, on Monday, we have intelligence from Cuha of a conspiracy against the Government. On the 7th ult., several persons had been arrested at EJavannah, charged with.the intention of assassinating the Governor-General. Among those taken into custody were—Dr. Raraon Pinto, Dr. Jose Echeverria, Administrator of the Havannah Railroad ; and M. Cadalzo, Administrator of the Court of Penalvo. At a meeting of the conspirators, it was proposed to establish the constitution of Spain with the cry of " Long live the Queen," when Pinto objected, and said that " the tree of liberty, to become fruitful, must be watered with blood," and that he would 'strike the first blow by assassinating the Captain-General in his box at the Opera. On the evening of the arrest of Pinto, he had only a short time before paid a visit to General Concha, by whom he was then, as always, received as an intimate friend. Pinto, it is said, could have had no reason to complain of the Spanish Government, and much less of Concha, as he had been always well treated and assisted, particularly by the latter. Information was given to General Concha from the United States by one of the conspirators who was dissatisfied. It was not believed at first, but soon afterwards the General received information to the same effect from a planter in the island, also one of the party, but, who repented having joined it. Information was given that three expeditions would sail from the United States, and arrive on the coasts of Cuba simultaneously with the assassination of General Concha. It was said at Havannah that one part of the American expedition had left Baltimore. Numerous Spanish men-of-war were cruising on and off the coasts for the purpose of intercepting them ; and, should they effect a landing, certain death awaits them, as the Government were well prepared to give them a warm reception. Besides the large army and numerous ships of war at Cuba, the Government could count on at least 70,000 or 80,000 men—old Spaniards — the greater part of whom have carried arms in the civil war of Spain, and who, in Cuba, have something to lose, and would fight to the last man. By the steamship Black Warrior, which had arrived at New Orleans, when the last steamer sailed for England, we have Havannah dates to the 15th of February. Great excitement prevailed, and new militia companies were being formed. The whole island had been declared in a state of siege, and a proclamation had been issued ordering the enlistment of all volunteers between the ages of eighteen and fifty who were capable of bearing arms. A military commission had been created for the eastern part of the island. It was reported that General Concha had sent to Porto Rico for more troops ; that the British ship of the line Boscawen had left Havannah, and that she and the steamer Medea were engaged in conveying troops. The British Rear-Admiral renewed the troops with General Concha on the 12th ult. A decree was being enforced prohibiting the sale of fire-arms and ammunition. Her Majesty's ships E'spiegle and Vestal were in port. The Colossus had left. The British Admiral had been received with great honour. Plymouth. Her Majesty's screw ship Colossus, Captain A. S. Robinson, which arrived here last evening, left Havannah on the 19th of February. The Spanish squadron had sailed a few days previously to intercept the American sympathisers in their anticipated descent upon the island*A plot to assassinate the Captain-General (Concha) had been discovered, and an outbreak being feare'l, a number of people, including several persons of consequence, were arrested. Some of the leaders were to be garotted. Her Majesty's ship Boscawen, 70, with the flag of Rear-Admiral Fanshawe was at Havannah. The frigate. Vestal, 26, Captain Thomas P. Thompson ; the sloop Espiegle, 12, Commander

Hancock ; a paddle-wheel steam-sloop, and the Medea, steam-sloop, 6, Commander Augustus Phillips, were daily expected.