Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-16

here all that think about it. must however dissent
from the opinion Of the gentleman from S. Carolina
he rights OF nations, subjects of this kind are ne
cessariy very much modified By circumstances Be
cause England France could not righulIy complain
of the transfer Of Florida u.s. by means follows
as the gentleman supposed, that could complain
OF the cession of Cuba TO of them The plain diff
ference that the transfer of Florida TO u.s. was not
dangerous TO the safety of either of those nations nor
fatal 10 OF their great and essential interests Prox
unity of position, neighborhood, whatever auruaens
the power OF inurng and annoying, properly be-
long to the consideration of all Of this kind. The
r~aer or less facility of itself is of Considera-
ton IN such questions, because il brings NAV bring
weighty consequences with it. 1t justifies for these
reasons and these grounds what otherwise might
never be thought OF. BY negotiation with a foreign
power, Mr.. Jefferson obtained 4 province. w thout
any alteration of constitution. we have made it
part oi the United States. and its Senators and Repre-
sentayes, now coming from several states, are here
among u.s. Now, sir, il, instead of being louisiana
this had been of the provinces of Spain proper ~
one of her South American colonies he must havc been
mailman that should have proposed such an acqusi-
ton. A high conviction of its convenience arising
IRON proximity, and from Clssc natural coanexon
alone reconciled the country 10 the Consi-
dea'ons OF the same sort have weighed in other cases.
An honorable member from Ky. MIR WickiIc ar
gues that although we might rghtFuly prevent another
power from taking Cuba from Spain, by force vet il
Spain should choose to make the voluntary transfer
we should have right whatever TO interfere Sir
tins IS a distinction without difference. If we are
likely TO have contention about Cuba let Us first well
consider what our rights are and ourselves
And sir, II we have any right interfere at all an
plies well TO the OF peaceabe as to chat of a
forcible transfer. If nations he at war, we are not
Irdgcs OF the question of right. in that
acknowledge, in both parties the mutual right of at
tack, the mutual right OF conquest
1t is not for to- set hounds their begerent opc-
ratlons, so long as th do not affect ourselves. Our
right TO interfere, sir IN any such but the ex-
ercise OF the right of reasonable and necessary self
defence Its high and delicate exercise of that right
one not to he made but grounds of strong and mani
fest reason justice and necessity The real question is
whether the possession of Cuba by great maritime
power, OF Europe would seriously andanger our own
immediate security, essential interests. put the
question: sr,n the language OF The best cons
dered state papers of modern times The general rule
OF national law, unquesonabIy against interference
IN the transactions of other States. There are howe
ver acknowledged exceptions growing out of circun-
stances, and founded in those circumstances. These
exceptions il has been Justly said, cannot whou, dam
GER be reduced 10 previous rule and acOrpo ted into
the ordinary diplomacy of nations. Nevertheless thev
do exist and must be judged Of when they arise with
Just regard to essential interests. but in a
spirit OF strict justice and decacy also towards oreirD
states.
The ground Of these exceptions is as hare areadv
stated, self preservation 1t is slight injury tn
our interests II 10 not even great Inconvenience that
makes out There must be danger TO our securi
~, or danger manifest and imminent danger 20 pur ns
senta! rights and cssentis! interests. Now sir LET
us look at Cuba need hardly refer to its present
amount of Commercial connection with the u States
Our statistical tables presume would show us that
commerce with the Havana alone is more , amount
than our whole commercial intercourse with France and
all her dependencies Rut this but one part Of the.
case--not the mos important Cuba as is we'll sail
III the report OF the committee of Foreign Affairs 10
placed ID the mouth Of tie Mississippi. its occuca.7
by strong maritime power would he felt in e :~s
moment OF hostility as far mp the Mississippi - ~:
Missouri population extends. IT is the COM -
ing point of the Gulf of Mexico. See too hos, ,.
IN the very line of our cOastwise traffic; nterpoye IN
me very highway oetSeen New York and n. OrIea,s
Now, sir, who has estimated, who can estimate IT,
effect OF change, which should place this island :,
other hands, suhJect to rules commercial inter
course or connect 1t with objects Of different and ST.
more dangerous nature: Sir, repeat that feel no dis
position TO pursue tins topic, the present occasio
My purpose is only 60 show its importance and 10 h. -
gentlemen not to prejudice any rights Of tue co,lnr
oy asserting to propositions which, perhaps may be he
Cessarv to be reviewed.
And here differ again witt, the gentleman from, *
lie thinks that, in this, in other cases we shood w.,
I'LL the event comes, without anv previous declaration
OF our sentiments upon otr rights ourcygn inter
eSts Sir, such declarations are often the acpronr;.
means OF preventing that which iflmprevented it mobr
be dhicuIf to redress great object holding diplomatic
intercourse IS frankly TO expose the and objects
o. nations and TO prevent, by candid explanations col
Ilson and war In this case, tie gentleman has sa,i
that could not assent to the transfer of Crha 70 ~
Their European state. Can we so3assents Docentlee,
t..hh we can; II not then 1t was entirely proper tba.
Tins animation should be frankly and seasonaby made
Candor required it, and would have been rJnnardo,.
BE, II would have been Injustice as well ,s foIlr -
have been silent, while we might suppose the transa,
ton to be contemplated, and then 70 complain Of il
wards II We should have subsequent right 10 con-
pIain we have previous right equally clear of pro-
testing; and IT the evil tie which when il comes
would allow Us to apply remedy not only allows US
OUT u MAKES II our duty Also to apply prevention
ltut, sir, while gentlemen have maintained that
on the SUBJECT Of transfer TO any Of the European pow
ers the President has said Zoo much others insist thar
on that OF The Island being occupied by Mexico or Co
dmoia' ne has SAID and done too little. presume SIR
Crun All flaaf
been directed to the Of greatest Danger There
fore, that danger was Doubt S. greatest which wa.
unprecedented from voluntary transfer. The other h,4
been met as :, arose and thus TAR adequately AL =.
tcently met and here, sir, cannot but saw ga,
never knew more extraordinary argument ihs- ,re
have heard on The conjuctoith the Executive on IL ,,-.
Of the case The President IS charged with nco-s 81:
eucy and in order TO make this out public
are read which. It is said, initiate Nth one auot.-
Sr what are the facts' This government saws e.: -
inV'te tle Emperor Of Russia To hIs eude Us =
M 70 fTp - ,Df a.