Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-03-28

form important duties, which they muy not be at IL
berty to neglect The issue of such war may have
great influence upon the balance and stability of
or I'm the West Indies Nations of Europe NAV feel
themselves required to interpose orcibiy to arrest
course OF events to which they be Indifferent
they should limit their interpretation merely to the
object OF preventing any change in the existing state
OF things IN respect to tho islands, the u States far
from being under any pledge, ut present to oppose
them might find themselves, contrary their inc-
nation reluctantly drawn by current Of events to
their side In considering such an enterprise as has
been supposed, If be undertaken there ought to be
an ANXIOUS and deliberate examination first into the
means OF COLOMBIA and Mexico to accomplish the OBJ
Ject and secondly their power preserve and def nd
the acquisition made. We have not the data ncces-
sary to form certain judgment on the first point
we ought to possess, to enable US to form such a
Judgment. a knowledge first, Of the force, military
aud naval, which the republics can apply To the opera
tom secondly, that which Spain can exert in rcss-
lance; and thirdly what portion of the island would
take part on tho one, and the other side
of tho bclgcients. Although we have not
this information i'm ample detail: we know that
Spain Is IN actual possession, with a very con
siderable miliatry force, that this force recently
much strengthened, occupies the Moro Castle deem
cd utmost imprognabe, and other strong holds in the
island; that DRIVEN she has been, from the CONT
nent OF America, all her means and all her efforts will
now be concentrated this most valuable of her re-
mining American possessions that to this end she
will apply her attention, which has been hitherto too
much dist racted by the multitude of her behucrent
exertions in North and South America exclusively
TO this most Important point; that its scccour she
will gather up from her vast wreck the residue of
her once powerful army in Europe and America; and
that there is to believe that if she should not
be openly assisted by any of the European Powers
she may receive from them covert but irresponsible
aid.
With al these resources and favourable circum-
stances combined, il must he admitted that the con-
quest of Cuba is very difficult if not impra ccabs
without extensive and powerful means. both naval
and military But. secondly, do either Colombia or
mel Y p 1N,,ht
have both to create marine. A single shin of the
line, two rigates and three or four .esses Of small
er grade badly manned, compose the whole naval
force of the United Mexican States. That of Co.
uraba is not much grentcr, nor better manned. But
the means OF transporting and defending, turinr IL
voyage, the military force necessary to achieve ,he
conquest, are absolutely Indispensable. Nav, more:
1t would be In the last degree rash and irnprudent
TO throw an army into Cuba unless the two republics
possessed and could retain naval superiority nj
least IN the Gulf of Mexico, to provide for those
contingencies which ought always to be anticipated
in the vcisstudes of war. Aud in the third niocc
1t Is well known that the inhabitants of Cuba. far
from being united In favour of INVASION entertain
great apprchensions as TO their future safety in
such an event, and that they especially dread an
invasion from Colombia. account of the character
of portion of the troops of that republic
But If all difficulties surrounded and the con-
quest OF the Island was effected we should not
be without continual fears of the instability of its fl-
ture condition: The same want of naval nnver
which would be felt in reducing, would be subse
qucntly experienced in defending and preserving il
Neither Colombia Mexico is destined to be n first
rate naval power They both, (Mexco still more than
Coiombla,) want an extent of sea cost bavs inIe,s
and harbors, the nurseries of seamen in short all the
essential elements of n powerful marine EnpIand
France the Netherlands, Spain herself, when she
SNAIL as at some no very distant day she must rccoy-
er IRON her present debility, will for lonO time m
come, If not forever naval Powers outrank either
Mexico or Colombia war with anv one of those
European nations would place Cuba in the hands of
either OF those two Republics, at the most imminent
hazard II is impossible for the Government of the
United States to close their eyes to the fact that in
the event OF a military enterprise being prosecuted
oy the Republics against Cuba the ships tie seamen
the cannon, and the other naval means necessary To
conduct it. will have been principally obtained in the
United States. Although far from giving any coun-
tenance to the procurement of those supplies deter
mnedto maintain faithful neutrality, they have d.
rected strict enforcement of their laws; the fact
nevertheless, of their being collected within their
ports subjects them To unfrendy and injurious sus :
picious. And they would see, with much rcpu0-
nance, resources drawn from themselves applied 10
the accomplishment of object to which their policv
and their interests arc opposed.
The President hopes that these considerations en-
1orced by such others may present themselves to
you, II they should not be deemed Of sufficient weght
10 prevent altogether any invasion Of Cuba will at
least dIssuade from any rash premature enerprize
with inadequate, or doubtful means. And it Is reoui
red by the frank and friendly relations which we most
anxiousy desire ever to cherish with the new Repub
that the United States have too much nj siake in
the fortunes of Cuba, to allow them to See with in
difference, a war ofiavasion prosecuted in de.oa-
ting manner: or to see employed, in the purposes of
such war, one race of the inhabitants combating
against another, upon principles and with motives
that must inev! ably lead if not TO the determination
Of one party the Other tn the most shocking exces
ses. The humanit - fthe =. SAFES in respect TO be
weaker, and whic such terrible strupGle would
probably be the suffering portion. end their duty 10
defend themselves against the cOnagion of such near
and dangerous examples. would cons.ra them even
at the hazard of losing the feneshp greatly as they
value u, OF mcSico and Colombia, to employ all the
means necessary to their security.
il you should be unable TO prevail on those Repub-
lies TO renounce all designs OF the invasion and cor
quest OF Cuba and Porto Rico, you viii then exert
your endeavOEs 10 induce them suspend the exc
cution of them until the result is known Of the inter
position which we authorised to believe the late
Emperor Of Russia and his allies at tho instance %
the United States, have made 70 put an end TO the
ynF md hat l,s.I, -. L