Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-06-21
SPEECH OF MIR ADAMS.

Mr.. John Quincy Adams speech on our relations
with Texas as reported in the national Intelligen-
Ger of June 2, has not been surpassed in interest
the present session Of Congress. We subjon
few extracts.
But, sir, suppose you should annex Texas to
these United States; another year would not pass
before you would have to engage in a war for
the. conquest Of the Island of Cuba. What is
now the condition of that Islandl Still under
the nominal protection Of Spain. And what is
the condition of Spain herself? Consuming her
own yitals in civil war for the succession TO the
crown Do you expect, that whatever may be
the issue Of that war she can retain even the
nominal possession of Cuba After having lost
all her continental colonies in North and South
America, Cuba will stand in need Of more efficient
protection, and above all, The protection Of a ma
val power. Suppose that naval power should be
Great Britain. There is Coba at your very door ::
and if you spread yourself along naked coast from
the Sabine to the RIO Bravo, what viii be your
relative position towards Great Britain. with not
only Jamaica, but Cuba, and Porto Rico in her
hands, and abolition for the motto to her union
cross Of ST. George and Saint Andrew Mr..
Chairman, do you think am treadng on fantastic
grounds Let me tell you piece Of history, not
far remote. Sir, many years have not passed a
way since an internal revelation in Spain, subject
ed that country and her King for a short time TO
the momentary government of the Cortes. That
revolution was followed by another,by which under
the auspices of French army, with the Duke
d'Angoueme at their head, Ferdinand the Seventh
was restored TO despotic throne. Cuba had fol-
lowed the fortunes of the Cortes when they were
crowned with victory, and when the counter revo-
luton came, the inhabitants of this island, IN
certain what was to be their destination were for
some time in great perplexity what to do for them
selves. Two considerable parties arose in the Is.
land, one Of which was for placing it under the
protection OF Great Britain and another was fol
annexing it TO the confederation OF these u States
By one of these parties ] have reason to believe
that Oyertures were made to the government of
Great Britain. b. the other know that over
lures were made to the government Of the United
States. And ] further know that secret though
irresponsible assurances were communicated 10 the
then President of the United States, as coming
from the French Government, that they were Sc
cretely informed that the British Government bac
determined to take possession of Cuba.
Whether similar overtures were made to Franc,
herself, ] do not undertake to say bur that Mr.
George Canning, then the British Secretary 0
State for Foreign Affairs, was under no inconsid
cradle alarm, lest under the puplage Of the Duke d
Angouleme, Ferdinand the Seventh might COMM
to the commander Of French naval squadron th'
custody Of the Moro Castle, is a circumstance ais,
well known to me. II happened that Just sbou
that time, French squadron Of cons dersble fore
was fitted out, and received sailing orders tor th
West Indies, without formal communities ton Of tn
fact 10 the British Government; and as soon as
was made known to him, he gave orders TO tn
British Ambassador at Pans to demand, in the mos
peremPtory tone, what was the destination Of tina
squadron, snda SPECIAL and posi,i disclaimer tina
II Was intended even TO visit the Hsvsns; and mi
was made the occasion Of mutual explanation b.
~hieh Greet Britain. France. and the United s.
not BY the fornsi sOlemuity Of treaty, bot by ID
inphed engagement OF notusl assurances Of intsu
non' gsse pledges Of toaor 10 each other, ~