The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-14

found one of the most magnificent harbors in the world
equally capacious and secure If England In the pur
suit of the system, should acquire similar command
ing positions the Gulf of Mexico that great reservoir
would become eatsun, and no keel would plough
IT, nor convass whiten It in time OF but by her per
mission Now sir looking to the extent OF our coast N
that drectono the productions which must pass there
TO seek marke-to the nature of our populatonand Ia
the effect upon all these, which permanent naval
superiority would produce-where is the American who
is not prepared TO adopt any measures TO avert such
caamtous state of things' Who fail to the
ture of the predatory warfare which England would carry
IN all unes OF hostles, from her various positions
which would encrcle the Gulf, from the Bahamas 10
Cuba and TO Yucaan' and who also fail TO see that
even in time OF peace, her many harbors would become
places OF refuge for certain class OF population and
that perpetual collisions would occur involving the peace
OF the two counrles'
The Gulf of Mexico sir, must be practically an Ameri-
can lake Tor the great purpose OF secuty-not to
clude other nations from its enjoyment but prevent
any dominant power, with foreign or interests,
from controlling its navigation II becomes us to look
our difficulties in the face Nothing is gained by blink
ing great question Prudent statesmen should survey
it; and, far may be- provide for it. We have, in
deed Mount Carmel like that of Judea prophet to
ascend IT and to warn us against coming storm. But
the home of every citizen is Mount Carmel for us,
whence he survey the approaching cloud, when
no bigger than mans hand which threatens to over
spread the political atmosphere and to burst in danger
upon his country II should be cardinal principle in
our policy never to be lost sight Of that the command of
the Gulf of Mexico must never pass into foreign hands
lis great geographical features indicate at safe
ty aud danger From the southern point of Florida
to Yucaan, the chord of the does not probably
coed $50 niies-a shorter distance than that from Yucca
tan to Vera Cruz. From the southern point of Florida
to Cuba it is not more than forty miles and from the
western extremity OF Cuba to the peninsula of Yu
catan, it is not more than sixty miles. These two out
les-the latter INTO the Caribbean sea, and the former
into the Atlantic oceando not, therefore, exceed 100
miles in their united width, and together make the exit
and entrance of the Gulf Opposite the mouth OF the
Mississippi is the noble harbor OF Havana, almost within
sight of which the whole commerce of the Gulf passes
England has already got the Bahama islands, with the
art Mt NnS, nth Nh Inpn N Tho
and Yucaan held by their present possessors neither
nor the commercial world have anything to fear from
English projects, whatever they may be- Bat let their
The mouth OF great river might at any time be her
medically sealed, and the most disastrous injuries in
fc,ed upon One important step in the command OF
the outlet of the Gulf Of Mexico she has already taken
by the possession OF the Bahamas If she gets peaceble
possession OF Yucatan by our remssness, she will have
taken the second. Cuba may be the last will ask the
distinguished senator from South Carolina if he would
advocate the interference of this country by force ii
England were attempting by force to take possession OF
Yucatan And if he would--as believe he would
how he consent TO permit her to do peacefully what
may peacefully prevent have already, sir alluded
10 the effects which steam navigation is to produce upon
the various habors and nes of these possessions would
be rendezvous whence armed steam vessels would issue
prey upon commerce. to close the great channels
ditions against our coast England has recently
extended her possessions south OF Belize by the
acquisition Of Indian territory The honorable senator
before us some time since, and exposed the details
of hs cSs nr he Ths MaGsao kn as he
lion OF the coast-somehow or other passed under Eng
sh puplage. 1t is said that he made the Queen his
resduay legaee and thus the country and its nhabit
ants have gone to increase the dominion of England
cheap mode, this. of acqusitionmuch economical
than Indian councils Indian presents, and Indian annu
ties.
Mr. President, many OF the great principles OF national
action depend existing circumstances. There few
mere questions Of abstract right in the intercourse of
nations. Peaceable qulstiOns OF territory, acquisi
tons in just war; can give no offence, unless TO nations
whose safety they endanger. Where this is the CASE
they may be protested against resisted if necessary
1t is question which each nation must Judge for ITSELF
and upon its responsibility but one which ought
to Judge fairly. Much OF the public law of the world is
founded upon this principle OF safety and the elementary
be found in all the questions about the balance of power
in Europe the disputes concerning Malta, and AL
gies, and Belgium, and many other subjects which have
engaged the attention of governments, and formed the
abors of dplomatists Its perverson has, doubt led
to abuses. as has the perverson OF many other
principles; but ITS foundation. rests in the nature
of things. Self defence incident to communities
individuals, and provident forecast requires us to
watch any dangerous projects OF domination, and to pro-
vide for them as we can ! repeat that nation under
situation, the nature OF the intercourse resulting from it,
commanding positions to do injury, and other consdera
TONS are all elements be taken into view In my opn
ion, we it to ourselves to distinctly to the
world that the attempt to procure the transfer OF Cuba
from Spain 10 any other nation, whether peaccably or
fOrclDly, would De resisted by WnOle OF
country. To others, it may be question Of territorial
aggrandizement or of mercantile cupidity But to us, il
is question OF necessity; had almost said OF political
life DEATH would become the gate to close the great
river of country The waters of that river there
after as heretofore would reach the Gulf but its com
merce would never reach the ocean, The distinguished
senator from Kentucky says that while reproach the
ambition Of England go acquiring and asks where
shall stop | do not know where we shall stop.
That decree is probably not yet written But we seek no
acquisition which inure England, and we desire in
turn that she should seek none which will njure us.
The principles involved in this system of policy have
already been asserted and acted upon by the United States
They will be found in the proceedings respecting Florida
in the acts of Congress OF 18th January, 1Sl1 of March
that The influence which the destiny of territory adjoining
the United States may haze upon their security, tran
qullfity and commerce, as Just 0tce for interference
"and that the United States cannot see any part OF the
territory pass into the hands OF any foreign power; and
that due regard to their safety compels them to
provide under certain contingencies, Tor the temporary oc
cupaton of the said country"
understand from one OF our associates IN TINS body
who is not likely to be deceived that either in the bogra
ply of Mr. Jefferson in his correspondence, similar
expressed by him respecting the condition and
importance of Cuba, and the interest which the United
States have in its ultimate fate. have not had time to
ascertain the fact by reference to the works referred to
II it so, but one proof the of the sagacity
of that great patriot and statesman, and OF the decision
of character which marked his through life.
have run my eye however over his correspondence on
the subject OF Florida and find the true doctrine
ciated and defended there distinctly it is asserted in
the acts of Congress have quoted, and which received
the sanction of his friend and successor Mr. Madison.
trust that the intrigues of nation will ever compel
to take forcibe possession OF Cuba But seems 10
that the the subject is examined both here and
in Spain the obvious it will be- that It IS IN the IN