The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-11

be apprehe from the establishment Of colonies in
America, having European origin and European con
nexon Attempts of that kind, II was obvious might pos
\ siby made amidst the changes that taking place
ia Mexico as well as in the more southern States Mexico
bounds vast length of line, from the Gull OF Next
co the Pacific There many why il
should be desired by that establishments under
the protection of different power should occupy any Por-
through all hevast territories rescued from the dominion
OF Spain commerce might have its protected by
treaties with governments existing on the spot These
views and others of similar character rendered it highly
desirable by us that these new States should settle IT. as
respective territories. True, indeed did need their
aid assist in maintaining such for ourselves
but had their and support of the
! principles as applicable TO their own teritores.'
ground Of humanity" and that of "poicy" which have
been taken in the Presidents message, will offer
two observations farther upon the latter OF them con-
TESS, Mr. President, that whilst would be willing to do
all that Yucatan requests, because deem her suffering
| people entitled to sympathies, am not wholly
mindful of the fact that if we do not grant her assistance
she likely to receive it from other Eng
especially She has made application for aid, and offered
surrender the territorial dominion OF her country either
Spain Great Britain if refuse to recognise her
entitled to our sympathetic regard Suppose we do
fuse the applied for, and Great Britain,
mindful OF her national honor well as her policy,
should grant it, and proceed to take possession Of the
country (all of which she is certain TO do as think
one can doubt who has examined the documents upon
our table, what will we say them What will we
do . Will then go back to the message OF Mr.
Monroe, and order her to retire from her newly ac-
quired domaine Or will we submit to her retaining
possession OF Yucatan! II we do, then it is plain
that Cuba will also shortly be in British possession.
Long has England been signing for this rich prize and
nothing has deferred her from seizng upon it but the
declaration of MIR. Monroe and the welfounded belief
which she entertained that that declaration would be
maintained by necessary Let her ascertain
that government has resolved to cover before her,
and to permit her to coonze again on tins continent and
she will own Cuba and all Mexico up to the Rio Grande,
in less than ten years from the present time NO man IS
excusabe for not compehendng this branch OF the pol.
icy of Great Britain has been developed thousand
nSa
forgotten by any member of this body But, sir, take
it for granted that were we even to allow Great Britain
TO get possession of Yucaan and thus open the way to
farther conquess the American continent the citizens
of this republic would permit her TO hold it in her
grasp They would prefer going to war, 10 submitting to
evils than Ii war would and ought to be
sorted to in the cited earnestly ask, why shall not
be averted by the only capable of being used
for that the present occupation of Yucatan
ourselves as proposed to us Sir confess that am will
ling go farther in securing country from prospective
dangers than this bill proposes to 60 should be willing
acquire Cuba at from Spain by purchase, just
and equitable terms We have believe that the
present is particularly favorable period for attempting
this important movement If neglect our interest in
this matter reasonable man can doubt that the oppor.
unity of obtaining this noble island will have passed
away forever With Cuba and Yucatan, we will have
complete control of the Gulf OF Mexico and of all the
commerce that floats its surfaces will have II in
power to establish at direct communication
between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans; will be able
to secure to ourselves the rich monopoly OF the East In
assailment Without both Yucaan and Cuba, (and
doubtless they must shortly belong 10 the power0
what Inconvenience and dangers always be
exposed Other senators have pointed these out par
tcuarly, that it is unnecessary for me to dwell upon
them.
But the senator from Kentucky supposes that we sus-
tain the relations to Yucatan and Cuba that the
powers of Europe dothat we have no greater right to
complain of their interfering the affairs OF this CONT
nen than if this Intervention should in Europe;
Or rather, that have right to complain OF
such Intervention by any European power, than that
power would have to complain of such intervention
senator
circumstance of local proXmty and yet this circum-
stance has been relied on by distinguished statesman OF
the wing school, speech which has already supplied
me with several valuable extracts for the edcation OF
his brethren of this body, authorizing decara
ton of war; BY the United States, against any power OF
Europe who should undertake possess herself of Cuba
either by conquest purchase read for the instruction
of senators the other side of the chamber follows:
81 now proceed, Mr. Chairman to few remarks on the
subject OF Cubathe point OF foreign
relations is the hinge which interesting events may
% hs s 10 ons
derstand the honorable member from South Carolina to
in Europe she had right 10 do So and we could not inter-
ere to prevent it, Sir this is delicate subject hardly
willing here all that think about it, must how
ever, Olsen, from the opinion Of the gentleman from South
necessarily very much modified by circumstances. Be
cause England or France could not rghtnlly complain
of the transfer Of Florida us, it by means fol-
ws the n that W bs 0sd S not
plain difference is that the transfer of Florida to us
dangerous the safety of either Of those nations
o and essential PrOx-
unity of POSITION neRhborhood, whatever augncnts the
power Of inurng and annoy very properly belong to
the consideration of all of this kind The greater
less facility Of itself of consideration such CUES
lions, because it brings, may bring, wetghy conse-
quences with justes, for these and these
negotiation with foreign power Mr.. Jefferson Obtained
province. Without any alteration of constitution,
have made part of the United States and its
and representatives, coming from several States
among Now, sir, it, instead of being louisiana
this had been OF the provinces of Spain proper
South American colonies he have been mad
| man that should have proposed such an acquisition A
high conviction of its convenience arising from proximity
aud from close natural connexon alone reconced the
Considerations of the same sort
have weight in other cases.
An honorable member from Kentucky, (Mr Wickliife)
argues that although might rightfuy prevent another
taking Cuba from Spain by force yet il Spain
should choose make the voluntary transfer, should
have right whatever to interfere Sir, this is dsnc
ton without difference. Ii likely to have conen
ton about Cuba let first well consider what rights
are, and commit ourselves And sir, if have any
right interfere ALL it applies well to the OF
peaceabe OF forcble transfer. II nations be
war; judges OF the question of right in that
acknowledge, in both parties, the mutual right of
their begerent operations long they
affect ourselves Our right interfere in
but the exercise OF the right OF reasonable and
| necessary sef-Jefence. 1t is high and delicate
manifest reason, as,ice, and necessity The real ques
is, whether the possession OF Cuba, by great mari
| time power of Europe, would seriously endanger
own Immediate security essential interests. /
| considered State papers OF modern times. The gene
raj rule of national law is, unquesonahy against in
reference i'm the transactions OF other States There
however, acknowledged exceptions, growing OF cir
cannot without DANGER be reduced precise rule, and IN
corporated the ordinary diplomacy OF nations Never