The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-20

sion. 1t It's remarkable how the ministers of the
United States are selected and the topic Is fire.
quently noticed among the diplomatic body IN this
capitol and in other parts of this continent that the
American government sends men, as its represen-
tatives abroad, who are utterly unacqualnted with
foreign affairs or foreign languages and entirely
incompetent to conduct important negotiations
without the assistance of other diplomatlsts, who
laugh and rldcule them, instead of selecting men,
suitedby talent and education, experienced nguists
accomplished jursts or natural dplomatists. Ihave
not yet been able to learn the terms which the
United States have offered for the of Cuba,
but of the opening of negotiations for that purpose
there can be no doubt. 1t is true that short time
ago some publication was made on the subject,
denying any WISH on the part of the United States,
fer the acquisition of that island; but it was well
understood, at the time the denial was made tina
it was directed to some erroneous assertions on
the general question, and the motive tor putting it
forth was to throw the British and other ministries
hostile to such movement, of their guard as far as
possible. There can be no question, az have al
ready stated, of the opening OF negotiations on this
subject but the success of Mr.. Saunders's mission
sc ems to be more susceptible of doubt.
1t Is well known here, among dlplomatists, tina
when the difficulty occurred between the United
States and England, relative to Oregon, a
most extraordinary plot was Matched by Louis
Philippe and Queen Christina, for the purpose O
recovering Mexlco and reconstitutng that republic
into a monarchy, at the head of which would be
the Montpenser branch of the Orleans family;
while, in order to accomplish their purpose, they
took steps, through the Spanish minister, to cede
Cuba to the British government. very remark
able correspondence took place between Lord
Aberdeen and Mr.. Buwer on the subject, which
has not yet seen the hight, but which must come
before the public one of these days The propo-
sition emanated from the Spanish government, and
the correspondence, or copy of 1t, Is, believe,
IN the hands of the celebrated General Seranno.
At the time 1t took place, Mr.. McLane was Minis
ter of the United States in London, and the Oregon
negotiation was Just On the eve of coming to ma
turity 1t was in this tate of the case, and when
all appearances of war between the United States
and England were dIsspated, that Lord Aberdeen
directed Mr.. Bulwer to proceed no further on the
subject of the negotiations for the cesson of Cuba
to England, until he received further directions
from the Foreign office. The whole of the nego-
tlatons, and the plan, originated with Louis PHI
lppe and Queen Christina, and were founded
on the belief that the Oregon dispute would GER
tainly create war between England and the United
States, and on the suppositlon that the further
movement of ceding Cuba to England would in
crease their hostility, and make them bitter and
irreconciable foes. Under this state of the re-
lations between the United States and England,
growing out OF Oregon and Cuba, LOUIS Philippe
intendedto send French army into Spain, and
assist the government there, for the benefit Of
Queen Christina, in spite of the hostility of Eng
land, who would, In the event OF a war, have
enough to do with the United States. All these
grand schemes were, however, nlpped In the bud
by the French revolution in February last, and by
the Mexican war, which, in connection with the
settlement of the Oregon question, presented checks
and difficulties to the lntrIgues concocted by Louis
Philippe and Queen Christina
The old purpose of selling Cuba to England IS
now revived by the present Spanish government,
but with this important difference, that the govern
ment of the United States is to be the purchaser,
,nstead of that Of England. 1t is believed by the
Spanish government that the United States would
pay larger sum for such cession than England
would, and, further, that it would be of more ad-
vantage to the Spanish people, In every point of
view, that that island should belong to the United
States. rather than to England, or any other
European power. Another circumstance, IN favor
of this view, is the well known fact, that the Span.
ish inhabitants of Cuba would be willing to be
transferred to the United States, and would hail
1t as for their interests, while they would revolt at
and repudate, any of 1t to the British gov
eminent, from which they would have nothing 10
expect but policy similar to that which has ruin
ed Jamaica and the British West India islands.
The idea Of selling Cuba to some one, is there
fore, not new. It originated several years ago,
and negotiations for the cession of it to Great Brit
ain, were actually opened in the way have point
ed out The present state OF affairs in Europe has
disposed the Spani, government to look for new
purchaser, and that purchaser the United States.
Accordingly, negotiations, with that object in view,
may be said to be opened by the despatch which
was sent through Mr.. Sawyer, the Secretary of
Legation, in August last, and delivered by him to
Mr. Saunders, the American Minister at the Court
of Madrid
l am not able to inform you of what progress
has been made in these negotiations, but shall
endeavor to ascertain, and inform you by the next
British steamer, and give you all the additional
information IN my power. Mr. Saunders, l believe,
maze only al ihioihai inquiry ds " TIC uisPosi-
ton of the Spanish government in the matter; but
it IS very certain that, several times, one of the
Spanish ministers, on the occasion of soirees given
by the Queen this capitol, let out such nforma-
ton on the general subject called forth from the
press, here and elsewhere, the immateral and
merely diplomatic contradiction have referred to
which, IN fact, amounted to contradiction at ALL
Thus matters stand at present. but there can be no
doubt that, if Mr. Saunders, or any one connected
with the American embassy here, understood
either the French or the Spanish language, and
had as much knowledge of good manners as they
have of chewing tobacco, or as intimate an ac-
quaintance with diplomacy as they have with tar
and mrpentlne, they would be able to purchase