The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-01


parallel to the singular production which the
tary of legation 10 the court of Spain has lately pub
ished in the Charleston Courier Generally, the char
acte and standing of the author OF ridiculous charges
and empty communications for the public ear, forces the
press TO besow upon them degree OF attention which
they do not deserve But in the present instance the very
reverse true and find ourselves under the necessity
of burdenng our columns with notice OF Mr. Reynoldss
efusion only because its author and his distinguishing
characteristics are unknown to the country If the
case were otherwise, would be silent; for the
meddling and mischievous conduct which forced his
recall would have been anticipated by every one when
his appointment was announced. know it was an
ticpated by one who knew him will and the egregious
vanity and ridiculous conceit which dictated his letter.
and appears in every line of it, would have only excited
smile of derson, and then have been speedily forgot
ten
The whole country, and doubtless the whole of Christ
endom understands the importance of the island of Cuba
TO the trade and commerce of the United States Leav
ing of view the great fertility and vast producveness
of that island and considering its geographical position
alone no one fail to perceive that the government of
the United States is compelled to look with wachfu
eve upon the possession of that colony 1t is the key Of
the Gulf of Mexico 1t is the key OF the mouth of the
Mississippi 1t is the key of the immense valley which
now contains more than six millions of inhabitants,
drained is by the Mississippi and its tributaries 1t
is the most fertile portion of the globe Its resources
are exhaustless. Not only cities but States spring
up as if by magic along its waters and in~s bo-
som; and the day is not far distant when it will
tain population greater than the population OF the
whole continent at the present time. The commerce
of this vast and fertile region, stretching from the ALLIE
ghany 10 the Rocky mountains, and from the northern
lakes to the confines of Mexico, must empty itself
into the Gulf But then it has not reached the markets
of the world Even then il may be said to be land
locked and confined. The broad ocean must be reached
before it free to spread its sails and direct its course
without restraint In this point of view, the channel be-
tween the Florida reef and the coast of Cuba may be
termed the key nay the mouth OF the Mississippi And
commanding that mouth of the Mississippi is the
island of Cuba, of the most fertile countries the
Globe The nation that holds that island is at peace with
the United States and vessels pass it freely and
without fear. But this may not be always the case.
Transfer that island to great maritime power and
in case of war she will hold to great extent the keys
of the Mississippi
Spain has suffered from faction and intrigue. She is
now comparatively poor and impoverished and her
eminent ia weighed down with Indebtedness and from
time to time have across the waters that
other nations had fixed their eyes upon Cuba Even in
the English Parliament the idea preached of sezing
upon the northern coast of Cuba, and holding in
demnity for the heavy debts which alleged be due
from Spain the subjects of Great Britain. This ques.
ton deemed TO be matter of vast and vital interest
to the people of the United States The attention of the
late administration naturally aroused to such
ments and it would have been crimnaly Indifferent TO
every call of duty and of patriotism, had folded its
and remained inactive whenthe great danger threat
ened us of Great Britain wrestling from Spain the only
sufficient outlet Of all the commerce. too great for hui
man calculation, which must float upon the Gulf
of Mexico and along the Gulf stream, the markets OF
the world. The American people would have said with
one voice that this consummaton should be effected
and that war with the Mistress of the Seas must be
entered ino if the only of wardng off the
impending blow We do not profess to know what were
the instructions that given to minister at Madrid
But we can very easily conceive situation of things in
4 which it would have become the duty of the United
States say TO him that though are perfectly Content
to leave Cuba in the possession of Spainthough we
: have not the slightest desire to interfere with her
! rghts-though should prefer it should remain
in her hands, as it has hitherto done-yet, if her
necessities or her policy should prompt her TO part
$ with it to any other power-if there be any dan
OF It's passing OneT nanuSlntO me nanuS Oh
any great maritime power-of Great Britain, for exam
ple whose powerful squadrons might control west
ern through this islandwe should be willing
to sound Spain, and know upon what terms could
obtain the island Had then been ascertaned that there
any danger of the Spanish government intending to
cede that island, Immediately eventually Great Brit
aim payment OF the bonds which were due the Brit
ish government to British subjects, to ex-
change Cuba for Gibraltar there be doubt but that
the late administration should have made every effort
oresal Great Britain, and to sound Spain about the
purchase of Cuba. This is certainly for
us adopt Ii may be considered the standing policy
of people, and we may add, government Witness
the instructions which given by Mr. Forsyth in
1910, referred to by General Cass in his speech
Yucatan. There was then suppositon that England
was attempting to obtain the island and it then that
the Secretary of State addressed his instructions to
minister. similar rumor reached us last year, and
without protesting to know what passed, very
easily conceive that il might become the duty of the late
administration to ask the Spanish government if they
were determined to part with the island, upon what terms
we could obtain il. The administration could scarcely
have done less under the circumstances. But it would
appear even from T. c. Reynolds statements that the
conference very brief onenot sufficient in fact
to amount to positive negotiation His account Of
it, partial and colored il may be, is as follows:
m