The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-09-25

| Tter deS Eats Unts, Of Ne AOlN' .'s 'i'''0N
letter for that journal, in snch .ne lOno"lne pas
sage occurs in relation 'he acuOn Oh our OOVefh'
ment upon Cuban salrs
"Tbs Coast;t,4oaasl has thought proper to call |
the attentionNA those ambitious personages who |
covet Cuba % the fact that, according to a treaty
between IT, United States, Francs and England, |
that isastd, like Hayu, must remain independent |
in case it ever be severed from Spain. The island
of Cuba, then, cannot belong to the American |
Union, except by violation of a mutual agreement
between the three great maritime powers. Urea
ties certainly may be annulled, but this ciTeum-
stance is not, on that account, matter which the
annexatlonists should neglect"
The Washington Republic translates this, and
thus sanctions the correctness of the statement that
there is such treaty as M. Gaillardet and the
Constitutional affirm
This is mistake. There is no treaty of the
kind between the United States, France and Eng
Iand-nor between the United States and either of
those powers. there is no national agreement
with any nation on the subject.
The fate of Cuba has, indeed, been the subject
Of diplomatic notes between our Government, I'M
der former Administrations, and the Governments
of Europe. The most important occasion, we be-
eve, was during the Administration of Mr.. Adj
ans, and was carried on by Mr.. Clay, then Secre-
tary of State. The correspondence was sent in at
the same time with the documents relating to the
! celebrated Mission to Panama. Mr.. Clay opened
a correspondence, through Mr.. Middleton at St.
/ Petersburg, with the Government Of Russia, en-
gaging It's exertiOns to assist in putting an end to
| the conflict between Spain and her South Ameri-
| can Colonies, which had declared and maintained
| Independence. This was in 1925. Instructions
were also given, with the same views, to Mr.
Brown IN France, Mr.. Everett in Spain, Mr.. Pon-
aettin Mexico and Mr.. Rush in England, in which
the policy of this country towards Cuba was dis
tinctly announced The substance of the declara-
tons was that the United States desired no change
in the political relations Of the island. If war con-
tinued, and invasion by the South American
states were made, the United States would see it
with pain. but would not have any right to inter-
fere; but that this Government would not allow
the interference of any European power, and would
not consent to the occupation of the island by any
power but Spain, in any contingency. 1t was
further stated that Cuba, under the circumstances
of that day, would be unable to maintain indie
pendence The dominion of Spain was therefore
treated the best for the policy of this country at
that day.
This free declaration Of the views of the Gov
eminent of this country, in relation to Cuba, binds
only itself, and was never carried out into any
agreement or treaty, such is stated in the Re-
| public. At least, we can find no traces in the
statute book, or in the history of the times, and
such weighty engagements are not contracted in
silence and mystery.
The island of Cuba can belong to the American
| Union, without the violation of any mutual
agreement" with France and England 1t may
| be purchased Of Spain, without the consent of
either; or it may be annexed after the full estab-
lishment of independence, as Texas was, without
the consent of England, France or Spain-nnd
either without the breach, express or implied, of
any existing treaty, ofany obligation good faith
What the United States are bound to do to pre-
vent the carrying of expeditions from this coun-
try for revouhOnizing Cuba, arises entirely from
their own laws, enacted and repealabe at their
own pleasure. These laws make it misdemeanor,
and impose heavy penalties on conviction, for any
men to organize or set on foot expeditions, within
the territory of the United Statss to go abroad to
make war upon any nation which is at peace with
us, and they authorize the President to use the
army and navy to carry the law into effect
He did SO in the New York cases, through the
civil authorities, who arrested the Cuban vessels
on proof of an intended breach of the law, after
they had started on their way.
In the Round Island case-in which Commander
Randolph and Lieut.. Totten were the prominent
persons-there does not appear to have been any
appeal to the civil magistrates, or any specification
of the breach Of the law; and hence the doubts
expressed very generally by the New Orleans
Press whether those officers did not exceed their
authority from the Administration.