The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-27

Letter from Thomas Cauts Reynolds. ESQ.,,
RELATIVE TO THE
ANNEXATION OF CUBA
TO THE
U N Z = = D 8 TIES,
CHARLESTON, Is. ca March 81,

GRNTLEMEN-On my return 10 the United States,
a short time ago, was surprised 10 find that, In
the press well as In private, my name had been
drawn into the discussions on the Cuba question,
and my course while was a member OF the Anne
rican Legation at Madrid made subject ofspecu-
latlOn and comment
NV intention being to withdraw myself entirely
from political lite, it s with great reluctance that
publish anything on this subject. But the advice
OF personal and political trends, better acquainted
than can be with the degree TO which public at
tentlon has been drawn TO the Cuba question, has
decided me to attempt, as lar as due reserve
concerning the acts OF the American and Spanish
rOneous impressions which exist IN regard to my
position In It. To your courtesy appeal tor the
publication of the present letter.
My official connection with the American Lcga-
ton al Madrid, as its Secretary, commenced in
July, 1876 Mr.. Cass, IN his speech on the Yucca
tan question, has disclosed to the public that the
coDditlon and tate Of Cuba are subjects especially
commended to the ate Ation of that legation. In
January, lS47, while at Gibraltar, was directed
10 make some inquiries IN reference To a rumored
scheme OF Great Britain to obtain Cuba IN ex-
change Tor that fortress. In my reply, / expressed
my impression that the rumor, as thus stated, was
"very absurd" The important part, however,
which Gibraltar plays IN all negotiations between
SPAN aud Great Britain, induced me to examine
In person, and as tar as my limited knowledge of
military science would permit, the fortresses OF
Ceuta and Gibraltar, and both coasts of the Straits.
That examination, and the information obtained
from various sources, but particularly the rare an
ablest and most enlightened dplomatlsts, the then
representative of the United States In Morocco,
the Hon. T. N. Carr, produced In my mind the
decided impression that the rumors OF proectto
exchange Gibraltar for Cuba should receive par
hcular attention, without being too readily or en-
tlrey believed. The opinions which | subse-
quenty learned were attributed to Lord Nelson,
Earl St. Vincent the Earl OF Malmesbury aud Sir
Henry Bulwer, entirely confirmed this view.
On the I'd May, 1877, Mr.. Saunders, the Envov
of the U. S. near her Catholic Majesty. left Madrid
tor France, and placed me, with limited powers
and vague instructions, in charge of the affairs of
the American Legation IN Spain. During his ab-
sence, kept close watch on the proceedings of
the agent tor the British holders of Spanish stock
About the time when the late Lord George Ben
timex and Lord Paine rston made the speeches so
well known TO the American public, on the subject
of the Ange-Spanlsh debt, learned that the agent
supported by Sir Henry Chen Mr. Bulwer, was
urging the Spanish government to mortgage por. |
tions of Its revenue to pay the interest debt.
feared that the revenues OF Cuba might be Sc
lected as the most convenient tor that purpose. | |
Immediately, but informally, took measures, simple
States IN that event, and apprlsed Mr. Saunders of
them. My letter brought from HIM the following |
reply, dated Havre, July 18th, l547:-*
I" have just received your note Of the It'll. am |
CAD you made the inquiry as to the English debt
Should there be any danger, sooner than the Enslsh
should get any lien Cuba, oud stipusts for the
United States to guarantee in way the payment
the debt on having mortgage on Cuba
"H you should ascertain that there 10 any founda-
ton your suggestion In regard to Cuba you win at
once cali on the Minister of State and request sus-
pension Of the arrangement until | can return, as
would ct once come back If any plan Of the kind was
in sgitatiou.n
On the 18th of July, 1917, received another let
ter from Mr.. Saunders, postmarked Havre, July
oath, in which he says.-
What viii Salamanc al think Of the threat contained
In the letter of the mittee Of the to
IsturiE? Is it possible he had little spirit to
eeive such document? As this matter IL likely to be
pressed on the Spanish government, would write Mr..
b. on the subject had full confidence in him; but az
a hs a aet
ing the general ming the respon
eibity Of doing what the occasion may call for may,
therefore, ubmit proposition TO the Mi mister /"
The Mr. Il. mentioned In that letter was, OF
course, Mr. Buchanan, then Secretary OF State of
the United States. To explain the effect produced
upon my mind by these letters OF Mr.. Saunders, 1t
cessary to revert to some circumstances which
had previously occurred.
was aware OF the fact, since made public by |
Congress, that Mr.. Polk was In the habit Of trans
hitting directly TO the United States Minister at
London, instructions on the Oregon question, de-
parting most materially from the positions taken
the official correspondence OF the department Of
State; and that that question the late President
had acted both his parts (of a 40 man and
81 40 man,) at the same time, with such consum-
mate skill, mat even those IN the secret were
lions. | supposed that Mr.. Saunders was hoRored
with close intimacy by Mr.. Polk, as he (Mr. s.
IN reply to inquiries of Captain Elliot, formerly
British Charge In Texas had felt himself autho-
y
sumo, and as Mr.. Saunders himself supposed car
ried the information immediately to Lord Aber.
deen,) that Mr.. M Lane possessed IN higher
degree than Mr.. Buchanan the confidence of the
late President | was aware ase, that Mr.
Saunders, on his arrival in Madrid, had urged his |
predecessor, after the presentation OF his letters OF
recall to suggest TO the Spanish minister to tender
Der Catholic Malesty's mediation between the |
Unite States and MeXlco but IN the official COM
on the subject tn the Department of
State, had omitted to make any ausion whatever
to the fact that he himself thus the originator
OF the whole subsequent proceedings In the busl-
ness therefore felt justified IN supposing that |
Mr. Saunders had some authority from Mr. Polk
directly, In the premises.
But, unfortunately, had, in the regular dis |
charge OF my ordinary duties, already written a |
despatch te the Department of State on the sub
]ect; The direction not to write to Mr.. Buchanan.
implied IN MIR. Saunders expression of his want
OF confidence in HIM, placed me thus in position,
the danger OF which Immediately saw. IL seem
ed to me also very possible that Mr.. Buchanan
might hear, through the ewspapers, OF the threats
oil Lord Palmerston, even should Mr.. Saunders |
not write to him concerning them. considered |
that would be acting with most proprety, IN OBJ |
serving the ordinary rules OF dlpoma tic service,
and therefore forwarded u second despatch, alrea-
dy prepared In relation to the Anglo Span lsh debt
and the plans of England In connection with It,
In that despatch | reminded the Secretary of
state OF the general Instructions, in relation to
Cuba, issued by Mr.. Forsyth in 1910, (as DIS
CLOSED by Mr. Cass,) and ventured expressing
my opnlon that the fears OF Spain on the subject
OF Cuba were directed towards US rather than to.
wards England
10 put en- end to question from which appre-
hended much embarrassment to mys elf as well as
DANGER 10 the interests OF the United States, IN
have never before had oc ss,,or In ,,v n,h,,
uon TO refer TO or quote ffow any letter, "a n much
more scrnpulo1s In regard TO thsr privacy than po
ticans Generosity are The letters OF ar Esurdsr.
herein used are not private letters or N n,ivsts
affairs but Intersections to me for NY light and gut
oanes in my onoia puoic conduct. The writer Of A
letter, or the Naturalization or other ind,1ian.,
whose interests may BE- affected by tina, letter cannot
ressonaoly deny TO its receiver the right make nnv
Of It wheh may be necessary for hi, derne, rar
teulsry should he have been placed In taIse poson
by the public acts OF the writer himself ana thu nar
ties interetsd In his letter But withou bssng INV
50 on this general and acknowledged rule (Which ia
every public mans chief protection e2ant political
perndy) feel that the extent to which the Sanotty
Of private saion has been disrsgardei
that conversation secretly preset aud