The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-29
TO Ms Editors Of the Mercury:

CHARLESTON, August "a, 1851.
saw some days ago, in the New York Journal
Of Commerce, letter from its Washington CORE
spondent, stating that the late Hon. John G.. Cal
houn had expressed himself in writing, against
the admission of Cuba into this Union. Had such
statement proceeded no further than the columns
oil the Journal, paper 80 uncompromisingly, and
at tmes SO unscrupuously, iniInical to Cuban lib
erty, would not have felt inclined. TO notice it.
But | find In Saturdays Mercurya long editorial
sustaining much to my astonishment, Mr.. Cal
houn's alleged position in regard to Cuba ! do
not intend TO enter into the merits or dement's of
the acquisition Of that island, those Of her
independence as bearing upon the future develop
ment, safety, grandeur and peace OF these United
States The immense majority of the American
people have already, with their usual sagacity and
common senee, ''made up their mindsV upon this
subject. am thus far relieved. But when see
even the great name of the South Carolina states
man thrown into our adverse scale, feel that Ihave,
however reluctantly word to say in this connex
ion. When Gen. Lopez made visit to Washing
ton in the spring of lS49, the Hon. j. G.. CALHOUN
was the first gentleman in that city who called
the General He even carried his civility to the ex-
tent OF making second call before his first had
been returned. In his conversations with General
LOPEZ, through Mr.. SANCHEZ and myself, he ex-
pressed himself as warmly in behalf of Cuba and her
annexation as has any other man in tho country,
either before or since. A short time after, promi
nent Southern Senator favored me with an appoint
ment IN the recess room of the Senate, Mr.. CAL
HoUN was invited thereto, as also four other Sc
majors, three Democrats and one w hig. The pur
pose of the gentlemen, il seemed to me, was
principally to learn Mr.. Calhoun's views upon
subject OF such vital Importance to the country.
MIR. Calhoun then expressed himself as decidedly,
TO the justice of cause, the assistance which
would be lawfully protfered by the American peo-
pie In case OF instruction, and his non apprehen
sion of European interference, nc had done on
former occasions. The gentlemen present fully
conceded with his views. Such, Messrs Editors,
were the opinions and sentiments of John G. Cal
houn in the spring of lS49, The Wilmot proviso
question then assumed increased gravity, and, as
the contest became fiercer, Mr. Calhoun's views
underwent a visible change He no longer
for action, but for procrastination He felt, no
doubt, that the Cuba question would draw the
minds OF the people from an internal to external
contest, and that his issue, his 'hreshod'' issue,
might be postponed, if not abandoned. Then, but
not till then, did Mr.. Calhoun express himself as
quoted by the correspondent of the Journal of Com
msrce. But Mr.. Calhoun's hopes not real
lied. The South did not unite, even in the absence
OF the Cuba excitement. Were he now living,
every consideration invites the belief that having
failed to unite the South upon the admission of Cali
fornia, he would strive to do So with greater pro-
liabilities OF success, upon the Cuba platform, thus
obtaining for her that equilibrium with which
alone can this Union be preserved through the
union of the South.
l. am gentlemen, very respectfully, your ODE
dient servant,
AMBRosIo JOSE GONZALEZ, of Cuba.