The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-09


were thus iawlesely invaded in of our chief cities,
the plain duty Of our government wss conceive.
10 have hasnsd orsoard alone with lis entire dis
avowsl Of the whole proceeding, and its expressions of
regret al the but also with the prompt offer
OF all suitable reparaon, both for any indgny and any
injury which the consul nigh, have sustained. This
was duty of our government rendered doubly plain
and doubly imperative by the necessity OF holding Spain
to her treaty obligations. and the responsibility incurred by
any violation Of them in the Of the Cuban prisoners
Any hesitancy any delay any reluctance recognise
and protect promptly and the fullest extent all the
rights OF the Spanish consul, and 10 repair any injury
received by him in his official character placed gov
eminent IN the wrong at moment when it was Of vital
concernment that should stand right before Spain
the end that the performance of all her treaty obligations
towards our citizens in her power should be vigorously
demanded Prompt and satisfactory action in this matter
moreover. plainly due to the consular character in
the full protection Of which. in all its rghfu privileges
under all circumstances nation is deeply
es,ed than the United States Its certainly to be regretted
and seems almost inexpicabe. that in very plain
and pressing Notwithstanding the most urgent and
continued solicitation and emonstrance of the very able
and distinguished dplomatst who represents The Spanish
government at Washington, the administration should
have taken almost three months for deliberaton-and,
indeed, should have awaited the return Of Mr.. Web
sier TO the Department Of Stalebefore it 10 any
determination how 10 proceed in the emergency IL
the Goth Of august that Mr. Caderon officially brought
to the notice OF the government the outrage pepetrated
against the Spanish consul five days BEFORE accompa
nying his notice with demand for suitable satisfaction
and was not until the l3 of November following that
the administration, through Mr. Webster made its offer
of reparaon During all the intervening period il is
quite manifest that Mr. Calderon pressing his claim
with all possible eanestness, and with manifest appre
henson lest the delay of the administration should disturb
the peaceful relations Of the two governments II was
confidently stated in the public journasand we believe
to be true-that he felt before Mr. Websters letter
written, that the last moment oil forbeaance had been
reached, and that he must demand his passports II is
confidently stated that he had actually written note to
this effect And mean time-though much of Mr. Calde-
rons part OF the correspondence the subject remains
unpublished the dispatches which are given in
in the Republic OF yesterday. plainly appears that from
the Goth Of August up to the 18th Of November the Span
sh Minister got in due form other satisfaction from
government, than statement by the Acting Secretary OF
State under date Of August 3ob, that the government
hoped that the OF assault upon the Spanish
late would prove to be unounded and that
orders had been issued TO prosecute any persons who
should be found TO have taken part in the outrage No
other or further reparation Of any kind was prom
sed alluded to, in this despatch in any other
despatch from the government. prior to Mr. Webser's
note OF 18th November
In all this, seems 10 the administration
gravely and strangely in The path both OF duty
and Of policy in the premises plain before them
but they seemed to be afraid unwilling TO sin
gle STEP While matters of gravest pending in
Cubawhile the Spanish Cores about to assemble in
view OF this very subject-whe the Spanish Minister
was resolving that duty forbade him wait longer in
clear case-while every fact and every principle in The
whole transaction called upon the government to place
itself clearly in the right in regard 10 the Spanish consul
in order that it might efectuay intervene in othe
points OF the case, where its Intervention much
needed to repair ito fatal blunders-in view OF all
this the administration could do nothing better than to
stand stock still for three months. hopelessly in III.
,rrong, on point too clear to warrant a moment Of
doubt or hesitation II uRaccountable blunder
gave Spain every advantage Of position. at just The
time when such advantage most needed by gov
eminent for the eHectua vindication in behalf OF ou
own citizens Of their rights legal trial and their claims
upon royal cemencyl
r-.~- - r. NasN