Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-27
Mr.. Saunders % Mr.. buchanan.
II 421 LroArIoy az Tnr UNrrrp SrATrs

No. Il. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
MADRID NOVEMBER IL, 1S48
SIR There appeared in the New York Herald Of the
Goth October letter purporting TO be from Madrid
correspondent and TO have been written by American
1t reflects in very polite terms this legation and
refers to negotiations which the writer as pend
ing for the cesson Of Cuba TO the United States These
statements with the editorial Of the Herald have been
copied into the English and French papers, and you
viii from the enclosed articles have noticed by
the press here deemed il proper TO call the Minis
ter Of Foreign Affairs and TO him the matter had
found its way into the press without any authority from
any thing done said thepart Of myself the Secre
tsry Of this Legation. He said he had suspicion of
any thing Of that kind but supposed trick Of the
newspaper editors of one for the purpose Of
mischief; that 1t somewhat annoying, as II cal
culated to produce bad effect in their colonies as
sured him had taken steps TO have the matter set right
at home, and to find out if could the author Of the
letter He expressed himself satisfied and the matter
dropped You will see from the articles enclosed, the
spirit in which the question Of the cesson is received
and the feeling Of the public the subject IL is certain
they regard Cuba their precious GEM nothing
short necessity will ever induce them 10 part with
IT, There statements in the publication which Ifee
called upon 10 notice isuttery untrue that have ever
found it necessary to consult any unconnected with
the legation, in my intercourse with the Government
On the contrary, Of the Secretaries Of Foreign AZ
fairs since my being here have spoken English and
at time been embarrassed on that account, the
Secretary Is good English scholar SO the state
ent does great injustice to Mr. Sawyer as he is good
French scholar, speaks it well, and is fully qualified to
in and to translate the Spanish. regret to
say these references with other illusions in the letter
have excited my suspicious to the author In this
may be mistaken deem il proper to inform you as the
letter refers negotiations which the writer SAYS took place
during the mission of my predecessor felt Mt liberty to
write to Mr. Irving requesting him TO say Mr. Bennett
the statements in the letter false and endeavor
IL practicable to find out its author You can therefore,
II you should see fit communicate direct with Mr. Irving
await his to my letter III my suspcions as to
the author Of the letter shall prove to be weoupied he
certainly deserves To be exposed il uufounded then II
will give me pleasure to have them removed. u
have had no encouragement to renew the subject in
regard TO Cuba far have been able 10 collect the
opinion OF the public il is against cession and do not
think the present Ministry could would venture on such
step both Pida and Mon are against it. and Naryaez
says notning am, sir, very respectfully,
r. NJ SAUNDERS.
JAMES BUCHANAN, ESQ.,, Secretary Of State
Mr.. Saunders to Mr.. buchanan II Extract
mo- ~. LOCATION THE UNITED STATES,
Madrid, December IA, lS4S.
As considered this favorable opportunity to renew
otibf vLAAx L.