The daily union., 1852-12-10

gency which then existed The letters published by the
Executve-now that they have been made public, and the
mischief doneshould be turned TO profitable
as possible and we therefore commend them, with The
records of contempoaneous events in the Old World,
to the careful study OF the people OF the United States
The documents show that Mr.. Buchanan's offer 10 pur-
chase Cuba OF the wisest measures ever con-
ceived 10 the mind Of public and that it adds
another TO the radiant gores that cluster about the bows
Of the group of eminent that formed the admin
istration Of Ear. Polk.
Cuba, from her geographical position. ever an OBJ
ect of deep interest and tnscendant Importance TO the
United States She stands right before the gateway TO
the vast valley OF the Mississippi 10 the people aud CON-
merce OF which she be made invaluable friend
or most destructive foe Thirty years ago the atten.
ton OF our government fixed upon this advantage
OF position and from that lime down to the year ls47
had been with our statesman subject Of anxious and
incessant care and wachfuness. All the world
aware OF the malchless position OF Cuba and two at
least of the great maritime powers had been constantly
plotting TO get hold OF it. England especially was eager
to possess it for il afforded the only ground from which
the increasing power and overshadowing greatness OF
the American nation could be checked Unfortunately,
the intestine disorders weakness. and constant precu-
mary embarassments Of the Spanish monarchy, du-
ring the period TO which we refer, extended many
opportunities to England for the accomplishment OF
her long g-cherished design. She was not unmindful
Of them, for upon at least three occasions she was
upon the point Of graspng the tempting prize From
The year 1920 down to ls47 the rumors to This ref-
feet incessant The published correspondence
is full Of them. They came from all quarters-from
London and Havana well from Madrid. Our
government was kept in continual anxiety and alarm.
~ IIn;t
remain connected with constitutional Spain, they had
made known the world that any transfer OF the island
on any petext, to great maritime power would be re-
sisted by all the within their power. The gov
eminent thus constantly agitated. and the country
! forever the brink Of war. So it coanued down to
period shortly anterior to the date Of the despatch 10
Mr.. Saunders in 1s47 AT this juncture new exgency
arose. threatening and full Of peril than any
that had yet occurred Sir Henry Bulwer had been
dismissed in disavor from Spain The British holders Of
Spanish bonds with but little hope Of getting either
interest or principal, were exasperaled to the highest
pitch. The existing British ministry was in danger Of an
Overwhelming deieat and Lord Pamerson, knowing that
any subject operating against American interests furnish
ed keynote wherewih rally the scattered forces of
the government seized upon This for his present purpose
and had declared in his place in Parliament that Great
indemnify her deirauded citizens At the close Of this
Parliament an election held for one, and this
very question the most exciting element introduced
into the canvass Lord George Bentinck, exciting the
cupidy and influencing the passions of tho British voters
called upon them in the emphatic demand the
seizure OF Cuba by the government of England Such
was The state OF affairs in the OF Sl7 II was in
this exgent moment that MIR. Buchanan conceived the
purpose OF putting an end these constant alarmsthe
dangers OF continually impending and all the pers
that surrounded the American government growing out
Of the queslion-by his proposition for peaceful and
honorable purchase of Cuba aA
II there is upon the records of our diplomacy meas
ure that surpasses il in wisdom, master stroke of
policy, will be favor 10 have il pointed out II is
true that the negotiation did not at the succeed
but that il would have succeeded had the government OF
the Uaited States continued four years under demo-
cratic auspices, believe to be past all doubt.
As has been already said. we have not gone into de-
fence of MIR, Buchanan's despatch, it needs none He
feel grafed with the tone and character of
that document He says in ii " Desirable, however,
the possession OF this saRd may be to the United States.
would acquire il except by the free will Of Spain
Any acquisition not sanctioned by justice and honor
would lie 100 dearly purchased" These brief sentences
are honor the diplomacy OF Mr. Folks Minsiet Of
State and the spirit OF them ought always TO govern
intercourse with foreign nations The instructions to
Mr. Saunders will stand the test Of time aud ,nis, and
will vindicate themselves
/ Note
Any Of our readers, who may have to English
journals The debates Parliament OF the date Sf7)
teued 70, win dnd perusal Of them, far they relate
this subject peculiarly into resting and Instructive Han
sard, iu us Dsbates In Parliament vol 90, third seres
p5ge 2S5 has speeches Of Lord Pameron and OF Lord
George Bentnok in he debate upon the OF the Span
ish boudhodes referred 20 in hetext Nc Ness Register
Also vol ~ page ss7 has interesting in
nexon with the designs OF Great Britain in Cuba. In
this journal find letter from Lord George Bsntnok,
addressed the British the Of pending elsc
tion, from which mako the following extracts
Erract from Lord Gtorgs BentinckS Lsffsr. dated
"# HAacouRr HOUSE, July i3 1871.
/ Lot the people OF England remember that they to
whom these Spanish thieves annual interest OF
upwards o million six hundred thousand pounds pay
every year fr the slave sugars and cofees Of Cuba
ana Porto Hco fully greater than this, mostly in
English god the hard earnings Of honest English industry
those very Spanads, and then let them ask The candl
dates m their sufrases whe ther " returned TO Parliament
they will suffer any longer this baei,ced robbery to
tnue Let the people Of England ask the candidates for
their II they will amelY and bssey connve at the