Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-27


mo. 5l1 MADRID, NOVEMBER 20, 1922
SIR understand that this Government are
under serious apprehensons lest Cuba should declare it
self independent and place itself under our protection
that they informed society Of Freemasons in Phia
delpha has connexion with society Of Freemasons in
Havana, with the object il Is supposed to hasten the
declaration of Independence This according to their
usual mode of judging our conduct is thought to be
known and countenanced by Government. The
squadron to Havana by the British the pressure
upon Spain at this moment when she has much reason
TO dread the determination OF the European sovcregns
by Great Britain all combine TO show the necessity OF
watchfuness on our part the designs of that Power
and the probability Of their accomplishment afforded by
the present condition and attitude of this country. A
commercial treaty between Spain and England Is desra
Bile TO England but il is not Of sufficient importance TO
induce her take up the gauntlet for Spain against the
combined soveregns. II is not Of sufficient Importance
induce her to guaranty the loans Of money Spain must
have for the support Of the constitutional system what
then, is the object of the party and how far will ne
cessty obge the other party TO assist in the accomplish
ment Of itf England desires the weight Of Spain as
European ally secondly the benefit Of the commerce Of
the peninsula thirdly become the mediator between
Spain and the Spanish American Governments fourhly,
the possession Of Cuba TO give her the command Of the
Gulf Of Mexico filthy, the communication between the
Atlantic and Pacific the Ishmus Of Darien
That Great Britain has any fixed determination TO
the fourth, fifth, and sixth objects, win pretend to
affirm positively, butmy impressions strong that she
has II she has, the means Of success are, guaranty
eventual indemnity q purchase Of them The guar
anty Of Cuba against the designs Of the United States
would not be unlikely mode Of proceeding. The
island however will be most reluctantly surrendered by
SPAIN and the population Of the island itself is known
be hostile TO any transfer to Great Britain.
The commercial treaty opens the road Great Britain
to profit by the necessities Of Spain II the Congress do
nothing decisive, hope nothing Of consequence will
grow Of the determination TO treat with England
Whatever mo happen, / am here without power TO do
more than TO give you notice Of what may be done or
intended. Without instructions make no offers to
this Government in order to divert them from this course
idol perceive what offers could (make thatl in
her present situation could induce Spain not TO pursue
III II and here, | am constrained to say, not
considered in the friendly ghtwe ought TO be considered
On the subject Of Cuba have taken all due pains in
directly 10 remove the apprehensons Of the Government
TO several Deputies Of the Cortes and to persons who
presumed would repeat what snid 10 the Ministers,
have spoken Of Cuba very desirable acquisition 70
any Power, but that interest required there
prospect Of it's passing into our hands, that should
belong TO spain; that as English property II would be
infinitely injurious 70 MS Colon bian Mexican II
would not but be hurfu Independent OF its formidable
position, it's slave population would make us anxious TO
keep the sand ont Of the hands Of Governments which
would be compelled by their institutions To make
in it extremely dangerous the repese and prosperity of
the Southern States In conversation with one of the
members Of the political commission Of the Cortes ex
pressed conviction that Spain would procure by i'm
mediate recognition Of Colombia and Mexico and the
adoption Of liberal system Of commerce. guarantee OF
the island from Colombia Mexico, and the United States
the three Powers being equally interested to keep II in
the hands Of Span out Of the hands Of England and
each other He asked permission to speak Of II to she
Minister'S which gave him. provided he spoke Of II to
the Ministers matter Of opinion on subject which
had never been even named TO me by my Government
JoHr Qurscr ADAMS, Secretary Of State.
John Forsyth 10 tie Secretary Of Stas-f Extract ]
fNo. 58l "MADsn, Dror.srR is, 1922.
"Sra: = ' Ireceived few days since note
from Mr. een Miguel y = informing me that the