New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-01
The Cuba Correspondence.

Mr.. Faulkner, NJ. c. from Virginia, thinks
that The National Inteissser has done the House OF
Representatives injustice in the editorial comments
which accompanied the publication of the Cuban Cor
respoudence and writes letter thercupon 70 the
Editors Of that paper The following IL the uatend
portion OF his communication:
For several wears past and especially slnce my
visit to Cuba in the month OF January 1912 nave icn
lively interest in the fate OF that island anu IN lts proc
able might cay certain future destiny one OF the
States of the Conederacy and was my wish durngths
last session OF Congress 10 have presented IN full before
the country my views upon this interesting problem
national policy Before doing go examined our pub
hshed diplomatic correspondence for epurpose OF max
ing myself acquainted with the policy heretofore an
nounced by Government In relation 70 thai isiand IN
making the examination surprised 10 md 40 liitie
IN our published diplomatic instructions bearing upon the
subject Satisfied that question 80 full o ineret 10
every citizen this republic could not have cscapeu o
vigant attention of the many eminent men VINO "" mo
last thirty wears had presided the Department o
Foreign Atare determined TO offer resolution call
ing upon the President to communicate 10 the House
&" ell instructions from the Department OF state 10 the
diplomatic agents of the United States abroad oi hare
ofore communicable Congress, declarsoy OF or re-
atng To the policy of the Government OF the United
States n relation TO the Island of Cuba leaving 4 Of
course discretionary with the President to withhold any
paper the publication of which might be regarded by
him as detrimental to the public interests The resou
ton submitted TO the House on the TIN day OF Feb
ruary and unanimously adopted.
After allowing month for response to that reso
luton called personally upon Mr.. Webster 10 learn
when the report from his Department would be made.
He informed me- in reply that il should be forthcoming
at the earliest day practicable At the end Of the
ond month again called and was informed that the
correspondence being copied. At the end OF the
third month ! addressed letter 70 Mr. Webster, re-
specially calling his attention 10 the resolution and
urging early compliance with its request. To this
letter | received no reply In the month OF June I
again called at the State Department and there learned
that the correspondence was copied, but not ex'
amined.
In the early part of August made my last visit to tho
State Department in connection with this subject and,
learning that Mr. Webster absent inquired for Mr.
Hunter the Chief Clerk and Acting Secretary Of State,
who nformedm me that the had sometwo
weeks before been sent from that office to the President
Of the United States and upon my manifestng some
impotence at the delay which had occurred he ex.
pressed the opinion to me that the correspondence
was probably held back by the President until
the final disposition by Congress Of the bill
then pending before 1t, providing compensation
to the Spanish Consul and other subjects OF Spain resd
ing New Orleans for losses occasoned by violence To
the year 1851 arising from intelligence OF the execution
OF the Americans captured on the Island OF Cuba This
bill did not become law until the last day OF the eesson.
Hearing nothing further of the report from the State De
parment called 10 the President on the first day OF
September-the day after the journment OF Congress
to learn ditincty from himself why the correspond
ence was withheld, and there learned for the first time
that his message had been transmitted the House OF
Representatives.
On what day the President made bis communication
nal here of ascortanng That could not have been
early the day upon which his Message made bear
date in your paper s absolutely certain for the Mes
sage bears date earlier than that Of the report made
from the State Department to him, when from the per
sOnal examination which the President assured ms he
had gwen 10 the correspondence could have been
forwarded by him for days, ii not for some weeks
after il sent from the State Department 10 him
speak, then, of facts within my own knowledge
when assert that no indifference manifested at
least by the mover OF that resolution 10 the c0mnun
do in arlU IN haf
opened by the Speaker al my instance TO II this
correspondence sent 10 the House that much inn.
patience was felt at the unprecedented delay which
marked liz transmission 10 Congress; and that when
ultimately communicated il was toward the close Of
prOtracted sesCn, and under circumstances that might
have csused it 10 escape the attention OF the most yg
lant member OF that body
The htelligeacer publishes the letter with
the following note
We really sorry 70 have given Mr.. Faulkner occa.
zion 10 desire the publication OF the foregoing letter
We had inquired with whom originated the call for
the papers concerning the Island Of Cuba which Just
exciting much attention. We did not even know
inat such call had been made by either ou-e OF Con
gess until we heard OF the answer 10 il having issued
from the Congressional press.
Our suggestion OF the Indifference OF the House
OF Representatives 20 Communications from the
Executive was based on the notorious fact tina.
the Annual Message OF the President though required
by the Constitution, and never befored sighted In
this way, war, though transmitted 10 Congress the
second day Of the session, Ten al the close OF session
spun out % term VI nine months lying the table.
and E yet lying the table of the House. without
having received any acton the part OF that body.
We nad a right 10 suppose that the Cubs Message
might nave shared the fate OF the Annual Message.
What appears 20 be certain y, that the Cubs Com
Jnunicstion was lying ON the table, among mas. Of
con muncaions from the Exc ,ufiye Departments ON
the ast day Of the session.
On examining the official reDOr. Of that DAYS mo-
ccedngs, lind that Mr.. Jones catching for moment
The Speakers eye suggested the prOprety OF the
House ordtTiR9 ge E1ecBtics Repoyt and Conmraiea-
ti0Rs now LYING UPON THE SPEAKgR's TABLE q be
printed" Il would be recolected ne sad thf "a
GRHAr Many hare nera been presea<d 10 he H,asel"
No objection being made, the order was passed 40
moved BY Mr. Jones, and thus this important document
has AZ last come 70 knowledge Oh Members Of Congress,