Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-01


ders' letters in reply:
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. tSaunders.-[ CT. :
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WASHINGTON, June II, 1s4s
SIR: BY direction Of the President, row call
your attention to the present condition and future pros
poets of Cuba. The fate of this island must evel
be deeply interesting to the people of the United
States. We are content that it shall continue to be
colony of Spain. Whilst in her possession we have
nothing to apprehend. Besides, are bound TO heI
by the ties OF ancient friendship, and sincerely
desire to render these perpetual.
But we never consent that this island shall be-
come colony of any other European Power. In
the possession of Great Britain, any strong nava!
Power, it might prove ruinous both 10 our domestic
and foreign commerce, and even endanger the union
of the States. The highest and first duty OF every
Independent nation is to provide Tor Its own safety
and acting upon this principle, we should be CON-
peed to resist the acquisition of Cuba by any pow
erfuI maritime State, with all the means which Pro-
| idence has placed at our command.
| Cnba is almost within sight of the coast of Flor
ida situated between that State and the peninsula of
Yucatan, and possessing the deep, capacious, and
impregnably fortified harbor of the Havana. If this
island were under the dominion Of Great Britain, she
could command both the lnlets to the Gulf of Mex
ico She would thus be enabled, in time of war,
effectively blockade the mouth of the Mississippi,
and to deprive all the w estern States of this Union,
as we'll as those within the gulf, teeming they
with industrious and enterprisng population, of
foreign market for their immense productions. But
this is the worst she could also destroy the
merce by sea between our ports the gulf and our
Atlantic ports, commerce Of nearly great value
the whole of our foreign trade. Is there any
son to believe that Great Britain desires to acquire
the island of Cuba We know that it has been her
uniform policy, throughout her past history, seize
upon every valuable commercial point throughout
the world, whenever circumstances have placed this
in her power. And what point valuable the
Island of Cuba!
The United States are the chief commercial rival
OF Great BTitain tonnage at the present moment
is nearly equal hers, and it will be greater within
brief period, if nothing should occur to arrest our
progress. Of what vast importance would it, then,
be to her TO obtain the possession of island from
which she could at any time destroy very large por-
ton both of foreign and coasting trade Besides,
she we'll knows that if Cuba were in our possession,
her West India islands would be rendered compare
lively valueless. From the and fertility of
this isand and from the energy and industry of our
people, should soon be able to supply the markets
of the world with tropical productions, at cheaper
rate than these could be raised in any of her
sons.
But let me present another view of the subject.
1t Cuba annexed to the United States, we
should not only be relieved from the apprehensions
which never cease to feel for our own safety
and the security of our commerce, whilst it shall
main in its present condition, but human foresight
cannot anticipate the beneficial consequences which
would result to every portion of our Union.
This never become local question. With
suitable Notifications at the Tortugas, and in possess
naval station the opposite of Cuba, could
command the outlet of the Gulf eff Mexico, between
the peninsula of Florida and that island. This would
afford ample security both TO the foreign and coastlng
trade of the Western and Southern States, which
seek market for their surplus productions through
the ports on the gulf.
2. Under the government OF the United States,
Cuba would become the richest and most fertile
island, of the extent, throughout the world.
According TO McGregoTs Commercial Regulations
and his Commercial Statistics, in 1880, of the
46S, 523 cabaleras of thirty-two English acres of
land which compose the whole territory 1926 we're
under coffee, tobacco. garden and fruit cutva-
ton, and 9.734 in grazing grounds and in unfelled
woods, belong 10 sugar and coffee estates" 1t
thus appears thain 1880 less than twelfth of the
whole island was under cultivation. The same auth
says: " W e have no accounts of the present eX-
tent Of cultivation in Cuba; but by com pairing the
value of eXportabe produce in 1880 with that of
1912, and by various estimates, consider it prob
able that the lands under sugar, coffee. tobacco and
gardens may fairly be estimated 54 900 caballeras,
or LIPS, 900 acres" According to this estimate,
between oneeighth and one-nInth only of the whole
island under cultivation in 1912. The author
proceeds " If we compare this extent with the re-
naming vast of the fertile soils of Cuba which
still uncultvated. and the produce which the
whole island at present yields, it scarcely be
an exageration to say that Europe might draw as
much coffee and sugar from Cuba alone the guam
tity already consumed.' Mr.. McGregor states the
aggregate population of Cuba in the year l941 10
have been only 1.OO7 ,6a4 but from the data which
have just been presented may fairly be inferred that
the island is capable of sustaining in comfort pop
ulation of ten millions of inhabitants. Were Cuba
a portion of the United States, it would be difficult
estimate the amount of breadstufs, rice, cotton,
and other agricultural as we'll manufacturing and
mechanical productions of lumber, of the produce
OF our fisheries, and of other articles which would
find market in that island in exchange for their coE
fee, sugar, tobacco, and other productions. This
would go increasing with the increase of its pop
ulation aid the development of its resources and all
portions of the Union would be benefited by the
trade.
Desirable, however, as the possession of this is
land may be TO the United States, we would not ac-
quire it except by the free will of Spain. Any ac-
QUESTION sanctioned by justice and would be
TOO dearly purchased. While such is the determna-
ton of the President, it is supposed that the present
Spanish Government to cede the island to the United
States, upon the payment of fair and full consdera-
ton. We have received information ftom various
sources, both official and unofficial, that among the
Creoes of Cuba there has long existed deep rooted
hostility to Spanish dominion. The revolutions
which rapidly succeeding each other throughout
the world have inspired the Cubans with ardent
and rrepressbe desire to achieve neutrality-suspicious..
Indeed, informed by the Consul of the United
States Havana that there appears every probable
ity that the island will be in state of civil
war" He also states that s. efforts are being
made to raise money for that purpose in the United
States, and there will be attempts induce few of
tie volunteer regiments in Mexico obtain their
discharge and join the revolution"
l need scarcely inform you that the Government of
the United States has had agency whatever in
exciting the spirit Of dsafection among the Cubans.
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