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


AT this stage Of my report heard there likely to
be change IN the office Of Minister Of Foreign Affairs
deemed II prudent to Gen. Narvaer and ascertain
the truth OF the rumor He readily informed me the
health OF the Duke Of Sotomayor rendered il necessary
for him TO retire, and that Mr. Pida would take his place
at once decided TO ask private interview Of General
Naryaez, and to make TO him my communication in re-
gard 70 Cuba He without hesitation, acceded to my
request, II II should be my pleasure to make any COM
TO him.
II was arranged should call the next day, when he
would receive me at an early hour accordingly called
at the hour appointed and opened the conversation by
stating the information which had been given by Mr.
Campbell relative to the threatened insurrecon in the
Havana your instructions consul to the caution
to be used in his words and actions to avoid the
suspicion Of encouraging the insurgents and the posi-
tive order Of the Secretary of War to Major General But
Ter to prevent any attempt the part Of the volunteers
in their return from Mexico from stopping at the Havana
He expressed himself thankful for the information
entirely satisfied with the conduct of Government
and requested me to express nchas graas many thanks
to the President for his in the business. He fur
thef said they had their difficulties to contend with, both
in Cuba and ut home; but should always look with
fdece to our great country from the friendly relations
which had so long existed between Spain and the United
States.
He requested be furnished with copies of your an
swer and OF the Secretarys order. | promised to give
him copy Of the order to Gen. Butler and of much
Of your letter as referred to the subject with the under
standing that the information given by Mr. Campbell
not TO De used IN any way to excite preudces against
him as consul
considered this favorable moment to- introduce the
subject which had been the peculiar object of my visit
began by saying: His Excellency would allow to
advert TO another matter in regard the Island Of Cuba
which, though of decacy, of great Importance to
us, and trusted he would receive my communication in
the same friendly spirit in which it made He
piled it would afford him much pleasure to hear any thing
might have to say. continued: His Excellency
fully aware of the very deep interest which the United
States felt in every thing connected with the present
don and future prospects Of Cuba its position, its
great Importance to commerce, the condition Of
portion of its population well calculated to increase
the interest we felt in its fate He expressed his full
assent to all of this said, that whilst the President
and people perfectly that it should
main colony of SPAIN and did by any means desire
change that relation several events had recently taken
place well calculated to excite fears, and to create
some alarm the subject. / should content myself
by referring him to a few Of them. The recent
revolution in France and the order by its Provisional
Government for the immediate emancipation Of the
slaves in the French islands, and the fatal conse-
quences which had followed had produced great anxiety
in the United States to its effects the Spanish
islands. He would doubtless recollect the speech of
Lord George Bentinck at the last session of Parliament
the subject of the Spanish bondhoder and Of the reply
OF Lord Palmerston asserting the right Of the British
Government to wage against Spain for the recovery
Of these debts whenever it might deem it expedient
His Excellency very emphacaly sgnfed his recollec-
ton Of these speeches. These circumstances, in
nexon with the suspension OF all diplomatic inter-
between the Governments had added to the
anxiety of the United States the condition of Cuba
They had led the President to believe the time had
rived when it prudent for him to give to the Minister
at this Court authority to treat the subject of Cuba
if it should be the pleasure Of her Catholic Majesty
enter into such negotiation | had been honored by
the President with special commission for this purpose
fact which had been directed communicate to the
Government of her Majesty in confidence, and which,
from the respect entertained towards his Exceency,
had induced me to make it known to him" He said, in
reply That he received the information with much
pleasure that whilst he should consider it confden
ta might be best that the Minister of State should be
made acquainted with it that he enjoyed his full conf
dence, and might be implicitly confded in" rejoined;
81 did not doubt that but had thought from
the nature of the subject the Minister of State
just about TO enter upon the duties Of his Office it
most proper to make the communication to his Excel
lency'
Here conference ended As you will see, was
somewhat guarded in the latter part of my expressions
and that the Minister very explicit in his reply
He evidently pleased with the communication. He
was not only courteous and respectful but manifested
the greatest attention and interest during the whole Of
the conversation deemed it prudent, not to
the word tcession, and exactly certain that he
understood being authorized to treat for the
sion merely for the security Of Cuba At all events
did not think polite at this stage of the business to
be more explicit to press the matter further have
opened the subject apprzed him Of my authority and
hereafter advert to the subject a. circumstances may
justify. am well satisfied nothing will induce the Span
sh Government to part with Cuba but the apprehension
seizure by England The national pride and character of
these people would not induce them readily give up
the first point have 10 know the Government
without their fears the latter point As learn,
private letters from England give them understand
that Lord Palmcrson is disposed TO give them trouble,
and that the bondholders pressing that something de-
csve should be done in their behalf the Government
shah entertain any serious fears in regard to the matter
they would likely open the subject and thus enable me
10 bring forward formal proposition TO treat for ces-
sion deem IT, therefore, the better policy to suffer the
thing to is for the present The court will
main here for weeks when shall have the oppor
tunty Of meeting the Ministers in informal way with
attracting that attention which official visits IN
Madrid would likely excite Besides can my dis
creion the matter stands the subject with
the new Secretary which shall certainly do should
discover the least ground to suspect that they labor
ing under any misapprehenson as to my conversation
with General Narvaez
Mr. Pidal belongs to the French party is strongly pre-
JUDGED against the English and win warmly second Gen
Narvaez that point He Secretary Of War at the
time of the Queens MARRIAGE is the brother-inlaw Of
the great cosborer Of Count Ericsson In support of the
Montpenser marriage. Still he is strongly Spanish in
his feelings and character, and not likely join in pro-
noting act calculated to shock the national pride On
the other hand he is bold rough independent man. and
would fearessy carry out any he might under
take. OF the Queen Mother have already spoken, so
that you pretty idea Of the persons with
whom have to DEAL and OF the probability of success
You will naturally inquire if the state Of the finances is
to have no effect the question With empty trea-
sury and the expenses daily increasingly with the credit
the Government far reduced be driven to the
necessity Of resortng to forced loan raise the small
sum Of FIVE millions, would suppose such a state Of
things this would be the first consideration with those
charged with the administration Of the Government But
H. IL Al II. II. a. C. Il