Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-12-23
Purchase of the Island Of Cuba-Impor
tant Revelations.

ol Ine overture maue Oy inc duinlhlsti u'ioH
of President Polk to the Government Of
Spain, for the purchase Of the Island Of
Cuba:
The docur It's, it appea S, were commit
ncated to Congress, at its last session, OH
the 18th of July, and were allowed to re-
main on the table, in the House of Repre-
sentatives, for six or seven weeks, without
being opened, and when opened, it was,
without any examination of its contents,
ordered to be printed for the use OF the
members. Such was the state Of the print
ing question in Congress at that time, that
the House might, for any information that
it would afford, as well have condemned the
| documents to the flames. Under the more
recent arrangement for doing the printing OF
Congress, this document has at last, and
only recently, issued from the Congression-
al press. These documents show, that on
/ the 9th June. lS48, Mr.. Buchanan, the
Secretary of State under the administration
of Mr.. Polk. addressed a letter TO Mr..
Romulus NJ. Saunders, the Minister to
Spain in which after setting forth that the
United States ''can never consent that Cuba
shall become colony CT any other Euro
pean rower," than Spain, and setting forth
the resources and condition Of Cuba, he
makes the direct offer to purchase the Island,
saying:
Upon the whole, the President will not
hesitate TO stipulate for the payment OF
-, in convenient lnstalments for the
cession of the island of Cuba, if il could not
, be procured fer less sum. The oppre-
tensions which existed for many years at
ter the origin of this Government, that the
extension of our federal system would en-
danger the Union, seem to have passed
, away. Experience has proved that this
| system of confederated republics, under
which the Federal Government has charge
of interests common to the whole, whilst
a local governments watch over the concerns
O of the respective States, is capable OF al
,, most indefinite extension, with increasing
strength. This, however, is always subjec
to the qualification that the mass of the
= population must be Of our own race, or mus
Al have been educated in the school of civil ant
4 religious liberty. With this qualification
=. the more we increase the number ofthe con
federated States, the greater will be tn
strength and security of the Union. be
n cause the more dependent for their mutna
|, interests will the several parts be rpo
it the whole, and the whole upon the severe
parts. 1t is true that of the 4lS.29l whit
inhabitants which Cuba contained in lS4l,
very large proportion is fthe Spanish rac'
a. still, many of our citizens have settled o
r, the island, and some Of them are larg
lie holders of property. Under our Govern
of ment it would speedily be .fmericdni=ed, {
m Louisiana has been. Within the bound;
v ries of such federal system alone can
nd trade except from duties and absoluteIy y tre
an be enjoyed.
er With the possession Of Cuba we shouI
all have throughout the Union free trade {
in more extended scale than any which Il
au world has ever witnessed arouSing an e.
ergy and activity Of competition whi'
would result in most rapid improveme
ed in all that contributes to the welfare al
3D. happiness or the human race. What Sta
on would forgo the advantages OF this vast Ir,
e. trade with all her sisters, and place herst
at in lonely isolation? But the acquisition
Cuba would greatly strengthen our bond
ci- union. Its possession would secure to
he the States within the valley Of the Miss
at sippi and Gulf of Mexico free access 10 {
ocean; but this security could only be pr
served whilst the ship-bnilding and navig
to ing States of the Atlantic shall furnish
IDS navy sufficient TO keep open the outl'
not from the gull to the ocean. Cuba, jus
my approaching the advantages OF annexati
ary is now ready to rush into our arms. Oh
ltly admitted, she would be entirely depend
VS. for her prosperity, and even existence, "
hen her connexion with the Union, whilst
still, rapidly increasing trade between her t
M, the other States would shed its blessi
u,d and its benefits over the whole. Sucl
idly state Of mutual dependence, resulting fl
ent, the very nature of things, the world
near never witnessed. This is what will ems
and the perpetuity Of our Union.
,er;- With all these considerations in vi
$ no the President believes that the crisis has
,or,l rived when an effort should be made TO
that chase the island of Cuba from Spain, an
v, at is determined 10 eh'fnS' you WIFI uie
es in Torrance of this delicate and most impol
pro- duty. The attempt should be made, in
es- first instance, in a confidential conv'
orri- ton with the Spanish Minister for For