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

any which the world has ever witnessed arousng an en-
ergy and activity OF competition which would result in
most rapid improvement in all that contributes to the well
fare and happiness of the human race What State would
orego the advantages of this vast free with all her
sisters, aud place herself in lonely isolaon But the
acquisition OF Cuba would greatly strengthen bond of
union. Its possession would secure TO all the States
within the valley of the Mississippi and Gulf Of Mexico
free to the but this security could only be
preserved whilst the shpbudng and navigating States
Of the Atlantic shall furnish navy sufficient to keep
open the outlets from the gulf to the Cuba justly
approaching the advantages of annexation is ready
TO rush into our Once admitted, she would be
trey dependant for her prosperity and existence
upon her connexon with the Union, whilst the rapidly
increasing trade between her and the other States would
shed its blessings and its benefits the whole Sucha
state OF mutual dependence resulting from the very nature
of things, the world has Witnessed This is what
will ensure the perpetuity of our Union. 1Gl
With all these considerations in vew the President be-
eyes that the crisis has arrived when effort should be
made to purchase the island of Cuba from Span and he
has determined to enrust you with the performance Of
this most delicate and important duty The attempt
should be made, in the first instance, in confidential
conversation with the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs
written offer might produce absolute refusal in writ
ing which would embarass us hereafter in the acquisi
ton OF the island Besides from the ncessant changes
in the Spanish cabinet and policy desire make the
purchase might thus be made known in official form to
foreign Governments and their jealousy and active
opposition. Indeed if the present Cabinet should
embarrassed by having it placed record for in that
event it would almost certainly through channel
reach the opposition and become the of discussion
IN the Cortes Such delicate negotiations, at least in
their ncpent stages ought always to be conducted in
confidential conversation and with the utmost secresy
and dispatch -a
At your interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs
you might introduce the subject by referring the pre-
sent distracted condition of Cuba and the danger which
exists that the population will make atemptt
plish revolution This must be well known to the Span
sh Government In order to convince him OF the good
faith and friendship towards Spain with which this Gov
eminent has acted you might read to him the first part
my despatch to General Campbell and the order issued
by the Secretary Of War to the Commanding General in
Mexico, and to the officer having charge of tho embarka
ton of our troops at Vera Cruz. You may then touch
deicatey upon the danger that Spain may lose Cuba by
revolution in the island that it may be gresed from
her by Great Britain should rupture take place between
the two countries arising out of the dismissal of Sir Henry
Buwer and be retained to pay the Spanish debt due to
the British bondholders. You might assure him that,
whilst this Government is entirely satisfied that Cuba shall
remain under the dominion of Spain should in any
event resist its acquisition by any other nation And
finally you might inform him that under oil these cir
cumstances the President had arrived at the conclusion
that Spain might be willing transfer the island to the
United States for fair and full consideration You might
cite as precedent the ceson Of Louisiana to this coun-
try by Napoleon, under somewhat similar circumstances
when he was at the zenith of his power and glory have
merely presented these topics their natural order and
you fill up the outline from the information commune
tnlS as well as from your own KNOW
ledge of the subject Should the Minister for Foreign
Affairs lend favorable your proposition then the
question of the consideration to be paid would arise and
you have been furnished with Information in this despatch
which will enable you discuss that question In justice
to Mr. Calderon ought here to observe that whilst Civ
ing the information before stated in regard to the nett
amount of revenue from Cuba which reached Old Spain
he had not then and has not now the most remote idea
of intention to make an attempt purchase the
island.
The President would be willing to spuate for the pay
ment of hundred millions of dollars This however
is the maximum prices and if Spain should be willing to
SELL you will your best efforts to purchase it at rate
as much below that practicable. In you
should be able to conclude treaty, you may adopt
your model far the same may be applicable the two
conventions of April 3d. S03 between France and the
United States for the sale and purchase of Louisiana
The seventh and eighth articles of the first of these
venons ought if possible, to be omitted STILL if this
should be indispensable to the accomplishment of the OBJ
ject articles similar to them may be retained
transmit you full power to conclude such treaty
You will be careful to make full and faithful report to
this Department of all the conversations and proceedings
this subject between yourself and the Spanish Minister
for Foreign Affairs Should you succeed in accomplish
ing the object you will associate your with
important and beneficial for the glory and pros
perty of your country. Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN
RoMuLUs NJ SAUNDERS, Esq.
S. You will send your dispatches on the subject Of
this despatch by special messenger to Consul at
Liverpool and draw upon the Department for the expense
unless you transmit them by trusty person They
may be directed to the President You may probably
have occasion, in relation to this subject the CT
pher of the legation.
mo. 22.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, july Z, 184S.
SIR With reference to the instructions to you of the
18th utmo NO. 81, will thank you substitute the
following paragraph for that beginning with the words
q In regard tn the public lands of Cuba:"
In regard to the quantity of public lands still remain
ing in Cuba the Department does possess accurate
information From all that have learned, IL is belev
cd that the Crown of Spain has already granted by far
the greater portion of the whole territory of the island to
individuals We need not therefore, calculate upon de-
irving much revenue from this source.
am, sir very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
RoMuLus NJ. SAUNDERS, Esq.
Mr.. Saunders 70 Mr. Buchanan Extracts.]
mo. 3D. LA GRASJA, JULY 80, 1913.
SIR. had the honor to receive by the hands of Mr.
Sawyer the oath instant despatch No. 81 enclosing
copies of letter from the Department Mr. Campbell
and nf arla 49, 90