Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25
DEBATE In THE SENATE.
TRIpARrITE CUBAN CONVENTION.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER %, 1852.

was read.
Resoed That the President Of the United States
nicate to the Senate if in his opinion incompatible with
the public interest copies of the official received from
the Ministers of France and England inviting the Govern
ment OF the United States TO become party with Great B
tain and France to parte convention in virtue of which
the three Powers should severay and collectively discam
now and Tor the future all intention 10 obtain possession Of
the Island Of Cuba and should bind themselves to dscounte
nance all attempts TO that effect the Of every Power
OF this Government referred in his message the
TWO Houses OF Congress on the 9th instant.
Mr.. MASON. Mr. President, the subject in regard to
which this resolution calls for information is brought
our notice in the annual message Of the President both
Houses OF Congress at the Of this session
The President brings to notice the invitation which
was received from the Ministers Of England and France
IN reference to the Island of Cuba The language Of the
message in regard to that quoted in the resolution just
read but win read the sentence which follows
This invitation has been respectfully declined for
which would occupy too much space in this communication
to state in detail but which led think the propo
ed measure would be of doubtful constutonaty impotc,
and unayaing"
So much Of the message is purely narrativegving
Congress information to the fact The residue of the
paragraph however expresses the judgment of the Pre-
sident upon the subject-matter, and will read it
have, however, In common with several Of my prede-
cessor directed the Ministers Of France and
assured that the United States entertain designs against
Cuba but that the contrary, should regard ncopo
serious peril"
Mr. President if any further evidence were necessary
to satisfy this country that the eyes of the two great
maritime and commercial Powers of Europe have been
directed with increasing interest to the relations borne
by the continent of North America to the Island of Cuba
it would be furnished by the disclosed in the message
to which this resolution refers. The position which the
Island Of Cuba geographically holds to this continent is
such that almost ever since became a nation it has
been looked upon with the deepest interest by all our
statesmen The Island of Cuba lies in the gateway of the
Gulf Of Mexico; and oil statesmen, Of every pot-
cal complexion from the foundation of the Government
to this day. admonished thereby that the vigilance
OF this country must never be relaxed in regard the
political relations of that Island.
But there is something more, apprehend which has
led these two great European Powers to make to this
country proposition which they should have known
when they made it would be declined They should have
known that sir because the whole history of the poll
teal action Of this country would forbid the acceptance
of such an invitations but they have made it, and we are
informed by the President that it has been declined
Sir the reasons for making it under the circumstances
suggested require seers gift to comprehend. 1t has
been the established policy Of this country made known
in the open, frank, and undsguised manner to all
the Powers of Europe that while the Island of Cuba re-
NAMED province, a dependency Of SPAIN we should
grasping potentate should 4tempt either by rapne
by treaty to take the Island Of Cuba from the posses
sion of Spain it would become this country what it
might to nterpose and prevent it. Every country in
Europe knows that What then, has led to this invita-
on jointly extended by the great powerful maritime
nations of Europe at this time? Mr.. President, can
It to but one causea belief on the part Of those
Governments that there is tendency in the popular mind
in this country to take Cuba, and the invitation in
tended as an intmaon that France and England were
in alliance to prevent it.
\ Now, sir am here free to declare representing as
do section of the country deeply interested in the
future relations of Cuba this continent any other
in my place as Senator from the South and upon my
sponsibity a statesman of America that am content
Cuba shall remain in the possession Of SPAIN unless it
can be acquired from her by voluntary cessi6n her
part or unless the people of Cuba by their act shall
sever all potcA connexion with their European mother
and voluntarily propose annexation.
Sir, the honor the dignity, the good name of America
for all time 10 come, demands the hands of the Amer
people, not only that they should ympathize with
or encourage but that they should Indignantly rown
upon and suppress any attempts by violence any FORM
TO wres from Spain any part Of her
they be stimulated by political ambition by spirit OF
speculative maraudng the part Of those who engage
in it.
The policy of this country have said has been an
nounced to all Europe. Spain is weak Power and
1t is fortunate nDr and fo1 peaceful relations
with the continent Of Europe she is Cuba is her pro-
perty fully exclusively, and entirely her property
Oregon or New Mexico is and any attempt whether
made by individuals, in violation of the laws Of their
country made by the Government in its polite capa-
city, dismember Cuba from SPAIN would tarnish for
ever tarnsh, our national fame.
Sir, know Of no safer guaranty for own rights
national rights and the rights Of the States in their
sovereign capacity than uniform and scrupulous regard
to the rights Of others But Mr. President the invita-
ton thus given by those two Powers acting jointly pro-
posing their part trpartte convention of the three
Governments to discaim, and forever hereafter any
purpose Of acquiring Cuba by any means imports more
enlarged meaning than its language would convey.
should read its meaning thus: France and England
that the possession of Cuba by the United States
would be fraught with consequences injurious to them
and therefore they give to understand by this form
Communication, that they in league TO prevent it.
Now sir treating it thus have this to say we have al
ready indicated policy to let Cuba alone and sacredy
regard the rights of Spain We know that in the full
Of time the fruit will rpen and fall from the parent
stem. When that time shall its political coalition
with this continent is inevitable Interference by other
may hasten this event. but the combined power
Europe cannot prevent it.
This, sir is full, and think an Ineligible reply to
any question Of European interference with the political
! condition Of Cuba.
Sir who doubt but that the acquisition Of Cuba by
the United States is question Of time only-purey
question Of tme In the progress Of empires in the for
nation Of nations they grow from infancy to youth and
to manhood Great and powerful as our country is
is yet in its youth; and II is Of little moment whe-
ther acquire Cuba in this generation IN the but
1t will just certainly that the world revolyes
upon its axis
Mr. President, regretted deeply regretted to see
just before assembled here the present
so that the President of the United States had though,
the other House, to dvulge all communications which
had passed between this Government and Spain the
subject Of Cuba from its first commencement do not
mean to question the motives Of the President doing
bu, do question his judgment Whateverit intend
ed to effect consequence must be the result the post
ponement Of the acquisition Of the Island to dis
period than II the correspondence had been d-
vulged and apprehend that it is very unusual in
the diplomatic intercourse Of nations bring from the
archives where they properly belong matters that
have confdentiay passed between two Governments
any question in which others hold themselves be inter-
eted The Administration which has published the cor
respondence is about 90 Of Office shall make no
IL whaf hoal Int Ir;u