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

cesson Of Cuba that an impression had been produced
in the United States in consequence Of recent pub
LEGATIONS on the subject that Spain might be induced to
make the transfer If sufficiently liberal should be
offered ana desired TO know if he willing to hear
any thing further the question lie answered he had
understood from former conversations the subject
that had not been instructed make any direct propo
ston for the cesson but authorized TO enter into
gotiaon whenever might please her Majesty to signify
her wish 10 do In the time the President
satisfied to suffer things TO remain they long
as Cuba should continue under the dominion Of Spain
with this understanding, my communication had been
well received and entirely satisfactory; that
derstandng me- he had felt authorized 10 give direct
denial to the publications to which had referred, and
had instructed the different agents of the Govern
ment; that he wished the matter thus to stand, it
would enable him to give in satisfactory way any
plantations which might be demanded by the Cortes.
replied he had correctly understood me- and had so
ported to my Government, and had since received the
Presidents approval of my course; that did not
design to make any proposition, as had received
instructions but my object simple inquiry,
enable me to learn and to state whether any terms how
ever LIBERAL would induce her Majesty to make the cesson
He answered, he fully appreciated my motives, he
had the statement in the papers, and could answer
most positively g that il than any Minister
dare entertain such proposition that he believed
such to be the feeling of the country that than
the island ranferred any Pow they would prefer
seeing il sunk in the ocean, replied, was happy to
find he understood my motives and after his positive and
candid avowal certainly should not again the
subject unless should be specially invited to do
fully of this being unpleasant subject with
the Minstry that they had been much annoyed by the
recent publications. but as l had heard from private
sources that improper impression had been produced
in the United States consequence OF the articles in the
New York Herald and that had been charged with in
efficiency In FILLING TO press the matter with sufficient
energy and as was anxious to yndcate myself against
such imputaon and justify the confidence reposed
in by the President, felt authorized renew the
conversation, which ended in way, as think, to the
satisfaction Of the Minister had made my business
4 % II n from / O
friendly to the annexation of Cuba to the United States
what they thought to be the public feeling the subject
and they have uniformly given the answer and that
was that the nation would not sanction the measures that
the general belief was whatever might be paid for
the cession, would not go to the relief of the nation
but would be seized upon by those who might happen to
be in power And these remarks always made under
the stricest injuncons of secrecy as the individuals
most anxious to conceal the fact that they
friendly to annexation.
atter myself the President will not disapprove Of what
have felt myself called upon to do the matter is
placed beyond all msapprehension and will be fully
derstood in future. might indeed, have manifested
more active and Jealous importantly; but it would have
been that pressing importantly alike wanting in dignity
and unauthorized by usage, and which certainly not
becoming question Of this character. satisfied
direct proposition would have been met with fat
lection, and might have left bad impression; whereas
the communication well received, and may, in the
end produce good effect For the present am well
convinced such is the temper and feeling Of the nation in
regard the matter that would not have been within
the power of the most skful dplomatst to have COM
manded and it is because of my conviction that
nothing is to be effected either of these important sub
jects that most anxious to close my mission and to
return to my country And, as this is likely to be
the last communication which shall have the honor to
make you this interesting subject avail myself of
the occasion to to the President my grateful
acknowledgements for the high confidence reposed in me- and
to express my deep regret that has not been in my
power add to the other important matters which have
marked his Administration of the most distinguish
ed in the annals of our country.
remain, sir with high respect and esteem, your obe
dent servant, Il. NJ SAUNDERS
JAMES BCcHANAS, Esq, Secretary of State