Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-27
Mn Webster to Mr.. .Eving,-[ Extract

information which has been received here is sup
posed, greatly exaggerated Enough, however Of dan
ger and alarm still exists in that quarter to render
ton and vigilance the part Of this Government in
dispensably necessary
Mr. Upshur to M. L-rtag.-[ Extractl
Va DEpARTMENT OF STATN,
-.R' WAsHINGToN, JANUARY 8, 1914.
The delicate nature Of relations with Spr.n in
gard the island Of Cuba taken in connection with the
supposed designs of another Power upon h territory
renders necessary that this Government should exercise
seepess vigilance in watching over the gifts of Spain
in that quarter in matter that nearl her
own interests and security You WILL tbe refore lose
time in endeayorng to ascertain the present views and
feelings of the Spanish Government this important
point and communicate to your own all the information
you obtain in regard to it. Unnecessary that Spain
should be duly impressed with the Importance of such
crisis as late events have led this Government appre
bend altogether probable and at hand, and it is
still necessary that this Gov should be pre-
pared to act with perfect understanding of the whole
subject with reference to its safety and interests In
the that Spain shall far yield to the pressure
upon her concede to Great Britain any control
Cuba the fact will necessarily have important inu-
the policy of this Government 1t is difficult
to give you any positive instructions upon this subject
and you are therefore left to your discretion
what you shall say, and to whom 1t may be advisable
to confer confdentiay with of the friends of the
Chevalier DArgaiz who represented to have infu
ence and to whom therefore, 1t may be polite to mpart
the feelings and wishes of this Government the
sion My only object is to obtain full and accurate in
may make with reference to Cuba whether designed to
obtain transfer of that island to herself to obtain
control the policy of Spain in regard to it, to
affect the institution of African slavery existing
there. The modes in which you may acquire this nfor
nation are submitted to your discretion.
am, sir, respectfully your obedient servant
A. p UPSHUR.
Mr.. Buchanan TO Mr.. Saunders-[ Extract
mo. 2l.l DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, JUNE IL l84S.
Sir By direction of the President now call your at
tenon to the present condition and future prospects of
Cuba The fate of this island must be deeply inter-
estng to the people Of the United States We
tent that it shall continue to be colony of Spain. Whilst
in her possession have nothing apprehend Besides
bound to her by the ties of ancient friendship and
we sincerely desire to render these perpetual.
But we consent that this island shall become
colony of any other European Power In the possession
Of Great Britain or any strong naval Power it might
prove ruinous both to domestic and foreign commerce.
and endanger the union Of the States The highest
and first duty every independent nation is provide for
its own safety and acting upon this principle we should
be compelled to resist the acquisition of Cuba by any
powerful maritime State with all the which Pro-
violence has placed at our command.
Cuba almost within sight Of the coast of Florida, ST.
tuaed between that State and the peninsula of
and possessing the Deep capacous and mpregnaby for
tilted harbor of the Havana If this island under
the dominion of Great Britain she could command both
the inlets the Gulf Of Mexico. She would thus be
enabled in time ofwar effectively blockade the mouth
Of the Mississippi and to deprive all the Western States
Of this Union well those within the gulf teemng
they with industrious and enteprsing population
Of foreign market for their immense productions But
this is the worst she could also destroy the
MERGE by between ports the gulf and At
lantic ports Of nearly great value the
whole of foreign trade lis there any to be
eve that Great Britain desires acquire the island of
Cuba We know that it has been her UNIFORM policy,
throughout her past history to seize upon valuable
commercial point throughout the world whenever cir
cunstances have placed this in her power. And what
point SO valuable as the Island of Cuba
The United States the chief commercial rival Of
Great Britain; tonnage at the present moment is
nearly equal to hers and it will be greater within brief
period, if nothing should to arrest progress
OF what vast Importance would it, them be to her to OBJ
tain the possession of island from which she could at
any time destroy very large portion both of our foreign
and coasting trade Besides, she well knows that if
Cuba were in our possession, her West India islands
would be rendered comparatively valueless From the
extent and fertility Of this island and from the energy
and industry Of our people, should soon be able to
supply the markets of the world with tropical productions
at cheaper rate than these could be raised in any Of
her possessions.
But let me present another view OF the subject If
Cuba annexed to the United States should not
only be relieved from the apprehensions which can
to feel for safety and the security of
commerce, whilst it shall remain in it's present
diton, but human foresight anticipate bene
cal consequences which would result every portion of
our Union.
This become local question With suitable
fortihcaton at the Tortugas and In possession Of Che
the opposite coast Of Cuba could command the outlet
Of the Gulf Of Mexico between the peninsula Of Florida
and that island This would afford ample security both
TO the foreign and coastng trade of the Western and
Southern States which seek market for their surplus
productions through the ports the gulf
g. Under the government of the United States, Cuba
would be become the richest and most fertile island of the
extent, throughout the world According to Nc
Gregors Commercial Regulations and his Commercial
Statistics in 1880, Of the 46S,b23 cabaeras of thirty
two English Of land which compose the whole ter
rory, 3S276 were under sugar, Coffee tobacco garden
and fruit cultivation, and 734 in grazing grounds and
in unfeed woods, belonging sugar and coffee estates
IL thus appears that in 1880 less than one-wch Of the
whole Inland was under cultivation The author
says" We have no of the present extent Of
cultivation IN Cuba but by comparing the yalue Of
portable produce in 1880 with that of 1912 and by va
rous estimates, we consider IL probable that the lands
under sugar coffee tobacco and gardens NAV fairly be
estimated at "a 900 caballcras or 72g 600 acres .
According to this estimate between and one
ninth only Of the whole island was under In
1912 The author proceeds: we compare this erten
with the remaining vast Of the fertile soils Of uha
which are still uncutvaed and the produce which the
whole island at present yields IL can scarcely be nm or
aggeraon say that Europe might draw as much coffee
and sugar from Cnba alone the quantity already CON
suedn Mr.. McGregor states the aggregate population
Of Cuba in the year 1841 to have been only GA
but the data which have just been presented Ii NAV
fairly inferred that the island is capable Of sustaining
in comfort population Of ten millions Of inhabitants
Were Cuba portion Of the United States, II would be
dcnlt estmste the amount of breadstus RICE cotton
and other agricultural rs well manufacturing and me
chantcAi prcdhcticns Of lumber OF the produce Of our