Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-27
NJ. Van Buren, % Mr. Van Ness.-[ Extract
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, October 2, 1929.
One Of the considerations which the Ministers Of the
United States who preceded you at the court of his Catho
lie Majesty advised press upon his Government,
inducement for him to terminate the contest with
his late colonies is the preservation Of his nsuar posses
sons in the West indies which still constitute part Of
the Spanish monarchy Cuba and Porto Rico occupying
they do most important geographical position, have
been viewed by the neghborng States Of Mexico and CO.
lomba military and naval arsenals which would Mt oil
times furnish Spain with the Of threatening their
commerce. and Of endangering their political exist
Locking with jealous eye upon these last
Of Spanish power in America these two States had
united their forces and their arm raised to strike
n blow which, If successful weuld forever have extn-
gushed Spanish influence in that quarter Of the globe
was arrested chiefly by the timely nterposton of this
Government which, in friendly spirit towards Spain,
and for the interests of general thus assisted
in preserving his Catholic Majesty these invaluable
portions Of his colonial possessions.
The Government Of the United States has always look
ed with the deepest interest upon the fate ofhose islands
but particularly of Cuba. Its geographical position,
which places il almost in sight of Southern shores
and gives it the command Of the Gulf Of Mex
bor its rich productions, the exchange Of which, for
surplus agricultural products and manufactures cons
tutes one Of the extensive and valuable branches Of
our foreign trade render it Of the importance
The United States that change should take place in its
condition which might njuriousy affect political and
commercial standing in that quarter Other consdera-
WIN " certain caSS Oh our pOpulauOn,
make II the interest Of the Southern section of the Union
That no attempt should be made in that island throw
on the yoke OF Spanish dependence the first effect Of
Whch would be the sudden emancipation Of
haVe poPuauon the result Of which could not but be
very sehsoy felt upon the adjacent shores Of the United
states, on me other hand, the wisdom which induced
he spanish Government to relax in its colonial system
anu 70 auoP with regardto those islands liberal
policy, which opened their ports to general commerce
mas oeen so Tar satisfactory in the view Of the United
states as IN addition to other considerations to induce
ns 70 desire that their possession should
not be transferred from the Spanish crown ~ ,n other
Power In conformity with this desire the Ministers Of
the United STATES at Madrid have from time to time been
instructed auenYey TO watch the course Of events and
the secret springs 81 European diplomacy which, from
information received from various quarters this Govern
nent had reason 70 suspect had been PIT in motion to e
feet the transfer Of the possession Of Cuba to the power
that the armed interference Of France in the Affairs n
that country would extend her insuar possessions
and that military occupation Of Cuba was to take place