The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-02

accordingly called at the hour appointed and
opened the conversation by stating the inform
alton, which had been given by Mr.. Camp
bell relative to the threatened instruction In
the Havana your instructions to our Consul, as
TO the caution to be used in his words and ac-
tons, TO avoid even the suspicion of encourag-
ing the insurgents; and the positive order OF
the Secretary of War to Major General But
ler to prevent any attempt on the part OF the
volunteers, in their return from Mexico, from
stopping at the Havana. He expressed him.
self as thankful for the information as entire
ly satisfied with the conduct of our Govern
ment; end requested me to express muchdS
gratsas many thanks, to the President, for his
course in the business. He further said they
had their difficulties to contend with both in
Cuba and at home; but should always look
with confidence to our great country from the
friendly relations which had 30 long existed
between Spain and the United States
He requested to be furnished with copies of
your answer, and of the Secretarys order.
promised to give him a copy of the order of
Gen. Butler, and of so much of your letter as
referred to the subject with the understand
ing that the information given by Mr. Camp
bell was not to be used in any way to excite
prejudices against him as our Consul.
| considered this favorable moment to in
troduce the subject which had been the pecu-
liar object of my visit. | began by saying ::
His Excellency would allow me to advert to
another matter in regard to the Island of Cuba,
which, though one of delicacy was of great i'm
portance to us, and / trusted be would receive
my communication in the same friendly spirit
in which it was made" He replied it would
afford him much pleasure to hear anything |
might have TO say. continued: "His Excel
lency was fully aware of the very deep interest
which the United States felt in everything
connected with the present condition and fu-
ture prospects of Cuba; its position, its great
Importance to our commerce, the condition of
a portion of its population, were well calcula-
ted to increase the interest we felt in its fate"
He expressed his full assent to all of this
said "that whilst the President and our peo-
pie were perfectly content that it should re-
main colony Of Spain, and did not by any
means desire to change that relation, several
events had recently taken place, well calcula-
ted to excite our fears, and to create some
alarm on the subject | should content my
self by referring him to a few of them The
recent revolution in France, and the order by
its Provisional Government for the immediate
/
islands, and the fatal consequences which had
followed, had produced great anxiety in the
United States, as to its effects on the Spanish
islands. He would doubtless recoect the
speech of Lord George Bentnck at the last
session Of Parliament on the subject of the
Spanish bondholders, and of the reply of Lord
Palmerston, asserting the right of the British
Government to wage war against Spain for
the recovery of these debts whenever it might
deem it expedient" His Excellency very en-
phatically sgnifed his recollection Of these
speeches. These circumstances, in connec-
ton with the recent suspension of all diplomat
ic intercourse between the two Governments,
had added to the anxiety of the United States,
as to the condition of Cuba. They had led the
President to believe the time had arrived when
it was prudent for him to give to the Minister
at this Court authority to treat on the subject
OF Cuba, if it should be the pleasure of her
Catholic Majesty to enter into such a negotia-
ton. had been honored by the President
with special commission for this purpose
fact which had been directed to communicate
to the Government Of her Majesty in conf
dence and which, from the respect entertain
ed towards his Excellency had induced me to
make it known to him" He said, in reply,
That he received the information with much
pleasure that whilst he should consider it as
confidential, it might be best that the Minister
of State should be made acquainted with
it; that he enjoyed his full confidence, and
might be implicitly contided in" | rejoined:
81 did not doubt on that score but had
thought, from the nature of the subject, as the
Minister of State was just about 10 enter upon
the duties of his office, it was most proper to
make the communication to his Excellencyn
Here our conference ended. AS you will see,
| was somewhat guarded in the latter part of
my expressions and that the Minister was not
very explicit in his reply, He evidently was
pleased with the communication. He was not
only courteous and respectful, but manifested
the greatest attention and interest during the
whole Of tho conversation. | deemed it most
prudent not to use the word "cesson,D and
am not exactly certain that he understood me
as being authorized to treat for the cession, or
merely for the security of Cuba. At all events,
| did not think it polite, at this stage of the
business, to be more explicit or to press the
matter further | have opened the subject,
apprised him of my authority, and can hereaf-
ter advert to tho subject as circumstances may
Justify. am well satisfied nothing will induce
the Spanish Government to part with Cuba,
but the apprehension of u successful revolu-
ton in the island or the fear of it's seizure by
England. The national pride and character
OF these people would not induce them readily
to give up on the first point | have reason to
know the Government are not without their
fears on the latter point. As learn, private
letters from England give them to understand
that Lord Palmerston is disposed to give them
trouble, and that the bondholders are pressing
that something decisive should be done in their
behalf. Ii the Government shall entertain any
serious fears In regard to the matter, they
would likely open the subject and thus enable
me to bring forward formal proposition to
treat for cession. deem it, therefore, the
better policy to suffer the thing to rest US it is
for the present. The Court will remain here
for some weeks when shall have the oppor-
tunlty of meeting the Ministers in an informal
way, without attracting that attention which
our official visits in Madrid would likely excite
Besides, can, at my discretion, as the matter
now stands, renew the subject with the new
Secretary, which | shall most certainly do,
should | discover the least ground to suspect
that they are laboring under any misappre-
henson as to my conversation with General
Narvaez
Mr. Pidal belongs to the French party, is
strongly prejudiced against the English, and
will warmly second Gen. Narvsez on that
point He was Secretary of War at the time
of the Queens marriage; is the brother-in-l
of Mon, who was the Minister of Finance at
the time, and the great co-laborer of Count
Bresson in support of the Montpensicr mar
riage. Still he is strongly Spanish in his feel
ings and character and not likely to join in
promoting an act calculated to shock the ma
tional pride. On the other hand, he is bold,
rough independent man, and would fearlessly
carry out any measure he might undertake
OF the Queen Mother have already spoken
80 that you have pretty accurate idea of the
persons with whom have to DEAL and of the
probability of success. You will naturally in.
quire if the state of the finances is to have nc
effect on the question. With an empty treas.