Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-04
IMPoRrANT coRREsPoNpENcE.

| We conclude below the Correspondence between
Mr. Buchanan and Gen. Saunders in relation t.
the purchase of Cuba:
! Mr.. Saunders to Mr.. Buchanan-!E ACTS.
La GRANJA, July 90, I84s.
SIR: had the honor to receive, by the hands oil
Mr.. Sawyer, the Gath instant, despatch No. 81,
enclosing copies of letter from the Department 10
Mr. Campbell, and of a confidential order from the
Secretary of War Major General Butler all rela.
ting matters in Cuba together with a special CON-
mission from the President, authorizing me to enter
into for the cession of that island to the
United States.
In acknowledging the receipt of these papers,
beg to express to the President my deep obligations
for this distinguished mark of confidence in con6ding
TO so important and delicate a commission, and at
very full and valuable information you have given
me in your despatch. shall fail to avail myself
freely OF its suggestions facts, and arguments in any
negotiation may have the subject.
AS am directed to make full and faithful report
to the Department of every thing which may trans
pre in connection with the subject, have thought it
advisable TO avail myself of your directions to en-
gage special messenger carry this communication
as far Liverpool, and to make it full can at
this time, that in any future despatch may refer
to it in way you will understand, without at the
same time risking any thing by miscarriage.
There difficulties which surround the subject
which meets at the threshold, and which, is prop.
er should explain. that you may be the better pre-
pared TO judge to the course may fl nd it
ry pursue in the business. In the first place, am
not little embarrassed as to the person to whom
l have also heard from.another source that the
Duke OF Sotomayor was unfriend!y to the United
States. have not myself discovered any feeling of
theakind. On the contrary, he always speaks with
pride of his grandfather Governor McKean and with
respect of country. Gen. Narvaez the president
Of the council is bold fearless man; the soul Of the
difficult of approach. and might not like the respon-
sibility of having the subject in the first instance
preached to him. Another difficulty. and, as fear,
insurmountah.s one, is the influence of the Queen
Mother. She has great control over her daughter,
and is feared by the Ministry, and suspect would
most decidedly object to the cession. She has
siderable investments in Cuba, from which she de-
riVes great profits.
These investments are loudly comp planned of by
the people of Havana, interfering with their pri
vate matters, and such the Queen Mother should
intermeddle with-such gas.ight companies, and
other associations, in small way. She could only
be senced by prospect of gain, OF indemnity for
her loss but at this stage of the business it is
necessary she should know any thing about it, I'm.
less the Minister should see fiji to consult her.
have already intimated to the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs my wish to have private interview with him,
and received throug his secretary, that he
was confined 10 his chamber by servere attack of
the govt, but would see me so socn as he was able
to attend to business. Whether ! shall ask au-
dience of Gen. Narvaez will depend on my meeting
with favorable opportunity for doing
At this stage of my report. heard there was like
ly to be change IN the office OF Minister OF For.
eign Affairs.
l deemed it prudent to see Gen. Narvaez, and as
certain the truth of the rumor. He readily informed
me the health of the Duke of Sotomayor rendered it
for him to retire. and that Mr.. Pida would
take his place. / at decided TO ask private
interview of General Narvaez, and to make 10 him
my communication in regard to Cuba. He, without
acceded to my request If II should be my
pleasure 20 make any communication to him.
1t was arranged l should call the next day, when
uOUlh ma a n l accnrdIDn.
ly called at the hour appointed and opened the
versaton by stating the information which had been
given by MIR. Campbell relative to the threatened in
surrection in the Havana; your instructions our
Consul as to the caution be used in his words and
actions, to avoid even the suspicion of encouraging
the insurgents and the positive order of the Secre
tary of War to Major General Butler to prevent any
attempt the pari of the volunteers in their return
from Mexico from stopping at the Havana. He ex-
pressed himself thankful of the information; as
entirely satisfied with the conduct of our Govern
nent; and requested me to express muchas gratias,
many thanks to the President for his 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 great
country, from the friendly relations which had so
long existed between Spain and the United States
He requested 10 be furnished with copies of your
answer and of the Secretary order. promised to
give him copy of the order te Gen. Butler, and of
with the understanding that the information given by
MIR. Campbell was not to be used in any way TO ex-
cite prejudices against him as consul.
! considered this favorable moment to introduce !
The subject which had been the peculiar object of my
7isit. began by saying: " His Exceency would
allow me advert another matter in regard to :he
Island of Cuba, which, though one of delicacy, was
IF great importance 10 us, and trusted he would
,eive my communication in the same friendly spirit
n which it was made.'' He replied it would afford
lin much pleasure hear any thing might have to
Jay. continued: 6 His Excellency was fully aware
If the very deep interest which the United States felt
n every thing connected with the present condition
ud future prospects of Cuba; disposition, its great
importance to commerce, the condition of por-
ion of its population well calculated to increase
he interest we felt in its fate' He expressed his
ull assent to all of this. said, that whilst the
President and people perfectly content that
t should remain colony of Spain. and did not by
my means desire to change that relation, several
vents had recently taken place well calculated to ex
lite our fears, and to create some alarm on the SUD-
ect. ! should content myself by referring him to
ew of them. The recent revolution in France, and
he order by its Provisional Government for the i'm
Mediate emancipation of the slaves in the French
stands, and the fatal consequences which had fol-
owed, had produced great anxiety in the United
States as to its effects the Spanish islands. He
would doubtless recoect the speech OF Lord George
3entick at the last session of Parliament the
ubiect of the Spanish bondhoders, and of the reply
# Lord Palmerston, asserting the right of the Brit
sh Government to wage war against pain for the
ecovery of these debts whenever it might deem ii
xpedient." His Excelency very emphatcally sig
lifed his recollection of these speeches. "These
rc umsances, in connexion with the recent suspen-
ion of all diplomatic intercourse between the tw O
Governments, had added to the anxiety of the United
States as the condition of Cuba. They had led
D. Lii 49, Lol .L--I