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

more explicit or to press the matter further. have
opened the subject, apprized him of my authority
and can hereafter advert to the subject circumstan
ces may justify. am well satisfied nothing will
induce the Spanish Government to part with Cuba
but The apprehension of successful revolution in the
island, or the fear of its seizure by England. The
national pride and character of these people would
not induce them readily to give up the first point.
| have reason to know the Government not with:
out their fears the latter point. As learn, pri-
vate letters trop England give them to understand
that Lord Pamerson is disposed to give them troube
and that the bondholders pressing that thing
decisive should be done in their behalf Ii the Gov
eminent 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 ceesion. deem it, therefore, the bet
ter policy to suffer the thing rest as it isfor the
present. The court will remain here for weeks,
| when shall have the opportunity of meeting the
Ministers in informal way,owithout attracting that
attention which 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
| laborlng under any Misrepresentation as to my con-
versation with General Narvaez.
Mr.. Pdal belongs to the French party, is strongly
prejudiced against the English, and will warmly
second Gen. NarvaeZ on that point. He was Secre-
tary of War at the time of the Queens marriage; is
the brother-in-:aw of Mon who was the Minister of
Finance the time, and the great co-aborer of Count
Bres0on in support of the Montpensier marriage
Still he is strongly Spanish in his feelings and char
acter, and not likely to join in promoting cal
cultaed TO shock the national pride. On the other
ham, he IS bold, rough, Independent man, and
would fearessly carry out any measure he might
aertake. or the Queen mother l have already spo-
ken, that you have pretty idea of the
persons with whom have to deal, and of the proba-
bity of success. You will naturally inquire if the
state of the finances is to have effect the ques
ton. With an empty treasury, and the expenses
da lily increasing with the credit OF the Government
SO far reduced to be driven to the necessity of
a he small of i've
millions, one would suppose such state of things
as this would be the first consideration with those
charged with the administration of the Government.
But, unfortunately, such is the desperate of the
finances, and of the public debt, that all des-
pair OF correcting them. The foreign debt is estma-
ted at four hundred millions of dollars, of which tn
agent OF the English creditors claims two hundred
and fifty millions. OF the DOMESTIC debt, what is the
amount no one seems to know: tits said the
Government keeps account of it ; or, if it does,
will not let 1t be known. 1t is stated at three him.
dred millions three per cent? exchangeabe for certain
kinds OF public property. Mr.. Henderson is still at
Madrid, acting as agent Of the bondhclders, and
boasts OF occasionally receiving note of promise
from General NarvaeZ. The fact is, l expect he Is
merely kept there for appearances. | do how
they can we'll meet the heavy demands the treas
ury, even if disposed. Certainly they cannot.
without that radical reform which no Ministry has
the resolution to undertake. The average receipts,
fcr the last four five years have been sxty-f
millions of dollars and the expenditures seventy mil
lions. The army Is computed at one hundred and
fifty thousand in the Peninsula. fifteen or twenty
thousand for Cuba, and fifteen thousand for the other
colonies. AS matters now stand, when the country
Is governed by the bayonet, there Is little prospect
of a reduction.
The Government places much higher estimate on
the revenue of Cuba than you seem to calculate.
They place it attwelve millions of dolars) and, at
ter deducng the expenses Of the civil and military,
claim for the treasury six millions. Besides this,
the orders rents the treasury, pay to the navy,
and employment to persons who would be entitled to
retiring pensions home, together with the profits
from the -four monopoly, make according TO the esti-
mate here, fifteen twenty millions annually.
doubt therefore, if we have any thing to calculate
on from financial view of the question. Hence my
conclusion that nothing short of necessity arising
from their fears to the consequences, will force
them TO act.
Allow me now to present the view l ventured to
hint at some short time since. In Mr.. Forsyth's in
structions to Mr. VAIL 18th July, 1940 No. 2, is TO
be found the following very strong language: GU
authorized assure the Spanish Government that
in of any attempt, from whatever quarter, TO
wres from her this portion of her territory, (Cuba,
she may securely depend upon the military and naval
resources of the United States to aid her In Presery
ing recovering it," This assurance was accord
ingly given by Mr.. Vail, and again repeated by Mr.
Irving, under his instructions from Mr.. Webster.
With this guaranty for the safety of the island, the
Spanish Government has rested in perfect security
Al the time Of Mr.. Buwer's dismissal, when the
public apprehended rupture with Eng land, 1t was
common remark at the Puera del Sol-the great the
atre for political discusson that the nlted States
would aid Is the protection OF Cuoa.' NOW, |
whilst woald formally withdraw this assurance,
suggest the proprety of changing tone, by say
ing, In a war between Spain and Eng land the Uni
ted States might feel greatly embarrassed from her
friendly relations with England; that she is not only
our ally, with whom We are al peace, but with whom
at present have the most intimate commercial re-
lations that whatever may think of her colonial
policy, in the extension of her commerce and for the
dvancement Of her manufactures, the United States
would feel great reluctance in open rupture with
her al this time besides, she might claim from US
the same ne utraity in a with Spain as she had
observed in cur late contest with Mexico This |
language might do good; and, as l think, could do
US no harm. And whatever might be our secret res
under circumstances could we allow
Cuba to come under the control of land-stl II |
might be as we'll for keep this resolution to our
selves.
In nv interviews hereafter with the Minister l
shall venture to present this view of the subject
reason why should greatly prefer the purchase OF
Cuba any interference 10 prevent Its falling INTO
The power of England.
l have thus given you full account of what has
taken place since the reception OF your desPatch-of
the difficulties which surround the subject, OF my |
prospects, aud of the course design to pursue In re-
gard to this interesting subject. feel highly fiat
Tered in having conded to me trust In whose sue
cessfn execution l should connect my name with
of the most important events In our diPlamatlc
history.
] am, sir, most respectfully yopr obi servant,
r. M. SAUNDERS.
JAMES BUCHANAN, Esq.
Secretary of State.
Mr.. Saunders to Mr.. Buchanan.