The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-11-24

AuC couic " the odiie, eAHaei bcI, 1919
1.-THE last of the papers this list, being those within
the administration of the late President Polk selected
Tor immediate insertion, exhibiting the last cores
pondence which appears 10 have taken place the sub
iect The residue OF these papers enumerated above be
ing of earlier date, shall be published in our nextl
Mr.. Buchanan 10 Mr. Saunders.
[Exuactl
mo. All DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June IT, 1S4S.
Sir: By direction OF the President now call your
tenton TO the present condition and future prospects
Cuba The fate OF this island be deeply
estng to the people OF the Uaied STATES. We con-
tent that shall continue 10 be colony OF Spain Whilst
in her possession we have nothing to appehend Besides
bound her by the ties of ancient friendship and
we sincerely desire 10 render these perpetual.
But never consent that this island shall become
colony OF any other European power In the posses
sion OF Great Britain or any strong naval power it might
prove ruiDeus both 10 our domestic and foreign
nerce, and endanger the Union of the States The
hghest and first duty OF every independent nation is 10
provide for its safety and, acting upon this prin
cpe' we should oe competed 10 resist me acquisition oil
Cuba by any powerful maritime State, with all the means
which Providence has placed at our command
Cuba is almost within sight OF the coast OF Florida.
situated between that State and the peninsula OF Yucca
tan, and possessing The deep, capacious and mpegnab
fortified harbor Of the Havana II this island
der The dominion OF Great Britain, she could command
both the inleis 10 the Gull OF Mexico. She would thus
be enabled in Time OF war; effectively 10 blockade the
mouth OF the Mississippi and TO deprive all the western
States OF this Union, well those within the gulf
ieemiDg they with industrious and enteTprsng
population, OF foreign market for their immense pro-
ductons But this is not the worst she could also de-
sroy the commerce by between our ports the gull
and our Atlantic ports commerce OF nearly great a
value The whole OF our foreign trade Is there any
believe that Great Britain desires to acquire the
island OF Cuba We know that il has been Der uniform
policy, throughout her past history 10 seize upon every
valuable commercial point throughout The world when
ever circumstances have placed this in her power And
what point so valuable as the island OF Cubal
Vha Hutfa Sfafa nrA fha Of prrtal nj
Great Britain; our tonnage at the present moment is
nearly equal 10 hers, and will be greater within brief
period II nothing should occur TO progress
OF what vast importance would IT, then, be to her TO OBJ
tain the possession OF island from which she could at
any time destroy very large portion both OF foreign
and coasting irade' Besides she well knows that il
Cuba were IN our possession her West India islands
would be rendered comparatively vaueless. From the
extent and fertility OF this island, and from the energy
supply the markets OF tie world with tropical produc.
TONS a, cheaper rate than these could be raised in any
OF her possessions
But let me present another view Of the subject. II
Cuba were annexed 10 the United States we should not
only be relieved from tie appTehensions which can
never cease TO feel for our safety and the security oil
our commerce, whilst II shall remain in it's present condi.
ton but human foresight anticipate The beneficial
Union
This can never become a local question With suita.
BILE fertilization at the Torugas and in possession OF the
strongly fortified harbor OF Havana naval station OF
the opposite coast OF Cuba, we could command the out
ida and that island Tuis would afford ample security
both 10 the foreign and coaslng ade OF the and
southern States which seek market for their suplus
productions through the ports on the guilt
2. Under the government Of the United States Cuba
would become the richest and most fertile leland,
OF the same extent throughout the world According
10 McGregofs Commercial Regulations and his Com.
mercial Statistics I'm $780, OF The 4Gs ,523 caballeas
thiry.two English OF land which compose the
whole territory, 1926 were under sugar. coffee, tobacco
garden and fruit cultivation and 1874 in grazing grounds
and 10 unelled woods belonging sugar and coffee
taes IL thus appears that 10 1880 less than ohe-iweh
OF the whole island was under cultivation The same
author have OF the present extent
oil cultivation in Cuba but by comparing the value of
portable produce in 1890 with that Of lsI2, and by
rious estimates consider It probable that the lands
under sugar, coffee tobacco and gardens may fairly be
estimated at $1,000 cabaleras, or l72s000 acres" Ac
cotding 10 this estimate, between eighth and
ninth only of the whole island under cultivation in
S42 The author proceeds eli we compare this extent
with the remaining OF the fertile soils OF Cuba
which are stll unculyaed and the produce which the
whole island at present yields II can scarcely be
aggeralien 10 say that Europe might draw much coffee
and sugar from Cuba alone the quantity already
spmed" Mr.. McGregor states the aggregate population
OF Cuba IN the year S4l 10 have been only 1907 62i
put from the data which have Just been presented may
fairy be inferred thai the island is capable OF sustaining
com1or population OF ten millions of inhabitants
were Iuoa portion OF the UBied States, II would be
dhcut 10 estimate the OF breadstus, rice, cot
ton. and other agricultural well as manufacturing and
mecnancal oguenohs OF lumber, Of the produce OF ou
hshefies and oil other articles, which would had mRre
in that island IN exchange Tor their coffee sugar tobacco
and other productions This would 20 on increasing
with the increase OF ~ population and The development
of ts resources and all portions Of the Union would be
benefited by the trade.
Desirable, however, rs the possession OF this island
may be TO the United States, we would acquire ii ex.
cep by the free will OF Spain. Any acquisition not sane
TONED by justice and honor would be TOO dearly pur
chased While such is The determination OF The Pres-
dent il il supposed that the present relations between
Cuba and SPAN might incline the Spanish government tc
cede the island 10 the United Saes, upon the payment oil
fair and full consideration We have received inorma
zion from various sources, bdh official and unofficial