Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-09-08
The Tripartite - Cuba and the United
States : Reply to Mr.. Everett's Letter
Lord John Russell 70 Mr.. Campton.

Lord John Russell TO Mr.. Campton.
The reply of Lord John Russell 10 Mr..
Evcrett's famous letter, on the subject Of q
Tripar,ite party, proposed for the protec.
tion of Cuba, is puhgent and pointed, and
will bear perusal with interest:
PATrNr OfrrcE, Feb. 16, 1858.
Sir: Lord Malmsbury received, just be-
fore leaving office, the note addressed 10
you by Mr.. Everett, and left it for the
consideration of his successor.
The absence from London Of the hrhbas-
sador of France has hitherto prevented that
communication between the-two govern
mens which the circumstances Of the pro-
posal made jointly required.
Ihave now 10 inform you of the view
which Her Msjesty's government take Of
Mr.. Everett's reply to our overture.
II Is doubtless perfectly within the COM
petance of the American government TO re-
ject the proposal that was made by Lord
MaFmsbury and NJ. Turgot, in reference to
Cuba. Each government will remain as
free as it was before to take that course
which its sense of duty, and a regard for
the interests of ITS people, may prescribe.
Ishould have satisfied my obligations as
Secretary of State by this obvious remark,
had not Mr.. Everett entered at large into
arguments which the simple nature Of the
question before him hardly seemed to re-
quire.
The governments of Great Britain and
France, when they made this proposal to
that of the United States, were fully aware
of the growth Of power and extension Of
territory which have marked the progress Of
the United States since the period of their
independence. The absorption or annexa-
ton Of Louisiana in 1903, of Florida in
1929. OF Texas in 1916, and of California
in lS4S, has not escaped them; still less did
they require to he reminded of the events
Of the seven years war, or Of the Ameri-
can war.
1t occurs TO Her Maiesty's government,
therefore, TO ask for what purpose are these
arguments introduced with so much pre-
paration, and urged with so much ability?
1t would appear that the purpose, not full
ly avowed, but hardly concealed, is TO pro.
cure the admission of doctrine that the
United States have an interest in Cuba, IL
which Great Britain and France cannot pre-.
tend. In order to meet this pretension, il is
necessary to set forth the character of the
powers who made the offer in question, and
the nature OF that offer. Mr.. Everett de-
ciares in the outset Of his dispatch, that ''tle
United States would not see with indiffer.
ence the island of Cuba fall into the pos.
session of any other European Government
than Spain" &c.
The two powers most likely to possess
themselves Of Cuba, and most formidable
TO the United States are Great Britain and
France.
Great Britain is in possession, by treaty,
of the island of Trinidad, which, in the last
century, was colony of Spain; France was
in possession, at the commencement of this
century, of Louisiana, by voluntary cession
from Spain. These two powers, by their
naval resources, are in fact the only powers
who could be equals with the United States
for the possession of Cuba. Well, these
two powers are ready voluntarily TO ''de.
clare, severaly and collectively, that they
will not obtain or maintain for themselves
or for any one of themselves, any exclusive
control over the said island, (of Cuba, mol
assume nor exercise any dominion over the
same"
Thus, if the object of the United States
were 10 bar the acquisition of Cuba by any
European State, this convention would Sc
cure that object.
But if it is intended on the part of III,
United States, to maintain that Great Bri
tain and France have no interest in thu
maintenance of the present statu quo il
Cuba, and that the United States have alon,
a right 10 voice in that matter, Her Ma
Iiesty'S government at once refuse to admi
, such claim. Her Majesty's possessions
in the West Indies alone, without insistin,
on the importance to Mexico, and othe
friendly States, of the present distribution
: of power, give her Majesty an interest il
this question which she cannot forego.
The possessions of France in the Ameri
can seas, give similar interest to France
which no doubt will be put forward by he
Government. Nor is this argument at al
invaidated by the argument of Mr.. Everett
, that Cuba is to the United States as an is
, land at the mouth of the Thames or the Sein
would be to England or France.
The distance OF Cuba from the neares
part OF the territory Of the United States
viz: from the southernmost part of Florid