The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-06

s.
question ofpublic law there never was an extern
sion of territory more naturally or justably made.
1t produceda disturbed relation with the govern
ment of Mexico. War ensued, and in its results
other extensive territories we're, for large pecu:
mary compensation on the part OF the United
the divisions of opinion which arose in reference to
this war, as must always happen in free countries
in reference to great measures, no person survey
ing these events with the eye of comprehensive
can fail to trace in the main resut
the undoubted operation Of the law of political
existence. The consequences are before the world.
Vast provinces, which had languished for three
centuries under the leaden sway of stationary
system, are coming under the Influences of an ac-
tive civilization; freedom of speech and the press,
the trial by jury, religious equality, and represent
alive government, have been carried by the Con-
stiuton of the United States into extensive regions
IN which they were unknown before. By the set
Element of alifornia the great circuit of intelI-
gence round the globe iscompleted.. The discove-
~ OF the gold of that region, leading as it did to
the same discovery in Australia, has touched the
nerves of industry throughout the world. Every
addition to the territory of the American Union has
given homes to European restitution, and gardens
to European want. From every part of the United
Kingdom, from France, fromSwitzerland, and Ger
many and from the EXTREMIST north of Europe, a
march OF immigration has been taken up, such as
the world has never before Into the United
States, grown to their present extent in the man.
ner described, bat little less than half million of
the population of the old world is annually pour
ing, to be Immediately incorporated into an indus
trlous and prosperous community, in the bosom Of
which they find political and religious liberty,
social position, employment, and bread. 1t is a
fact which would defy belief, were it not the result
OF official inquiry, that the emigrants to the Uni
ted States from Ireland alone, besides having SUBJ
sisted themselves, have sent back to their kindred
for the last three years nearly five millions of dol
lars annually, thus doubling in three years the
purchase money of Louisiana. Such is the terri
torial development OF the United States in the past
century. Is it possible that Europe can contem-
plate it it'll an unfriendy or jealous eye? What
would have been hr condition in these trying
years but for the outlet have furnished for her
starving millions? Spain meantime has retained
Of her extensive dominions on this henisohere but
the two islands OF Cuba and Porto Rico. Respect
full sympathy with the fortunes of an ancient ally
and gallant people, with whom the United States
have ever maintained the most friendly relations
would ii no other reason existed, make it our du
ty to leave her in the undisturbed possession of this
little remnant of her mighty transatlantic empire
The President desires to do SO; no word or deed
OF his will ever question her title shake her DOS
session. But can it be expected to last very Ion q?
Can 1t resist this mighty current in the fortunes of
the world? Is it desirable that it should do so?
Can it be for the interest of Spain to cling to a
possession that can only be maintained by gar
rison of twenty five or thirty thousand troops, a
powerful laval force, and an annual expenditure
for both arms of the service of at least twelve mil
lions of dollars? Cuba at this moment costs more
to Spain than the entire naval and military estab
lishments of the United States cost the Federal
Government. So far from being really injured BY
the loss of this island there lie no doubt that were It
peacefully transferred to the United States, pros
porous commerce between Cuba and Spain, result
ing from ancient association and common Ian
guageand tastes, would far more productive than
the best contrved system of colonial taxation Such
VIGOROUSLY has been the result to Great Britain of
the establishment of the independence of the Uni
ted States The decline of Spain from the position
which she held in the time of Charles the Fifth is
coeval with the foundation of her colonial system;
while within twenty hive years, and since the loss
of most of her colonies, she has entered upon a
course of rapid improvement unknown since the
abdicaton of that EN- peror. s4 81 1850
will but aludeto an evil of the fret magnitude
! mean the African slave trade, in the suppression
OF which England and France take a lively in.
terest-an evil which still forms great reproach
upon the civilization of Christendom, and perpe
tuates the barbarsm of Africa, but for which it is
to be feared there is no hope of acomplete remedy
while Cuba remains a Spanish colony.
But whatever may be thought of these last sug.
gestions, it would seem impossible for any one,
who reflects upon the events glanced at in this
note, to mistake the law of American growth and
progress or think it can be ultimately arrested by
ment of the President it would be as easy to throw
dam from Cape Florida to Cuba in the hope of
stopping the flow of the gulf stream, as to attempt
by compact like this to fix the fortunes of Cuba
..now and for hereafter" or, as expressed in the
French text of the convention, sfor the present as
for the future, (pour lie present CONNIE pour Pave
nir,) that IT, for all coming time The history of the
past of the recent past, affords assurance that
twenty years hence England or France will even
" ish that Spain should retain Cuba; and centu
ny hence, judging of what will be from what has
been, the pages which record this pr POSITION will,
like the record of the family compact between
France and Spain, have no interest but for the an
tiquary. ".. -.G" ~,
Even now the President cannot doubt that both
France and England would prefer any change in
The condition of Cuba to that which ia most to be
apprehended, Wig! an internal convulsion which
should renew the horrors and the fate of San
Domingo.
will intimate final objection to the proposed
convention. Lord Mamsbury and M. de Turgot
put forward, as the reason for entering into such
a compact, "the attacks which have lately been
made on the Island of Cuba by lawless bands of
adventures from the United States, with the
avowed design oftakng possession of that island
The President is convinced that the conclusion of
such treaty, instead oputing stop to these law
less proceedings, would give new and powerful
impulselto them Itwould strike death. blow to the
conservative policy hitherto pursued in this country
toward Cuba. No administration of this Govern
Hent however strong in the public confidence in
other respects, could stand day under the odium
OF having stipulated with the great powers of
Europe, that In no future time, under no change
OF circumstan, es, by no amicable arrangement
with Spain, by no at of lawful war-shonld that
calamity unfortunately occur-by no consent of
the inhabitants of the island should they like the
possessions Of Spain the American continent
succeed in rendering themselves independent; in
fine, by no everything necessity of sel-preserva-
ton, should the United States ever make the
acquisition of Cuba
For these reasons, which the President has
thought it advisable, considering the importance
OF the subject, to direct me to unfold at some
length he feels constrained to decline respectfully
the invitation of England and France to become
parties to the proposed convention. He is per-
suaded that these friendly powers will not attribute
this refusal to any insensibiity on his part to the
advantages OF the utmost harmony between the
great maritime States on a subject of such inn
portance. AS little will Spain draw any unfavor-
able inference from this refusal the rather as the
emphatic disclaimer of ony designs against Cuba
on the part of this Government contained in the
present note, affords all the assurance which the
President can constitutionally or to any useful
purpose give Of practical concurrence with
England and France in the wish not to disturb
the possession of that island by Spain. ..r
laval myself, sir, of this opportunity to assure
you of my distinguished consideration.
(Sjgned) EDWARD EVERETT.
the Senate took up the amendment of the House
oil Representatives to the joint resolution of the
Senate allowing the owners of steamboats, further
time to place their vessels within the provisions of
the act of Both August, 1852 and concurred
therein. IA
On motion of Mr.. SHIELDS, the Senate pro-
ceeded to consider the bill to increase the ecien.
CIV of the army bv retired list FIR diaa hIod off