Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-24

Ihey WHO
Great Britain and France cannot pretend" II Is no
either in my letter in any other American State pa
per within my recollection assumed that Great Brtai
and France have interest in the maintenance Of tn
present quo, and that the United States alone have
right to voice in the matter. Our doctrine is, no
that have absolutely exclusive interest in the sui
ject but that We have far deeper and immeiat
interest than France England possibly lay clair
to. glance at the map would think would satsf
every impartial mind of this truth.
In order 10 establish for France and England an equa
interest with the United States in the condition of Cub
you say Great Britain Is in possesso9y treaty Of tn
Island of Trinidad which in the last centdy was colo
ny OF Spain France in possession at the commence
ment OF this century Of Louisiana by voluntary ceso
OF SPAIN IL IS true that Spain compelled by Franc
to cede Trinidad to Great Britain BY the treaty of Amens
II while this cesson in agitation, as it was 70
time the United States and any other neutral Powe
Of there any other) had exered themselves 10 de
feat IT and You and France bind yourselves
BY perpetual compact TO acquire IT, the inter
ference app-ehcnd would have been regarded as wors,
than gratultous cannot why we have not good
a right 10 obtain, If can from Spain the voluntary
cession of Cuba you had to accept the compulsory
cession Of Trinidad which by position and strength the
Cuba Of the southeastern Antilles.
france VAS as you say at the beginning ofthis century
IN possession OF Louisiana by the voluntary ccsson of
Spain. This possession however, nominal at bes) did
not take place till months after France had sold
Louisiana to the United States for eighty millions of
francs and 1t lasted only from the 30th of November to
the 10th of December, 1903. The object Of France in
acquiring Louisiana reestablis herself in the in
terror Of this country object need not say
acng TO your North American possessions the United
Sates Is 1t possible you think such possession OF
Louisiana for such purpose sufficient ground the
part OF France for interfering with relations with
Cuba May She European Power, without consulting
obtain from Spain in 1900 OF half the habi-
table portion OF North America cession which threw her
for fifteen hundred miles frontier, and
only shut from the Pacific but enabled her TO close
the Missssippiand is it very unreasonable in
decline her invitation bind ourselves for all time not to
accept the cesson of island which lies within thirty
five leagues Of coas Does she derive her right
thus to control relations with Cuba in 1853 from her
twenty days possession of Louisiana in 1908 What can
be clearer than that whatever right accrued her from
that three weeks possession, (Which
NAL affair to give form to the transfer of the province to
the United Sates must have passed to by that trans
fer followed by actual possession and occupation for
half century
You observe that Lord Mamesbury and NJ Turgot
put forward reason for entering into the proposed
compact the attacks which had been made island
of Cuba By awess bands of adventures from the United
States and with the avowed design Of taking possession
OF that island and to this reason you add Mr. Everett
replies in these The President is convinced that
the conclusion OF such treaty instead of putting stop
TO these lawiess proceedings, would give and pow
erfui impulse to them " and this argument you call
only untounded but disquieting."
After acknowledging rather coldy think, the conduct
of the late President in dsavowng and dscouragng the
awless enterprises referred to, you reproachtuy pro-
nounce my remark just cited " melancholy ayowal for
the chief Of free State - and you to intimate
OF the people OF the United States, nsensibty
the value Of the eternal laws right and wrong Of peace
anu friendship and of duty to neigbcr, which ought
to guide every Christian nation You also take occa
sion IN reference to the remark impress upon
the people Of the United States the utility of those rules
for the observance Of international relations which for
centuries have been known Europe by the
law Of nations. Among the commentators that law
(you continue of the distinguished American
citizens have earned enyiahe reputation and it is diff
fcut to suppose the United States would the example
OF abrogating its most sacred provisions"
suppose in Europe or America will think the
intended force Of this rebuke mgated by diplomatic
reservation contained in the last lines Let u.s. then
inquire for moment if ii is well deserved.
The expeditions which you alude as calculated to
excite the reprobation of every civilized State" were
by the President in every constitutional
and legal way. The utmost vigilance all times
employed but unhappiy for the Adventures themselves,
without effect In this there is matter neither for
der reproach The territory OF the United States
but little less than the whole of Europe while their popu
ation is not equal to that Of the United Kingdom and
their standing military force small and scattered over an
immensely extensive frontier Our Government like that
Of England is one Of law and there is great similarity
between the laws CT the two countries which prohibit mil
tary expeditions against the possessions of friendly Pow
er In fact your foreign enlistment act Of 1910 was
admitted By Mr. Canning to have been founded in part
neutrality law Of the preceding year. OF the two
believe our laws the stringent but it is some
what difficult to enforce them in both countries
These expeditions, got up in the United States by
Spanish general and supposed to indicate awess dspo
siuon on the part Of the American people, comprised
very small number of persons, of whom were for
egners enjoying the freedom of action in the Uni
ted States that refugees from every part Of the continent
enjoy in England The reproach which is cast up
for these expeditions is at this moment cast upon
England by the continental Powers. Events which have
occurred IN London since your despatch written
stikipgly illustrate the difficulty and the risk under
stgona Governments Of preventing abuses Of that hos
palty which It IS the privilege and boast Of such Gov
ernments TO extend TO all who seek il.
There Is no doubt widely prevalent in this country
ieeling that the people Of Cuba Justly dsaected
the Government of Spain recent impartial French
traveller NJ Ampere, confirms this impression All the
ordinary political rights enjoyed in free countries are de
MED to the people OF that island The government is in
principle the worst form Of despotsm viz absolute au
thorty delegated TO military yiceroy and supported by
army from abroad speak Of the nature OF the Gov
eminent and not Of the individuals by whom is admin
istered for have formed very favorable opinion of the
personal character Of the present captain general as of
or two Of his predecessors OF the bad faith and the
utter disregard Of treaties with which this bad Govern
men is administered your committees the slave trade
have spoken plainly enough at the late session Of Para-
men Such being the state of things in Cuba ii does not
very extraordinary reproachfu that through.
out the United States handful Of misguided young men
should be found ready to join party OF foreigners head
ed by Spanish General, who able to persuade them
not you view it, "by armed invasion to excite the ODE
dent to revolt and the tranquil to disturbance but
they led TO believe, to aid oppressed people in
their struggles for Fl eedom There is doubt
that there at this moment many persons foreign
well natives, in England who entertain these
feelings and opinions as in the United States; and II
Great Britain lay at distance Of hundred and ten
miles from Cuba instead of thirty five hundred you ght
not with all your represve force find II easy prevent
a small steamer disguised trading vessel from slip
ping OF from an outpor in the night unlawful
terprse. The expedition Of Gen Torros in 1881, far
Lopez II was fitted out in the Thames without Interrupt
ton I'll the last moment, and though il then fell under