The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-07


policy of that OF the United States has uniformly been
avoid far possible, alliances agreements with
other Staies, and TO keep Itself Tree from national ob
cations except such affect directly the interests OF
the United States themselves. This sentiment has
been strongly felt and uniformly entertained IN the
councils OF this government IRON It's earliest history
How far, therefore, il may be necessary 10 make
this case OF Cuba exception, and especially how
far any motive may be found Tor entering into treaty
sipulaons exchange OF official declarations with The
governments OF France and Great Britain IN the exist
ing state OF things upon the subject of Cuba ques
lions which, the, Undersigned has already minated
will be maturely consldefed.
The Undersigned avas himself of this opportunity TO
renew 10 IA de Sartges the assurance OF his high
sideraon. DANIEL WEBSTER.
John r. Champion, esq, TO The Hon. Daniel Webster.
WAsHIkoToE, July 8, 1852.
SIR In reply TO the note which had the honor Of adj
dressing 10 you the Esd OF April last communicating
to you project for convention respecting The island OF
Cuoa together with copy of The instructions with which
have been furnished in regard TO this matter by her
Majesty Principal Secretary OF State tor Foreign Affairs,
you addressed TO me note dated the 29h of April last,
by which you assured that the subject Of The
nication had made would be taken into consideration by
the President of the United States and would receive his
serious attention
Two months have, however, now elapsed and may
therefore now be proper that should request you
able me TO inform her Maestys government OF the views
and intentions OF The government OF the United States in
regard TO the proposition which had the honor OF ad-
dressing to you, and by which the government OF the
United States is invited 10 join her Majesys government
ana the government OF France IN declaration which the
two latter governments have agreed TO make OF renun
cation on their part Of all intention Of becoming pos
sessea. under whatever circumstances and by whatever
MEANS of the island of Cuba would also avail myself
OF this opportunity TO recall your attention TO the verbal
remarks which, together with the minister OF France,
submitted TO your consideration in support of the pro-
posal, in the n,ersalion which the Count de Sarges
and myself had the honor OF holding with you on that
subject These remarks trust, calculated 10 place
the matter in lis true point OF view, and 10 remove any
IN regard 10 the acts 10 the language OF any OF the
three governments in relation 10 Il.
And first In respect to the right Of possession and SOW.
eregnty. The island OF Cuba is province OF Spain by
Tue ceaes OF all utes--dscoveTy and uninterrupted
possession Spain is determined to preserve her domln
ion over The province; and the spanish subjects who in
habit il show disposition to sever their connexon
with the mother country This right OF possession can
not be disputed, has it been disputed and IL gives
me satisfaction TO remark that the government OF the
United States has, all occasions, proessed its respect
Tor the validity OF The title. Ii is not consequently, the
simple wledgment Of the validity of this tile
which her Maestys government propose by the decara-
ion winch they desire TO make simultaneously aud
concert with the governments OF the United States and
OF France. The object of her Majesy's government is
TO guard against future contingencies, and TO put end
10 stale OF things far IRON satisfactory regards the
friendly relations of Spain with other powers respecting
Cuba, and OF great delcacy affects the relations OF
The principal maritime powers between themselves
There is al the pfeeent time an evident tendency
IN The maritime commerce OF the world avail itself
OF the shorter passages IRON one ocean TO another
offered by the different routes existing in
temptation the islhmus OF Central America
The island OF Cuba, of considerable importance in H.
SELF is so placed geographically that the nation which
may possess It, If the naval forces OF that nation
should be considerable, might either protect obstruc
me commercial routes from one ocean to the other
Now, IT the maritime powers are, the hand. out
OF respect TO The rights of Spain. and from OF her
irrational duty, bound dismiss all intention of OBJ
tanning possession OF Cuba the other hand they
Obliged out OF consideration for the interests OF their
subjects OF czens and the protection OF the commerce
OF other nations, who all entitled 10 the of tho
great highways OF commerce equal terms, TO proclaim
aud assure as far in them lies the present and future
neutrality OF the island of Cuba. Great Britain has
omitted no opportunity of maniesng in regard 10 Cuba
her respect for the sovereign rights of Span and her dis
nteresiedness in regard TO the present future political
position OF that important colony. France has by acts
OF the same nature evinced similar sentiments and views
and the United States themselves have, several
sons, declared that they could not acquesce in the
sion Of Cuba 10 European power. This declaration
OF The United States parakes OF the nature that
winch Great britain and France propose 10 the American
government 10 lmbody in official act-wh this differ
ence, however. that the British French governments
while they declare that they would not acquesce 10 the
cesson oil CUBA 10 any maritime power, also declare that
they entirely renounce all views upon that island both
now and hereafter, for themselves. do doubt that
the government Of the United States is acuaed by the
same motives IN making its declaration which have i'm
PEELED the British and French governments to make theirs
lDe word European, however, in juxiaposition with
the word power might justify, the part OF the lat
ter two governments, some doubt to the Specification
OF the declaration OF the United Staies and might be
thought thai the United States while by their declaration
they exclude other nations from prong by the chances
OF future possible events have debsIed themselves
by that declaration from awaiting themselves of such
events. Between powers such Great Britain the Uni
ted States and France it could be intended give
TO political acts or language any other meaning than that
which those acts that language would clearly convey
concurrence by the United States the joint declaration.
the project OF which had the honor of communicating
TO you the AID of Apr last would prevent The poss
bily OF the misrepresentation to which have alluded
and The true tlgnhcahon OF the declarations made by
Eosland. the United States. France would thus be
exactly defined IL is highly desirable, for the
which have given above that the OF the future
position OF Cuba should be defnilivey determined and
II ~ desirable that this determination should The
permanent neutrality OF the island among others, for the
following reasons .@
You are, doubt aware that British and French
subjects. well as the French government are, on
different accounts, creditors OF Spain for large sums
OF money. The expense of keeping up armed
iorce IN the island OF Cuba OF twenty-five thousand
10 the Efforts which they make TO fulfil their pecu-
mary engagements By putting end TO the state ap
prehenslon which IL the of those ornaments
should increase to Spain the of meeting those
gagements. This consideration is doubt, applicable
more particularly 10 Spain, 10 England, and to France
hut there are others which apply generally 10 the
commercial interests OF all batons and especially 10 the
commercial interests OF the United States which are
greater than those OF any other nation IN Cuba One OF
these considerations that the present state OF things
cannot reasonably expect Spain TO take any
toward lowering her tauh at Havana arH, the high
rates OF which subject OF complaint in the United
States and this circumstance has not unrequently been
put forward for unauthorized aggressions
against The Spanish authorities in the island But it, by
The guarantee OF quiet possession which the proposed
declaration OF the great maritime powers would confer
Spain should be enabled 10 diminish her military force in