Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-01-08
Mr.. Erersti to Mr.. Champion, Ia similar despatch
hauiag been addressed 10 NJ. de Sartiees.J
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

hauiug been addressed 10 NJ. de SarGges.J
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Dec. L, 1859.
SIR: You are we'll acquainted with the me-
iaucholy circumstances whieh have hitherto pre-
vented reply to the note which you addressed
to my predecessor on the eth of July. That note,
and the instructions of Lord Malmsbury of the
sth of April, accompanying it, with a similar
communication from the French Minister, and the
projet of a convention between the three Powers
relative to Cuba, have been among the first sub
ects to which my attention has been called by the
President,
The substantial portion of the proposed conven-
| ton is expressed in single article in the follow
ing terms
1.-The high contracting parties hereby several
y aud collectively disclaim, now and for hereaf-
ter all intention to obtain possession the island
of Cuba, and they respectively bind themselves
to discountenance all attempts that effect On the
part any Power or individuals whatever. The
high contracting parties declare severay and
collectively that they will not obtain or maintain
for themselves, OF for any one of themselves,
any exclusive control over the said island, nor
assume nor exercise any dominion over the
same"
The President has given the most serious at
to this proposal to the notes OF the British
and French Ministers accompanying it, aud to the
Turgot, transmitted with the project of the con-
vention, and he directs me to make known to you
the view which he takes of this important and
delicate subject.
The President fully concurs with his predeces-
sors, who have on more than one occasion author
lied the declaration referred toby Lord Mamsbury
and M. De Turgot that the United States could
not see with Indifference the Island OF Cuba fall
iuto The possession of any other European Gov
,l,o,x
should be dissatisfied with any natural increase
of territory and power the part of England or
France. France has within twenty years acquired
vast domain the northern coast Of Africa,
with fair prospect ofindefnite extension. Eng
land within half n century has added very extern
sively to her empire. These acquisitions have
created no uneasiness the part of the United
States.
La like manner the United States have within
the same period greatly increased their territory
The largest addition was that ofLouisiana, which
was purchased from France. These accessions
of territory have probably caused no uneasiness
| to the great European Powers. as they have been
brought about by the operation of natural causes
and without any disturbance of the interna-
tional relations of the principal States. They
have been followed also by great increase of :.u-
tually beneficial commercial intercourse between
the United States and Europe.
But the would be different in reference
to the transfer of Cuba from Spain to any other
European power. That event could not take
place without serious arrangement of the
international system existing. and it would
| indicate designs in reference to this hemisphere
which could not but awaken alarm in tho United
States. We should view it in somewhat the
same light in which France and England would
view the acquisition of some important island ia
the Mediterranean by the United States;with this
difference, it is true, that the attempt of the
United States to establish themselves in Europe
would be novelty, while the appearances of a
European Power in this part of the world il a
familiar fact. But this difference in the two
cases is merely historical, and would not dimn
ish the anxiety which, on political grounds,
weuld be caused by any great demonstration of
European power in new direction in America.
Lord Malmsbury states that Great Britain
could never with Indifference the possession
of Cuba by any Power but Spain, and explicitly
declares that she has wish or intention of APP
propriating the island to herself and the French
Minister makes tho same avowal on behalf of his
Government. Lord Mamsbury and NJ de Tur-
got do the Government of the United States no
moro than justice in remarking that they have
often pronounced themselves substantially in the
same The President does not coyet the
acquisition of Cuba for the United States AT
| the same time no considers the condition of cuba
as mainly an American question, aud to limited
extent only European question. The proposed
convention proceeds on different principle. l,
assumes that the United States have no other OF
greater interest in the question than England OF
France: whereas it is necessary only to cast one
eye upon the map, to see how remote are the rel
lations of Europe, and how Intimate those of the
United States with this island
The President, doin gfulI justice to the friend
ly spirit in which his concurrence is invt-
ed by England and France, and not insensibls tt
| the advantages Of a good understanding between
the three Powers in reference to Cuba feel
himself nevertheless unable to become party tt
the proposed compact, for the following reasons
1t is, in the first place, in his judgment, clear Ca
far as the respect due from the Executive to
coordinate branch of the Government will per-
nit him to anticipate its decision) that no sucl
convention would be viewed with favor by thu
Senate. Its certain rejection by that bod,
would leave the question of Cuba in Il more uu
settled position than it is now. This objection
would not require the President to withhold hi
concurrence from the convention if no other oh
lection existed, and if a strong sense of the util
ty of the measure rendered it his duty as far a
the executive action is concerned to give hi.
consent to the arrangement. Such, however, il
| not the case. The convention would be of M
value unless it were lasting. Accordingly, its
terms express perpetuity of purpose and obi
cation. Now. it may well be doubted whether
the Constitution of the United States would allow
the treatymaking power to impose permanent
disability on the American Government for al
coming time, and prevent it. under my future
! changes Of circumstances, from doing what hal
been so often done in times past. In 1903 the U
States purchased Louisiana of France, and il
1919 they purchased Florida of Spain. 1t il
not within the competence of the treaty making
| power, in $50, effectuay to bind the Govern
mont in all its branches, and for all coming time
not to make n similar purchase of Cuba. A like
remark. L Imagine, may be made even in re-
ference both to England and France, where the
treaty-making power is less subject than it is
with us 10 the control of other branches of the