Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-01-12

In compliance with resolution Of the Senate,
the President has sen, in the correspondence be
tween the American government, and tine Minis
ters of England and France, relative to the pro-
posed trpartle treaty for the preservation OF tnbs
TO Spain, aud 4 portion Of it is published III the
National Intelligence. 1t commenced WIN MI
Webster, and Was terminated by Mr.. Everett,
whose letter is dated December inst,
Mr. Everett saws that the President concurs
, with his predecessors who could not see, with IN
difference, the Island of Cuba fall into the hands
of sny European power, though not from any dis
satisfaction at the increase Of territory thereby
made, for France, within twenty years, acquired
a vast domain in the North Of Africa, aud Eng
land, in the same time, has added greatly to her
territories, without creating any sensation IN the
Gnited States. But the case is different with re-
GARD to Cuba. the possession of which, by any
European power, would interfere with information
al relations and create Just alarm hers with regard
to the intentions Of such power, in this country,
where il would be viewed in the same light that
the acquisition Of an important island in the Med
iterranean would be in France or England The
proposed convention proceeds on the principle that
we had no more interest in the decision OF the
question than France or England q suppOsitlon
altogether unsupported by the facts OF the case.
The President declines the alliance for several
reasons. LIST. The treaty would assurediy be re-
lected by the Senate. I'd This government,
warned by Washington and Jefferson, has always
been scrupulously careful in forming alliances.
That formed with France in ITS was the cause
of very nearly dragging us into the wars Of the
French Revolution twenty years after, and did,
in fact, create war with the French Republic.
Sd. The alliance would be altogether unequal
England and France would bind themselves hot
to take possession of remote Island, whereas, the
United States would bind themselves never to
take possession of an island directly at their door,
even though Spain should lose II by the chances
of war, or though she might be willing to sell 1t,
or thought it might be taken in open warfare with
her by this country.
MIR. T.. contends that it would be far better for
Spain herselfthat Cuba. which she employs 81, 0OU
troops and spends Sl2,000000 annually to keep in
subsection should belong to us, since the trade she
would be sure to have with her would, as in the
case of Great Britain with regard to us, repay
her ten fold for her loss OF territory As long as
she is in possession Of Cuba, it viii be impossible
to put down the African slave trade American
progress could be no more impeded by such con
vention as this, than the flow ofthe Gulf stream
could be stopped by throwing dam from Gaps
Florida to CUBA. Twenty years hence, neither
France nor England will wish Spain to retain Cuba
The letter of Mr.. Everett represents the Pre-
sident as strongly opposed to the acquisition o
Cuba on any terms, but he thinks that such con
vention as this would encourage, instead of pre-
venting, unlawful enterprises. No administrator
of this government could stand day, under the
odium of having stipulated with the great power
of Europe, that sin no future time under changi
of circumstances, by no amicable arrangement witt
Spain, by no act Of war, should that calamity I'M
fortunately occur, by no consent of the inhabtant
of the islaud should they, like the possessions O
Spain on the American continent, succeed in rem
dering themselves Independent, in fine, by NJ
overriding necessity Of selfpreservation shoulC
the United States ever make the acquisition O
Cnba," SC.