Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-27
LORD John PasseN to NJ. Cramptoa.
FoaEIGS OFFICE, FHBRUARl

FOREIGN OFFICE, FEBRUARY Is, 1858
SIR: Lord Mames5ury received, before leaving Of
fee the note addressed you by Mr. Everett, and left it
for the consideration OF his successor.
Tie absence from London Of the ambassador Of France
has hitherto prevented that communication between the
Governments which the circumstances OF the proposal
made Jointly required
have new to inform you of the view which her Ma
esty's Government take Of Mr. Everetts reply TO our
overture
Its doubtless perfectly within the competence OF the
American Government reject the proposal that was
male by Lord Aalmesbury and NJ Turgot N reference
TO Cuba Each Government viii then remain as free as
il was before 10 take that course which us Of duty
and regard for the interests of its people may pre-
scribe.
should have satisfied my obligations as Secretary Of
State b. this obvious remark had not Nj Everett entered
large into arguments which the simple nature OF the
question before him hardly seemed to require.
The Governments CT Great Britain and France, when
they made this proposal that Of the United States
were fully aware Of the growth Of power and extension OF
territory which have marked the progress Of the United
States since the period Of their independence The alb
sopon or annexation Of Louisiana in 1868 Of Florida
in 1872 of Texas in ls and Of California II ioaS had
not escaped them still less did they require to he
minded Of the events Of the seven years war or 81 the
Mexican
It occurs to her Majestys Government, therefore to
ask for what purpose those arguments introduced
With preparation and Urged with much ability
1t would apr ear that the purpose, not fully avowed
but hardly concealed 10 procure the admission OF doc
trine that the United States have interest IN Cuba 10
which Great Britain and France cannot pretend In order
this pretenscu is necessary to set forth the
character of the Powers who made the offer in ques
ton and the OF that offer Mr. Everett declares
in the outset Of his despatch that the United States
would with Indifference the Island of Cuba fall
into the possession Of any other European Government
than Spain, &c.
The two Powers most likely to possess themselves of
Cuba, and formidable the United States, are
Great Britain and France
Great Britain is in possession by treaty, Of the island
of Trinidad, which, in the last century, colony of
Spain France was in possession at the Of
this century CT Louisiana, By voluntary cesson from
Spain These Powers, by their naval resources are
in fact the only Powers who could be rivals with the Uni
ted States for the possession of Cuba. Well these two
Powers ready voluntarily to declare severay and
collectively, that they will not obtain, maintain for
themselves or for any Of themselves any exclusive
exercise any dominion over the same"
Thus if the object of the United States bar the
acquisition of Cuba by any European State this conven-
ton would secure that object.
But sinended the part Of the United States to
maintain that Great Britain and France have interest
in the mentenance OF the present status qo in Cuba and
that the United States have alone right voice ia that
matter, her hIaesty's Government at refuse 10
admit such claim. Her Majestys possessions in the
West Indies alone without insisting the Importance
Mexico and other friendly States of the present dsribu
ton Of power, give her Majesty interest 10 this ques
ton which she cannot forego.
The possessions of France in the American give
similar interest TO France, which doubt will be put
forward by her Governm emit Nor is this right at all in
validated by the argument OF Mr. Everett that Cuba is to
the United States island at the mouth of the Thames
the Seine would be to England or France.
Tie distance Of Cuba from the part Of the
ritory Of the United States viz from the southerumost
part Of Florida, is 10 miles.
An island at equal distance from the mouth Of the
Thames would be placed about ten miles north Of Antwerp
in Belgum while island at the same distance from
Jamaica would be placed at Manzanille town in Cuba
Thus there grounds for saying that the posses
sion Of Cuba by Great Britain France would be
cling the United States bat that its possession by the
United States would not be to Great Britain.
There is argument Of the United States Secretary
Of State which appears to her Mesys Government not
only unfounded but disquietng.
Lord Malmesbury and NJ. de Turgot put forward, as
reason entering into the proposed compact the at
tacks which have lately been made the island Of Cuba
BY awess bands Of adventures from the United States
and with the avowed design Of taking possession of that
island" To this reason Mr. Everett replies in these
terms The President convinced that the conclusion of
such treaty, instead Of putting stop these lawess
proceedings, would give new and powerful impulse
them" -: y .'S
The Government Of Grea, Britain acknowledges with
respect the conduct Of the President in dsayowrg and
dscoura ng the awess attempts here referred to- The
character Of those attempts indeed, was such to
cite the reprobaon CT every civilized State The spec
tace of bands Of collected together in reckless dis
regard Of treaties for the purpose Of making from the
ports Of the United States praca attack on the terri
tory Of Power in amty with their State and when
there endeavorng by armed invasion to excite the obe
dent TO revolt and the tranquil to disturbance was
sight shocking, no doubt, 10 the just AMI honest prnc
| pies Of the President
But the statement made by the President, that
yention duly signed and legally ratified engaging to re-
spect the present state Of possession in all future time
would but excite these bands Of pirates 70 more violent
breaches Of all the laws Of honesty and good neghbor
hood Is melancholy ayowal for the chief Of great State
Without disputng its TRUTH her Msjestys Government
may express hope that this state Of things will not en-
dure and that the citizens Of the United States while
they justly boast Of their institutions will not be nsens
bic the vaue Of those eternal laws right and wrong
Of peace and friendship and Of duty to our neghbors
which ought to guide every Christian nation.
Nor people enlightened fail to perceive the
utility Of those rules for the observance Of international
relations which for centuries have been known to Europe
BY the Of the law Of nations Among the common
tators that law some Of the most distinguished Anne
rean citizens have earned envabe reputation; and
II is difficult to suppose that the United States would
the example Of abrogating its most sacred provisions
Nor let il be said that such convention would have
prevented the inhabitants Of Cuba from asserting their
independence With regard TO internal troubles, the
proposed convention altogether silent. But pre-
tended declaration Of independence with view OF i'm
mediaely seeking refuge from revots the part Of
the blacks under the shelter Of the United States would
justly be looked upon the in effect as formal
| annexation.
Finally, while fully admitting the right Of the United
States to reject the proposal that made by Lord
Mamesbury and NJ. de Turgot, Great Britain must at
once resume her entire liberty; and upon any occasion
that may call for it, be free TO either singy or in con-
| junction with other Powers as to her may seem fit
| am, SC. J. RUSSELL
Mr. Crdmptoa 70 The Ea{of Clarendon. T Extract |
WASHINGTON, Arm Is, 1859
10 obedience 70 the instruction contained in Lord John
Russefs despatch Of the 2st Of February Lave read
the Secretary Of State Of the United States and placed
Il IU IL r.