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

10 France and Spain.
avail myself OF This opportunity 10 TO you sr
the assurance OF my high consideration.
JOHN r. CHAMPION
Dir. EUerst TO hs Comis de Ssriigss.
| DEPARTMENT STATE.
| Washington. December l. isS2
| SIR ; You well acquainted with the melancholv
circumstances which have hitherto prevented Eeply IL
the note which you addressed 10 my predecessor The
slh of July.
That note and the instruction OF M de Turgot OF tbs
3lst March, with similar communication from the Eng
sh minister aud the projs OF convention between tbs
three powers relative 10 Cuba, have been among the 6s
subjects 10 which my attention has been called BY he
President.
The substantial portion OF the proposed convention ,
expressed In single article in The following terms,
The high contracting parties hereby sevefaly and col.
lectivey, dsclam. and tor hereafter, all intention %
obtain OF The island OF Cuba, and they respect
lively bind themselves 10 discountenance all attempt
that effect The part OF any power or individuals what
ever"
"The high contracting parties declare. seyeraly and
collectively, that they will not obtain OF maintain fol
themselves for any OF themselves any exclusive
control over the said island nor assume nor exercise
any dominion over the same"
The President has given tbs most serious attention 10 this
proposal the notes of the French and British ministers
accompany ing il, and TO the instructions OF M dc Tugo
and the Earl of Malmesbury, transmitted with The pro-
ecl OF the convention; and he directs me to make known
10 you the view which he takes OF this important and
The President fully concurs with his predecessors
who have on more than one occasion authorized the
declaration referred to by M de TuIgot and Lord
Malmesbury, that the United States could with
indifference the island OF Cuba fall into the possession Of
any other European government than Spain not. how
ever because We should be dissatisfied with any natural
increase OF territory and power on the part OF France
England France has, within twenty years. acquired
la vast domain the northern coast OF Africa, with
fair prospect of indefinite extension. England within
half century, has added very extensively 10 her empire
These acquisitions have created no uneasiness on the
part of the United States.
In like manner, the United States have, within the
same period, greatly increased their territory The
Largest aaditlon that of louisiana which pur.
chased from France These accessions OF TERRITORY
have probably caused uneasiness TO the great Euro.
pean powers, they have been brought about by The
operation OF natural causes and without any disub.
ance OF the international relations OF the principal States
They have been followed, also, by great increase Of
mutually beneficial commercial intercourse between be
United States and Europe
But the would be different in reference 10 the
transfer Of Cuba IRON Spain TO any other European
power That event could not take place without SER.
Gus arrangement of the International system exist
ing, and would indicate designs in reference 10 this
hemisphere which could not but awaken alarm in the
United States.
We should view it in somewhat the same light in
which France aud England would view the acquisition
Of some important island in The Mediterranean by the
Uned Sates-wlth this difference, il Is true that the al
tempt OF the United States to establish themselves 10 Eu
rope would be novelty while the appearance of Eu-
Iopean power in this part OF the world is familiar fact
But this difference the two merely historical
and would not diminish the anxiety which on political
grounds would be caused by any great demonstration oil
European power in direction in America
M. de Tnrgo states that France could never see with
indifference the possession of Cuba BY any power bu,
Spain, and explicitly declares that she has wish or in
ennon OF appopriaing the island 10 herself and the
English minister makes The same avowa on behalf Of
his government ri. de Turgot and Lord Marnesbury
do The government of the United States no more than
justice IN remarking that they have often pronounced
themselves substantially in the The Presi-
dent does not covet the acquisition OF Cuba for The Uni
ted States; al the same me he considers the condition
OF Cuba mainly an American question The proposed
convention proceeds on different principle II assume.
IN the question than France England whereas it is
necessary only 10 cast ones eyeOn the map to how
those OF the United States. with this island
The President, dong full justice to the friendly spirit
IN which his concurrence is invited by France and Eng
land and not lnsensble to the advantages OF good dh-
Outstanding between the three powers in reference 10
Cuba feels himself, nevertheless, unable TO become
party 10 The proposed compact for the folio wing reasons
II is, IN the nlsi place. IN bis Judgment clear las far
as the respect due from the executive a &C. ordinate
branch OF the government will permit him to anticipate
lis decision) that such convention would be viewed
with favor by The Senate Its certain rejection BY that
body would leave the question OF Cuba in more unset
lied position than il is This objection would moi
require the President TO withhold his concurrence from
the convention II no other objection existed, and il
strong sense oil the utility OF the measure rendered his
duly as lar as the executive action s concerned 10 give
his consent to the arrangement Such, however is not
the case. -
The convention would be OF no value unless il w.re
lasting; accordingly its terms express perpetuity Of
purpose and obligation. Now. il may well be doubted
whether the constitution OF the United States woud allow
the treaty making power to impose a permanent disabl.
ny on the American government, for all coming time and
prevent H. under any future change OF circnmstanees
from doing what has been often done in tmes paa
In 1908 the United States purchased Louisiana of France
and IN 1919 they purchased Florida of Spain Il Is no,
within The competence of the treaty. making power in
1892 enecuay TO bind the government all its branch
es, and tor all coming time. to make similar nur.
chase OF Cuba A like remark imagine NAV D.. rnade
even IN reference both 10 France and England where The
treaty making power is less subject than il s with us 10
me control oil other branches OF the government
IheTe another strong objection to the proposed agree
ment Among The oldest traditions OF the federal gov
eminent s an aversion TO political alliances with Euro
pean powers In his memorable Farewe Address Pres
dent washington says: The great rule OF conduct for
US IN regard TO foreign nations in extending our com
mefcial relations, to have with them a. huic potical
connexlon as possible So far have already formed
engagements lie, them be fulfilled with pe RECT gond fah
Here let us stop President Jefferson Ia hs insngnra
address in ls0i warned the country against entsn1ng
alliances" This expression, now become nrovs rh,ai
was unquestIonaby used by MIR Jefferson In ref.rsnec
TO the alliance with France of l77s-ap alliance =, ~
time, OF ncalculabe benefit the United STATE. hnt
which, IN less than twenty years. came near in living \.
~ The wars OF the French revolution and laid The fo,nds
non oil heavy claims upon Congress- not extngushsd n
the present day Ii is significant coincidence hattbe
particular provision OF the alliance which oec..;oasd
to aid her in defending her West Indian NJ
against Eng and. Nothing less than the pnborodsd IN
uenoe OF Washington rescued the Union from tha n.r.
OF that crisis, and preserved our neutrality fs'~
But the President has a graver obeci,on II .,.;,~
'nio The proposed convention He has no wish ~ AZ