Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-24
xxrrER FROM HON EDWARD EVERETT TO LORD
JOHN RUSSELL
y,ox rur aosros DAILY ADvERrfsEn.


tunity Of laying it before readers. 1t will b
regarded we doubt not, pertinent to the occasion
Although the writer of it is no longer in Official
station So far as the subject under discussion is
strictly diplomatic question the reasoning of Lord JoHs
will doubtless be replied to from an official source But
r it relates to the proper method Of treating the
Subject under consideration it becomes in great measure
personal question and it naturally devolyes on the au-
thor of the original letter defend the views presented
IN it against the comments that have been made upon
them Such conceive cannot be regarded by
the Secretary Of State encroachmen upon his official
utie nor will any regard the public discussion of
fhe particular topics of this letter any interference
with the regular disposition Of the pending public ques-
fons BY the official parties with whom they
cd The public we doubt not, viii take particular nte-
rest in the further development Of Mr. EyERETrs views
sn the subject Of his official letter. and in his reply
some Of the criticisms which have been made upon il.
TO the Right Honorable Lord John Russell.
BosToS, SEPTEMBER II, 1853
MY LORD: Your despatch Of the 10th Of February last
60 Mr. Champion has lately appeared in public papers
As il is in reality if not in FORM reply TO my letter Of
ke first OF December 1862, on the subject Of Cuba
et that was not prepared and sent before my retire
n1cRt from the Department of State But, though must
do il private individual feel If il were to
some extent my duty to answer it. shall endeayor to
do in consistent with my sincere respect for
your public character, and lively recollection of your
personal kindness during my residence in England
Before remarking the contents OF your letter, will
observe that though il contains courteous express
Sons, ats tone s upon the whoe not quite conciaory
ngh have been expected considering that my letter
OF the list of December altogether respectful and
friendly toward the two Powers both in form and in sub
stance have heard that in presenting this oorrespon
dence Parliament you INDUCED III some sarcastic
marks bat have not seen any report of them Your
despatch is not free from shade Of in
two sentences This shall endeavor to avoid in reply,
not that it would be difficult to follow you into that field,
but because cannot think that encounter of wits be-
tween US would be an edifyng spectacle, which
would promote any desirable national object.
You say that, IN my letter of the lst Of December,
entered into arguments not required by the simple
tare oil the question before - and the length of my
letter has been complained of in other quarters The
question propounded to certainly in sense
- SIMPLE every question is that be answered
Yes or g No." But how various, complicated, and
ampoant tue interests and relations involved in it Be-
organ OF every Government must be the only
Judge Of the proper length and relevancy of his replies
the communications of foreign Powers The proposal
which was returning jointly made by two of
the eaong Powers Of Europe, related TO the impor
tant subject in the circle of foreign relations.
thought TINT few paragraphs were well employed in
unfolding the views OF the President this subject and
s why he declined entering into compact pur
porting TO bin the three Goyernmenta for all coming time
sOa certain line Of policy in of much importance
You wall recu,lact that the members Of our Executive
Government do rot sit in Congress Those expositions
which are made in your Parliament by Ministers in
speeches not unrequenty Of two and three sometimes
four and ave hours in length must be made in this conn
try IA Presidential message (rarely alluded 10 BIZ your
PRESS without ut its length or an Executive re-
port or despatch My letter of the st Of December would
make speech Of about hour, which does not seem to
INC immoter2te for such subject However, little
greater lulness or statement and argument papers ez
Pected TO before the public is it be confess
ed in harmony with the character Of Government
and is generally INDUCED in.
Ion observed that the absorption or annexaten OF
louisiana in 1903 Of Florida in 1919 of Texas in 1915
and Of California in 1913 had escaped the two Pow
cTs stll less did they require be reminded OF the
events Of the seven years Of the American war;
But facts may be mentioned for illustration or argument
as we'll information. Most certainly the important and
notorious events named by youeadng incidents the
History Of the United States aud Of the worldcanno be
supposed to have escaped the Governments of England
and France who parties Of the impor-
tant of the transactions in question had thought
&c reminding your Governments fthe Of
years and Of the American revolution matters Of
historical fact of which they ignorant though
really doubt and beg say il without offence whether
there many individuals in the Government Of either
country possessed of and precise knowledge
Of the facts hastily sketched BY That sketch howev
of the territorial changes which have taken place on
this continent during the last century intended
illustration of the proposition that entire history
shows il be cbimercal to attempt in reference to spe
cite to bind up for all future time the discre-
ton of Government established in part Of the world
OF which much is still lying in state of nature.
had another motive The public opinion Of chris
tendon, created in good degree by the press has be-
element Of great and increasing influence in the
the habit Of considerable portion Of the European
press to speak Of the steady and rapid extension Of
territory OF the United States the indication Of
Sraspng spirit the part Of their Government and peo-
PIE The subject is rarely alluded by school
transatlantic public writer's for any other purpose
Thus the public mind Of the civilized world is poisoned
against There is not only manifested the part Of
these writers, entire nsensibty to the beauty and
grandeur Of the work that going benefcen il
possible to Europe than in the relief il is afford
ing herbut actually held up at times nation
OF iandprates 1t partly my object to counteract
this disposition; to show that growth haA been
Tara growth that most important aceesons Of
xitory had taken place by great national transactions
which England France and Spain had been parties and
IN other by the operation Of which
rIly influence the occupation and settlement Of n
country IN strict conformity with the laws Of nations and
not in violation Of them.
You soy that " occurs to her Maiestys Government
20 ask for what purpose these arguments
with so much preparation and urged with so much abil
ity and you the question in the following man
1t would appear that the purpose MOI fiy aUosd
b hardly concealed IS to procure the admission Of
ine that the United States have an interest in Cuba
which Great Britain and France cannot pretend
Here little unntentonal injustice Is done 20 nv let
ter in which il is distinctly stated than once for
set forth at length and very partially controverted
by YOU that the Government Of the United States con
sidered the condition Of Cuba mainly an American
question in which they had very deep interest and you
very limited Not only attempt whatever made
conceal this doctrine but fully ayowed and req
soned in my letter Of the first Of December 1852
To one Of the chief grounds which the Unite
States -est this claim, that of geographical proximity
after local illusions Of which do perceive tn
bearing you observe in effect that Cuba is some
what nearer 10 Jamaica than il is TO the nearest part
the United States and you consider this showing tina
VIC cannot have greater interest in the island than 20
have. Now If Jamaica bore the same relation to Grea