Washington sentinel., 1855-03-08

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state, has full confidence ia your Intelligence
and sagacity, he coneeiyes that il cannot be
otherwise than agreeable 10 You and your col
leagues in Great Britain aud France TO have
the consultation suggested, and thus to bring
your common wisdom aud knowledge to bear
simultaneously upon the negotiations at Ma
drid, London and Paris.
If you concur in these views, you will please
to iix the time when you can repair TO Paris,
or to such other convenient point.
Official Report Of the Ostend Conference.
WAsHINGToN, Monday, March 5, 1855.
The following is the official report made to
the Secretary of State Of the results of the cele
brated Ostend Convention:
AK La CHApELLE, Oct. Is, 1854.
To Hon. WM. L. MARCY, Secretary Of State:
SIR: The undersigned, in compliance with
the wish expressed by the President in the
several confidential dispatches you have ad-
met in conference, first at Ostend in Belgium,
on the 10th and lth instant, and then at AK
La Chapele in Prussia, on the days, next fol-
lowing up to the date hereof
There has been full and unreserved inter
change of views and sentiments between us
which we are most happy to inform you has re-
suited in cordial coincidence Of opinion on
the grave and important subjects submitted to
our consideration.
We have arrived at the conclusion and are
thoroughly convinced that an immediate and
earnest effort ought to be made by the govern.
ment of the United States to purchase Cuba
from Spain at any price for which it can be OBJ
tanned, not exceeding the sum Of -- dol;
lars
The proposal should, in our opinion, be
made in such manner as to be presented
through the necessary diplomatic forms to the
Supreme Constituent Cortes about to be as
sembled. On this momentous question, in
which the people both Of Spain and the Uni
ted States are so deeply interested, all our pro-
ceedings ought to be open, frank. and public.
They should be of such character as to chal-
lenge the appreciation of the world.
We firmly believe that in the progress Of hui
man events, the time has arrived when the
vital interests of Spain are as seriously in
volved in the sale as those Of the United
States in the purchase of the Island; and that
the transaction will prove equally honorable to
both nations.
Under these circumstances we cannot anti
cipate failure, unless possibly through the
malign influence of foreign powers who pos
sess no right whatever to interfere in the mat
ter.
We proceed 10 state some of the reasons
which have brought us to the conclusion and
for the sake Of clearness we shall specify them
under two distinct heads,
Fnst-The United States ought, if practica.
bic, to purchase Cuba with as little delay as
possible.
Second-The probability is great that the
government and Cortes of Spain will prove
willing to sell it, because this would essentially
ha nd baat ,pta ~
Spanish people.
The .f,st-it must be clear to every reflect
ing mind, that from the peculiarly of its geo.
graphical position and the considerations at
tendant on it, Cuba is as necessary to the
North American republic as any Of its present
members, and that it belongs naturally to that
great family Of States Of which the Union is
the providential nursery.
From its locality it commands the mouth Of
the Mississippi and the immense annually in.
creasing trade which must seek this avenue to
the Ocean. On the numerous navipable
streams measuring an aggregate course Of
some 10000 miles, which disembogue them
selves through this magnificent river into the
Gulf OF Mexico,ahe increase of the population
within the last ten years, amounts to more than
that OF the entire Union, at the time Louisiana
was annexed TO ii.
The natural and main outlet to the products
OF this entire population, the highway of their
direct intercourse with the Atlantic and the
Pacific States, can never be secure but must
ever be endangered while Cuba is dependency
OF distinct power, in whose possession it has
proved TO be source Of constant ANNOYANCE
and embarrassment to their interests.
Indeed, the Union can never enjoy repose,
nor possess reliable security, as long as Cuba is
not embraced within its boundaries
Its immediate acquisition by our Govern
ment IS OF paramount importance, and we can
not doubt but that it is a consummation de-
voutly wished for by its inhabitants.
The intercourse which its proximity to our
coasts begets and encourages between the citi.
Zens of the United States has in the progress
Of time so united their interests and blended
their fortunes, that they now look upon each
other as if they were one people and but one
destiny.
Considerations exist which renders delay in
the acquisition of this Island exceedingly
dangerous to the United States.
The system of immigration and labor lately
organized within its limits, and the tyranny and
oppression which characterize its immediate
rulers threaten an insurrecton at every mo-
ment, which may result in direful consequences
TO the American people.
danger and permanent cause Of anxiety and |
alarm.
But we need not enlarge on these topics. II |
can scarcely be apprebended that foreign powers |
in violation ofinternational law would interpose |
their influence with Spain TO prevent our acqui-
sition of the Island. It's inhabitants are now
suffering under the worst of all possible govern
ments-that of absolute despotism, delegated
by distant power to irresponsible agents who
are changed at short intervals and who are
tempted to improve the brief opportunity thus
afforded to accumulate fortunes by the basest
means.
AS long as this system shall endure humanity
may in vain demand the suppression Of the
African save-trade in the Island. This is
rendered impossible while that infamous traffic
remains an irresistible temptation and source
Of immense profit to needy and avaricious OF.
hcials, who TO attain their end, scrupIe not to
trample the most sacred principles under foot.
he. e.aln