The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-29
NO. 43O.

=. ,-,pid he expedient to make a solemn and
.,.,,-ss,ive appeal to Spain, by an extraordinary
n; sion" as had been suggested in for
ar despatch, but "this purpose has been for
.,ase,. at least, abandoned, for reasons
= IL need not be here stated" The statement
60 -easons might have relieved the Cabinet
.be ;muutation Of singular vacillation and
-,.l.r.ss. Mr.. Marcy then adverts to the I'M
ID state of things in Spain, finds hope in a
-, If Ministry, and counsels watchfulness
a f-bearance as to pressing particular de-
81. 1t is far less important to settle our &C.
=, with Spain as to the past, than to make a
..,c,9ry arrangement as to the future. This
--.-7snent, as appears from the rest of the
,~..obes. embraces the cession Of Cuba. To
:. .,b;ect Mr.. Soule is again called upon to
I;-.., narticular attention. Suggesting various
-a,;lsrations in view of various contingencies,
he says:
Those remarks are intended to apply not
o.lr 10 the lesser questions between the two
C ~. but equally to the graver and
t.,bsr ones. especially to chGt concerns the re-
imam I-,,.g 81 CaJa to the United States"
In a subsequent paragraph, he speaks of
Sc hat radical change in the political condition
If the i,ani. which its own tranquility and
rr,.p,ri-y require, and which alone is compe
INT 10 avoid these oft-repeated causes of just
.5mrlaint. and consequently to assure perma-
..., friendship between the United States and
,..in In the second despatch, same date,
M. August, We have the origin of the Osteno
Conference.
an directed by the President to suggest
=, YOU particular step, from which he antici-
rsf. much advantage to the negOtidtion ciM
i,..b g5g are charged on the subject Of Cuba"
After reciting several considerations, which
are not printed, he continues:
These, and other considerations, which will
readily occur to you, suggest that much may
d. done at London and Paris, either to promote
i.r-tlg TIE great object IN riep, or at least TO
0e4 airly impedimeHtS to its successful con-
SUM HioH.
10, a word about the terrible grievances of
ii. United States, or of the Black Warrior out
r..e-eyerything about Cuba, and how to OBJ
tain IT, Was not Mr.. Soule's conduct, after
tbs. in keeping with these instructions2 The
treat object of the Administration was, to get
Clla, and Mr.. Soule, entering zealously into
It's views. could think Of nothing else.
let US recapitulate: First, Mr.. Marcy in
sructs Mr. Soule that he is to make no propo-
stoa !or the purchase Of Cuba, but is to ascer-
tain whether England and France, either or
both. have extended protectorate over Cuba.
aud whether either or both, are encouraging
IA. introduction of free labor into the island
aung down such general principles at the
SAME time as, in his opinion, will Justify the
trdble seizure of the island by the United
States, should either contingency be demon
.ratcd.
Next, We see him pursuing course of in
ilmdat;on in the Black Warrior affair, and the
President appealing to Congress for extraordi-
nary powers, evidently with view of taking
possession of Cuba, should Spain delay to re-
spond IN the manner prescribed by our Admin
is'ration. Soon, despatch is forwarded in
yesling Mr.. Soue with full authority to make
proposition for the purchase of Cuba.
Then Congress having failed to grant extra
ordinary powers to the President, Mr.. Marcy
moderates his tone, writes an argumentative
despatch, in reply to a communication of the
spanish Government, requests Mr.. Soule not
To- proceed amy further in the case, and conf
'EAtialiy communicates to him the purpose of
The President, If he can secure the concurrence
OF Congress, to make solemn appeal to Spain,
through Commission, for adjustment of all
questions. including that of Cuban annexation.
FINALLY, this purpose, for reasons, in the
opinion Of Mr. Marcy, not necessary to be
stated, Is abandoned, and Mr.. Soule is instruct
Cd 10 confer with the ministers at London and
Pans. as to the best mode of acquiring Cuba,
and to report accordingly.
Obserye--the one, great object, is, tie acqui-
.'''"n ~ tHbd. All other means having failed,
iae wisdom Of a Congress of Ministers is now
INVOKED. This brings us to the final chapter
"i Tins most extraordinary mission.
Nr. Soule was in the Pyrenees, when the
dispatches Of Mr.. Marcy, of the 10th August,
reached mm, and he was delighted with their
contents He fastened to Paris on the 10th
'rp'smbcr, acquainted Messrs Buchanan and
MASON with the desire of the President, and at
last, o. the 9th of October, the Conference con-
Fened at Ostend. 1t continued in session three
successive days, then adjourned to AK la Cha
fr''e' where Mr.. Soule busily employed himself
A making report of the unanimous opinion"
VI Inc Conlerees. This report, dated October
'>'h' was transmitted to Washington on the
-'h' with note from Mr.. Soule, in which,
.,t"Slns Of the acquisition of Cuba" he
#'.s-' N"'r IS the moment for as to be done
''4 a.; Tor If we delay its solution, we will
''''"ln'y repent that we let escape the fairest
,pt"'omiy We could ever be furnished with of
bringing II 10 a decisive test Present indica-
"ons "oald seem to encourage the hope that
may come to that solution peaceably. But,
""' otherwise, If ii is TO bring upon as
''' ''. '""y Of 'car, let 1t be nor, achile the
''''' f""e''S 81 THIS Continent are engaged an
90" N'PsHf""s struggle acAich cannot Jm en-
S'|' "'' hFen' strength, and tar all their ener-
y $50 |""gos il lasts, and may, before 1T ends,
''''''r ne" oH" He closes, by assuming
'''' neither England nor France would inter
.s'e with us, and by giving some reasons for
the opinion.
II IS clear from this that Mr.. Soule, fresh
NOM The counsels of the Ostend Conference.
j" 'avor of taking Cuba by force, should
i','' N'enne to part with it peaceably.
me report of the conferees has already ap-
I. Dea at length in the Era, but notice of its
'''''clNe recommendations is necessary to
''a'pe'e this analytic resume
'Hey have arrived at the conclusion" they
ana are thoroughly convinced that an
'FttN{e and rnact oA,1rf ouobt ~ ha do y