Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-03-16
THE OsTEND CONFERENCE.
REPORT OF MESsRS. BUCHANAN, MASON AND
SOULE,
ON THE ACQUISITION OF CUBA.
Bold and Important Recommendations
CUBA AT ANY COST.

i CUBA AT ANY COST.
We publish below the report of Messrs. Buchanan
Mason and Soue, the gentlemen who composed the
celebrated conference at Ostend, in October last
| The conference was preceded by correspondence
consisting of letters from Mr. Marcy to Mr. Soule,
and Mr.. Buchanan, extending from July, 1883, to
August 16, 1854 In the letter of that date to Mr.
Soule Mr. Marcy suggests meeting OF the three
gentleman at some convenient place, that they may
consult together and adopt measures for perfect con-
cert of action in aid of the negotiations OF MT Soue
at Madrid. The ministers selected Ostend. IN BelgI
um at which place the first consultation was held
They subsequently met at AK La Chapelle, at which
thew concluded their deliberations, and thence they
addressed to this government the following report of
their views and conclusions 1t presents an inter
esting exhibition of the Cuban question, from the
point of view in which it appears to experienced
men:
i WASHINGTON, Monday, Mar 5, 1855.
/ The following is the official report made to the
Secretary of State of the results of the celebrated
Ostend Convention
! AK La CHAPELLE, Oct Is, 1854.
To Hon. VIM. L. MARCY, Secretary of State.
/ Sir The undersigned, in compliance with the
wish expressed by the President in the several conf
Dental dispatches you have addressed to respect
lively to that effect, have met in conference first at
Ostend in Belgium, on the 10th and 1lth inst, and
then at AK La Chapee in Prussia, on the days next
following up the date hereof.
There has been full and unreserved interchange
of views and sentiments between US, which we are
most happy to inform you has resulted in a cordial
coincidence OF opinion on the grave and important
subjects submitted to our consideration.
| We have arrived at the conclusion and are tho
roughly convinced that an immediate and earnest
effort ought to be made by the government of the
United States to purchase Cuba from Spain at any
price for which it can be obtained, not exceeding the
sum OF - dollars.
The proposal should, in our opinion, be made in
such manner as to be presented through the neces
sary diplomatic form to the Supreme Constitutional
Cortes about to be assembled. On this momentous
question, in which the people both of Spain and the
United States are deeply interested, all our pro-
ceedings ought to be open, frank and public They
should be of such a character as to challe &c the
/ appreciation of the world.
We firmly believe that in the progress of human
events the time has arrived when the vital Interests
of Spain seriously involved in the sale those
of the United States in the purchase of the island,
and that the transaction will prove equally honora-
BILE to both nations.
Under these circumstances we cannot anticipate
failure unless possibly through the malign influence
of fore On powers who possess no right whatever to
interfere in the matter.
| We proceed to state some of the reasons which
have brought us TO the conclusion and, for the sake
of clearness, we shall specify them under two dis
tinct heads.
First. The United States ought. if practicable to
purchase Cuba with as little delay as possible.
Second. The probability is great that the Govern
ment and Cortes of Spain will prove willing to sell
it, because this would essentially promote the highest
and best interest of the Spanish people.
The frst-it must be clear 10 every rejecting mind
that from the peculiarly of its geographical position
and the considerations attended on it, Cuba is as ne
cessary to the North American Republic any of
lis present members and that it belongs naturally to
that great family of States of which the Union is the
providential nursery.
| From it's locality it commands the mouth of the
Mississippi, and the immense annually increasing
trade which must seek this to the ocean. On
the numerous navigable streams measuring ag
gregate course of some 10000 miles, which disem-
I bogue themselves into the Gulf of Mexico the in
crease of population within the last ten years a
mounts to than that of the entire Union, at the
/ time Louisiana annexed to it.
The natural and main outlet to the products of this
entire population the highway of their direct inter-
course with the Atlantic and the Pacific States can
never be secure, but must be endangered while
Cuba is dependency of distinct power, in whose
ossession it has proved TO be source OF constant
annoyance and embarrassment to their interests.
Indeed the Union can never enjoy repose, nor pos
reliable security, long Cuba is not embraced
within its boundaries.
It's immediate acquisition by our government is of
paramount Importance and we cannot doubt but that
it is contamination devoutly 10 be wished for by lis
. Inhabitants.
The intercourse which it's proximity to our coast BE-
gets and encourages between the citizens of the Uni
ted States has IN the progress of time united the
interests and blended their fortunes, that they
look upon each other as if they people and
, had but one destiny.
Considerations exist which renders delay in the &C
QUESTION of this Island exceedingly dangerous to the
United States.
The system of imm grafton and labor lately organ
lied within its limits and the tyranny and oppression
which characterize It's immediate rules threaten ar
instruction at every moment which may result in
N diretul consequences TO the American people.
l. Cuba has thus become to US an unceaslng DANCE
and permanent cause of anxiety and alarm.
But we need not enlarge on the topics. 1t Cal
r scarcely be apprehended, that foreign powers VIC
aton of International law, would interpose their in
" huence with Spain to prevent acquisition of tn
{" Island, Its inhabitants are now suffering under tn
ne worst of all possible governments-that of absolute
despolis, delegated by distant power to irresponsi
BILE agents who are changed at short intervals, an
en- who are tempted TO improve the brief opportunit
of thus afforded to accumulate fortunes by the bases
as means.
- AS long as this system shall endure humanity ma
ry in vain demand the suppression of the african sav
or trade in the Island This is rendered impossibl
a. while that Infamous traffic remains an irresistbI
e- temptation and source of immense profit to need
te and avarcous officials, who, attain their end
g pie not to trample the most sacred principles unde
We foot
ed The Spanish government at home may be we
nd disposed, but experience has prove that it cam
all control these remote repositories of its power
IN Besides the commercial nations of the world cam
he fail to perceive and appreciate the great advanag
ten which would result to their people from dissouti(
ETY. of the forced and unnatural connection betwet
no Spain and Cuba, and the annexation of the latter
Sc the United States The trade of England and Fran
OF with Cuba would in that event, assume at once
wn important and profitable character and rapidly exte
ost with the increasing population and prosperity of
ew island.
ex- But if the United States and every commerce