The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-08
Mr. Marcy % M, B,sca@an.

ought not TO conclude this communication without ss
eating the views Of the President in relation the a
venon of Great Britain in conjunction with France il a.
affairs OF Cuba These powers proposed to this govenm,
in April 1882 20 enter into tripartte convention AZ
guaranying the Spanish dominion Cuba The proe
TO this course neither England France could nsK
take exceptions but they have conformity expressed as
isfacton with certain parts Of the letter OF ay predecessor
Mr. Everett rejecting their overture In future despatch
I may submit to you the Presidents opinions upon tAs
Joint protest he regards H. against OF the octns
contained in that letter for the purpose OF having them
formally presented 10 the consideration of the government
Of Great Britain, Az this time shall only state the lft
that distinct intmaton is conveyed by both England And
France that they viii resist the transfer of Cuba 10 II.
United States and assist Spain in of any foreign nl
ference in aid of the Cuhans whether openly coycy
applied in any attempt they may make TO escape from tho
Spanish yoke.
The course OF England and France in sending their shin,
of 10 coast during the late disturbances respect
ing that island without previous notice specification AZ
their object and the supervision they claimed the rich,
TO exercise along that coast were Ito the mia.
est expresSon) not respectful 10 this republic us
fact cannot be disguised that both England and Franc
suspect the United States Of design to deach from Spain
the island of Cuba and appropriate il 10 themselves With
regard the rights Of Spain respect for the law
nations Their simultaneous movement that occasion
unquestionahle evidence that they then INDUCED Tia,
belief There nothing in the history OF our past
nation Justify such unworthy suspicious Il snae
have in the last half century greatly enlarged
rtorcs and so have Great Britain and France enlarged
theirs but have done IL in manner that proud
territorial expansion International law has been observed
the rights Of others vigorously respected nothing in short
ha. been done justify the slightest suspicion Of mpa
The government Of the United States Ia not unwilling
submit its whole public conduct in this or indeed In all
other respects The scrupalous examination But
If our had been less openly marked BY honor and
honest intention England and France should reluctantly
be We need 20 further back than to the
British orders in council, and the imperial decrees Of
France show that have been the victim Of the bro
ken law of nationsnot the volators Of that law. We
t,.r. s,lAu
feeble dynases possessions which they have held for ages
to add new domnions to own but every acquisition
have made has been obtained by an equivalent youn
tariiy accepted.
For many reasons the United States deeply interested
in the destiny Of Cuba, They will consent 10 liz
transfer TO either Of the nerv ening nations, or 10
other foreign State They would regret foreign pow
interfere sustain Spanish rule in the island should
provoke resistance too formidable TO be overcome by Spain
herself.
When oppression over a colony or dependency is so
excite revolt and that revolt becomes strong
be suppressed by the power which proyokcs IT, the OPP
presor has assnredy better right to invoke foreign aid
any better for employing IT, than the victims
arbitrary misrule have to relief from the same qua'u
When il understood that Spain had applied to the a.
lied sovercgns af Europe for assistance to her
voled colonies in America, the government Of the United
States protested in emphatic against such procr
durr and If the protest had failed in its oeci this gov
would undoubtedly have Ind to other
means arrest snrh interference
1t is minated though not authortativcly announced
that il is the design OF Spain whenever she clearly per
ceves that she longer retain possession OF Cuba
render the island worthless any other power the ha
ard OF making ii of annoyance to this country;
and that England il disposed 10 in such
Though unwilling TO believe that such scheme Is
tanned by Spain could be concurred In by England
the suggestion is not too idle TO attract attention
We do complain that Great Britain eniorces her treaty
spnlaons in regard to the e,aancpado in Cuba but III
should prove be that she Ia using her influence in
furtherance OF design 70 Gil that island with emigranb
from Africa, in order that when Spanish rule II shall
cease may become an African colony given over 10 bar
bas she ought to be conscious that she s concnrrng IN
act which in Its consequences must be injurious 10 tbs
United States Africans thus imported and held in limited
scrvude, and slaves the island converted into a
prentces would constitute but another form Of slavery
and requires the Of experiment show how far such
substitute under tho inevitable abuses which would al
tend il would mitigate the evils of the present system
Cuba whatever be lis political condition, whether de-
pendency sovereign State s Of necessity neghbor
II lies within sight of In carrying trade be
tween some of principal cities, vessels must pass
along It's shore Intercourse with 1t Is unavodable Stand
ing IN that geographical relation 1t 10 imperative upon
to require from H. whatever may be its condition. all the
observances imposed by good neighborhood II must be
to the United States OF annoyance IN ITSELF NOT
must II be used by Others instrument OF annoyance
Great Britain which has SO many reasons for mainap
ing amcabie relations with this country should be unwi
ling to hazard the interruption OF them BY counennnng
or concurring in any measure in regard TO Cuba winch
its consequences would be adverse the welfare or tram
quiiiity Of this Union.
You instructed to ascertain fully possible the
views Of the British government in regard Cuba and
what arrangements If any she has entered into cone
plates with Spain, either by herself conformity With
France, relative to that island
We should very much regret that the general condition
OF thngsin Cuba, any particular occurrences the
should be such AZ TO act powerfully upon the feelings
individuals among 10 mpei them 10 irregular nc
ton, and 10 embark, have done in unlawful co.
terprses against that island but If unhappy that should
be the the Of the United States VIII do ~
whole duty 10 Spain, and ALI the repressYe means 80
therzsd by law, required by honor restrain e
within the limits Of duty In this respect Spain VII
have no good TO complain any other nation mr.
SScasion TO intervene
Ifcuha favored 10 her condition as the DE-
pendent ct foreign power If she enjoyed toe f9luca
rights which have wisely been granted Canada and
other favored Provinces If restrictions upon her iorgh
trade we're relaxed, oar government would be much -
embarrassed IA maintaining neutral relations VIE
spain and secpaons upon the future destiny o. Cubs
either independent State In her present or AM
new association, would to be matter u deep ne
est both on this and the other side Of the Atlantic
While other nations duties 10 Spain, she owes r.
cproc duties them Al the earliest practicable period
Alter federal Union formed this goyarnsAent inter
dcied the slave trade la All sections 81 country
regarded odious and wicked traffic The act Of Cor
gress prohibiting has been faithfully observed
every part o. our Union bat Spau, though under ie
most solemn obligations 10 abstain from IL has there
abundant TO believe eonuired necessarily y
the inaction Of these obligations and tolerated the intro
dueon Of many thousands Of African slaves annually into
Cuba What view with sentiments Of abhoneuce, and
have rigidy interdicted do like practsed ~
doors In spite Of AL thar has been promised ~
Spain and all that has been done BY other powers 70 sup
press the slave trade The possession of Cuba BY Spain N
vors ite continuance and Il formidable obstacle % J"
suppression
lief that IL win coext with the spanish rule over tna1
fsland contributed iaeonRforable degree y