The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-23
OUR FUTURE RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

OF the political compass IL s not strange that our houe Oh
announcing the settlement Of the Black Warrior case
should be distasteiul TO the editors Of that journal We
would not be surprised learn that have been alike
unfortunate ia meeting the wishes OF those foreign dpo
who take peculiar interest In our relations with
Spain We have inveterate habit however, of SYM
pathzng cordially with government In all for
egn questions which compes occasionally TO speak the
truth in terms plain that foreign diplomats and their
editorial sympathizers in this country think commit
an offence against good taste if not against good
ners and official propriety The exception taken by the
Iegencer to mode of announcing the settlement of
the Black Warrior affair il little credtable to its candor
as its patriotism 1t would have had to the
pleasant news that aour old ally had made amends
for injury before it 1.-THE Union proceeded TO shake
its fist in her face and remind her that although she
had satisfactorily settled account had plenty
behind and meant TO exact the uermos farthing,
she would in the language OF our beicose friend Major
Downing, have to smell thunder" the English of which
is that should have followed the dictates Of diplomatic
good TASTE and protested to in this tardy acknowl
edgment of the justice of of demands gratifying
proof of purpose in future TO be prompt and
able in her future official intercourse than she has been
heretofore If had drawn such inference from the
tardy concession should certainly have declared
but even in direct opposition to conviction, the L
geces code of political morals would require us to avoid
the charge OF offending against good taste" and good
manners" and ofical proprey' by the suppression or
one day" of the truth We prefer to act upon the maxim
that the suppression Of The truth is bad The suggestion
Of alsehood and rather to offend against diplomatic
"eood taste than against candor and truth.
The circumstances which induce to regard the
al hv fba tofh tn
cord just indemnity for the damages the Black Warrior
affair as furnishing no reliable evidence of
able course her official intercourse hereafter deserve
be stated more fully. 1t will be remembered that Mr.
soue left Madrid about the LIST of September 1854 be
absent few weeks for his health leaving the affairs of his
legation in charge of Mr. Perry the secretary of legation
Mr. Soule had absent but few days when the Spanish
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Pacheco ad-
dressed to Mr. Perry formal proposition for mixed COM
mission Of arbitrator to sit in Madrid and adudicate all
claims in relation to injuries inflicted upon private ndivd
uas Mr.. Perry transmitted this proposition to our gov
eminent for its consideration. Mr. Soule communicated
the reply of government to this proposition to the
Spanish Secretary of State the 18th of December 1854
The reply The government of the United States,
anxious that all questions having the remotes tendency to
interfere with the friendly relations which has been its
constant endeavor cultivate with foreign powers and
especially with Spain, may be brought to speedy, peace
full and satisfactory solution would feel am sure
sion to entertain the proposed arrangement if to
apply only such might involve dputable facts
principles of doubtful import Bu nasmuch he great
majority Of those has pressed The justice Of her Ma
estys government free from both, serespcct has die
tated The ans,ser instructed to 10 your e1cel-
lncy hich that The proposed ar6ramen declined" The
instructions which Mr. Soul6 made this reply were
given in despatch Of Mr. Marcy, dated November ID
1854 and they emphatic and creditabe the gov
eminent that quote them, follows 'In relation to
outrages and injuries this have good grounds
to complain of the hitherto pursued by Spain
and should that be persisted in ,couM be jus
tilted in resorting 10 eoercpe means 10 obtain redress
but the aspect Of this branch of the subject has how
ever, lately somewhat changed The present cabinet
of Spain has indicated favorable disposition in
gard to demands for satisfaction and indemnity than that
which preceded it, do not attach much Importance 10 The
recent offer e part Of Spain 10 institute commission
settle all eristing eiaimssuch exists between the
United States and Great Britan-because Of those
claims Of such character serepea woud per-
mil us 10 submit 10 arbiramea IN any form. Yoa are there
fore, instructed 10 decline that oger.s
II will be that in rejecting the proposition for
joint commission which Mr. Perry promptly and with
much pleasure transmitted to Washington Mr.. Soule
carried out faithfully the views Of his government and in
subsequent despatch the Spanish Secretary of State
dated January 49, 1855 in reply the pointed remark Of
the Spanish minister that Spain had done all thai could be
eapeced Of her By proposing he Joint commission Mr. Souls
entered into brief Of of the cases which
the seespec of government would not allow il to
submit to arbitration in any shape
" That for instance, the capture by Msestys armed
Msesty jurisdiction, of sailing the flag Of the
United States had been the with the Georgana and
the Susan Loud the search practsed board
chester though found engaged in the prosecution eg
mate voyage; the firing at into unotfendng steamers
the stopping of mAbags for the purpose Of overhaung
them, in their transit to the ships which convey
them to their destination the Of pesccabe citizens
without assgnabe their confinement and secluson
in dark dungeons and their Judgment in fragrant violation
OF most solemn treaty puatons constituted wrongs of
gevous nature to have given to the slight
est hope that the United States could be induced sub
init the plain, clear and ndsputabe rights growing Of
them to the perlous issue Of arbitration
The reply the Spanish minister the sls January
1885, is worthy of special study by those who infer from
the made the Black Warrior case that Spanish
policy hereafter win not be less satisfactory than hereto
fore He again falls back upon the proposition for joint
commission which government had already rejected
insists that this gave proof Of desire maintain friendly
relations and added Hf the government of her Majesty
had thought that insult had been offered to that Of the