The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-03-08
The Richmond Letter Sheet Prices
carrent, carefully prepared. viii be ready to-
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potck of Messrs. Buchanan, MdsoH an" c""'e'
10 the Pressdent Among the documents sent
In ON Saturday to Congress. relative 70 tne
Ostend conference, and which are SAID 70 DC
very voluminous, covering some so' Pase''
Are several letters from Mr.. Marcy to Messss'
Soule and Buchanan-the first 10 M'. 'o"'e'
Encouraging the idea OF proposing " pu,,
chase Cuba OF Spain, but expressing wisn
for . commercial treaty with Spain, and m
u,s,;ry that the Captain General OF Cusa
ouoht 10 have power to redress injuries as
vslI A. ;naict them; tie second to Mr. Buch-
.nan, complaining of Britain keeping neets
ON the Cuban coast to watch us, and pro'eS''
I'm, against the African colonization scnene'
the third and fourth to Mr.. Soule, recoun..ps
the Black Warrior outrage, and demanding
$500, 900 indemnity to owners; the NTH !" Mr.
Soule. fears that an African colonization
scheme is on foot, and in consequence gives
Soule powers to negotiate for the purchase OF
Cuba: sixth to Mr.. Soule. suggests the U.s.
tend conference. The most important OF the
documents, however, is the joint despatch OF
Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soule. dated
Ak La Chapelle, Prussia Oct. sS, 1854, and
addressed to Mr.. Marcy. the American Sec
Rotary of State. The despatch gives the re-
suit of conferences which, in compliance with
the wish of the President, were heldfrst at Os-
tend in Belgium, on the 9th, 10th and nth OF
Oct last, and then at AK La Chapelle, On the
days next following up to the 18th OF octo.
Der. The despatch states that, after iuii
and unrsserved interchange OF views and sen
timents between the ministers, they cordially
and unanimously arrived ut the CONCLUSION
and the thorough convictions that an immedl-
ate and earnest effort ought to be made by
the Government of the United States, to pur-
chase Cuba from Spain, at any price tor
which il can be obtained, not exceeding the
sum Of dollars The proposal, they
think, ought to be made to the Supreme Con
stituent Cortes of Spain, and all the proceed
ings on the part of the United States be open'
frank and public.
The despatch proceeds to give reasons at
length, showing that the United States ought
to make the purchase, and the probability
that the Spanish government will prove will
ling to sell it, because this would essentially
promote the best interests of the Spanish peo-
pie.
Commanding the mouth of the Missls-
sippi and the immense trade which seeks
that avenue, that outlet, it is held, can
never be secure to our people, whilst Cuba IS
dependency of distinct power. Another
cause of unceasing danger is pointed out in
the system of immigration and labor late
iy organized within the limits of Cube, and
the tyranny and oppression of its Immediate
rulers which threaten an insurrection at any
moment and may result in direful conse-
quences to the American people. The sup
preston of the African slave trade, it is sug-
gested, can only be effected by falling into
American hands, and the trade of England
and France with Cuba, would be greatly
benefited were that island annexed to the U.
States, and would rapidly extend with the in
creasing population and prosperity of Cuba.
The interests of Spain, it is urged, would be
essentially promoted by the proposed pur-
chase. Two-thirds of the price of the island,
It is urged, would be ample for the compile
ton of her most important public improve
ments, and, with the remaining forty mil
lions, she might satisfy the demands now
pressing SO heavily upon her credit, and Gre
ate sinking fund which would gradually
relieve her from her overwhelming debt
Her British creditors are impOrtunate, and
their government may interpose to coerce
payment. The present is her golden oppor-
tunity. Cuba, it is alleged, never in its best
days, yielded the Spanish exchequer a clear
annual income of more than million and a
half of dollars. The expenses of its govern
ment have SO increased as to leave deficit
chargeable on the Spanish treasury of $780,
600, and, under no possible circumstances can
it yield to Spain one per cent. on the large
amount which the United States are willing
to pay for its acquisition. The danger of
Spain losing Cuba from instruction and re-
volution is then pointed out, and the DANCE
rous complications between nations to which
it may give birth, if Cuba be not sold, is en-
larged upon. The United States, it is stated,
have never acquired foot of territory ex-
cept by fair purchase, and it does not design
to acquire the island of Cuba without the
consent of Spain, unless Justihed by the great
law of self preservation. If after offering
Spain price far above its value, and this
shall have been repulsed, and Cuba, in the
possession of Spain, should seriously endan-
ger our internal peace and union, then We
should be justified in wrestling it from Spain,
upon the same principle that would justify an
individual in tearing down the burning house
Of his neighbor, if there were no other means
Of preventing the flames from destroying his
own house.
1t ID stated by the Washington correspon.
dent OF the New York Herald, that Mr.. Mar.
oys letter in reply to the joint despatch is
very long, taking decided ground against the
opinions advanced by Messrs. Mason. Bucb.
anan and Soule, and directing MIR. Soule 10
retrace his ground and resume ne.ot;,t,ons
II Madrid upon the most p eaceable basis
TO this, it is added, Mr.. soule rep,;ed in :.
nrief note, stating that the Instructions thus
communicated were of 80 extraordinarv !.
charaeter-so totally at variance with the
whole previous policy of the administration.
ma c!s=ssardful Of the humiliating position