New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-06
THE SCHEME TO BUY CUBA.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE OsTEND CON
FERENCE.

FERENCE.
tn. doeuments concerning the famous Ostend
Conf.,enc. were sept 70 CODgress on the Sd inst.
tn, ,hov that meeting to have been ordered by
49,. Pierce and Marcy, and that the subject
NJ Il VA, the purchase of Cuba. The great pur-
no.. n the Executive in desiring to get that
I.l.nd was to prevent the emancipation Of the
Cub.p slaves snd the importation Of free Afri.
cans. The following is Mr.. Msrsys letter direct
inc the Conference to be held:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE. WARRINGTON Aus 49, 1855
PEssE souLE, Esq ,te Madrid:
Sir: sm directed by the President to eugges. TO
you particular step from which be anticipated much
charged on the subject Of Cuba.
These al other considerations which will resdily
occur to you euRgest that much may be done q! Con-
don and Paris either 10 promote directly the crest OBJ
jet in view Of leost TO clear away impedmsnt. to
its successful consun nation.
Under tbese circumstances il seems desirable thst
there should be full free interchange Of views
between yourself, Mr.. Buchanan, and Mr.. Mason, in
order to in reference to the gen.
eral object.
The simplest and only very apparent means Of at
tanning this end for the three Ministers to meet a.
early az may be, at convenient point, say Psrs,
to consult tgttber, TO compare opinions a. to wat
my be advisable, and 10 adopt measures for perfect
concert of action, in aid Of your negotiations at
Msorid. While the President, a. have before bad
occssoo TO state bas full confidence in your own in.
telgence and sagacity, he conceves that II csnnot
be Otherwise than agreeable to you and TO your COL
eat E ID Gre Britain and France 10 have the con-
sulfsiion suggested and thus to bring your common
wisdom and knowledge TO bear simultaneously upon
the negotiations at Madrid, London and Paris.
If you concur in these views. you will please to fx
the time when you can repair to Paris, or to such
other convenient point
Your obedent servant w. L. MARCY.
The Conference was held, as all the world
knows, and the following is the result thereof:
AK LA CHAPELLE, Oct. 1s, 1854.
To The Hon. WV MARCY, Secretary Of STATE; .
SIR: The undersigDed, In compliance with the wish
eypI essed by the President in the several confidential
cfpstcbes you have addressed TO US respectively to
that effect, have met in Conference first at Ostend,
in Belgium, on the 10Th and 18th inst, aud then at
AK j. Chspelle, in Prussia, on the days next
folIoeng up to the date hereof. There has been
and sentiments between u.s. which we are
mott happy to inform you has resulted in cordsl
COLI cideIce Of opinion on the grave and important
subjects submitted TO our consideration We have
arrived at the conclusion and are thoroughly con-
WINGED that immediate and earnest effort ought to
be sde by the Government Of the United States to
purchase Cuba from Spain at any price for which it
can BIZ obtained, lot exceeding the sum of - dol
lars. The proposal should, In my opinion, be inside
in such a manner as TO be presented through the
Necessary diplomatic forms to the Supreme Con-
stituent Cortes about to be assembled On this
mom.ntous question 10 which the people both Of
Spsin end the United States are 80 deeply in
terested, all our proceedings ought to be open,
frank and public. They should be of such char
scter TO challenge the appreciation Of the world.
We firmly believe that in the progress of human
of Spain are seriously Involved 10 the sale a. those
of the UIifed States, in the purchase Of the island
and that the transaction will prove equslly honorable
TO both nations. Under these circumstances We
o<o fui a
mslign Influence of foreign powers who poesess no
right whatever to interfere In the matter We pro.
coed TO state Of The which have brought
us 10 the conclusions and for the sake Of clearness,
we tball specify them under two distinct heads
First: The United States oughth if practicable, to
purchase Cuba with as little delay as possible;
Second: The probsb ty is great that the Govern
nen and Cores of Spain will prove willing to sell it,
because this would essentially promote the highest
an be ct intere sts of the Spanish people.
The first. 1t must be clear to every rejecting
MIND that from the peculiarly of its geographical po-
sitiop and the considerations attendant il, Cuba
az ne cessary to the North American Republic as any
OF it's pIeseDt members. and that 1t beoogs naturally
TO that great family Of States Of which the Union Is
the provioentisl nursery From Its locality 1t CON-
msnds the mouth of the Mississippi, and the mmenee
annually EASING trade which must seek this ave.
nue. 70 the Ocean, On the numerous naveable streams
measuring ali aggregate course of some 80 600 miles,
which disembogue themselves through this mag
niicent river into the Gulf Of Mexico, the In
amounts 10 more than that Of the eutre Union,
at the time Louisiana was annexed to it. The
natural and main outlet to the products OF TINS
entire population, the highway of their direct IN
tercourse with the Atlantic and the Pacific States
can never be secure but must ever be endanger.
ed while Cuba is dependency Of distinct power.
in whose possession it has proved to be source oil
constant ANNOYANCE and embarrassment 10 their IN.
tereats. Indeed, the Union can never enjoy repo'e
nor possess reliable security as long as Cuba is not
10, hnuud arlQ Ifa irnm e
QUESTION by our Government lie Of paramount import
ance and We cannot doubt but that il is consumma
ton devouty wished for by its inhsbItants Inc In
tercourse which its proximity to our coasts 6egeS ana
encourages between the citizens Of the United states
hes in the progress Of time united their interests
and blended their fortunes that they now look upon
each other as if they were one people, and had but
one destiny. CONVERSATIONS exist which render de-
Law in tie acquisition Of this Island exceed
iDgly dangerous to the United States Inc sys-
lied within it, limits, and the tyranny and OPP
preston which characterize its immediate rulers
threaten an insurrection at every moment wnc may
result in drefu to the American people,
Cuba has thus become to us an unce8sng danger ana
a permanent cause of anxiety and alarm. But We
need Dot enlarge on these topics can scarcely be
sppre hended that foreign powers in violation OF iotei
rational law would interpose their influence wtn
Spain 10 prevent our acquisition Of the Island. lts
inhabitants are now tuf.ripg under the worst OF Gil
possible govsrnments-thst of absolute desPotsm
delegated by distant power to irresponsible ssenn,
who are changed at short intervals, aud who are
tempted to improve the oriei opportunity mus Oh
forded to accumulate fortunes by the basest means
AS long a. this system shau endure, humanity
may in vain demand the suppression oi inc African
slave trade in the Island. This 10 rendered in
irresistible temptation and source Of immense Pront
to needy and avarcious officials, who, TO attain tnei
end tcruple not to trampe the most sacred principles
under foot The Spanish Government at ho ne may