Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-03-17
Correspondence about Cuba.

Correspondence about Cuba.
Some important letters which passed between
Messrs. Marcy and Soule, in reference TO tbs
acquisition Of Cuba, were sent in by the Plesi
dent few hours before The adjournment Of
Congress-
Tie iirst dated July pad, 1853, gives Mr.. s.
his instructions a. minister to Spain. Hesis in
EuImea that:
s'ln the present aspect Of the case, the Presi.
den, does not deem il proper 10 authorize you
10 make any proposition for the purchase Of
that island. There is now 10 hape, as he be-
lieves, that such proposition would be favor
ably received, and the offer Of il might and prob
ably would, be attended with injurious effects"
He is recommended, however, 10 gain all al
| tainable information as 10 the designs OF En-
gland AMI France, and to encourage, when in
in his power the pcassabe erection OF Cuba in
TO an independent government. The obslruc
tions TO our commerce by the authorities Of the
island are referred to, and the minister insiIuc-
ted to urge commercial convention ami The
authorization Of "a qualified diplomatic inter-
course between the caPtain-general and our csn-
sui at Havana"
The second dispatch. Of date June 22l, 1854,
is from Mr.. Marcy in reilly to the Spanish
foreign minister in regard 10 the Black IEnri.
on affair, sustaining at length the justice Of our
claim for reparation and provision against the
recurrence OF similar inlur es in future.
Number three is from Mr.. Soule, dated o.
tober 20,h, 1854, is signed BY that minister,
Mr.. Buchanan aud Mr.. Mason, and gives The
result of the celebrated Ostend conference which
had just been held. This document, is quite
long, though anything but undecided in its tone
aud Recommendations. We can give but b,ief
summary. II opens by s,ying
.There has beer full and unreserved inter-
change Of views and sentiments between ~,
which we are most happy 10 inform you has
resulted in a cordial coincidence of opinion on
the grave and important subjects submitted 10
our consideration.
ave have arrived at the conclusion, and are
thoroughly convinced, that an immediate and
earnest effoit ought TO bs made by the govern
mest Of the United States 10 purchase Cuba
from Spain at any price Tor which it can be OBJ
tanned not exceeding the sum Of -
i goes on to detail The reasons which make
the step the interest Of both Spain and The Uni.
ted States. After representing that 'sself.pie-
seryalion is the first law Of nature, with States
as wei as with Individuals" the diplomatic
consullanis proceed:
CATER we shall have offered Spain price
Tor Cuba far beyounI its present value, and ,hi.
shall have been refused, il will rhen be lime 10
consider the question, does Cuba in the posses.
sion oil Spain seriously endaneer our internal
pence and the existence OF our cherished Uni
OIL
"Shoud this question be answered in the
affirmative. then by every law, human and d.
vine, we shall be Justified in wrestling /, from
Spain II we possess The power-and this upon
the very same principle thai would Justify an
individual i'll tearing down the burning honse
| of bis nelghb0r il there we're no other means of
preventing the flames from destroying his own
home.
sUndsr such circumstances, We ought nei,h.
or 10 count the cost nor regard the odds which
Spain might enlist against usn
They say the Black Uarrior outrage awonld
have justified resort to measures OF war;
lhcrsh The United States shave forbors to ,e.
sort to extreme measures, this course cannot
with due regard 10 their own diaily as al, in.
dependent naiiou. continue and our recom-
nendaiions, now submitted, are dictated by The
hrm belief that the cession Of Cuba TO the Unl
ted States with slipulatioEs as beneficial 10
Spain as hose suggested, is tho only Elective
nude OF settling all past differences and o. 81.
curing The two countries against iut.Ire coal
isious."
MI. Marcy's reply to this document, dated
November 18Th 1854, agrees that ;;i,e mea. sure
therein piesenied-the purchase Of Cuba-is
p obably the only one which would with cer-
lainty place the relations OF the two countries
on sound basis OF enduring friendship = li.
iccts Mr.. Soule TO avoid making the proposition
Tor purchase should he find the man in power
averse 10 entertaining il; declares that the Pr 81.
dent does not quite consider the door to adjust
ment in the Black Warrior case as having
been closed; and uses the following expressions
In concluding
"Direct diplomatic irteTcoure by an agent Of
the United States wiih the captain general Of
Cuba, Tor the mere purpose Of presenting eriov.
ances, vii, not meet The exigency oil the case.
The capisin' general must TO under an efficient
responsibility 10 redress tae wrongs 10 our citi.
zens committed BY hi. subordinates mhen
brought to his notice."
"ln resnmirg negotiations with Spain, you
Will 10 a firm but respectful manner Impress
upon the ministry that is determinations Of the
President 10 have all the matters in controversy
between her and tire United States speedily AL
Insled. tleis DIES rous::'o have 1t done hy nrgoia
ton. aud would exceedingly regret that ial-
ure to reach the end he has in view in this
peaceful way should devolve upon him the ,u-
" OF recommending a resort 10 c0ert i've inca.
sures to vInsilcale our national rights, aud le-
dress The wrongs Of our citizens"
Mr.. Sone answers this by a brief letter ten.
derns his resignation, on the ground lha, il
leaves him no alternative bu, that con,iu.
ing to llnger here in ldngnd impotence or of sur
rendering trust which with the impedimrn,s
thrown in The way of it's execution, ! would
strive in vain TO discharge in manner sa,isfac
tory 10 the government or credi:abc 10 my
seli.n
The resignation is dated Madrid, Dec 9Th
1884. and eost,a th,, ros