The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-07
SPANISH RELATIONS.
TpE osTEND CONFERENCE, WITH THE ACCoMPA-
NYING CORRESPONDENCE.
DEPARTMENT or STATE,

Mr. Marcy TO M. Soa6
M 2l DEPARTMENT or STATE,
Washington, July %, 1853.
s There circumstances in the affairs Of Spain hay
inc eonnexion with this country which give unusual inn
portance this time to the mission TO that government
The proximity of her remaining possessions in this hems
phere-t Islands Of Cuba and Porto Rieoto the United
States the present condition Of the former and the rumor
Of contemplated changes in its internal affairs, compcate
our relations with Spain The island OF Cuba, ON account
Of It's magnitude situation fine climate and rch prodnc-
tonsar superior in all respects TO ay in the West India
0rous very desirable possession Spain and, for the
same reasons very difficult for her to retain in It's present
state Of dependence The opinion generally prevails among
the European that the Spanish dominion over II Is
insecure This was clearly evnced by the alacry with
which both England and France on occasion OF the late
disturbances Cuba volunteered their aid TO sustain the
SPANISH rule it. and by their recent proposition TO the
United States for tripare convention TO guaranty It's
possession Spain. Without an essential change IN her
present polcysnch change as she viii most likely DC
unwilling to makeshe cannot Is confidently oeesea
long sustain unaded her present connexon with that
island What viii be its destiny after 1t shall cease 10 De
dependency of Spain is question with which some OF
the principal powers OF Europe have seen nj 70 concern
themselves and in which the United States have deep
and direct interest.
had occasion recently in preparing instructions for our
minister to London to present the views OF he PRESIDENT
in relation the interference of Great Britain as well as
of France, in Cuban affairs To spare my
self the labor of again going over the same ground
herewith furnish you with an extract from those nstruc
tons
The policy of the of the United States in re-
gard Cuba in any contingency calling for our interpo
ton will depend in great degree upon the peculiar CIR
custances of the and cannot therefore now be pre-
sented with much precision beyond what is indicated In
the instructions before referred to- Nothing will be done
on part to disturb its present conneAon with SPAIN
unless the character of that connexion should be so
changed affect present or prospective security
While the United States would resist at every hazard the
ansierence of Cuba to any European nation they would
regret Spain resorng to any power for
assistance to uphold her rule it. Such dependence
on foreign aid would in effect invest the auxiliary with
the character of protector and give 1t pretext to inter
tre in our affairs and also generally in those of the North
American continent In Of collision with the United
States, such protecting power would be in condition to
make nearly the Of that island to annoy us as IT
could do If it the absolute possessor of it. We have
recently learned in the instance of Central America what
protectorate MEANS and to what it may be devoted
There is very great difference between the protector
and the of territory and when the possessor is
weak and the protector strong the distinction appre
hend would in effect be annihiated. The one in reality
furnishes the preex for interfering in the concerns OF
neighboring nations as the other
While Spain remains in fact well in name the
eregn of Cuba she depend upon maintaining
duty neutral nation towards her, however difficult
II may be- In this respect the future will be the past
has been She is fully of the efforts this gov
ernment bas made late occasions to preserve
trail relations with her In these efforts she has the most
ndubitable proof Of determination to respect her rights
and cannot expect ask more other assurances
than past of conduct has gven of our friend
ship and of intention to do ryhng which depends
this government to strengthen and improve Onr
neutrality laws are believe stringent those of any
other country they could not be made restrictive
without violating the constitutional rights of citizens
IN the archives OF the legation there copy of these laws
to which yon can readily refer should become
sary to show that the legislative branch of govern
ment has been careful to provide of preserving
our peaceful relations with other nations the Executive
has been prompt and energetic to them for that pur
pose Our country open to the reception Of the citizens
and subjects Of all nations Millions have renounced their
natural allegiance and selected the United States for their
hnua Thnna bp hnr here az wcIl no WbO
have from foreign lands not and cannot be placed
under obligations to remain among u.s. Our government
lay restraints upon their emigration they have
respected laws while under its jurisdiction 1t cannot
make nquston into the motives which induce them to
withdraw from country, nor restrain them on the
ground of suspicion that they may not while out of
Jurisdiction, respect the rights of those nations which
at peace with the United States.
Wherever oppression has provoked revolt the sufferers
the objects Of sympathy Ardent and enthusi-
atc spirits rally to their standard Should the rule of
Spain Cuba be to excite revolutionary
movements in that island she will undoubtedly find vol
in the ranks of the Cubans from various countries
and owing to very obvious from the United
States probably than from any other but it would be
just to mpute this and the other governments to which
these volunteers formerly belonged unfrendy dispose
ton towards her. desire to aid candestinely in the at
tempt to that island from her. There is reason to
believe that Spain herself we'll other European gov
nmen suspects that the people of the United States
desrous Of detachng Cuba from its present transatlantic
dependence regardless of the rights of Spain with view
ofanneSng it to this Union; and that our government
was disposed to connive at the participation OF citizens
In the past disturbances in that island and would again
do the Of similar events. Our defence
against such unfounded suspicion, and the only
which sefrespect allows to make; is appeal to our
past course
In the views which you may present in regard Cuba
you will act with reference this suspicion, and do what
you can to aay it and TO inspire just confidence In our
fair intentions in this well as all other respects
Our minister at Madrid during the administration Of
President Polk was instructed to ascertain if Spain
disposed transfer Cuba to the United States for liberal
pecuniary consideration do not understand, however
that it at that time the policy of this government
acquire that island unless its inhabitants very gem
orally disposed to in the transfer Under certain
conditions the United States might be willing purchase
ii but it ia scarcely expected that you will find Spain
should attempt to ascertain her views upon the sub
lecat all inclined TO enter into such negotiation There
reason TO believe that she is under obligations Great
Britain and France not TO transfer this island the Uni
ted States Were there nothing else to Justify this belief
but the promptncss with which these two powers sent their
naval forces her aid in the late Cuban disturbances
the proposition for triparte convention TO guaranty
Cuba to Spainand what significant than either
Of the above facts the sort OF Joint protest by England
and France which adverted in my instructions 10 Mr.
Buchanan against of the views presented in Mr. Ey
eets letter OF the I'd of December last Mr. artees the
French mnisterwond alone be satisfactory proof of such
an arrangement Independent of any embarrassment of
this nature there many other for believing thai,
Spain will pernaciously hold to Cuba, and that the
sparason, whenever it takes place win be the work of
violence.
In the present aspect of the case the President does not
deem Il proper Iauthorize you 10 make any proposition
r the purchase of that island There is hope
ne believes that such proposition would be iavoaby
eye and the offer Off might and probably would be at
ended with injurious effects Without making approaches
ohe Spanish authorities upon this subject you may be able
. get information that may be important In shaping our
1iae policy in regard to Cuba is very desirable for