The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-29

HIM to negotiate for the purchase of Cuba, re-
marking that 1t had been hoped her Catholic
Majesty's Government might listen to such a
proposition. He desires Mr.. Soule to converse
on the subject with men of position and inau-
ence; but should he have reason to believe that
" the men in power are ayerse to entertaining
such proposition, that the offer of it would be
, offensive to the national pride of Spain. and
that it would find no favor in a considerable
class OF the people" then it would be but
TOO evident that the time for such q negotia-
ton has not arrived" Thus, without noticing
the recommendation of the Conferees to make
an immediate offer to Spain to purchase the
island, he coolly instructs Mr.. Soule to with
hold such an offer, if convinced that it "would
certainly be rejected
This leads him necessarily to advert TO the
report, the language of a part of which, he
says, might perhaps be so construed as to
sustain the inference, that the prop
osition should be made, though there should be
no chance OF its being entertained, and that it
should be accompanied with the open declara-
ton Or significant suggestion that the United
States were determined to have the island. and
would obtain it by other means, if their pres
ent advances, so advantageous to Spain, be re-
fused by her; but" he Immediately adds,
after thus clearly pointing out the real meaning
OF their recommendation, "other parts of the
report repel this inference" He labors to
educe from these I" other parts an argument to
prove that they did not mean to recommend
the alternative Of cession or seizure" appa-
rently anxious to relieve them from the odium
OF such counsel. The President, he says, en-
tirely concurs in the opinion, that, after Spain
shall have refused to SELL It will then be time
to consider the question, Does Cuba in the
possession OF Spain seriously endanger the in
ternal peace and the existence of our cherished
Union - Having assumed that by the conferees
this is regarded as an open question, he prompt
ly commits the Administration to the negative /:
" However much we might regret our want of
success IN our efforts to obtain the cession of
1t, tCuba,) that failure would not, without a
material change in the condition of the island.
involve imminent peril to the existence of our
Government" Of course, the law of selfpres-
ervation would not authorize its seizure Thus.
this very report, intended to recommend the
alternative proposition of purchase or seizure,
he uses to sustain the Administration in repu-
dating it
This is all the notice bestowed on this elab-
crate paper, the product of three days incuba-
ton by the Conference at Ostend
The rest of the despatch is devoted to in
structions to Mr.. Soule in regard to re-opening
the negotiations for satisfaction in the Black
Warrior case; and, the cesson of the island of
Cuba being "hopelessly abandoned for the
present. IN regard to arrangements providing
against future misconduct by the Spanish au-
thorities in that island
What followed, was precisely what was ex-
pected. The Administration having given up,
as hopeless for the present, the acquisition of
Cuba, Mr.. SOule had nothing more to do. His
great mission was closed, and on the 18th of
December he resigned his commission as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary.
Before leaving, he wrote to Mr.. Marcy, inform
ing him that the question of Cuba having been
lister of Foreign Affairs declared with emphasis
that to part with Cuba would be Ito part with
the national honor "a declaration which was
received with the most vehement plaudits
We shall close this article by copying the
report of this scene, of December 10Th, in the
Cortes, given in the French newspapers. 1t
will show not only the determination of Spain,
but how clearly is understood in Europe the
meaning of our eager desire to secure Cuba, and
how deeply it has injured our national reputa-
ton. How long shall the Slave Interest be SUI.
iered to demoralize the foreign policy Of the
Government, and degrade us in the Judgment
of the world?
an. LUzURRIAGA, Minister of Forign Affairs
All that can say is, and | say it most distinct
ly and emphatically, that the sale of the island
of Cuba would be the sale of Spanish honor it.
self! A burst ofloud and prolonged applause. !
The Cabinet of the Duke of Victory will never
consent to it; never These words, pronounced
with great animation and force, are again GOV.
cred with applauses.
I'M. D'ALBAIDA: | concur with and adopt the
generous language of Monsieur the Minister of
State. Upon this question we are all Spaniards.
L
to make of it another slave State. The true mode
of putting final stop to her pretensions would
be to proclaim the emancipation of the slaves
IN our colonies. Sensation. l seize this occa-
sion to declare that the Spanish Democracy has
nothing in common with the policy of the Uni
ted States. The United States declared at first
that they meant to come up to the assistance of
European liberty. Vain protestationsl Moth
ing has come it; absolutely nothing Noise |
Nothing, unless it be, from time to time, a few
speeches, of which we can make nothing.
Laughter. Therefore, ] repeat it, and wish
to be well understood, we have had nothing and
we have nothing in common with the policy of
the United States. Appreciation.
p" NJ. DE LA SAGRA concurs with NJ. d'Albaida
in the sentiments expressed by him in favor of
the abolition of Slavery, but thinks that this is
matter that should be made the subject of deep
and long reflection.
IN. OLoZAGA: / propose to the Chamber
the following order of the day:
"The Chamber declares that it has heard with
the most lively satisfaction the patriotic Ian
guage uttered by Monsieur the Minister of State.
and passes to the order of the day." Cries
from all quarters of yes, yes
q" nj. OLozAGA: well knew in advance that
upon this question there could not be two opn-
ions In Spanish Parliament; and / am proud
to be the organ for proposing the formula by
which the Constituent Cortes will give express
sion to its so profound and legitimate satisfac-
ton. Yes, yes let us vote Il
an OLozAGA's resolution was carried by
unanimous vote. The vote was followed by a
temporary suspension of the sitting"
EMIGRATION TO KANSAS.
Judging from the notices in the papers in the
free States, emigration to Kansas is a great fea