The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-03-16
s From the Richmond Dispatch
The OStend Conference.

He OStenO conference.
Among the documents sent in on SATURDAY. :.
Congress, relative 10 the Osicnd Conference, and
which are said 10 be very voluminous, coveriDu
some 200 pages, are several letters from NJ
Marcy to Messrs. Soue and Buchanan-,he e.,
to Mr.. Sou!e, dscouragng the idea of proposin"
TO purchase Cuba of SPnn but expressing wish
for commercial treaty with Spain, and Insis,inr
that the Captain General of Cuba ought TO hs,eS
power to redress injuries as well as infct them
the second TO Mr. Buchanan, complaining of Ri;
tain keeping fleets on the Cuban coast 10 watch
US, and protesting against the African colonization
scheme the third and fourth 10 Mr.. Soule, re.
counting the Black Warrior outrage, and demand.
ing $500, 900 indemnify to owners; The fifth to
MIR, Soue, fears that an African colonization
scheme is on foot and 10 consequence, gives Soulo
powers to negotiate for the purchase of Cuba
sixth to Mr.. Soue, suggests The Ostend conference
The most important Of the documents, however.
is the joint despatch Of Messrs. Buchanan, Mason
and SouIe dated AK La Chapelle, Prussia } Oc.
Is, 1854, and addressed TO Dir. Marcy, the Amer.
can Secretary oil State. The despatch gives the
result Of conferences which, in compliance with
the wish Of the President, were held first at Osend
in Belgium, on the 9th, 10Th, and 1llh Of October
last, and then at AK La Chapelle, on the DAYS
next following, up 10 the 18Th Of October. The
despatch states that, alter full and unreserved
interchange OF views and sentiments between the
ministers, they cordially and unanimously arrived
a; the conclusion and the thorough convictions
that immediate and earnest effort ought to be
made by the Government of the United States
to purchase Cuba from Spain, at any price for
which it can be obtained, not exceeding the
of - dollars. The proposal, they think,
ought 10 be made TO the Supreme Constituent
Cortes of Spain, and all the proceedings 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 willing to sell it, because
this would essentially promote the best interests Of
the Spanish people.
Commanding The mouth of the Mississippi, and
the immense trade which seeks that avenue, that
outlet it is held, cat never be secure to our people,
whilst Cuba a dependency Of distinct power
Another cause Of INCREASING danger is pointed out
in the system OF immigration and labor lately or.
ganzed within the limits Of Cuba, and the tyranny
and oppression OF its immediate rulers which
threaten an insurrection at any moment, and may
result in direful consequences TO the American
people. The suppression OF the African slave
trade, it is suggested, can only be effected by
falling into American hands, and The trade Of Eng
land md France with CUBA, would be greatly bene.
fitted were that island annexed 10 the United States
and would rapidly extend with the increasing popu
lation and prosperity OF Cuba.
The interests Of Spain, it is urged would be
essentially promoted by the proposed purchas'.
Two.lhirds of the price of the island il IS urged,
would be ample for the completion of her most
important public improvements, and, with the re.
naming forty millions, she mi ht satisfy the dc.
mands now pressing so heavily upon hor credit,
and create sinking fund which would gradually
relieve her from her overwhelming debt. Her
British creditors are importunae, ard their gov.
eminent may luterpOse 10 coerce payment The
present is her golden opportunity. Cuba, it is
alleged never, in her best days, yielded 10 the
Spanish exchcquer clear annual income Of more
than million and half OF dollars. The expenses
OF Its government have so increased as 10 leav"
a deficit chargeable on the Spanish treasury Of
5000, 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 It's acquisition.
The danger of SPAN losing Cuba from insur
rect4on and revolution is then pointed OUT and the
dangerous complications between nations TO which
it may give birth, il Cuba be not sold, is enlarged
upon. The United States it is stat'd, have never
acquired foot of territory except BY far purchase,
and it does not design to acquire tho island OF
Cuba wirhout The consent OF Spain, unless justified
by the great law of self preservation. II alter
offering Spain price far above its value, and his
shall have been r"pused, and Cubn, in the posses.
sion of Spain, should seriously endanger our inter
nal peace and union, then should be justified
wrestling it from Spain, upon the same principle
that would justify and individual in tearing down
The burning house Of his ncighbor, il there were
no other means of preventing the flames from de'.
troying his own house.
1t is. stated by the Washington correspondent
Of the New York Herald, that Mr.. Marcy's letter
in reply to the joint despatch, is very long, taking
decided ground against the opinions advanced oy
Messrs. Mason, Buchanan and Soule, and orec'
ting Mr.. Soue to retrace his ground and resume
negotiations at Madrid upon the most peaceable
basis.
To this, il is added, Mr.. Soule replied in brlel
noie stating that the instructions thus commune
Gated of so cx'raordinary a character-'O
totally at variance with The whole previous policy
of the administration, and disrcga rdIuI Of the hu'
initiating position he would be compelled to as
sumo were he TO carry them out, that self-resPec'
left him but one course to pursue, and he accoT'
DINGHY rendered his resignation.
-~-r~-~~-~~~~-
AN INDEPENDENT WESTERN REPUBLIC.--AkH