The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-07

teres anticipate this result and give birth TO indie
pendent nation Of her own race retaining at the same
time commercial intercourse with IL profitable she
can have in connexion upheld and prolonged by force
If Cuba could be smancpated from a European domna-
ton the United States would probably be relieved from
all the anxeies they feel in regard TO It's future des
tiny 1t would, in that case fall necessarily into the Amer
lean continental system and contribute to its stability in
stead OF exposing IL TO danger. You will If fair ocea-
sion be offered favor this view Of the case but the
time take special not 10 excite suspicious Of sinister
views on the part OF this government to wound the
ssnsbiiy OF an ancient and proud nation The United
States would cordially favor such voluntary separation
and if necessary effect IT. would be willing to contribute
something substantial than their goodwill towards
object desirable TO them but what they would do
in urherance Of it cannot be precisely speched until II is
distinctly what would be required on Their part
to its accomplishment On this interesting subject
this department is very desirous of obtaining early and
full information not only of the views OF the government
OF Spain and the people of Cuba but of the disposition of
European powers TO favor obruct measure OF vast po
litical and commercial importance Your position 1t is
believed will enable you ascertain these views with
siderable accuracy When the nature of your commun
cations is such to require secrecy requested to
proper precautions to effect TINT object Should it be
necessary to employ special messengers for that purpose
the expense thus incurred will be allowed in the settlement
of your do not however, apprehend that your
of precauon need go further than to insure the de-
livery of your important dispatches to our despatch
agent in London In most instances it will be safe TO
the ordinary mode OF transmitting them
There other matters less delicate and important yet
of much interest to the country to which will direct your
attention.
On the supposon that change to take place in the
relations between Spain and Cuba that arbitrary power
by the oer is for time longer to repress discomfort
in the latter this government has right demand
emption from the annoyances which likely to
suit from such a condition of things Our flag must
be respected and our relieved from embar-
rassment by the Cuban authorities The United States
will not submit to have their merchant vessels,
though in the vicinity of that island searched de-
tanned their lawful voyages. This department has
already had occasion to present several complaints of
citizens for wrongs their persons and property the
of Spain but these complaints havo not
ceved the attention they deserved Demands of indemnity
for injuries have been answered by unsatisfactory expana
TONS Our steamships their trips between New Orleans
and New York. have been uareasonaby detained several
occasions at the port OF Havana causing serious demen
to their and great to numerous passen
gers board Spain ought to be that the frequent
occurrence of these of irritation even if the COM
planned of could be justified by the extraordinary powers
vested in the local authorities of that island tend to inn
pair the amcable relations between the two countries
trust that you viii be able to convince her Catholic Maes
tys government OF the mpocy well injustice OF this
conduct the part of its Cuban agents. and the injurious
consequences which must result from persistence in this
If the unquet condition of Cuba has rendered it
necessary in the judgment of San todopt stringent and
harsh measures towards her subjects in that colony
order restrain outbreaks and enforce obedience to her
rule she bound to take every precanion to prevent the
evils OF such policy from reaching the citizens of other
governments Our past experience shows that when such
is the case these evils aggravated by the embarass
ments thrown in the way of obtaining redress The cap
tangenera is vested with the power of holding po
cal intercourse with the governments consuls of the in
ured complaining party The appeal for redress is
cessary produces much delay thereby aggravatng wrongs
and increasing irritation where speedy explanations might
be satisfactory.
You are instructed to bring this subject to the attention
of her Catholic Maestys government and urge upon the
importance of Arrangement for the expeditions settle
ment of difficulties which will undoubtedly arise
fortunately they have heretofore too often arsen in the in
of citizens with Cuba When the complaints
Of citizens have been presented to the court at Madrid
they have not received prompt attention. and redress has
been evaded by delay There are some pending
you will perceive by the papers in the archives of the
legation at Madrid to which you expected to give early
attention. while thereare Others which, after protraced
gotation, TO have been laid aside In future
municaon shall probably bring the latter to your
tice with particular instructions in relation to them.
There not now, has there been, commercial
treaty between the United States and Spain That of 1895
what it purpored be"a treaty of friendship lin
its and navigaton it contained but few clauses relative
to trade between the two countries and those clauses by
the construction which Spain has given to the treaty. do
not apply to commercial intercourse with her colonies
respect to which regulations particularly required In
the direct trade between The two countries tonnage duties
have been equalized by legislation and similar effect
attempted be produced in the way in regard i'm
port duties in the colonial trade but with very i'll
Our legislation that subject particularly the of 1894
has failed in its object which was to induce Spain to aban
don her discriminating duties the cargoes of vessels in
the ports of her colonies; it has operated inurously
the trade of both countries, more probably
the trade Of the United States than that of Spain.
She still persists in the discrimination in favor OF
Spanish vessels by imposing less duty their cargoes in
her colonial ports than that imposed the cargoes of for
egn vessels The United States being prohibited by their
constitution from imposing export duty have counter
acted this discrimination indirectly by increased
mage duty Spanish vessels clearing for colonial Span
sh port equivalent to the of discrimination in their
favor their cargoes in such port the cnrgoes i'm
ported in American bottoms The effect of this law has
been divert the trade in Spanish between the
colonies of Spain and the United States other
and to reduce exports these colonies Should the
attempt which has been made in Congress to repeal the
of 1884 succeed with Cuba and Porto Rico
would still be embarrassed by discriminating duties not
likely to be removed except by commercial convention
Considering the proximity of Cuba to the United States
and the remoteness of Span together with the of
our trade with her colonial possessions it be al
necessary that there should be allowed qualified di-
pomatc intercourse between the captangeneral Of that
island and consul at Havana in order prevent diff
cultcs and preserve good understanding between the
two countries Had such intercourse been open and
free recent which have created much m
taon might have been prevented speedily arranged in
a satisfactory manner
There several other subjects Of interest the people
of each country which might very properly be regulated
by commercial convention Should you ascertain that
the of Spain disposed TO into such
convention these subjects will be presented your consd-
eraon with authority to negotiate commercial treaty
The desire the part OF the United States such treaty
looks beyond mutual commercial advantagesan import
ant object to both natonsit has regard better
ty for preserving the good understanding subssng
between this country and Spain
am, sir, respectfully your obedent servant
w. L. MARCY.
PrERRs SouLe Esq, &c. &c, Madrid
No. l61 M. Marcy 10 Mr. Sonk
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, June %, 1854.