The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-15

offers 20 aid Spain in plotting To bring about
such independence. He again deprecates the
African colonization scheme, and directs our
minister to ascertain if any such scheme is in
contemplation.
Er. Marcy 10 Mr.. SOule.
Extracts No 1917
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, dug. Is, 1854
SIR: | am directed BY the President to sup.
gest to you a particular step, from which he
anticipates much advantage to the negotiations
with which you are charged on the subject Of
Cuba.
These, and other considerations, which will
readily occur to you, suggest that much may
be done at London and Paris, either to promote
directly the great object in view, or at least to
clear away inpediments to its successful con
summation.
Under these circumstances, it seems desira--
raLle that there should be a full and free
interchange of views between yourself, Mr..
buchanan, and Mr.. Mason, in order to secure
concurrence in reference to the general OBJ.
iect
The simplest and only very apparent means
of attaining this end is for the three ministers
TO meet as early as may be, at some convent
ent point, say Paris, to consult together, to
compare opinions as TO what may be advisable
and TO adopt measures for perfect concert oil
action in aid Of your negotiations at Madrid
While the President, as / have before had oc.
cssion to state. has full confidence in your own
intelligence and sagacity he conceives that IL
cannot be otherwise then agreeable to you and
to your colleagues in Great Britain and France
TO have the consultation suggested, and thus to
bring your common wisdom and knowledge to
bear simultaneously upon the negotiations al
Madrid, London, and Paris
If you concur in these views, you will please
TO fix the time when you can repair to Paris, or
to some other convenient point.
Pierre SOnle, Esq, de-, Madrid.
Aessrs Buchanan, Mason, and .Soule, to Mr..
Marcy.
AK LA CHAPELLE, Oct. lS, 1854
SIR: The undersigned, in compliance with
the wish expressed by the President IN the sew
eral confidential dispatches you have address
ed to US respectively to that effect have met in
conference first at Ostend, in Belgium, on the
10th aud 18th instant, and then al AK la
Chapelle, in Prussia, on the days next follow
ing, up to the date hereof.
There has been full and unreseryed inter
change of views and sentiments between us
which we are most happy to inform you has re
suited in a cordial coincidence of opinion on
the grave and important subjects submitted 10
our consideration.
We have arrived at the conclusion. and are
thoroughly convinced that an immediate and
earnest effort ought to be made by the Govern
ment of the United States to purchase Cuba
from Spain, at any price for which it can be
obtained, not exceeding the sum of --
dollars.
The proposal should, in our opinion, be made
in such manner as TO be presented through
the necessary diplomatic forms TO the Supreme
Constituent Cortes about TO be assembled. On
this momentous question, in which the people
both of Spain and the United States are so
deeply interested, all our proceedings ought to
be open, frank, and public. They should be of
such character as to challenge the approba-
ton Of the world.
We firmly believe that, in the progress of
human events, the time has arrived when the
vital interests of Spain are as seriously involved
an the sale as those of the United States in the
purchase Of the island; and that the transaction
will prove equally honorable TO both nations
Under these circumstances, We cannot antc-
pate failure, unless possibly through the
malign influence of foreign Powers, who possess
no right whatever to interfere in the matter
We proceed to state some of the reasons which
have brought rs to the conclusion; and for the
sake of clearness We shall specify them under
two distinct heads.
First. The United States ought, if practica-
bic, TO purchase Cuba with as little delay as
possible.
Second. The probability is great that the
Government and Cortes Of Spain viii prove will
ing to sell it, because this would essentially
promote the highest and best interests of the
Spanish people.
The FIRST. Ii must be clear to every reflect
ing mind, that, from the peculiarly of its geo.
graphical position aud the considerations attend
ant on 1t, Cuba IS as necessary to the North
American Republic as any of It's present mem
bers, and that it belongs naturally TO that great
family of States of which the Union is the prov
idential nursery.
From its locality it commands the mouth of
the Mississippi, and the immense annually
increasing trade which must seek this avenue
10 the ocean. On the numerous navigable
streams, measuring an aggregate course of some
$4,000 miles, which disembogue themselves
through this magnificent river into the Gulf OF
Mexico, the increase of the population within
the last ten years amounts to more than that of
the entire Union at the time Louisiana was
annexed to it.
of this entire population, the highway of their
direct intercourse with the Atlantic and the Pa
chic States, can never be secure, but must ever
be endangered, while Cuba is a dependency of a
distinct Power, in whose possession it has proved
to be source of constant annoyance and
embarrassment to their interests.
Indeed, the mon can never en- ioy repose
nor possess reliable security, as long as Cuba is
not embraced within its boundaries
Its immediate acquisition by our Government
IS OF paramount Importance, and we cannot
doubt but that it is a consummation deyoutly
wished for by its inhabitants.
The intercourse which its proximity to our
coasts bege;s and encourages between the cit
zcns OF the United States has in the progress Of
time so united their interests and blended their
fortunes, that they now look upon each other as
II they were one people, and had but one
destiny.
Considerations exist which renders DELAY ii
the acquisition of this island exceedingly dan
gerous to the United States.
The system of immigration and labor lately
organized within its limits, and the tyranny auc
oppression which characterize its immed;at,
rulers, threaten an instruction at every moment
which may result in direfnl consequences to tn,
American people.
Cuba has thus become TO us an unceasins
danger and permanent cause of anxiety anC
alarm.
But we need not enlarge on these topics. |
can scarcely be apprehended that foreign Pow
ers, in violation of international law, woult
interpose their influence with Spain, to proven
our acquisition of the island. Its inhabitant
are now suffering under the worst of all posi-
BILE Governments-that of absolute despotism
delegated by distant Power to irresponsible
agents, who are changed at short intervals, ant
who are tempted to improve the brief opportu
nifty thus afforded to accumulate fortunes b,
the basest means.