Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-08
NUMBER 96.
Official Report OF the Ostend Conference.

/ The following is the official report made to the
Secretary of State Of the results of the celebrated
Ostend Convention:
AK LA CHAPELLE, Oct. IS, 1854.
To Hon. WM. L. MARCY, Secretary of State
Sir: The undersigned in compliance with the
wish expressed by the President in the several
fdential dispatches you have addressed to us re-
spectvely to that effect, have met in conference,
first at ostend in Belgium, on the 10th and 1lth
instant and then at AK La Chapele in Prussia, on
the days next following up to the date hereof
There has been full and unreserved inter
change OF views and sentiments between us,
which we are most happy to inform you has result
ed in cordial coincidence Of opinion on the grave
and important subjects submitted to our conside-
ration.
We have arrived at the conclusion, and are tho
roughly convinced that an 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 II 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 ne
cessary diplomatic forms to the supreme consttu-
ent Cortes about to be assembled. On this mo-
mentuous question, in which the people both Of
Spain and the United States so deeply interest
ed all our proceedings ought to be open, frank
| and public. They should be of such character
as to challenge the appreciation Of the world.
| We firmly believe that in the progress ofhuman
events the time has arrived when the vital inte-
rests of Spain are as seriously involved in the sale
as those of the United States in the purchase of tho
Island; and that the transaction will prove equally
honorable to both nations.
Under these circumstances we cannot anticipate
failure, unless possibly through the malign iniu-
ence offoreign powers who possess no right what
ever to interfere In the matter.
Weproceed to state some Of the reasons which
Nnv nnbf no t,f ,I,.a,n a 49,
Of clearness We shall specify them under two dis.
tinct heads.
First. The United States ought If practicable.
to purchase Cuba with as little delay as possible.
Second. The probability is great that 1.-THE gov
eminent and Cortes of Spain will prove willing to
sell it, because this would essentially promote the
highest and best interests of the Spanish people
The frst--t must be clear to every rchectinr
mind, that from the peculiarity of its geograpbca
position and the considerations attendant on II.
Cuba is as necessary to the North American repub
lie as any its present MEMBERS and that il be-
longs naturally to that great family Of States of
which the Union is the providental nursery
From its locality Ii -asis month 30 th
Mississippi and the immeilp. annnaiI ;,a. y sao
ing trade which must seek this >yanno - ~,
ocean. On the numerous nayigabiA s,saams n,aa
snring an aggregate course o. sohie oo'U Z,
which disembogue themselves through TINS niaeh.
ficent river into the Gulf of Mexico, the increase
az the populaton within the last ten years amounts
to more than that Of the entire Union ut the tune
Louisiana was annexed TO II.
The natural and main. outlet to the products oil
this entire population, the highway OF Their aircct
intercourse with the Atlantic and the Pacific States,
can never be secure, but must ever be endangered
while Cuba is dependency Of a distinct power, in
whose possession 1t has proved to be source OF
constant ANNOYANCE and embarrassment TO their
interests.
Indeed, the Union can never enjoy repose, nor
l. ..t,y ln,,fr lftao Ia rQt
embraced within its boundaries
Its immediate acquisition by our government is
of paramount Importance, and we cannot doubt but
that IL is consummation deyoutly wished for by
its inhabitants,
The intercourse whichits proximity to our coasts
begets and encourages between the citizens OF the
United States has in the progress Of time 90 united
their interests and blended their fortunes that they
now look upon each other as if they were one peo-
pie and had but one destiny.
Considerations exist which renders delay in tho
acquisition of this Island exceedingly dangerous
to the United States
The system of immigration and labor lately Oh
ganized within its limits, and the tyranny and OPP
preston which characterizes its immediate rulers
threaten an insurection at every moment, which
may result in direful consequences TO the Ameri-
can people.
Cuba has thus become to us an unceasing dan
| ger and a permanent cause of anxiety and alarm.
But we need not enlarge on these topics. IL can
scarcely be apprehended that foreign powers in
violation Of ofnternational law would nterpose their
influence with Spain to prevent our acquisition OF
| the Island It's inhabitants are nOw suffering un-
der the worst Of all possible governments--that of
absolute despotism, delegated by distant power to
irresponsible agents who are changed at short In
tervals, and who are tempted TO improve the brief
| opportunity thus afforded TO accumulate fortunes
/ by the basest means.
| AS long as this system shall endure humanity
may in vain demand the suppression of the African
| slave trade in the island. This Is rendered mpos
sible while that infamous traffic remains an ire
sistibe temptation, and source Of immense proht
to needy and avaricious officials, who, to attain
their end scrupe not to tranple the most sacred
| principles under foot
The Spanish government at home may be well
disposed, but experience has proved that II cannot
control these remote repositories Of its power.
| Besides, the commercial nations Of the world
cannot fail to perceive and appreciate the great
advantages which would result TO their people from
dissolution Of the forced and unnatural connex-
| ion between Spain and Cuba, and the annexation
Of the latter to the United States. The trade Of
England and France with Cuba would, in that
event, assume at once important and profitable
character, and rapidly extend with the increasing
population and prosperity Of the island.
But IL the United States and every commercial
nation be benefited by this transfer, the interests
| OF SPAN Woulu also De Rrehty anu eSoeutianJ PiV
1 NOTED. She cannot but see what such sum OF
money as we are willing pay for the island would
effect in the development Of her vast natural re-
sources.
Two-thirds Of this sum, II employed in the con-
struction Of system Of railroads, would ultimately
prove a source Of greater wealth to the Spanish
people than that opened to their vision by Cortes.
Their prosperity would date from the ratification
of the treaty of cession. France has already con-
structed continuous lines Of railroads from Hayre,
Marseilles valenciennes, and Strasburg, uia Paris
to the Spanish frontier, and anxiously awaits the
day when Spain shall find herself in condition to
extend these roads through her northern provinces
to Madrid Seville Cadz, Malaga, and the frontier
Of Portugal
This object once accomplished, Spain would be-
come centre Of attraction for the travelling world
and secure permanent and profitable market for
her various productions. Her fields, under the
stimulus given TO industry by remuneratng prices,
| would team with cereal grain and her vineyards