The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-28
THE OSTEHD MANIFESTO.

peen nandeu 10 the commanding officer at Fort
Riley to have the troops in readiness for ser.
vice.
THE OSTEHD MANIFESTO.
UNITED STATES LEGATION TO SPAIN,
London, October 20, 1854.
SIR: Herewith / have the honor to transmit
to you q Joint communication from Mr. Buchan-
an, Mr.. Mason, and myself, embodying the re-
suit OF our deliberations on the subject about
which We had been desired to confer together
The issues, with reference to which we we're
instructed to express our Judgment, were of too
momentous an import not to tax all the discern
ment and discretion in our power, and it was
with deep sense of solemn responsibility that
we entered upon the duties which had been
assigned to us.
May we have accomplished our task in a
manner not unworthy of the great object for
which it was conferred on us
My colleagues have had full view of the
difficulties and dangers which the question pre-.
sents and you will see that they have not hes.
itated to join me in the expression of sentiments
according strikingy with the intimations re-
peatedly thrown out in your dispatches to nae.
/ do not know if we shall be found sufficiently
explicit in the language through which we have
attempted to convey our Impressions trust,
however, that it will be found sufficiently free
from ambiguity to leave no room even for a
doubt as to it's true meaning.
The question of the acquisition of Cuba by
US is gaining ground, as it grows to be more
seriously agtated and considered. Now is the
moment for US to be done with it; for if we de-
lay its solution, we will certainly repent that
we let escape the fairest opportunity we could
ever be furnished with of bringing it to a de-
cisive test
Present indications would seem to encourage
the hope that we may come to that solution
peaceably
But if it were otherwise-if it is to bring
upon US the calamity of war-let it be now,
while the great Powers of this continent are
engaged in that stupendous struggle, which
cannot but engage all their strength and tax
all their energies as long as it lasts, and may,
before it ends, convulse them all.
Neither England nor France would be likely
to interfere with US.
England could not bear to be suddenly shut
out of our market, and see her manufactures
paralyzed, even by temporary suspension of
her intercourse with us.
And France, with the heavy task now on her
| hands, and when she so eagerly aspires to take
her seat as the acknowledged chief of the Euro
pean family, would have no inducement to as
sumo the burden of another war, nor any mo-
| keeping the destinies of the New World, as she
will soon have those of the Old.
close this despatch in haste, as ! have NO
| time left me to carry it further.
| Mr. McRae leaves for Liverpool within few
| minutes. | intrust to him details which could
| not have easily found a place here, nor in the
other despatch. He will impart to you what
of my mind I am not able 10 pour out in these
lines. Respectfully, yours,
PIERRE SOULE.
Hon. WiAiam H. Marcy,
Secretary Of State, dc.
AK LA CHAPELLE, October l9, 1854.
| SIR: The undersigned, in compliance with
the wish expressed by the President in the sew
eral confidential dispatches you have addressed
to us, respectively, to that effect, have met in
| conference first at Ostend, in Belgium, on the
| 9th, 10th, and llth instant and then at AK Ia
| Chapelle, 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, hos
| resulted in cordial coincidence of opinion or
the grave and important subjects submitted te
| our consideration.
We have arrived at the conclusion, and are
thoroughly convinced, that an immediate and
ment of the United States to purchase Cubs
from Spain at any price for which it can bs
obtained, not exceeding the sum of 3
The proposal should, in our opinion, be made
in such manner 60 to be presented through
the necessary diplomatic forias 10 the Suprem,
Constituent Cortes about to assemble. On thi:
momentous question, in which the people boil
of Spain and the United States are 80 deepl,
interested, ali our proceedings ought to be open
frank, and public. They should he of such {
chsractsr as to challenge the appreciation o
the world.
We firmly believe that. In tha progress o
human events, the time has arrived when tn
vital interests of Spain are seriously involved
in the sale, as those of the United States in to-
purchase, of the island, and that the transaction
will prove equally honorable to both nations.
Under these circumstances, we cannot anti
cipate failure, unless possibly through tn
malign influence Of foreign Powers, who posses
no right whatever to interfere in the matter,
We proceed to state some of the reason
) which have brought US to this conclusion, and
for the sake of clearness, we shall specify then
! under two distinct heads
l. The United States ought, if practicable
to purchase Cuba with as little delay as pos
sible.
2. The probability is great that the Govern
| ment and COrteS OF SPAN Will prove Wlning Y
sell it, because this would essentially promot
ta.e highest and beat interests of the Spanis
, people.
Then, l. 1t must be clear to every rehectn
, mind, that, from the peculiarly of its geogrspt
,, icai position, and the considerations attendan
on 1t, Cuba is as necessary to the North Amer
ican kepubhc as any of its present members
and that It belongs naturally to that great fan
lily of States of which the Union is the prov
, Dental nursery.
From its locality, it commands the mouth Q
the Mississippi, and the immense and annually
increasing trade which must seek this avenu
Fl to the ocean.
On the nun.e-oas navigable streams, meas
uring An aggregate course Of some thirty thor
sand miles, which disembogue thelaselye
: through this magnificent river into the Gulf q
y Mexico, the increase of the population With
: the last ten years amounts to more than the
q Of the entire Union st the time Louisiana wa
> annexed to 1t.
y The natural and main outlet to the product
of this entire population, the highway of the
direct intercourse with the Atlantic and the p,
ciGc States, can peyer be secure, but must eve
. he endangered, whilst Cuba is dependency {
a distant Power in whose possession it hs
y proved to be q source OF constant annoyanc
and embarrassment. to their interests.
n Indeed. the Union can never enjoy repos
e nor possess reliable security, as long az Cun
e is not embraced within its boundaries.
:. Its immediate acquisition by our dover'