The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-16

Of Spains history will zee at once that she never
has sold territory voluntarily. She preferred
TO lose the Low Countries in the most ignomini-
Gus manner to treating even with the Prince of
Orange. When Napoleon desired to buy Louisi-
ana in order to raise money by selling it to US,
Olivarez, the Spanish Minister, flung back his
propositions with the proud reply, "Spain con-
quers or loses provinces at the point of the
sword: she never buys or sells them" Napo-
leon negotiated no more, but with Charles
Nv. and Ferdinand, the heir apparent, prisoners
in France, he took possession of Louisiana.
SO, too with Florids,-when General jack
son marched into that province and
took possession of it Mr.. Madison was almost
frightened out of his boots, and at once pro-
ceeded to purchase and pay for what we already
held. The willy and false Ferdinand took the
money and signed the treaty, and then ordered
that the province should not be given up. How
that determination was circumvented is naively
narrated by Pezuela in his history Of Cuba.
"A few months" says he, "after the stipu-
ated cession of Florida to the United States,
the Spanish government gave orders to Cagigal
(the Captain General of Cuba) to arrange all
the points relative to its delivery with an Anne
rican commission sent from Washington to
Havana; but at the same time it secretly order
ed him to lengthen the negotiations, and delay
the departure of our garrisons from Florida
under every possible pretext. SINH
lar instructions were brought by General Manly
(the new Captain General), and during the first
few months he eluded under masked motives,
the daily demands of the American Commits
sioner, Col. Forbes, and his companions
But the following despatch from the truthful
Manly to the Minister of War, on the 3lst of
May, reveals too fully that their intrigues were
not limited: i might have delayed sometime
longer the United States Commissioner, Mr..
J. G. Forbes. Notwithstanding the frequent
visits he made me, and notes asking for
immediate despatch; but having learned that
some of the commission were taking active
steps to obtain plans of these Notifications,
having gone so far as to offer to clerk of
the engineers $50 ounces of gold, / deemed it
my duty to despatch them as soon Us possible.
The clerk reported the affair to his chief and
this officer to me; therefore, in order to prevent
them taking steps in any other direction, / di-
rected that they should be entertained with
hopes until on the eve Of departure, when 800
ounces of gold were demanded. This price they
would not agree to. and they departed without
obtaining their DESIRE"
In all these things there is key to negotia-
sion with Spain, and that is that the possession
desired must be first obtained before it is nego-
tia;ed for A negotiation in Paris or Madrid.
whether conducted by Mr.. Belmont or any one
else, does not fill the required conditions. In
fact. there is but one course open to us that
does. Comonfort is Dictator of Mexico, and is
on the verge Of q war with Spain. We can
easily strengthen his hands-as we pointed out
day or two since-so that Mexico can take
possession Of Cuba in just war, and she will
be glad to dispose Of il to us at once. That il
the true course and policy for us to pursue, and
not to waste time in proftiess negotiations with
European Cabinets that will agree to nothing
which may tend to the advantage of the United
States by a proper understanding with
Comoniort the whole affair can be arranged ia
ninety days or four months, while four years
will he wasted in vain hopes if Mr.. Belmont Is
charged with mission; and not only shall we
attain nothing, but positively be in worse po-
sition than We are now