The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-15

the British Government and each of the
Central American republics whose terri
torial interests are Immediately involv-
ed.
The settlement was to be made in &C.
cordance with the general tenor of the in
depreciation placed upon the Clayton and
Bulwer treaty. by the United States, with
certain notifications. AS negotiations
are still pending upon this basis it would
not be proper for me now to communi-
cate their present condition. A final set
tlement of these questions is greatly to
be desired, as this would wipe out the last
remaining subject Of dispute between the
two countries.
Our relations with the great empires
OF France and Russia, as well as with
other governments on the continent of
Europe, except that of Spain, continue to
be of the most friendly character.
With Spain our relations remain in an
unsatisfactory condition. In my message
of December last informed you that our
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plen-
ipotentiary to Madrid had asked for his
recall; and it was my purpose to send out
new Minister to that Court, with special
instructions on all questions pending be-
tween the two governments, and with a
determination to have them speedily and
amicably adjusted, if that were possible.
This purpose has been hitherto defeated
by causes which need not enumerate.
The mission to Spain has been intrus-
ted to distinguished citizen ofKentucky,
who will proceed to Madrid without delay,
and make another and final attemp. to
obtain justice from that government.
Spanish officials, under the direct con-
troll of the captain-general of Cuba, have
insulted our national flag. and in repeated
instances have, from time to time, inaic-
ted injuries on the persons and property
of our citizens. These have given birth
to numerous claims against the Spanish
government, the merits of which have
been ably discussed for series of years
by our successive diplomatic represen-
tativcs. ~
Notwithstanding this, we have not ar
rived at a practical result in any single
instance, miles we may except the case of
the Black Warrior under the late admin
istration; and that presented an outrage
of ssch character as would have justi-
fed an immediate resort to war. All our
attempts to obtain redress have been baf-
fed and defeated. The frequent and Oft
recurring changes in the Spanish ministry
have been employed as reasons for delay
We have been compelled to wait, again
and again, until the new ministry shall
have had time to investigate the justice of
our demands.
Even what have been denominated "the
Cuban claims" in which more than a
hundred of our citizens are directly interes-
ted, have furnished no exception. These
claims were for the refunding of duties
unjustly exacted from American vessels
at different Custom houses in Cuba, so
long ago as the year 1854. The princi-
pies upon which they rest are so manifest
ly equitable and just that after period
of nearly ten years in 1854, they were
recognized by the Spanish government.
Proceedings were afterwards instituted
to ascertain their amount, and this was
affixed according to their own statement
with which. we were satisliod) at the sum
of one hundred and twenty eight thousand
six hundred and thirty-fve dollars and
fifty-four cents. Just at the moment
after delay of fourteen years, when We
had reason to expect that this sum would
be repaid with interest, we have received
proposal offering to refund one third O
that amount (forty-two thousand eigh
hundred and seventy-eighti dollars ani
forty-one cents,) but without interest, i
we would accept this in full satisfaction
The offer is also accompaniment by a decla
ration that this indemnifcation is no
founded on any reason of strict justice, bu
is made as social favor. h"" 81 -. :.
One alleged cause for procrastinatior
in the examination and adjustment of ou
claims arises from an obstacle which it i
the duty Of the Spanish government tt
remove. While the eaptain-general o
Cuba is invested with general despotit
authority in the government of that island
the power is withheld from him to exam
inc and redress wrongs committed by off
cials under his control, on citizens of tn
United States. Instead of making ou
complaints directly to him at Havana, W
are obliged to present them through on
minister at Madrid. a i'3ziat4 ~
These are then referred back to tn
captain-general for Information; and mucl
time is thus consumed in preliminary in
vestigations and correspondence betwee1
Madrid and Caba, before the Spanisl
government will consent to proceed t.
negotiations. Many of the difficultie
between the two governments would b
obviated, and q long train of negotiation
avoided, if the captain-gencral' were in
vested with authority to settle question
of easy solution on the spot, where all til
facts are fresh, and could be promptly ant
satisfactorily ascertained. efa o,
81