Daily national Democrat., 1858-12-28

1--WE would not, 1t we could, acquire Cuba
in any other manner. This is due to our ma
tional character. All the territory which
we have acquired since the origin of the
Government has been by fair purchase from
France, Spain and Mexico, or by the volun.
tary act of the Independent State of Texas,
in blending her destinies with our own
ms course We shall ever pursue, unless cir
cumstances should occur, which we do not
now anticipate rendering departure from
1t clearly justifable under the imperative and
oyerruling law of self-preservation. The
island of Cuba, from its geographical position
commands the mouth of the Mississippi and
the immense and annually increasing trade,
foreign and coastwise, from the valley of that
noble river, now embracing half the sover-
eign States of the Union. With that island
under the dominion Of a distant foreign pow
er, this trade, of vital Importance to these
States, is exposed to the danger of being de
stroyed in time Of war, and it has hitherto
been subjected to perpetual injury and an
noyance in time of peace. Our relations
with Spain, which ought to be of the most
friendly character, must always be placed in
jeopardy whilst the existing Colonial Gov.
ernment over the island shall remain in its
| present condition. Whilst the possession of
the island would be of vast Importance to the
! United States, its value to Spain is compare
| lively unimportant Such was the relative
situation of parties when the great Napoleon
transferred Louisiana to the United States
Jealous as he ever was of the national honor
and inserests of France, no person, through
out the world, has imputed blame to him for
accepting a pecuniary equivalent for its ces
sion. The publicity which has been given
to our former negotiations upon this subject,
and the large appropriation which may be
required to effect this purpose, render it ex-
| pedient, before making another attempt at
negotiation, that should lay the whole sub
ject before Congress. This is especially ne
cessary, as it may become indispensable to
success that should be intrusted with the
means of making an advance to the Spanish
| Government Immediately after the signing
of the treaty, without awaiting the ratifca
tion of it by the Senate.
He recommends the appropriation of
money to pay the claims of Spain against this
Government, arising from the Armisted case
Mexico, he says, is owing the United
States, as money due in the adjustment of
claims of American citizens, over ten mil
lions of dollars, which she is utterly unable
to pay. Besides this, she has recently given
rise to new claims for indemnity against her,
by imposing forced loans on American resi-
dents, and, so far as affording protection to
the lives and property of American citizens,
visiting or tarryng in that country, is con-
cerned, the treaty with Mexico is dead
letter. The President would advise the i'm
mediate seizure, by the United States, of
portions of the Mexican territory, to be held
as security for the payment of the debt due
us by Mexico, were it not that it is hoped
that the party now struggling to keep itself
in power, and which is unfriendly to the
United States, will shortly be overthrown by
the Constitutional party, which is favorably
disposed towards our Government. He al
ludes to the unprotected condition of citizens
near, the southern frontier of the United
States territory bordering on Mexico, on ac-
count of the depredations of the Indians;
also to the perfect state of lawlessness exist
ing along the line, and the inability of Mex
leo to remedy the difficulty In view of this
condition of things he recommends that the
Government of the United States assume o
temporary protection over the States of Chi
huahua and Sonora, and establish military
posts therein. This protection, he says,
"may be" withdrawn as soon as governments
shall be established in those States capable
of restraining the lawlessness complained of,
and carrying out the promises of the Mexican
Gov rnment with reference to preserving
peace on the border.
Herecommends the organization of Ter
ritorial government for Arizona.
He recommends the passage u an Act au-
thorizing the President, under such restric.
tions as may be deemed proper, to employ
the land and naval forces of the United States
in preventing the Nicaragua Transit Route
from being obstructed or closed by lawless
violence, and in protecting the lives and pro
perty of American citizens travelling thereon
He also recommends similar act with refer
ence to the Transit Routes of Panama and
Tehuantepec.
The President plainly intimates that unless
Nicaragua and Costa Rica give satisfaction
shortly for the injuries done to American cti
zens during the late difficulties in those coun.
tries, and make some reparation for the sacri.
flee of life and property suffered by them, he
will be in favor oftaking summary vengeance
upon those Governments.
A treaty was concluded between the Sec.
retary of the United States and the Minister
of New Granada, settling all difficulties be-
tween the two Governments, in September
1857. This treaty was ratified at Bogota
with certain amendments, and returned to
the United States too late to be presented to
the Senate at its last session 1t will now be
laid before that body.
Our relations with Brazil are Of the most
friendly character, and we carry on with her
an extensive commerce She levies an ex-
port duty of about eleven per cent on coffee,
Notwithstanding that article enters our ports
free of duty. This is a tax on our people,
the consumers of Coffee which the President
hopes the enlightened policy of the Govern
ment of Brazil will remove.
The President makes but brief reference to
the expedition against Paraguay, shedding
no new light on the subject
He renews his recommendations in favor
of the passage of uniform bankrupt law, APP
| plicable to bankrupt institutions.
Abiding still further to financial affairs,
he states that the revenue has proved made.
quate to meet the expenses of the Govern